Audition Requirements for 2024-25 

All students must audition in order to be placed in a Peabody Preparatory large ensemble. All string students interested in auditioning for an ensemble must submit videos via the Ensemble Application Form. Returning students auditioning for Advanced and Intermediate String Placements will only be doing a video submission. New students auditioning for Advanced and Intermediate String Placements will be doing a video submission and auditioning in person.  Students auditioning for Elementary String Placements must submit a solo video as well as a sight-reading video (details below and in the audition materials packet). Students can sign up for live auditions through the Ensemble Application Form (once it is submitted). Please see below for the audition requirements, materials, and forms.

Interested students who would like to be considered for ensembles can still submit videos after the June 15 deadline until August 15 or until all positions are filled, however priority will be given to those who submitted by the original deadline. Students applying after the June 15 deadline should include the excerpts in their video. 

Video Requirements:

• You may submit multiple videos.
• Your video must be filmed in a single take without editing.
• Recital videos are acceptable.
• Introduce yourself at the start of your video (Full Name, Instrument) – not necessary for recital videos
• Performance backgrounds should be of a neutral setting. Be sure that you and your entire instrument are in the frame and properly lit so that you and the instrument are clearly visible.
• Try to achieve the best sound quality you can by finding a quiet time of day to record or a place that has minimal noise disruptions.
• Recording camera or phone should be placed on a stable surface to minimize shake and jitter.
• Please review all recordings so that your video and audio are the quality you want.
• All recordings must be uploaded as part of this application submission.
• Videos can be accepted as hyperlinks OR in the following video formats: .3g2, .3gp, .avi, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .mxf, .webm, .wmv
  • If using a hyperlink, be sure that your video is not set to private so that it may be viewed by conductors.

Advanced – Peabody Youth Orchestra

• Auditioning requires a video submission and a live audition for new members only. 
• Audition requirements and excerpts for each instrument can be found here:
  • PYO (Strings Only) Audition Materials

Intermediate – Young Artists Orchestra

• Auditioning requires a video submission and a live audition for new members only. 
• Audition requirements and excerpts for each instrument can be found here:
  • YAO Audition Materials

Elementary – Peabody String Ensemble

• Students should have a beginning understanding of spiccato.
• Auditioning requires both a solo/scales video submission AND sight-reading video submission. Students will receive an email on June 15 from the conductor with a sightreading excerpt. They will be instructed to record the excerpt within 48 hours via honor system (i.e. students do not look at the music until they record the excerpt).
• Audition requirements for each instrument can be found here:
  • PSE Audition Materials