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 $55 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, enter your credit card number, name on it, expiration date, CCV code, billing address, zip code. The process fee (3.5%) will be charged. Take a photo for both sides and upload them one after the other via Google Form
- 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 Google Pay, Venmo, or Zelle | |
| 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)
Rehearsals
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.
Orchestra & Band Rehearsals: Subject to change; this schedule was for the past 2022 summer concert
| Rehearsal 1 | Sat. June 18. | Place: Pasadena Christian School Auditorium Address: 1492 N Garfield Ave. Pasadena, CA 91104 Time: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM Both in-person & online |
| Rehearsal 2 | Sat. June 25 | Place: Pasadena Christian School Auditorium Time: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM Both in-person & online |
| Rehearsal 3 | Sat. July 2 | Place: Pasadena Christian School Auditorium Time: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM Both in-person & online |
| Tutti Rehearsal | Fri. July 8 | Place: Pasadena Christian School Auditorium Time: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM In-person only |
| Dress Rhs & Performance | Sat. July 9 | Walt Disney Concert Hall (111 S Grand Ave. LA, CA 90012) 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Dress Rehearsal 8:00 PM – 10:15 PM Performance |
*Time Zone: Pacific Time (Los Angeles)
Choir Rehearsals: subject to change; this schedule was for the past 2022 summer concert
| Rehearsal 1 | Sun. June 19 | Place: Holliston United Methodist Church Address:1305 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106 Time: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM In-person only |
| Rehearsal 2 | Sun. June 26 | Place: Holliston United Methodist Church Time: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM In-person only |
| Rehearsal 3 | Mon. June 27 | Place: Holliston United Methodist Church Time: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM In-person only |
| Tutti Rehearsal | Fri. July 8 | Place: Pasadena Christian School Address: 1492 N Garfield Ave. Pasadena, CA 91104 Time: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM In-person only |
| Dress Rhs & Performance | Sat. July 9 | Walt 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 |
*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 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.
Performing Ensembles
Q: May I know more about the honor groups?
A: Based on an applicant’s audition result, experiences, engagements, and current school grade level, a qualified student performer as a semi-finalist will be placed into each appropriate honor group:
Orchestra: There are High School Honor Orchestra, Middle School Honor Orchestra, & Elementary School Honor Orchestra. Elementary and Middle School Honor Orchestras may be combined as a 5th-8th school grade level honor orchestra.
Band: 7th-12th Grade MS/HS Honor Band. If there are not good enough applicants who do not meet our audition requirements, the formation of this ensemble may be postponed to next season.
Flute/Clarinet Choir: as an ensemble, a flute choir, clarinet choir, woodwind choir, or wind choir may be formed.
Vocal Choir: 5th-12th school grade SATB Chamber Singers and Young Adult SATB Symphony Chorus. These choirs are subject to change into a mixed festival choir or vocal ensembles.
College Students: College music students may serve as a section coach assistant in addition to an orchestra player or choir singer, and they also may receive a stipend. A qualified college student who is not majoring in orchestral instruments or vocal arts including piano, organ, and voice may still serve as a section coach assistant without a stipend. A college student may participate in an orchestra, band, or choir (qualifying via the same audition process) without serving as a section coach assistant.
Auditions
Q: Are the auditions for summer season only?
A: No. Once you are accepted, you are qualified to participate in the chamber music series or recitals prior to the next summer concert.
Q: Would you be able to clarify the difference between the piano concerto competition and the regular audition for orchestra | band | choir?
A: Piano Concerto Competition is to select a student pianist who can perform a concerto from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Modern/Contemporary period or premiere the commissioned piano concerto. The regular auditions for orchestra call for a concerto-playing level whereas the auditions for band and choir offer an alternative repertoire if the applicants are not ready for a concerto or operatic aria (normally accompanied by the orchestra).
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 do you determine “playing level”?
A: It depends on how you as an applicant play the audition solo piece and scale/arpeggio/chromatic. We divide the playing levels into the three categories: Level 5-6, Level 7-9, & Level 10-12, providing the suggested repertoire for each level category. You need to talk to your private teacher in order to see if you are ready to apply for the audition and to select an appropriate level piece from the suggested repertoire or comparable pieces. Your ensemble level is determined based on your audition result, experience, engagements and current school grade level. You will be placed into each appropriate level ensemble. Soloists are nominated by the audition adjudicators and selected by each concert committee.
Q: Is there a specific reason why the suggested repertoire for the piano/organ audition is all concertos?
A: Concerto is one of the great musical forms in which orchestral students can experience/express group playing and harmony (Italian, from concertare ‘harmonize’). To perform a concerto is strongly recommended not only for piano/organ students but also other orchestral instrumental students as you can see their syllabus on our website.
Q: I have a simple question on the video recording. Do all pieces must be done in one sitting?
A: To sit or stand when you play your instrument is up to you. Notice that your video frame needs to capture your posture, face, instrument, fingerings, bowing, hand shapes, lip shape etc..
Soloists
Q: What is the process to determine if s/he will be a concerto soloist?
A: The Performer Selection Committee nominated outstanding student performers as a potential soloist during the regular auditions. A potential soloist may be invited to perform at our Chamber Music Series which takes place in October, December, or March. A potential soloist may be nominated as a concerto soloist by the Performer Selection Committee when there is an opening. A vocal soloist may perform an operatic aria with the orchestra at a recital of the chamber music series or at a summer concert.
Q: If nominated then there is an extra audition for the solo performances?
A: There will be no additional audition. After the summer concert, a potential soloist will be asked to submit his/her solo repertoire.
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.
Donations
Q: Do you accept donations?
A: Yes, we do. Donations are one of the great resources for our huge summer concert project. Our four major financial resources are 1) grant from the government, 2) ticket sale, 3) registration fee, and 4) donations.
Q: When can we make a donation?
A: We normally present Donation Drive 3-4 weeks before the concert day and list the donors on the printed program booklet. We receive donations at any times. Please email us at layouthphil@gmail.com to make a donation.