Brief Summary:
- Audition Application Google Form: click here to fill out.
- Audition Video Link Submission Google Form: click here to turn in.
Detailed Information:
I. Audition Application Google 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. The process fee (3.5%) will be charged.
- Upload the screenshot: After you made a payment, take a screenshot of the transaction via Venmo or Zelle and upload it via Google Form to show 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.
II. Audition Video Link Submission Google Form: click the Google Form link above to turn in your shareable link & upload a PDF copy of your audition piece.
- 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
- 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. In this case, you need to merge your multiple videos into one file or you may submit a separate video link of the required scale & arpeggio in addition to your solo performance video.
| Solo Audition Piece | Select 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. (Notes for Woodwind/Brass/Percussion only) –Woodwind/Brass/Percussion Level 5-6: Play your etude and solo piece consecutively. –Woodwind/Brass/Percussion Level 7-10: You may play your three current band excerpts as an alternative. |
| Scale & Arpeggio | Play the scale & arpeggio 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, send us a separate video of scale & arpeggio (to see a scale/arpeggio example, click Strings, Woodwind/Brass/Percussion, Honor Choir/Voice) (Notes for all Woodwind/Brass/Percussion levels, Strings Level 10-12 & Piano/Organ only) –Play a chromatic scale (ascending & descending). |
| Technique Demonstration | If the piece or etude you perform does not include the 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 PDF | Submit 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. |
| Memory | Memory is not required but strongly recommended. |
| Accompaniment | No piano accompaniment required (optional). |
| No repeat | No repeat: Do not take a repeat. |
| Dress Code | You are encouraged to wear your formal concert dress. |
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 link and sheet music?
- Submit your shareable audition video links via Google Forms after you upload it on YouTube.
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, 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 link and your sheet music PDF (via Google Forms) |
| Optional: You may send us your resume or supplementary materials to let us know more about you via Google Form. |
Additional FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Auditions
Q: What is the normal length of an audition video?
A: It 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.
Q: I have technical difficulties combining my scale/arpeggio/chromatic part and the solo piece videos together. I recorded my videos separately. Is it possible to send 2 different links for each portion?
A: Yes, that will be fine.
Q: How can I determine my playing level?
A: Here is a guideline for the LAYP Playing Levels.
| LAYP Playing Level | CM Level | RCM Grade | ABRSM Grade |
| 5-6 | 4-5 | 4-5 | 3-4 |
| 7-10 | 6-8 | 6-8 | 5-6 |
| 11-12 | 9-11 | 9-10 | 7-8 |
Our Playing Level 5-6 are similar to RCM Grade 4-5 or ABRSM Grade 3-4
Our Playing Level 7-10 are similar to RCM Grade 6-8 or ABRSM Grade 5-6
Our Playing Level 11-12 are similar to RCM Grade 9-10 or ABRSM Grade 7-8
CM syllabus can be purchased at the MTAC Teacher Portal store.
Click here to see RCM syllabus.
Click here to see ABRSM syllabusQ: I am participating in another certificate or competition program such as ASTACAP, SYMF, Satori, WMCF etc. How can I determine my playing level in this case?A: Talk to your private teacher along with this playing level information (above). Your teacher will easily figure out your playing level referring to this chart.
Google Forms & PDF copy of audition piece
Q: We are not able to upload a file via Google Forms. How can we fix this problem?
A: In order to upload a file via Google Forms, you are required to sign in to Google. If you do not have a Google account, click this link https://support.google.com/families/answer/7103338?hl=en and create one for your child.
Q: We are wondering if you still need a copy of the music scores if it is part of Suzuki? My kids are in book 6 and their scores are marked up and a bit messy.
A: Yes, we value markings on the audition scores.
Q: How can I merge multiple pages into one?
A: Please give it a try (either one).
1. iPhone or smartphone app: Adobe Scan- Mobile PDF Scanner (https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/mobile/scanner-app.html).
- Install it on your iPhone or smartphone
- After scanning and saving multiple pages as one combined copy of PDF, share it via AirDrop to transfer to your computer or send it to your email address as an attachment (then download and save it on your computer in order to upload it to Google Forms).
2. On your computer:
- Visit https://www.ilovepdf.com/
- Click “Merge PDF” and follow instructions.
- Download and save a merged file on your computer in order to upload it to Google Forms.
Supplemental Materials
Q: Do you accept a recommended letter from my private studio teacher/school orchestra director/mentor?
A: Yes, we do. A recommendation letter is optional. You may include it or any other materials when submitting your final audition video via Google Forms in order that the Performer Selection Committee may know more about you.
Q: May I submit my concerto repertoire, resume, or more materials?
A: Yes. To submit your concerto repertoire, resume, or supplementary materials is optional. You may submit it via Google Forms along with your audition video.