New York Youth Symphony

1. Begin with an orchestral excerpt of your choice from the list provided on nyys.org.  
2. We will then choose other excerpts we would like to hear. We may not get to hear all the excerpts, but you are expected to prepare all of them.  
3. Solo Repertoire: Please prepare at least three minutes of your solo repertoire. You do not necessarily have to start at the beginning; pick a portion (or multiple portions) that represents you the best as a musician and also helps to demonstrate a variety of different styles.  
4. If you are applying for a principal or assistant principal position or auxiliary instruments with specific orchestral solo excerpts, you will play them in addition to the main excerpts. Please note not all instruments have principal excerpts. 

Auditions are 10 minutes long and will be heard by the Music Director and the Assistant Conductor. You will be asked to play orchestral excerpts per instrument as well as solo repertoire. You may be asked to demonstrate basic techniques on your instrument, which may include knowledge of major and minor scales and/or bowing/tonguing techniques. You can view and download the audition excerpts below. 

Symphony Orchestra applicants must be available on the following dates: 

• September 26-28, 2025 (Kickoff Retreat) 

• Sunday, November 23, 2025 at 2pm (Carnegie Hall Performance #1) 

• Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 2pm (Carnegie Hall Performance #2) 

• Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 2pm (Carnegie Hall Performance #3) 

For Crescendo application & audition information, visit nyys.org/apply. Crescendo applications must be submitted through Jotform, not Acceptd (insert link here).

Jazz:

• You will be asked to play the jazz excerpts per instrument (view and download excerpts on nyys.org).  

• All rhythm section players (drums, guitar, piano, & bass) will be required to demonstrate their improvisational ability.  

• All students may be asked to sight-read a short excerpt, and they will be asked to play major, melodic minor, and diminished (whole/half) scales in any key.  

• Drummers will be asked to demonstrate grooves in different styles/tempos in place of scales. 

Auditions are 10 minutes long and will be heard by the Jazz Director. 

Select NYYS jazz members will be able to audition to perform in small ensembles, creating even more opportunities for creative collaboration and musical exploration. 

Jazz applicants must be available on the following dates: 

• Monday, December 15, 2025 at 7pm (Shapeshifter Lab) 
• Monday, March 2, 2026 at 7pm (Dizzy’s Club at JALC) 
• May 2026 Performance (TBA) 

NYYS Jazz will rehearse on Sundays from 6-8PM at the NYYS Office at 110 West 40th Street, New York, NY. A full season schedule will be available upon acceptance to the 2025/2026 Jazz Program. 

Registration fee:  
The registration fee for the Jazz program is TBD. 
 
The NYYS recognizes that the cost of application and registration fees may be prohibitive for some students, and that access to technology may be a barrier to participation. Financial aid, application fee waivers, work-study, and technology funds are available to help offset these expenses. Financial need is the major consideration when awarding assistance. We ask that students seek funding through their personal networks in addition to completing the financial aid application as funds are limited. The application for financial assistance is within the main application. 

Chamber Music Program (CMP): 

Live audition dates: September 2, 2025 - September 14, 2025

If you do not have a pre-formed group: 

• Applicants must prepare two (2) solo movements of contrasting styles (can be from the same work). Applicants may be asked to sight-read. 

If you are auditioning as a pre-formed group: 

• The group must prepare one piece together. 

• Pre-formed groups may audition separately, as long as they indicate they are in a pre-formed group at their audition. Applicants may be asked to sight-read. 

Chamber Music applicants must be available on the following dates: 

• Met Museum Balcony Cafe (TBA) 

• Monday, April 20, 2026 at 7pm (Scandinavia House) 

• Monday, April 27, 2026 at 7pm (Merkin Hall) 
• Monday, May 4, 2026 at 7pm (Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall) 

NYYS Chamber Music students coordinate with their chamber coaches and other ensemble players to determine times and locations for rehearsals. A full season schedule will be available upon acceptance to the 2025/2026 Chamber Music Program. 

Registration fee:  
The registration fee for the Chamber Music program is TBD. 
 
The NYYS recognizes that the cost of application and registration fees may be prohibitive for some students, and that access to technology may be a barrier to participation. Financial aid, application fee waivers, work-study, and technology funds are available to help offset these expenses. Financial need is the major consideration when awarding assistance. We ask that students seek funding through their personal networks in addition to completing the financial aid application as funds are limited. The application for financial assistance is within the main application. 

Musical Theater Songwriting (MTS):

Early/Priority Interview Dates: June 4, 2025 and June 5, 2025
General Interview Dates: September 17, 2025 - September 24, 2025

As part of the application you will be asked to submit two (2) original work samples. Work samples can be an original song (mp3 recording), an original composition (mp3 recording), an original lyric or poem (PDF document), or a scene from an original script (PDF document). If you are attaching an original song or composition, please attach a SECONDARY document with the lyrics. If you do not have two existing work samples, you are encouraged to create new ones for the application. 

Interviews are 15 minutes long, and at your interview, you will meet with the Director and the Assistant Director of the Musical Theater Songwriting Program. Each applicant will be asked about the materials they submitted as part of their supplemental form, and as well as their reasons for applying to the MTS program. 

Musical Theater Songwriting applicants must be available on the following dates: 

• Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 7pm (Joe’s Pub) 

The Musical Theater Songwriting Program will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 5-8pm at the NYYS Office, located at 110 West 40th Street, New York, NY. A full season schedule will be available upon acceptance to the 2025/2026 Musical Theater Songwriting Program. 

Registration fee:  
The registration fee for the Musical Theater Songwriting program is TBD. 
 
The NYYS recognizes that the cost of application and registration fees may be prohibitive for some students, and that access to technology may be a barrier to participation. Financial aid, application fee waivers, work-study, and technology funds are available to help offset these expenses. Financial need is the major consideration when awarding assistance. We ask that students seek funding through their personal networks in addition to completing the financial aid application as funds are limited. The application for financial assistance is within the main application. 

Composition:

Interview dates: September 16, 2025 and September 18, 2025

As part of the application you will be asked to submit at least one (1) recent composition, both the score & the audio recording. MIDI files are also acceptable. If you do not have any existing work samples, you are encouraged to create new ones for the application. 

Interviews are 15 minutes long, and at your interview, you will meet with the Director and the Assistant Director of the Composition Program. Each applicant will be asked about the materials they submitted as part of their supplemental form, and as well as their reasons for applying to the MTS program. 

Composition applicants must be available on the following dates: 

• May 18, 2026 (at National Sawdust) 

The Composition Program generally meets weekly from October to May on Thursdays between 4:30-7:00pm at the NYYS Office, located at 110 West 40th Street, New York, NY. A full schedule of sessions will be available upon acceptance to the 2025/2026 Composition Program. 

Registration fee:
The registration fee for the Composition program is TBD. 
 
The NYYS recognizes that the cost of application and registration fees may be prohibitive for some students, and that access to technology may be a barrier to participation. Financial aid, application fee waivers, work-study, and technology funds are available to help offset these expenses. Financial need is the major consideration when awarding assistance. We ask that students seek funding through their personal networks in addition to completing the financial aid application as funds are limited. The application for financial assistance is within the main application. 

Interview dates: September 8, 2025 and September 9, 2025

For new applicants, the Music Director & Assistant Director will review your application before reaching out for an interview. Please note that not all applicants will be invited for an interview. All returning students will be automatically invited to the interview. 

After the review of the application form, the Music Director and the Assistant Conductor will decide who will be invited to the interview. Returning students are automatically invited to the interview. 
 
Interviews are 20 minutes long, and you will meet with the Music Director and the Assistant Conductor. Applicants will be asked follow-up questions on the materials submitted on the application form and also other questions related to applicant’s knowledge of conducting and music. 

For New Students: 

• Demonstrate proficiency in reading treble, alto, tenor, and bass clefs. Be able to sight-sing simple melodies. 

• Demonstrate proficiency in strong pulse and rhythm. 

• Demonstrate basic understanding of common musical terms. 

For Returning Students, in addition to the items for new students above: 

• Demonstrate the ability to read a Bach chorale in open score. You may be asked to sing and play a combination of voices that is appropriate for your individual keyboard skills. 

• Demonstrate fluency in reading transposing instruments. 

• Demonstrate understanding of concepts covered in the program last year. 
   

If you have any questions regarding the conducting program, please reach out to the Music Director at akim@nyys.org. 

Conducting applicants must be available on the following dates: 

• May 18, 2026 (at National Sawdust) 

The Conducting program meets on Sundays at the NYYS office prior to NYYS Orchestra rehearsals. Classes include seminars on score study and lab ensemble sessions that will give students hands-on conducting experience. Conductors are also expected to be present at Carnegie Hall dress rehearsals and concerts. A full season schedule will be available upon acceptance to the 2025/2026 Conducting Program. 

Registration fee:  
The registration fee for the Conducting program is TBD. 
 
The NYYS recognizes that the cost of application and registration fees may be prohibitive for some students, and that access to technology may be a barrier to participation. Financial aid, application fee waivers, work-study, and technology funds are available to help offset these expenses. Financial need is the major consideration when awarding assistance. We ask that students seek funding through their personal networks in addition to completing the financial aid application as funds are limited. The application for financial assistance is within the main application. 

For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.