Acceptance into Chester County Youth Orchestra is by audition only. Auditions are held prior to the fall and spring seasons. Openings exist for all positions, with particular interest in Double Basses, French Horns, Trombones, Bassoons, and Clarinets. The Orchestra currently accepts talented musicians between the ages of 12 and 18.

The audition dates for the 2008 — 2009 season are:
  September 3, 2008 — September 10, 2008 — January 14, 2009

Auditions are by appointment only and are held at:
  Lionville Middle School (click here for map)
  550 W. Uwchlan Ave.
  Exton, PA 19341
The school is located on Route 113, (Exton P.O.) across from the McDonald's & the old Regal Cinema.

Because Lionville Middle School (LMS) is a circular school with several main entrances we suggest the following directions so time will not be lost looking for the audition room. After turning onto the driveway for Lionville Middle School off of Rt. 113 turn left at the "T" and then left again into the first parking lot on the left. Park here. Come into the main set of doors that face this parking lot. There will be a Chester County Youth Orchestra sign at this entrance on the evenings when auditions are being held. Once inside the building, follow the main hallway straight ahead. You will pass another hallway that juts off to the right. After you have gone past this hallway you will see vending machines on the right wall. On each side of the machines will be a door, both of which enter into the band room. This is where students will register and wait for their audition.

The Orchestra will have a rehearsal weekend (September 13 & 14, 2008) to kick off the 2008 — 2009 season. This overnight camp will help the students get ready for the season, as well as providing opportunities to socialize and get to know each other better. More information can be found here. If a student is accepted in the orchestra, participation in this event is highly recommened! There is also a FAQ about this event.

To schedule an audition, please call Mr. Tom Breton, the associate conductor, at (610) 524-0943. Before doing so, please read the student responsibilities!

Here is what you should prepare for your CCYO Audition:

MAJOR SCALES — Prepare Major Scales, up to and including 4 flats and 4 sharps, as many octaves as possible. Scales should be memorized, but memorization is not required. The conductors will choose several scales at the audition. Percussion students should prepare basic snare drum rudiments — rolls, flams, and paradiddles. Keyboard percussion should prepare the scales listed above.

PREPARED PIECE — Choose an excerpt (about 3 to 5 minutes in length) from a concerto or solo piece written for your instrument. The conductors will choose sections of what you have prepared. “Pop” music and school band or orchestra parts are not suitable audition pieces. Please bring a copy of your piece, with the sections you intend to play clearly marked, for the conductors to look at while you play. Your copy will be returned at the end of the audition.

Percussionists should be prepared to play a solo Snare Drum piece, and may also play Timpani and/or Keyboard Percussion pieces.

SIGHT READING — The conductors will choose music from the standard orchestral repertoire for students to sight read. Students will have at least 30 seconds to look at the music before playing it.

Your audition should last a total of approximately 10 minutes.