Audition Requirements
2024 YOLA National Festival
Before you begin:
In order to access links for your audition excerpts below, start an application on Acceptd:
En Español:
Requisitos de la Audición Musical
Sign up for an upcoming YOLA National Audition Prep Seminario:
Sunday, January 21 at 12pmPT/3pmET and Sunday, January 28 at 12pmPT/3pmET
Personal Statement Video
Required for all students
In a single, unedited video, please record yourself answering one of the three personal statement questions below in 90 seconds or less. Please begin your video by stating which question number you are answering. If you applied last year, do not reuse your video. Answer specifically and express your unique perspective.
1. How have you used, or how do you believe you can use your musical experience to shape the world around you? Give us a specific example of this and explain how it has or could impact the people that surround you.
2. What are some of the skills, lessons, and values you’ve learned from studying music that will help you be successful in the life you envision?
3. Pick a song or piece that means a lot to you. Explain why you connect with this song or piece and talk about any personal experiences or special moments connected to it. How has this song or piece influenced the way you think about music and life?
Musical Audition
Required for all students
The musical audition is comprised of two sections:
1. Assigned scales
2. Required music excerpts
3. Optional—Auxiliary and Principal Audition Excerpts
To access links for your audition excerpts, start an application on Acceptd.
If you have specific questions about these requirements, please email us at YOLA@laphil.org.
Audition Scales & Excerpt Requirements
In the final submission of scales and excerpts, please introduce the scale/excerpt before performing. Each student should submit only one application.
Symphony Orchestra
Musicians aged 14-18 may apply to the 100 member Symphony Orchestra. This is a highly competitive ensemble, open to the most advanced players from El Sistema-inspired and aligned programs from across the country.
*Applicants aged 14 who are not selected for the Symphony Orchestra will automatically be considered for the Overture Orchestra.
Overture Orchestra
Musicians aged 12-14 are eligible for the Overture Orchestra. Though students aged 14 can apply for the Symphony Orchestra, they may also choose to apply only for the Overture Orchestra by submitting the excerpts labelled “Overture Orchestra.”
Violin / Violín
Symphony Orchestra
| Required Scales: |
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| Required Excerpts: | Saint-Saëns: Symphony No 3, Maestoso (Finale 7th bar of T until X) |
| Mozart: Marriage of Figaro (mm.1-24) | |
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Optional Principal Excerpts
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Brahms: Symphony No. 2 Movement I (mm.369-404) |
Overture Orchestra
| Required Scales: |
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| Required Excerpts: | Berlioz: Marche Hongriose (mm.13- 38 (no repeat)) |
| Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 Movement I (mm. 25-58) | |
| Optional Principal Excerpts | Mahler: Symphony No 1 Movement I (3rd beat of 6 mm. before Reh #10 – 6 mm. after Reh #11) |
Viola
Symphony Orchestra
| Required Scales: | F Major, quarter = 60 BPM, detached no slurs. |
| D Melodic Minor, slurred (6 notes per bow), dotted = equals 80 BPM | |
| Required Excerpts: | Saint-Saëns: Symphony No 3, Movement II (Letter C – Presto) |
| Berlioz: Roman Carnival Overture (three mm. after Reh 1 – eight after Reh 3) | |
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Optional Principal Excerpts
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Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, Movement I (mm. 17-25) |
Overture Orchestra
| Required Scales: | E Major, 3 octaves, 4 sixteenths per note, quarter = 120 |
| G melodic minor, 2 octaves, quarter note = 60 | |
| Required Excerpts: | Berlioz: Marche Hongriose, Allegro Marcato (Reh 6 – thirteen measures after Reh 6) half notes = 88 |
| Hayden: Symphony No. 104, Movement IV (m. 221-downbeat of 244, Spiritoso) | |
| Optional Principal Excerpts | Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Overture (Letter G - nine after Letter G) |
Cello / Violinchelo
Symphony Orchestra
| Required Scales: | D Major 3 octaves and arpeggios, quarter = 90 |
| C Melodic Minor 3 octaves and arpeggios, quarter = 120 | |
| Required Excerpts: | Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3, Movement II (Reh T – Reh U downbeat of mm. 5), half note = 100 |
| Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 6, Movement II (m. 1-16 with repeat), quarter = 150 | |
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Optional Principal Excerpts
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Mendelssohn: Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream (Reh N-O, top divisi), dotted quarter = 70 |
Overture Orchestra
| Required Scales: | F Major scale and arpeggio, 2 octaves, BPM = 100 |
| A Melodic minor scale, 2 octaves, BPM = 100 | |
| Required Excerpts: | Berlioz: Marche Hongriose (one measure after number Reh 4 - Reh 5) BPM = 120 |
| Beethoven: Symphony No 6, Movement V (mm. 25-42, top divisi) dotted quarter note = 60 | |
| Optional Principal Excerpts | Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.4, Movement IV (mm. 30-41) quarter note = 140 |
Bass / Bajo
Symphony Orchestra
| Required Scales: | A-Flat Major 2 octaves, dotted quarter = 60 |
| D Major Scale 3 octaves, quarter note = 100 | |
| Required Excerpts: | Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3, Movement II (Reh C – downbeat of Presto), dotted quarter = 120 |
| Mozart: Symphony No. 35, Movement I (13 – downbeat Reh A), half note = 60 | |
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Optional Principal Excerpts
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Verdi: Otello, Act 4 (Reh U – Reh V), quarter = equals 80 |
Overture Orchestra
| Required Scales: | A Major, 2 octaves, quarter = 60 |
| C Major scale, 3 octaves, quarter = 100 | |
| Required Excerpts: | Berlioz: Marche Hongriose (Measure 2 after Reh 4 – Reh 5) |
| Mozart: Marriage of Figaro, Presto (mm. 12 – 23) | |
| Optional Principal Excerpts | Mahler: Symphony No. 1, Movement III (mm. 3 – 10) |
Flute / Flauta
Symphony Orchestra
| Required Scales | D-Flat Major, 2 octaves |
| F-Sharp Major, 2 octaves | |
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Required Excerpts
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Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3, Movement II (Reh U – Reh X) half note = 100 |
| Brahms: Symphony No. 4, Movement IV (mm. 89 – 105) quarter = 65-75 | |
| Optional Piccolo Audition | Rossini: Semiramide, Allegro (mm. 329 – 337), quarter = 120 - 160 |
| Optional Principal Excerpt | Dvorak: Symphony No. 8 in G major Movement IV (eight measures before Reh D – one measure before Reh E) quarter =116 at C, quarter note = 126 at D |
Overture Orchestra
| Required Scales: | A Major, 2 octaves |
| Eb Major, 2 octaves | |
| Required Excerpts: | Berlioz: Marche Hongriose (21 m before Reh 2 (A major section) - downbeat of Reh 2) half note = 88 (do not take the first ending, skip to 2nd ending) |
| Brahms: Symphony No. 1, Movement IV (Measure 9 of Reh B – end of Reh B) quarter note = 72 | |
| Optional Principal Excerpts | Bach: Orchestra Suite No 2 in B minor, Badinerie (Beginning - end of mm.16 (no repeat)) quarter = 80-120 |
| Optional Piccolo Excerpt | Berlioz: March Hongriose (Pick-up to Reh 1 – third beat of 1st ending) half note = 88 ** May play the flute for this excerpt if you do not have a piccolo. |
Oboe
Symphony Orchestra
| Required Scales | E-Flat Melodic Minor, 2 octaves, quarter = 96 |
| Chromatic Scale (Starting at B), dotted = equals 96 | |
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Required Excerpts |
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3, Movement II (4 mm after Reh T – 9 before Reh Y (can ski long rest)) half note = 92-104 |
| Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin, Prelude (Beginning – Reh 2) dotted quarter = 80-92 | |
| Optional Principal Excerpt | Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, Movement II (mm.8-56 (ok to skip long rest)) eigth note = 69-80 |
| Optional English Horn Excerpt | Dvorak: Symphony No.9, Movement II (mm. 7 – 19) eighth note = 66-80 ** May play the oboe for this excerpt if you do not have an english horn |
Overture Orchestra
| Required Scales | D Major, 2 octaves, quarter = 96 |
| C Chromatic Scale, 2 octaves, dotted quarter = 96 | |
| Required Excerpts | Berlioz: Marche Hongriose (Pick up to Reh 5 – downbeat of Reh 6), half note = 92-104 |
| Brahms: Symphony No. 1, Movement II (mm. 17 – 23) quarter = 48-54 | |
| Optional Principal Excerpts | Beethoven: Symphony No.3 Movement II (mm. 8 – 16) eighth note = 69- 80 |
| Optional English Horn Excerpt | Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Movement III (Measure three of Reh L – measure 4 of Reh M) dotted half note = 42-52 ** May play the oboe for this excerpt if you do not have an english horn |
Clarinet / Clarinete
Symphony Orchestra
| Required Scales | E Major, 3 octaves and arpeggios, quarter = 100 |
| C-Sharp Minor (Natural, Harmonic, Melodic) and arpeggios, quarter = 100 | |
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Required Excerpts |
Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 3, Movement II (four measures after Reh T – six measures before Reh Y) |
| Beethoven: Symphony No.6, Movement II (one measure before Reh D – mm 77) | |
| Optional Principal Excerpt | Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Movement II (Reh F – downbeat of Reh G) ** Clarinet 1 in A (May play this excerpt on a B flat clarinet if you do not have an A clarinet available) |
| Optional Eb Clarinet Excerpt | Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring (mm 20 – downbeat of Reh 5 and mm. 54 – four measures after Reh 10) |
| Optional Bass Clarinet Excerpt | Strauss: Don Quixote, Op 35 (Reh 14 – five measures after Reh 16) |
Overture Orchestra
| Required Scales: | D Major, 3 octaves and arpeggios, quarter = 120 |
| B flat, 2 octaves and arpeggios, quarter = 120 | |
| Required Excerpts: | Berlioz: Marche Hongriose (mm. 6 – fourteen after Reh 1 – no repeat) |
| Bizet: L’Arlesienne,Suite II, Movement IV (mm. 119 – mm 52 – no repeat and skip first ending) | |
| Optional Principal Excerpts | Elgar, Enigma Variations, Movement. 9 (Reh 34 – Reh 35) |
| Optional Eb Clarinet Excerpt | Mahler: Symphony No.1, Movement III (three measures after Reh 4 – |
| Optional Bass Clarinet Excerpt | Elgar: Pomp and Circumstances #1 (Molto maestoso – two measures after Reh T) |
Bassoon / Fagot
Symphony Orchestra
| Required Scales | B Major, 3 octaves |
| C Melodic Minor Scale | |
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Required Excerpts |
Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 3, Movement II (Reh O – Reh Q) |
| Rimsky-Korsakov: Scherezade, Movement II (mm.5 - downbeat of Reh A and second measure of Reh L to downbeat of Reh M) quarter = 80- 92 | |
| Optional Principal Excerpt | Ravel: Rapsodie Espagnole, Movement I (Reh 8 – downbeat if Reh 9) *Play 1st bassoon part |
| Optional Contrabassoon Excerpt | Beethoven: Symphony No.5, Movement IV (one measure before Reh A – mm. 54) half note = 84 |
Overture Orchestra
| Required Scales: | G Major, 2 octaves |
| F Melodic Minor Scale, 2 octaves | |
| Required Excerpts: | Berlioz: Marche Hongriose (Measure four of Reh 3 – one measure before Reh 5) Half note = 88 *Change three measure rest to one measure rest and you may skip the passage in tenor clef |
| Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D Major, Movement II (Measure five of Reh A – one measure before Reh C) | |
| Optional Principal Excerpts | Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Reh 7 – downbeat of Reh 9) *Play the 1st bassoon part (top) |
| Optional Contrabassoon Excerpt | Brahms: Symphony No. 4, Movement III (mm. 224 – 237) *May play the bassoon if you do not have a contrabassoon) |
Trumpet / Trompeta
Symphony Orchestra
| Required Scales | Concert G Melodic Major and arpeggios, 2 octaves, Tongued |
| Concert C Major and arpeggios, 2 octaves, Slurred | |
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Required Excerpts |
Saint- Saens: Symphony No. 3, Movement II (eight measures after Reh Z – downbeat of nine measures before Reh BB) |
| Wagner: Parsifal (mm. 9 – six before Reh 3 (skip long rest)) | |
| Optional Principal Excerpt | Mahler: Symphony No.5, Movement I (Beginning – measure five of Reh 1) |
Overture Orchestra
| Required Scales: | Concert F Major and arpeggios, 2 octaves |
| Concert E Natural Minor and arpeggio, 1 octave | |
| Required Excerpts: | Berlioz: March Hongriose (Reh 5 – Reh 6) half note = 88 |
| Dvorak: Symphony No.8, Movement I (mm. 219-237) | |
| Optional Principal Excerpts | Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 2 (mm. 392-397) |
French Horn / Corno
Symphony Orchestra
| Required Scales | Concert D Major and arpeggio, 3 octaves |
| Concert B Harmonic Minor and arpeggios, 2 octaves | |
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Required Excerpts |
Saint-Saens: Symphony No.3, Movement II (Horn 3 - ten measures after Reh V – 10 measures before Reh X) and (Horn 1 - thirteen measures after Reh V – seven before Reh X) and (Horn 3 -nineteen measures before Reh Cc – first measure of Reh Ee) |
| Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, Movement II (Horn 1 - mm. 8 – 28) | |
| Optional Principal Excerpt | Mozart, Horn Concerto No.4, Movement I (mm. 36 – downbeat of Reh E) and Brahms: Symphony No. 1, Movement II ( pick up to Reh E – first measure of Reh F) and Piu Andante (Reh B – eleven measures after Reh C) |
Overture Orchestra
| Required Scales: | Concert B flat Major, and arpeggios, 2 octaves |
| Concert G Natural Minor and arpeggio, 2 octaves | |
| Required Excerpts: | Berlioz: Marche Hongriose (Horn 1 - Beginning – thirteen measures afterReh 1)or(Horn 4–Reh 6–end) |
| Mahler: Symphony No.1, Movement III (Horn 1 – four measures after Reh 13 – Reh 15) | |
| Optional Principal Excerpts | Schubert: Symphony No.9, Movement I (Beginning – measure 8) |
Trombone / Trombón
Symphony Orchestra
| Required Scales | Ab Major, 2 octaves, quarter = 60 |
| F minor, 2 octaves, quarter = 60 | |
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Required Excerpts |
Saint-Saens: Symphony No.3, Movement I (twelve measures after Reh R – two measures after Reh S) |
| Berloiz: March Hongriose (pick-up to Reh 4 – two measures after Reh 5) half note = 88 | |
| Optional Principal Excerpt | Mozart: Requiem, Movement III (Beginning – downbeat of Reh A) |
| Optional Bass Trombone Excerpt | Berlioz: Marche Hongriose (pick-up to Reh 4 – two measures after Reh 5) half note = 88 |
Overture Orchestra
| Required Scales: | C Major, 1 octave |
| A harmonic minor, 1 octave | |
| Required Excerpts: | Berlioz: Marche Hongriose ( one measure before Reh 4 – two measures after Reh 5) half note = 88 |
| Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3, Movement 1 (Reh Q – three before Reh R) | |
| Optional Principal Excerpts | Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Overture, Op.36, Lento Mystico (Reh M – Reh N) |
| Optional Bass Trombone Excerpt | Schumann: Symphony No. 3, Movement IV (Beginning – mm. 8) |
Tuba
Symphony Orchestra
| Required Scales | F Major 2 octaves, toungued |
| C Major 2 octaves, slurred | |
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Required Excerpts |
Saint-Saens: Symphony No.3, Movement II ( thirteen measures after Reh CC – one measure after Reh FF) |
| Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg (pick up to Reh K – first measure of Reh L) quarter = 100 |
Overture Orchestra
| Required Scales: | D Major 1 octave, tongued |
| F Major 2 octaves, slurred | |
| Required Excerpts: | Berlioz: Marche Hongriose (one measure before Reh 4 – two measures after Reh 5) half note = 88 |
| Bach: Aire (mm. 3 – end of Reh 2) quarter = 55 |
Percussion
We understand that access to percussion instruments may be limited. Please contact yola@laphil.org if you are unable to access specific instruments for the excerpts listed below.
Symphony Orchestra
| Required Scales and Rudiments |
Mallets: E flat Major with arpeggios, 2 octaves C Harmonic minor, 2 octaves C Chromatic scale, 2 octaves (time signature: 2/4) |
| Required Excerpt: Snare | Scheherazade: Movement II (Reh P – Reh R) |
| Required Excerpt: Glockenspiel | Mozart: Magic Flute, Act 1, Finale (twenty-eight measures after Allegro – end *top part only) quarter = 180-120 |
| Required Excerpt: Timpani | Saint-Saens: Symphony No.3, Movement II (two measures before Reh FF – the end) |
Overture Orchestra
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Required Scales and Rudiments |
Mallets: A Major, 2 octaves F-sharp, 2 octaves C Chromatic scale, 2 octaves
*Quarter = 120 |
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Required Excerpt: Snare |
Smith: You Can Do It (Etude 1) |
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Required Excerpt: Glockenspiel |
Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty, Valse (mm. 108 – 140) |
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Required Excerpt: Timpani |
Berlioz: Marche Hongroise (Reh 4 – end) half note = 88 |