Sign-Ups Open for String Ensemble Auditions 2025/26

String ensemble auditions for the Youth String Ensembles for the 2025/26 school year will be conducted in-person.

Please use the following application link to sign up for your audition: Audition Link

The application form closes on Thursday, May 15 at 11:59 PM.

As part of your application, you will indicate which audition times work best for your schedule and we will do our best to accommodate. Please be aware that your actual audition will only last 5-6 minutes within that timeslot.

You can also select your preferred ensemble as part of the application and select if you would like your audition to count towards placement in a chamber group. It should be noted that you may be offered placement in an ensemble other than your preferred one.

If you are auditioning for chamber, you are guaranteed a placement in a chamber group and are expected to commit to the program. All students auditioning for chamber will be charged a $40 audition fee which will be used towards their chamber ensemble fees. The audition fee link will be sent later in May. This fee does not apply for string ensembles. 

Please carefully read the guidelines below before filling out the application form.

Audition Dates

• Friday, June 6, 2025: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Chamber and String Ensembles
• Saturday, June 7, 2025: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM – String Ensembles

Piano auditions for chamber will be taking place on only Friday, June 6

Audition Requirements:

• 2 Scales (major and minor)
• 1 Piece, or excerpt of a piece lasting no more than 4 minutes

Sight-reading Assessment

• Applicants will be asked to sight-read passages of music

Guidelines for Skill Levels

• Applicants are expected to be able to play and read music at a level corresponding to their desired ensemble.
• Preludio: RCM level 2-5, Suzuki book 2-4
• Intermezzo: RCM level 6-8, Suzuki book 5-7. Ages 9-13
• Concertante: RCM level 6-8, Suzuki book 5-7. Ages 11-16
• Sinfonietta: RCM level 9 (advanced) – ARCT. Suzuki book 7-10

Please note that these levels are guidelines only. There will be some overlapping and/or exceptions.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Strings Administrator Harmeet Kaur Virdee (harmeet.kaurvirdee@vsoschoolofmusic.ca), and the Strings Department Head Carla Birston (carla.birston@vsoschoolofmusic.ca).