In an orchestra, everyone has a unique role to play. It is the diversity of talents and instruments that creates a truly magical experience.
Audition & Application Information
AUDITION OVERVIEW
Auditions will determine your placement in either the Youth Chamber Orchestra (YCO), Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO), or Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPO). Learn more about our orchestras.
We accept students for auditions all season long.
Appropriate Instruments: Doubling Instruments
The following instruments are part of the orchestra: violin, viola, cello, double bass, oboe, flute, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, and harp. If you want to audition for an orchestra, you must be able to play one of these instruments. If you play a doubling instrument (such as piccolo, English horn, bass clarinet, E-flat clarinet, contra-bassoon, or bass trombone) and have access to the instrument, please bring it to your audition and be prepared to play it as well. Double the fun!
AUDITION INFORMATION
The audition process, no matter what time of year, starts with completing an application.
After applying, you will be able to arrange an audition.
Arranging an Audition Time
Once your application is submitted, you will receive an email that contains a link to audition sign-ups.
Applicants will be charged a $25 audition fee.
If financial assistance is needed, please contact office@youthorchestrasfresno.org.
Audition Requirements:
Auditions are a maximum of 5-7 minutes long — conductors will be able to hear only portions of what you have prepared. Don’t worry if you are cut short in the middle of your audition.
Percussionists: YPO and YSO only
Bring your sticks/mallets. You will be expected to perform a solo or solos of your choice, as appropriate to your playing level.
Scales: As appropriate to the applicant's instrument and level. Choose scales that show your playing to your optimum advantage. Scales should be played at a moderate tempo, with any desired articulation and bowing.
YPO: One scale of your choice showing the entire range of your instrument.
YSO: One scale of your choice of at least two octaves.
YCO: One scale of your choice, one octave.
Solo:
YPO: Two contrasting pieces of the applicant's choice or two contrasting movements from a sonata or a concerto, demonstrating the musical and technical abilities of the candidate. The work will be performed without accompaniment at the audition.
YCO and YSO: One piece of your choice showing your ability level.
Audition Location:
Auditions will be held at the YOOF Offices located at 2503 W. Shaw Ave. #103, Fresno, CA 93711.
Parking: Plentiful free parking is available on-site.
Audition results: Candidates will be contacted via email before the first rehearsal in September. If accepted, players will be placed into one of our three orchestras to ensure both a positive experience for each musician and the success of each ensemble.
Still have questions? Contact Catherine Marchese at cmarchese@yoofresno.org
Programs offered by the Youth Orchestras of Fresno are designed to be supplemental to school music programs. Our orchestra members participate in their school music programs whenever those are offered, and are encouraged to take advantage of a wide range of school musical activities.
AUDITION EXPECTATIONS
Flutists should be able to play or be willing to learn to play piccolo. If you already play piccolo, please bring the instrument to your audition, and be prepared to play at least one piece of your choice.
Oboists should play or be willing to learn to play the English horn. If you already play the English horn, please bring the instrument to the audition and be prepared to play at least one piece of your choice.
Clarinetists, should let us know if you can play both B-flat and A clarinet. Both are often needed in orchestral music. We also hope some of you will be able to play or be willing to learn to play bass clarinet and, on occasion, E-flat clarinet.
Bassoonists should let us know if you play or are willing to learn to play contrabassoon.
Horn players should, for YPO, be able to transpose. Those aiming for YSO should begin learning to transpose.
Trumpet players for YPO should be able to transpose. Those aiming for YSO should begin learning to transpose
Trombone players for YPO should be able to read bass clef and tenor clef and be willing to learn to read alto clef. Those aiming for YSO should be willing to learn new clefs.
Percussionists must play or be willing to learn to play timpani, snare drums, cymbals, and mallet instruments.
Attention Percussionists:
Be prepared to perform the 2025 percussion excerpts as part of your audition requirements.
REHEARSALS
The Youth Orchestras of Fresno rehearse in the Band Room at Fresno State, except on concert days when the pre-concert rehearsal will be at the concert hall.
2:00 pm-3:30 pm: Youth Chamber Orchestra (YCO)
4:00 pm-6:00 pm: Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO)
6:30 pm-9:00 pm: Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPO)
Rehearsals begin on September 7, 2025.
Visiting our Sunday rehearsals (after August auditions)
Interested players are welcome to bring their instruments and sit in on a rehearsal for the appropriate orchestra (scroll down to learn more about levels) to see if the.
Interested musicians can audition for admission to the orchestras at any time throughout the year, although they will not be competing for seating, which will already have been decided.
Visitors are always welcome during our regular season, September-May.
This competition offers a breakdown into six levels and is a rough estimate of what we expect based on the Orchestra level.
Levels 1-2 = Youth Chamber Orchestra (YCO)
Levels 3-4 = Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO)
Levels 5-6 = Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPO)
We said roughly because our conductors will be observing how you play more than what you play, so anything can happen!
Violin rep lists from reputable pedagogues
A few additional lists that might be fun to check out...
useful lists for string players: http://www.asta.net/certificateprogram.php
useful list for flutists: http://www.jennifercluff.com/chart.htm
useful for oboe players: http://www.oboes.com/oboerepertory.html
Keep us posted at office@youthorchestrasfresno.org if you find more useful lists to share.
Tuition and Tuition Assistance
TUITION for the 2025-2026 Season
Tuition for the 2025-2026 season is listed below for each of our three orchestras.
Youth Chamber Orchestra (YCO) - $650
Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO) - $700
Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPO) - $800
*Please note that any outstanding balance must be paid for a student to participate in this year’s season.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Tuition can be paid in full at the start of the season in September or can be made in installments. The first payment is due on Sunday, September 22nd. Payments can be made by cash or check during rehearsal. Credit card payments are accepted, though a 3.5% processing fee will apply, and cannot be accepted at rehearsals. Please contact Julie Han at yoofbilling@gmail.com for information on how to pay by credit card.
Installment payments for the 2025 season for each of our three orchestras:
Youth Chamber Orchestra (YCO) - $240 initial payment in September, followed by monthly payments of $50 per month, October through May.
Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO) - $235 initial payment in September, followed by monthly payments of $60 per month, October through May.
Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPO) - $230 initial payment in September, followed by monthly payments of $70 per month, October through May.
SIBLING DISCOUNT
A sibling discount of $75 is applied for each additional family member participating in the youth orchestras.
FINANCIAL AID/TUITION ASSISTANCE
YOOF provides need-based tuition assistance in the form of partial or full tuition, not including the $20 application fee.
No student will be denied membership due to financial hardship.
All students must first pass an audition before requesting financial assistance.
Applicants must complete the Tuition Assistance application and turn in the required documentation. Completed forms will be reviewed by the YOOF Tuition Assistance Committee. Notifications will be sent VIA EMAIL as soon as possible after review.
Applications can be completed online and are available at auditions or by request. Cell phone photos of documents (e.g., tax returns) are acceptable.
Aid is granted based on proof of need: you must submit the first two pages of the family's most recent tax return.
All financial concerns are strictly confidential. Information will be used only for reference about YOOF's tax liabilities and filing verification.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
NOTE: When submitting a tax return as proof of need, be aware that IRS nonprofit guidelines require a copy of only the first two pages of your most recent tax return. Please black out Social Security numbers, but do not black out any other information.
ALL COMPLETED TUITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS AND DOCUMENTATION
Acceptable submission methods:
Complete the paper application by clicking on the PDF icon below.
Bring it and the required documentation in a sealed envelope
to Dr. Loewenheim at rehearsal.- or -
Mail it with the required documentation to:
Youth Orchestras of Fresno
2503 W Shaw Ave #103
Fresno, CA 93711
