Audition Information
Membership in COYO is by audition only. Auditions are open to all middle-high school students who study privately and are prepared to make a commitment to an ambitious schedule of rehearsals and performances.
An audition application and requirements list can be downloaded by clicking the links below. To receive audition materials by mail (brochure, application and orchestral excerpts), please fill out the request form.
Orchestral excerpts for COYO auditions are available here.
An audition application and requirements list can be downloaded by clicking the links below. To receive audition materials by mail (brochure, application and orchestral excerpts), please fill out the request form.
Orchestral excerpts for COYO auditions are available here.
Audition Application Requirements: (please submit materials together)
COYO Audition and Membership FAQ
Q. What are the auditions like?
A. Auditions generally take place at Severance Hall in May of each year. Auditions are about 10 minutes in length and are heard by the Youth Orchestra music director and members of The Cleveland Orchestra.
Q. Can I warm up before my audition?
A. Yes, there are a limited number of practice rooms for candidates to use before their audition. We ask candidates to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to their audition at which time they will be placed in a warm-up room until their audition.
Q. When will I find out when my audition is?
A. After the deadline, audition times will be assigned based on many factors including the schedules of the audition committee members and the availability of the space at Severance Hall. Letters and/or emails will be sent to each candidate with his/her audition date and time. Unfortunately, we are unable to change audition times due to the very busy schedule of the audition committee and the hall.
Q. When are rehearsals?
A. Regular rehearsals take place on either Saturday or Sunday of each week, September through May, primarily at Severance Hall in the University Circle area of Cleveland. The majority of rehearsals take place on Saturday afternoons; some are scheduled for Sunday afternoons. Although we try to avoid them, once in a while it is necessary to have a weeknight rehearsal. (Tentative rehearsal and concert schedule for 2011-12).
Q. What if I have to be absent from a rehearsal?
A. COYO follows a trimester format with concerts in November, March, and May. Each member is allowed 2 absences per concert cycle. Dress rehearsals and performances are mandatory.
Q. Does COYO Tour?
A. COYO toured to Boston and its surrounding areas in June, 2009. During tour years, all current members are expected to participate in the tour. Students are assessed fees for tours; these fees are in addition to the annual membership dues. COYO is preparing for their first international tour in June 2012. We will be performing concerts in Prague, Vienna and Salzburg.
Q. Who are the coaches that work with each section?
A. Members of The Cleveland Orchestra conduct weekly coaching sessions throughout the season. See this season's coaches here.
Q. Does The Cleveland Orchestra and/or COYO have a concerto competition?
A. Yes, COYO has an annual concerto competition open to current members of COYO. The winner performs his/her entire concerto as part of COYO's third subscription concert. Finalists may also be chosen to perform as soloists with COYO and/or The Cleveland Orchestra in outreach and education concerts.
Q. Does COYO have interaction with guest artists that perform with The Cleveland Orchestra?
A. Master classes or coachings are occasionally given to COYO members by guest soloists. Guest conductors also occasionally work with COYO.
Q. What are the membership dues for COYO?
A. For the 2011-12 season, annual membership dues and pre-concert meals are $260. Some partial scholarships are available.
Photo: James Feddeck conducting COYO, November 2009
- COYO Audition Application
- Two letters of recommendation (private teacher & school music director)
- $25 audition fee (non-refundable)
COYO Audition and Membership FAQ
Q. What are the auditions like?
A. Auditions generally take place at Severance Hall in May of each year. Auditions are about 10 minutes in length and are heard by the Youth Orchestra music director and members of The Cleveland Orchestra.
Q. Can I warm up before my audition?
A. Yes, there are a limited number of practice rooms for candidates to use before their audition. We ask candidates to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to their audition at which time they will be placed in a warm-up room until their audition.
Q. When will I find out when my audition is?
A. After the deadline, audition times will be assigned based on many factors including the schedules of the audition committee members and the availability of the space at Severance Hall. Letters and/or emails will be sent to each candidate with his/her audition date and time. Unfortunately, we are unable to change audition times due to the very busy schedule of the audition committee and the hall.
Q. When are rehearsals?
A. Regular rehearsals take place on either Saturday or Sunday of each week, September through May, primarily at Severance Hall in the University Circle area of Cleveland. The majority of rehearsals take place on Saturday afternoons; some are scheduled for Sunday afternoons. Although we try to avoid them, once in a while it is necessary to have a weeknight rehearsal. (Tentative rehearsal and concert schedule for 2011-12).
Q. What if I have to be absent from a rehearsal?
A. COYO follows a trimester format with concerts in November, March, and May. Each member is allowed 2 absences per concert cycle. Dress rehearsals and performances are mandatory.
Q. Does COYO Tour?
A. COYO toured to Boston and its surrounding areas in June, 2009. During tour years, all current members are expected to participate in the tour. Students are assessed fees for tours; these fees are in addition to the annual membership dues. COYO is preparing for their first international tour in June 2012. We will be performing concerts in Prague, Vienna and Salzburg.
Q. Who are the coaches that work with each section?
A. Members of The Cleveland Orchestra conduct weekly coaching sessions throughout the season. See this season's coaches here.
Q. Does The Cleveland Orchestra and/or COYO have a concerto competition?
A. Yes, COYO has an annual concerto competition open to current members of COYO. The winner performs his/her entire concerto as part of COYO's third subscription concert. Finalists may also be chosen to perform as soloists with COYO and/or The Cleveland Orchestra in outreach and education concerts.
Q. Does COYO have interaction with guest artists that perform with The Cleveland Orchestra?
A. Master classes or coachings are occasionally given to COYO members by guest soloists. Guest conductors also occasionally work with COYO.
Q. What are the membership dues for COYO?
A. For the 2011-12 season, annual membership dues and pre-concert meals are $260. Some partial scholarships are available.
Photo: James Feddeck conducting COYO, November 2009
