GWYOA Open Auditions for the 2023-2024 Season


Registration for auditions begins March 19. 

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  April 21


Saturday, April 29, 2023 - New musicians wishing to audition for: Elementary Strings, Junior Strings, or Youth Symphony


Monday, May 1, 2023 - Current GWYOA Elementary Strings or Junior Strings musicians wishing to Move Up to Junior Strings or Youth Symphony.  This date will also serve as a second audition date for new Elementary Strings musicians.


Links for Audition signup:


Flute and Trumpet - Youth Symphony Prescreening Videos Submission

NEW Elementary Strings - Open Auditions 2023-2024 Season – April 29

NEW Elementary Strings - Open Auditions 2023-2024 Season – May 1

NEW Junior Strings - Open Auditions 2023-2024 Season – April 29

NEW Youth Symphony - Open Auditions 2023-2024 Season – April 29

MOVING UP to Junior Strings - Open Auditions 2023-2024 Season – May 1

MOVING UP to Youth Symphony - Open Auditions 2023-2024 Season – May 1

GWYOA Audition Information

Types of auditions:

Please note: 

Auditions are by grade only: 

Westchester Elementary Strings - For string players entering grades 4-6 in September 2023

Westchester Junior Strings - For string players entering grades 7-9 in September 2023

Westchester Youth Symphony - For string players entering grades 10-12 in September 2023, and for brass, wind and percussion musicians entering grades 9-12 in September 2023

Preparing for your In-person audition:

Please be prepared to play a scale (1) you have mastered, as well as a polished piece that best demonstrates your present skill level. You may also be asked to sight-read. For longer pieces, excerpts will be heard rather than the entire work. 

Attending your In-person audition:

In-person auditions are currently scheduled to be held at: Hankin Academic Arts Building, Westchester Community College, 75 Grasslands Rd, Valhalla, NY 10595
Please check back here the week of your audition for specific location information. 

Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to unpack and warm up. Please give the registered Student Musician name at the check-in desk. We will attempt to keep to the time selected. Walk-ins will be accommodated after those who have registered. There could be a substantial wait for those who have not registered. 


ALL AUDITIONS WILL BE IN-PERSON THIS YEAR, but should Zoom auditions become necessary:

Preparing for your Zoom audition:

Please be prepared to play a scale (1) you have mastered, as well as a polished piece that best demonstrates your present skill level. For longer pieces, excerpts will be heard rather than the entire work. Due to the technical complexity of an online audition, there will be no sight-reading. 

Preparing your electronic device and audition space:

If you do not have access to a device or are unable to use Zoom, please send us an email and we will make alternate arrangements:  auditions@gwyoa.org Please include: Musicians first and last name, Email address, Instrument, Grade they will be entering in September 2022, and the reason you require alternate arrangements. 

Attending the Zoom audition:

Complete instructions with a link to attend the audition will be emailed to the Zoom account email address you registered, the evening before your audition. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU CHECK THIS EMAIL ADDRESS ON THE DAY OF YOUR AUDITION IN CASE AN UPDATED LINK IS REQUIRED. You will also need to list the best phone number to reach you on the day of your audition.

Audition Results:

Conductors of the orchestra you auditioned for will notify you of your results. In past years, letters (snail mail) were sent out by the Westchester Elementary Strings and Westchester Junior Strings conductors, and results emails sent by the Westchester Youth Symphony conductor. Because the conductors results are based on the number of auditions per instrument and how they plan to put together their orchestra sections, the results are sent on a rolling basis. You may receive results as early as 2 weeks after your audition, to as late as the end of June. If you have not received results by August 1st, please inquire about your status at auditions@gwyoa.org