Audition Policies

QYO Audition Processes & Policies                                                           

General

QYO holds auditions in October each year to determine positions in QYO ensembles for the following year. All positions are declared vacant until the audition process is complete.

The auditions are conducted by audition panels of 2-3 adjudicators per panel for each instrument. 

The panels:

  1. determine if an applicant meets the required standard for participation in an ensemble

  2. rank the audition performance compared to other applicants for each ensemble

  3. complete orchestra lists based on this ranking and preferences listed

Audition Stages

The audition process comprises six stages. There are over 800 applications and auditions, from which approximately 550 member offers and 100 reserve offers are sent to applicants.

  1. Application: Each applicant submits an audition application form with payment of an audition fee.  All current QYO members who wish to continue with QYO are required to re-audition annually alongside new applicants.  Applicants must read and complete the application form carefully and read the audition brochure.  QYO accepts late applications with the appropriate, non-refundable, late fee. 

  2. Processing: Applicants are allocated audition dates, times and venues. The dates and venues for each instrument are advertised in advance in the audition brochure and online application form so that applicants can keep those times free.

  3. Notification: Each applicant will be notified of their audition date, time, venue and ensemble of first choice, and the availability of excepts at www.qyo.org.au

  4. Applicants print and prepare their excerpts, and in addition, prepare a 1-2 minute own-choice piece.  The letters of notification are posted or emailed at least two weeks prior to the auditions to allow sufficient time for preparation.

  5. Auditions: The auditions take place in October as advertised in the audition brochure and online form.

  6. Results: Audition results are emailed to applicants by mid-late November.  This date is subject to change. The decisions of the audition panel are considered final and no feedback will be provided.

Pre-recorded Auditions

Applicants who know in advance that they are unable to attend an audition on the allocated day and time may request permission to prepare and submit a video recording, by the advertised due date. The video files are given to the relevant audition panel to hear on the audition day.  Videos not received on time, or in the wrong format, may not be heard and the audition cancelled.

Late Auditions

QYO may consider arranging late auditions for applicants who cannot attend, due to important, extenuating circumstances, such as illness or injury.  These requests must be made by email or in writing to the QYO office and where necessary, accompanied by a medical certificate.  Late auditions are usually held within five days after the audition weekend. 

Results finalisation and notification will not be delayed for late auditions and there is no guarantee that a late audition will be possible.

Audition Assessment

For each audition, the audition panel assesses the following:

  • musical style, accuracy of performance and following the directions of the music

  • general intonation, rhythm, dynamics and tone production

  • staccato & sautille bowings for strings

  • legato & tonguing for wind and brass

  • performance of own choice piece 1-2 mins duration (may not be heard)

  • unseen sightreading excerpt (handed out at the audition)

  • conductors' comments on orchestral skills and attendance (for ongoing members)

Audition Results

There are three types of audition results:

  1. Position Offer:  the offer is accepted by completing an online membership form, which includes medical details, general information and camp information if applicable

  2. Reserve Offer:  the applicant is on a waiting list, and may eventually receive a Position Offer if one or more applicants decline their offers or leave the ensemble after accepting offers, or if augmenting players are required throughout the year

  3. No Offer: Notification of an unsuccessful audition where the applicant is not being offered a position or a reserve offer.

Positions

The letter of offer for WS, WE, Big Band, QYS, QYO2 strings, QYO3, JSE1 and JSE2 shows a non-numbered place in the section, eg.  “trumpet section” and the actual seating is determined by the conductor and tutors in the first few rehearsals and may change throughout the year. The letter of offer for QYS and QYO2 wind, brass and percussion shows the players' numbered ranked positions.  If other players in the section decline their positions, sometimes players may, but not always, move up within the section.  

Section Leaders

The first-ranked player in each ensemble section is the Section Leader, chosen by the audition panel or conductor in the first few rehearsals. They have special responsibilities and may need to complete a QYO Section Leader Responsibilities statement, if applicable.   

Reserve Offers 

All applicants must respond by the due date and when offers are declined, applicants on the waiting list (Reserve Offer) will be offered the position in order of ranking. When the reserves list is depleted, the positions become officially vacant.

Vacant Positions 

In consultation with the Artistic Panel, a list of vacancies will be determined after the audition results are finalised and after the acceptance/declines have been processed.  Vacancies will be advertised.  Vacant positions are allocated at the ‘back of the section’, unless otherwise specified by the Artistic Panel to fill a specific position.   Applicants who already auditioned for QYO in the current year (whether they were offered a place or not), may not be permitted to re-audition for vacancies. Those interested in vacancies will complete an Audition Form and prepare the relevant audition pieces for a video or live audition.  The audition panel may be a QYO conductor, tutor or audition panellist. In some circumstances the applicant may be invited to play in rehearsals until an audition is complete.  Members joining in the new year will complete a membership form and pay membership fees pro rata.

Joining Two Orchestras

An applicant who auditions and is offered two positions in two orchestras may only accept both offers if approval is gained from both conductors following discussion of schedules and annual commitment.  Two sets of fees will be payable by the due date.

Results & Appeal

The results and ranking decisions of the panel are considered final and no correspondence or discussion will be entered into. It is not possible to receive verbal feedback or written reports specific to any applicant’s audition. The panel, staff, volunteers and QYO Executive Committee members are not permitted to discuss results with students, teachers or parents.

There is no guarantee that a current member of QYO will be offered a position in the same orchestra or a different orchestra in the following year. Players progress at different rates and new applicants apply each year, resulting in a very competitive audition process. Players who regain a position in the same orchestra as the previous year may be placed anywhere in the section or on the reserve list, depending on their performance in the competitive audition process.

Audition Panel Members

Each audition panel comprises two professional musicians and these typically include music teachers and members of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Many panel members are former QYO members.  The panel members read and sign confidentiality statements, ensuring that they will not enter into discussions relating to audition results, and that no bias or favour will be given to any applicants.

If an audition panel member is the parent of an applicant, a third panellist will be asked to hear that audition.  If an audition panel member is a current or former teacher of an applicant, they are obliged to advise the other panel member and that panel member and ensemble conductor will have the final decision on that applicant's position.

Volunteers

QYO greatly appreciates the efforts of over 70 parent and student volunteers each year who assist with the auditions by setting up rooms, marking attendance rolls and marshalling applicants to warm-up/audition rooms.  Parents and students read the audition attendance list and are often able to overhear auditions.  Volunteers are expected to be helpful and supportive to the students and they should not discuss the auditions heard, the attendance list or players' preferences. 

Confidentiality

The information gained from the audition process is confidential.  QYO audition panel members, conductors, office staff and volunteers cannot discuss audition results with players, parents or teachers.