Auditions are required for all new students and all returning MPYO members who would like to move up to a higher chair or a more advanced MPYO ensemble.
Auditions are scheduled by appointment only.
Prospective Students
Click the button below to fill out the audition registration form.
Audition Information
Audition Dates
Auditions are normally held over the summer. Prospective MPYO students may also audition throughout the year by appointment only by contacting the MPYO Manager.
Next audition date: Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Location
In-person auditions are held at the Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex (PARC) in the Band Room. Please check in at the Michigan Philharmonic’s office.
Online Auditions
Video-conference auditions will be set up with the conductors at their discretion.
Repertoire
Each student must perform:
- One major scale (student’s choice)
- One harmonic or melodic minor scale (student’s choice)
- One piece of his/her choice, no longer than two minutes, representative of his/her ability (longer pieces are allowed, but only two minutes will be heard)
- For in-person auditions only: appropriate-level sight reading, selected by the conductor
- For video-conference auditions: orchestral excerpts
Private lessons are highly recommended for students preparing to audition.
Recommendations for a Successful Audition
- Study with a private instructor.
- Work on perfecting rhythm with a metronome. Rhythm is the first thing you are judged on.
- Listen to recordings of the pieces you will be playing.
- Get your questions and concerns answered early so you can make the necessary changes.
- Practice, practice, practice! Prepare well ahead of time for your audition.
When You Arrive
- Plan to arrive about 20 to 30 minutes before your scheduled audition time.
- Enter through door 24, in the back of the PARC. Click here for a map.
- Please check in with the MPYO Manager in the Michigan Philharmonic’s office (turn to the right after entering door 24). Students may warm-up in the Michigan Room.
- The MPYO Manager will escort students to the Band Room when they are ready.
- Auditions are one-on-one with the conductor. Parents may wait in the warm-up room.
- A stand and a chair will be provided in the audition room.
- Students do not need to provide a copy of the music for the conductor.
Placement
The conductors will determine who is accepted into each ensemble based on each student’s audition. Results will usually be mailed home to each student up to a week after the audition day.
Placement is determined by each student’s playing ability, not age.
Seating and ensemble placement will remain the same for the entire concert season unless changes are made at the discretion of the conductor.