TSYO Auditions

As a member of the TSYO, you will have the opportunity to:

• Be coached by TSO musicians
• Perform orchestral masterworks in Toronto’s finest concert venues
• Meet with other young musicians
• Work with renowned conductors
• Be eligible to participate in the annual TSYO Concerto Competition
• Attend masterclasses led by TSO guest artists
• Perform side by side with the TSO
• Attend our TSYO Camp Weekend training intensive

• Anyone 22 years of age or younger as of December 31, 2023
• Instruments: Flute/Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Tuba, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Percussion, Harp, Piano
• Due to the instrumentation of orchestral repertoire, we do not audition saxophone or other auxiliary instruments.
• Former TSYO members must re-audition each season.

There is no minimum age or grade level required to audition or participate in the TSYO. Applicants are accepted into the orchestra based on their performance in their audition. Excerpt packets may include repertoire excerpts from the upcoming season’s planned repertoire as well as pieces that may not be performed in the upcoming season.

Regarding preparation and getting a sense for the required skill level, our coaches recommend that you:

• Look up videos, recordings, and scores of the orchestral repertoire from the excerpts in your audition packet
• Watch and listen to these pieces to gain an understanding of the level of skill required to play these pieces
• Pay attention to the tempi and how your part fits into the entire piece

To get a sense of the level of playing in TSYO please see an example audition package here. Please note this is only an example of an audition package. To receive a audition package please apply for an audition and pay the audition fee.

The TSYO is tuition free. Each successful applicant will be accepted as a TSYO member
on a scholarship (valued at $5,000 per member) provided by the TSO and our generous supporters.

Audition fee: $65.00 (non-refundable); $100.00 for applications received after August 1, 2024.

Auditions are approximately 8 minutes long. After your application is processed and the audition payment is received, you will receive your audition-preparation details and repertoire excerpts as a PDF via email within 5 business days. This packet will outline the specific audition requirements for your instrument and contain the repertoire excerpts you will be expected to prepare. Each instrument may have slightly different audition requirements. In general, you can expect to be asked to play a two-minute solo of your choice (no accompaniment) and perform the repertoire excerpts in your audition packet.

Auditions will take place in person at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto St.George Campus. Your time and date for your audition slot will be sent by the end of August.

Your audition will be reviewed by a panel of two or three people (TSYO coaches, other TSO musicians, and/or the TSYO conductor).

There are weekly rehearsals from 2:30pm to 5:30pm on Saturday afternoons between mid-September and the last week of April. The 2-3 weeks leading up to the concert will have extra rehearsals on the Saturday morning. The TSYO is expected to begin the season in rehearsing in full symphony orchestra and have sectionals with TSO musicians and TSYO coaches.

In addition to weekly rehearsals, there is a Camp Weekend, three term concerts, our annual side-by-side concert with the TSO and various masterclasses and extra rehearsals with guest conductors, subject to scheduling needs. There may be extra concerts or run-outs (overnight trips to perform concerts in nearby cities) in addition to chamber music opportunities.

TSYO members are required to check weekly emails throughout the season and note all schedule updates. All TSYO members are expected to continue their school music programs since the TSYO is meant to supplement such programs, not replace them. Attendance at all TSYO activities is mandatory. Members will not be excused for paid gigs.

All TSYO activities will adhere to public health guidelines and restrictions.

If you require further information, please email Matthew Robertson, TSYO Manager & Community Assistant, at TSYO@TSO.CA.

**TSYO members need to available for all dates below:

TSYO ACTIVITIES

• TSYO Auditions: September 6-8, 2024
• Camp Weekend: November 1-3, 2024
• Concerto Competition: Monday, December 9, 2024

TSYO CONCERT DATES

• High Spirits: Brahms, Borodon, Dvořák—Sunday, November 24, 2024
• May the Fifth Be With You: Beethoven & Star Wars—Saturday, February 15, 2025
• Shostakovich’s Fifth—Saturday, April 26, 2025

SIDE-BY-SIDE CONCERTS WITH THE TSO

• Wednesday, November 27, 2024
• Thursday, November 28, 2024
• Saturday, November 30, 2024