• Click here for the online audition application (application will open in a new window)

Audio Submission Guidelines

• Preliminary auditions are by audio recording only.
• MP3 and MP4 files preferred
• Ensure that acoustics are adequate.
• Recording with personal or home devices is perfectly acceptable. Professional recordings are not necessary. Do not edit after recording. Recordings should be continuous. If you have a false start, wait 3 seconds and begin again.
• Recording should begin with up to 2 minutes from a solo selection (e.g. concerto, advanced etude, etc. with no piano accompaniment) in your repertoire that shows your technical abilities. Fast movements only – please do not submit slow movements. If you do not have a prepared solo selection in your repertoire, you must get prior approval for your solo piece by emailing us at info@pyso.org with the composer and name of the piece.
• Next, record the first two orchestral excerpts listed in the PYSO Music Excerpt List (in the dropdown link below).
• Title the audio recording with instrument and full name as in, Violin – John Doe.
• Submit your preliminary audio audition by 11:59 PM on Monday, April 3, 2023 to info@pyso.org.  Please submit one audio file only, which includes the 2-minute concerto excerpt and the first 2 orchestral excerpts.
• Remember to fill out the online audition application after you have submitted your preliminary recording (audio NOT video).
• Preliminary auditions are blind. Names will be deleted from the files so that the PYSO Music Director and PYSO Coaches do not know to whom they are listening.

Live auditions are by invitation only and will follow the preliminary auditions. Applicants who pass the preliminary round will be invited to the live auditions and will be notified no later than Monday, April 17, 2023 at 5 PM.

Below are music excerpts, click on the instrument link you need:

All Harpists, Pianists and Percussionists interested in auditioning please email the PYSO Office at info@pyso.org, typing “harp”, “piano”, or “percussion” in the subject header. Include your full name and phone number in the body of the text and we will respond with specific audition information for your instrument.

Annual Membership dues for the 2023-2024 Season of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra will be $700. Scholarships are available.

• Over 30 weeks of rehearsals and activities every season
• Full-length concerts at Heinz Hall and other venues
• Rehearsals on Heinz Hall stage
• Sectional rehearsals with Coaches from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
• Diverse programming including major symphonic repertoire, as well as contemporary works, works by under-represented composers, and new works. 
• Annual Concerto Competition for members.  Competition winner performs with PYSO at Heinz Hall
• Conducting Workshops and Competition with PYSO Music Director
• Workshops and Masterclasses with visiting PSO Guest Artists.
• “Beyond the Notes” - seminars discussing important and relevant topics for musicians
• Chamber music opportunities with Youth Chamber Connection
• Scholarships available