26-27 Audition Materials
are now live!
How To Apply:
Canton Youth Strings (Youth Strings)
Youth Strings Musician’s exhibit:
- Good intonation and developing rhythmic and musicality
- Willingness to learn and take risks
Audition includes:
- 2 scales (F, C, G or D Major) the student will be asked to play two scales at their audition.
- 2 prepared pieces of the students choice. One should should demonstrate technique and the other should demonstrate musicality and lyric ability. Each piece should be no longer than 2 minutes. Students may play a portion of a longer work if the length of the work exceeds 2 minutes. (student’s choice)
- No orchestral excerpts required
Canton Youth Symphony Advanced Orchestra (CYSAO) and
Canton Youth Symphony (CYS)
Auditions includes:
- 2 prepared pieces of the students choice. One should should demonstrate technique and the other should demonstrate musicality and lyric ability. Each piece should be no longer than 2 minutes. Students may play a portion of a longer work if the length of the work exceeds 2 minutes. (student’s choice)
- 2-3 orchestral excerpts chosen by the Music Director. You can find the orchestral excerpts HERE.
- 2 Scales (C, G, D, A, E, F, Bb, Eb, or Ab major) the student will be asked to play two scales at their audition.
- Sight-reading (CYSAO only)
CYSAO Musician’s exhibit:
- Accurate intonation and excellent rhythmic strength
- Exceptional musicality
- String players must demonstrate proficiency shifting in multiple positions and a comfort playing in the upper register
- Brass players must have at least a two octave range (full range of the instrument preferred)
- Woodwind players must be comfortable with the full range of the instrument
- Cello, Trombone, and Bassoon must read tenor clef or be willing to learn
- Viola and Cello must read treble clef or be willing to learn
Percussionists must also prepare two solo pieces for their audition. One of their solo pieces must be for snare drum.
Orchestral Audition Excerpts can be found HERE.
CYS Musician’s exhibit:
- Accurate intonation and strong, developing rhythmic capabilities and musicality
- Willingness to take direction and risks
- String players must be able to shift out of at least first/half position
- Woodwind players must have at least a two-octave range
- Brass players must have at least a one and a half octave range
- Percussionists should demonstrate flexibility and willingness to learn new instruments
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I join CYS?
Schedule an audition! All students accepted into one of our three CYS ensembles will be placed into an ensemble based on their audition. Auditions are required for enrollment. Students must also fill out the audition form prior to their scheduled audition.
Where do rehearsals and concerts take place?
All rehearsals and concerts take place at the Zimmermann Symphony Center (ZSC). The ZSC is located in the Hall of Fame Village and is attached to McKinley High School. Rehearsals alternate between Umstattd Hall, Foundation Hall, and the McKinley Band & Choir rooms. All concerts will take place on the stage in Umstattd Hall. We are very lucky to have such an amazing space to rehearse in – the hall seats 1400 people, and is shared by students at McKinley High School and the professional Canton Symphony Orchestra. Not every youth symphony gets to play in the same space as a professional orchestra! The address for driving directions can be found below:
Zimmermann Symphony Center
2331 17th Street NW
Canton, OH 44708
Enter through Door 25
I have a question, and can't find the answer on the website. Who should I contact?
Though we try to provide as much information as possible on our website, we understand that some questions are unique. Our CYS Admin Team is happy to help you! You can contact Caroline Eberhard, Director of Education & Community Engagement, and Lauren Carley, Education Assistant, at CYS@cantonsymphony.org. If you prefer a phone call, you can call Caroline directly at 330-452-3434 ext. 104. Have a question meant for one of our CYS Conductors? Send it to the CYS email, and Lauren and Caroline will pass it along!
Do I need to be a certain age?
No! Students are only admitted and placed into an ensemble based on their audition, not their age. Students of all ages can audition for any of the three ensembles. Youth Strings and CYS students typically vary in age between elementary through high school. CYSAO is primarily high schoolers, but younger students can and have been admitted if they demonstrate an advanced musical ability at their audition. Students may stay enrolled until they graduate high school.
What are auditions like?
Auditions are scheduled in 12 minute intervals and are heard by the Director of Education & Community Engagement, all three ensemble conductors, and sometimes the Education Assistant. There will be 3-5 adults sitting on the panel in every audition. Students will have time to warm up prior to their audition. The warm-up room will be shared by all students who have arrived for their audition. If your student will be overwhelmed by a shared warm-up space, we recommend they do most of their warm-up at home before arriving. Auditions are private, and a waiting area is provided for family members. Students may complete the 2-4 parts of the audition in any order they choose, but must complete all sections in their entirety in order to have a successful audition.
Do I need an accompanist for my audition?
No, all auditions must take place without accompaniment.
Can I audition on more than one instrument?
Yes, and we encourage it! We have had many students over the years who have played multiple instruments in 2-3 ensembles at once. Students should prepare the highest level audition they feel prepared for on each instrument, and will be placed based on their demonstrated skill and the needs of the ensembles. If the student is participating in multiple ensembles, they are responsible for tuition for each ensemble they are a member of. However, we do offer a $50 tuition discount for each additional ensemble.
Do I need to re-audition after being admitted?
Yes. All students are required to re-audition every year. Auditions help us determine not just who is admitted, but how much growth has taken place over the summer, who is ready to advance to the next level, and what chair placement is the best fit for each student. Some years are more competitive than others, and placement is determined solely based on the audition. Previous enrollment may be considered in the process if the audition panel is split on a decision, but the current-year audition is the primary determining factor. Most returning students will be re-admitted, but there is the rare exception.
If I audition for a higher level ensemble and don't make it, can I still be placed into a lower level ensemble?
Yes! Students who audition for CYSAO or CYS can still be placed into CYS or Youth Strings! No additional audition is required.
If I audition for a lower level ensemble, can I still be placed into a higher level ensemble?
Unfortunately, no. The audition panel needs to hear you play material that is at or above the level of the ensemble you would like to join. Students may not re-audition mid-year either–they must play in the ensemble they are placed into at their audition.
How do I know which ensemble is right for me?
There are a few resources for helping you decide! You can read our Audition Information Sheet, which describes requirements, you can ask your private teacher or school ensemble teacher for their recommendation, and you can look at the audition excerpt for your instrument for the ensemble(s) you are considering auditioning for. Those will give you the best idea of what level of music you are ready to play. If you are still unsure, you can reach out to us at CYS@cantonsymphony.org, or plan to prepare an audition for the higher level ensemble, knowing you can still be placed into another one!
What if I missed auditions, but still want to join?
- We accept mid-season auditions all year! Mid-season auditions will be accepted only for sections that are not full–we do not recommend intentionally waiting until after auditions, as your instrument section may fill up. Mid-season auditions should take place before the start of the concert cycle, but can take place after if necessary. Every rehearsal missed at the start will count towards the student’s allotted absences for that cycle.
- Students who would like to join for the winter or the spring should still audition at the beginning of the year–we cannot guarantee space will be available if we do not know to plan for you. Likewise, seating placements are determined at the beginning of the year, and decisions are final–late auditionees will be placed as the last chair of their section.
Do I need to play in my school ensemble to participate in CYS?
Yes, all students who have a school music ensemble available to them are required to play at school. Exceptions are rare, but will be allowed in the case that the student is homeschooled, or the student does not have an ensemble with their instrument available at school (ex. the student plays violin, but goes to a school that only offers band).
What if I have to be absent from a rehearsal?
Each student is allowed 3 absences per concert cycle – this means they must be present for 7/10 rehearsals. All known absences should be reported in the first week of every concert cycle. Dress rehearsals and performances are mandatory. Excessive absenteeism and tardiness will result in a student not being allowed to play the concert.
What is the cost of tuition?
The cost of tuition for the 26-27 season of CYS & CYSAO is $235. The cost of tuition for the 26-27 season of Youth Strings is $130. Need-based financial assistance and payment plans are available. There is a tuition discount for families with multiple students enrolled at once.
We firmly believe that no student should be turned away, simply because they cannot afford the cost of tuition. All students with financial need can apply for tuition scholarships, and receive anywhere between 25-100% off tuition based on their complete financial picture – we understand that not all circumstances are communicated through a tax form, and we do factor in things like family size, medical or school expenses, loss of income, and anything else that may affect a family’s ability to pay tuition. We believe that all students who are passionate about music should be able to participate, regardless of financial circumstances. That being said, the cost of tuition is relatively low, barely more than what a family would pay for 1-2 weeks of summer camp, but for a program that expands the entire school year. Tuition is necessary to the longevity of the CYS program, as only about 50% of costs are covered by tuition.
When do rehearsals start?
Rehearsals for the first concert cycle of CYSAO and Youth Strings begin Monday, September 14, 2026. Rehearsals for CYS begin Tuesday, September 15, 2026.