Auditions & Program Info
The New Bedford Symphony Youth Orchestras hold auditions on an ongoing basis throughout the year. To schedule an audition time, please email NBSYO coordinator Merrillan Melberg at coordinator@nbsyo.org.
Audition Requirements
Students auditioning should prepare two excerpts that will demonstrate technical proficiency and lyrical expressive playing. All auditions will include a short sight reading piece.
Scale requirements
Symphony Orchestra
Strings: C, G, D, A, F, Bb, Eb, Ab (2 octaves, 3 where possible)
Woodwinds & Brass: (played 2 octaves where possible)
- C Instruments - G, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab
- Bb Instruments - C, F, Bb, G, D, A
- F Instruments - G, D, C, F, Bb, Eb
Mallet Percussion: C, G, D, A, F, Bb, Eb (1 or 2 octaves, with arpeggios also, if possible). Chromatic Scale (ascending and descending).
Percussion: The 26 standard snare drum rudiments. Basic auxiliary percussion playing techniques (crash cymbals, triangle, tambourine)
Repertory Orchestra
Strings: C, G, D, A,F, Bb,Eb (2 octaves)
Woodwinds & Brass: (scales played 1 octave)
- C Instruments - C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab
- Bb Instruments - C, F, Bb, G, D
- F Instruments - G, C, F, Bb, Eb
Debut Orchestra
Strings: D, G, C (1 octave)
Woodwinds & Brass:
- C Instruments - Bb (1 octave)
- Bb Instruments - C (1 octave)
- F Instruments - C or F (1 octave)
Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by email within a week after the audition.
All rehearsals take place on Saturdays at UMass Dartmouth in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The Symphony Orchestra meets from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, the Repertory Orchestra meets from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, the Debut Orchestra meets from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm and the Poco Strings meet from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. You can find the complete rehearsal calendar here.
