Brief Summary

• Application Google Form: click here or email us at layouthphil@gmail.com
• Video Link Submission Google Form: you will receive this form once you submit your application form.
• Video Link Submission Deadline: Dec. 31, 2022 (11:59 PM Pacific Time)

Detailed Information

Application Fee

Pay the audition fee of $1,000 per student (refundable) by Zelle or Venmo. If you are not accepted, you will get refunded $945 (the process fee of $55 only will be charged/debited)

• 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.

Video Recording & Submission

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 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.

Solo Audition Piece	Select a solo piece (one fast movement only including a cadenza if applicable) 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 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 & Performance

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.

Rehearsals with Orchestra: Subject to change; the schedule below 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

The extra rehearsals may be arranged on other days with conductors and accompanists.

Rehearsal Rule: All the intensive rehearsals are mandatory for all the qualified winners 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.

Q: How may I watch the past videos of the concertos performed by the soloists?

A: To watch an example video from our past concerts, click here

Audition

Q: Are the auditions for summer season only?

A: No. Once you are selected as winners, you are qualified to participate in the chamber music series or recitals after or prior to the next summer concert.

Q: Would you be able to clarify the difference between the concerto competition and the regular audition for orchestra | band | choir?

A: Concerto Competition is to select a student soloist 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 student selects a concerto (fast movement) of Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto, 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: 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..

Q: Does this competition have multiple rounds? Is December 31 the final deadline?

A: The deadline is the final. There will be NO multiple rounds like first round, second round, and final. There will be NO in-person, live, or synchronous auditions. All the auditions will go on by the recorded video only.

Soloist & Age Requirement

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 concerto competition. All the winners as 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.

Q: How many winners do you select?

A: We select winners in three areas: high school grade level, middle school, and elementary school. The number of the winners depends on the participants’ playing level and readiness as a concerto soloist.

Q:  If nominated then there is an extra audition for the solo performances?

A: No, there will be no additional audition.  All the winners as a potential soloist will be asked to submit his/her solo repertoire.

Q: What is your age requirement?

Over 4^th school grade (4_th through 12^th). Younger students (K-3_rd) who have been playing the piano at an earlier age and who can play a concerto from the suggested repertoire may apply for the competition.

Q: What pieces (concertos) will be performed in concert? Will the audition piece be the concerto that the winner will be performing with the orchestra?

A: The conductors will select the repertoires for each concert. The finalized repertoire will be notified about 6 months prior to the concert, usually in January so that a soloist can have enough time to prepare for a concerto from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Modern/Contemporary period or premiere the commissioned concerto.

Google Forms & PDF copy

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: My sheet music is marked up and a bit messy. Is it okay to turn in?

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.

Donation

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 summer 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.