Online Audition Process Guideline

Brief Summary

  • Audition Application Google Form: click here to fill out.
  • Audition Video Link Submission Google Form: click here to turn in.
  • Early Audition Video Submission Deadline: December 23, 2023 for orchestra | band | choir (11:59 PM Pacific Time)
  • Regular Audition Video Submission Deadline: March 31, 2023 for orchestra | band | choir audition (11:59 PM Pacific Time)

Detailed Information

I.  Audition Application Form

Click the Google Form link above to fill out. If you want to receive a hard copy of Audition Application Form which you need to fill out manually and scan to submit, email us at layouthphil@gmail.com

Pay the audition fee of $75 per student (non-refundable) by Zelle, Venmo, or Credit Card

  • Zelle: “The recipient email is layouthphil@gmail.com. Account’s name is Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic”
  • Venmo ID “@Gene-Chung-3” The last four digits of the phone number is 6079. Do not toggle “Goods or Service”(see the details below)
  • Credit Card: In the Google Form, click the link for a credit card payment option. A processing fee of 3.5% will be charged.
  • Upload a screenshot: After making a payment, take a screenshot of the transaction via Venmo, Zelle, or Credit Card. Then, upload the screenshot via the Google Form to provide proof of your payment.

*The Venmo account “@Gene-Chung-3” is linked to “Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic” which is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt/non-profit organization. If you tag your transaction as a good or service, Venmo puts us as the seller to charge the transaction fee. Please notice that our program is for non-profit and NOT a good or sale item for profit. At the end of each fiscal year, you may request us to issue a tuition fee certificate for your tax return.

Zelle or Venmo If you are NOT enrolled in either Zelle or Venmo, please visit the following websites and watch the videos below.

Video clips

II. Audition Video Link Submission

Click the Google Form link above to turn in the shareable links for your audition video and PDF sheet music.

  • There will be online audition only (NO in-person audition) 

Step 1 (Record): How Do I Record My Audition Video?

Record your audition video in a quiet environment with your camera distance being good enough to capture your face, posture, instrument, fingering, bowing, hand shapes, lip shape (wind & voice) etc..

  • Introduce Yourself (7-20 seconds; include your first/last name, school, grade)
  • Play Your Scale/Arpeggio/Chromatic
  • Play Your Audition Piece

A one merged video is preferred, but you may submit your separate audition video clips or unedited or uncut videos if you have already recorded them respectively.

Alternative: You may submit your most recent solo recital/exam or any type of performance video instead of recording your new audition video or scale/arpeggio/chromatic. In this case, you may either merge your multiple videos into one file or submit a separate video link of the scale/arpeggio/chromatic and your solo performance video respectively.

Solo Audition PieceSelect a solo piece (one fast movement only) from the suggested repertoire (Strings, Woodwind/Brass/Percussion, Piano/Organ, Honor Choir/Voice) or a solo piece your teacher recommends. To play a cadenza is optional (not mandatory). 
Scale, Arpeggio
& Chromatic
Play the scale, tonic arpeggio, & chromatic as fast as possible to demonstrate fluency in the key which your solo audition piece is written in before you perform it. If it is written in the minor key, play the melodic minor. If you have already recorded your solo piece video and scale/arpeggio/chromatic in the other keys, send us your existing videos (to see a scale/arpeggio/chromatic example, click Strings, Woodwind/Brass/Percussion, Honor Choir/Voice)
Technique DemonstrationIf the piece or etude you perform does not include the much more advanced techniques you would like to demonstrate, you can display them through playing a scale, a short etude (8-16 measures) or an orchestral excerpt.
Sheet Music PDFSubmit a PDF copy of your audition piece being performed, with measure numbers written at the beginning of each staff (if not printed) and markings like bowings, fingerings, articulations, breaths, musical expressions, interpretations etc., after scanning.

Please make multiple pages into one file. Suggested mobile app: Adobe Scan- Mobile PDF Scanner (https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/mobile/scanner-app.html). To make your existing scanned multiple pages into one file, visit https://www.ilovepdf.com/ and you can merge them here easily.
Audition Video Link Submit your shareable audition video links via Google Form after you upload it on YouTube. Click the link on Step 3 below to submit your audition link and PDF copy.
Alternative: You may upload your video to share on one of your preferred online cloud services like Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud etc. with no expiration date or password.
MemoryMemory is not required but strongly recommended.
AccompanimentNo piano accompaniment required (optional).
No repeatNo repeat: Do not take a repeat.
Dress CodeYou are encouraged to wear your formal concert dress.
Video LengthIt depends on your solo piece. For example, if a violinist selects a concerto (fast movement) by Vivaldi for Level 5-6, it takes about 4-5 minutes. To play a scale and arpeggio takes about 30 seconds to 1 minutes. Thus, the total may be within 5-7 minutes for this case.

Step 2 (Upload): How do I upload my audition video and get a link on YouTube?

  • Sign in to YouTube (a parent can create an account at www.youtube.com)
  • Click “Upload”
  • You can choose the video privacy settings (“public” or “unlisted”)
  • Copy the shareable link (which is the URL address created when uploading)

Step 3 (Submit): How do I submit my audition video and sheet music links?

  • Submit your shareable audition video link via Google Forms after you upload it on YouTube. 
  • Submit your shareable sheet music link via Google Forms after you save on your device or cloud services like Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive etc.

Alternative: You may upload your video in order to share on one of your preferred online cloud services like Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud etc. with no expiration date, no password required, no download required, or no sign-in required to watch.

Submission Checklist:

  • Fill out your Online Audition Application Form (via Google Form)
  • Pay your audition fee by Venmo, Zelle, or Credit Card
  • Submit your shareable video and sheet music PDF links (via Google Forms)
  • Optional: You may send us your resume or supplementary materials to let us know more about you via Google Form.

Rehearsal Schedule

Q: Where will the rehearsal be held? 

A:  The rehearsals take place at a school or church in Pasadena, downtown LA, or online.

Q: Do you have any other information regarding the frequency, duration, and schedule of intensive rehearsals?

A: There will be three intensive rehearsals prior to the concerts. Each rehearsal runs about four to eight hours as below. The finalized rehearsal schedules will be announced in April or May each year.

A: I have time conflicts with the intensive rehearsals. Will I be disqualified if I miss any rehearsals?

A: We offer alternative rehearsals so that you can set up your available rehearsal schedule at your convenience. See the details below.

Orchestra & Band Rehearsals: Subject to changethis schedule will be confirmed in April or May

Rehearsal 1Sat. June 17. 202310:30 AM – 4:30 PM
online
Rehearsal 2Sat. June 24, 202310:30 AM – 4:30 PM
online
Rehearsal 3Sat. July 1, 202310:30 AM – 4:30 PM
online
Tutti RehearsalFri. July 7, 2023Place: Pasadena Christian School/TBA
Time: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM/TBA
In-person only
Dress Rhs & PerformanceSat. July 8, 2023Walt Disney Concert Hall
(111 S Grand Ave. LA, CA 90012)
1:00 PM – 5:30 PM Dress Rehearsal
7:30 PM – 10:15 PM Performance

*If you have time conflicts with the rehearsal above, you can customize/set up three rehearsals from the options below at your convenience, or you need to contact us to arrange a make-up rehearsal on other days or watch the recorded rehearsal videos.
*Optional/alternative in-person rehearsals on Sundays 6/18, 6/25, & 7/2 at 4:00-9:00 PM will be available.
*Optional/alternative in-person rehearsals on Wed. 7/5 & 7/6 at 4:00-9:00 or 6:00-9:00 PM will be available.
*Section rehearsals may be added.
*Time Zone: Pacific Time (Los Angeles)

Choir Rehearsalssubject to changethis schedule will be confirmed in April or May

Rehearsal 1Sun. June 18, 2023Place: Holliston United Methodist Church
Address:1305 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106
Time: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
In-person only
Rehearsal 2Sun. June 25, 2023Place: Holliston United Methodist Church
Time: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
In-person only
Rehearsal 3Mon. June 26, 2023Place: Holliston United Methodist Church
Time: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
In-person only
Tutti RehearsalFri. July 7, 2023Place: Pasadena Christian School/TBA
Address: 1492 N Garfield Ave. Pasadena, CA 91104
Time: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM/TBA
In-person only
Dress Rhs & PerformanceSat. July 8, 2023Walt Disney Concert Hall (all-day)
(111 S Grand Ave. LA, CA 90012)
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM TBA
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Dress Rehearsal
6:00 PM – 10:15 PM Performance

*If you have time conflicts with the rehearsals above, you need to contact us to arrange a make-up rehearsal on other days or watch the recorded rehearsal videos.
*Optional in-person rehearsals on Wed. 7/5 & Thur 7/6 will be provided.
*Section rehearsals may be added.
*Time Zone: Pacific Time (Los Angeles)

The rehearsals for soloists/duet/trio/small ensemble performers will be arranged on other days with conductors and accompanists.

Rehearsal Rule: All the intensive rehearsals are mandatory for all the qualified student performers to be the finalists, and there will be no excuse for the dress rehearsal.

Makeup/Alternative Rehearsals: If you have time conflicts with your school/community orchestra/choir concerts, exams, competitions, camps, workshops, family events, or any other engagements, you need to contact us to arrange a make-up rehearsal on other days or watch the recorded rehearsal videos.

Q: Your website states “attending all rehearsals is mandatory for accepted student performers to qualify as finalists.”  What does “qualify as finalists” mean? 

A: The finalists mean the performers who completed all the required rehearsals. If you miss a rehearsal, you cannot be qualified as a finalist to perform at the concert hall. See Rehearsal Rule above.

Q: I would like to know the schedule of the performance day at Walt Disney Concert Hall.  What time will we need to participate?

A: It is all day. The draft is 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (morning rehearsal), 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (dress rehearsal), & 8:00 PM – 10:15 PM (performance), which will be finalized in April or May. As the situation is subject to change, we plan to announce it when we receive the confirmation from Walt Disney Concert Hall.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Click here to see the additional FAQ on Timeline, Age Requirement, Returning Students, Auditions, Soloists, Google Forms, PDF Copy, Recommendation Letter, Supplemental Materials, Fee, Ticket Sale, Donation, Performance, Performing Ensembles, Dress Code, Piano Concerto Competition, etc.