Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras Audition for MCYO

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN AUDITIONING FOR THE MARYLAND CLASSIC YOUTH ORCHESTRAS OF STRATHMORE!

Scroll down to review the steps to audition for MCYO

Participation in the Chamber Music Program is a separate application process, which can be viewed here.
Each season, all musicians (returning and new) must audition for the MCYO Orchestras. Our auditions take place in mid to late August (a week or two before MCPS school system resumes in fall).

Registrations will go online in mid-June, and all audition requirement updates and new orchestral excerpts will be posted at that time. We take auditions from all "common" orchestral instruments. (Harp is included, but does NOT include piano or saxophone).

Click for all available ensembles and an overview of the requirements

Part 1: Membership Eligibility

Please be sure that your child can meet our MCYO eligibility requirements.
  • MCYO strongly encourages its’ musicians to participate in their school music programs.  The daily ensemble experience greatly enhances our program.
  • MCYO requires that all musicians be currently taking private lessons on their orchestra instrument.  It is essential that musicians receive this guidance throughout the entire season.
  • Applicants with noted absence or disciplinary problems in the past season(s) will require approval from the MCYO staff prior to being allowed to re-audition for MCYO programs. (Please contact the office if you have any questions regarding this.)
  • Each musician is assessed an annual tuition/membership fee. 
  • FINANCIAL AID: Need-based financial aid is available for musicians to help pay for MCYO membership fees and/or provide private lesson stipends.

Part 2: Audition Guidelines and Requirements

All students will be assessed based on their performance of:

  • Auditions will be conducted this fall at the Music Center at Strathmore – August 13-20, 2025
  • CLICK FOR ENSEMBLE REQUIREMENT OVERVIEW
    • Please click the ensemble(s) you are eligible for and check each ensemble's requirements carefully
  • Musicians will be invited to an audition schedule after the Audition Registration is completed. (Check "Schedule" > "My Timeslots") 
  • Tips for preparing an audition

***Consideration for Multiple EnsemblesMusicians will need to audition TWICE, once for each ensemble.
During the audition registration, please select the "Would you like to be considered for multiple ensembles/orchestras?" option and select all the ensemble(s) the musician would like to be considered for. Once you've completed the registration, the admins will invite you to schedule the 2nd audition.

Exceptions
to multiple ensemble auditions are for:

  • Our youngest String Ensembles (Future Stars, Preparatory Strings, and Chamber Strings). For example, if the musician is a rising 5th-grade musician, they will only need to audition ONCE for Chamber Strings, and they will automatically be considered for Preparatory Strings.
  • Kamerata! - A musician can audition directly for Kamerata! But if a string musician is in grades 9-12 and is auditioning for Symphony, Chamber Ensemble, or Philharmonic, they may automatically be considered for Kamerata!
  • Small Ensemble: A musician can audition directly for Small Ensemble. But if the musician is auditioning on Flute, Clarinet, or Tuba, they may automatically be considered for Small Ensembles.
  • Combined Auditions: There are a few combined audition options available for specific ensembles/instruments. ("Chamber Strings/Concert Orchestra Strings", "Concert Orchestra/Young Artists Winds", "Percussions", etc.) Please note the program names and schedule names as you are registering.

Part 3: Schedule your Audition

Any other questions can be directed to MCYO, please contact us for questions.

Tips for a great audition from our directors