QYS Concerto Auditions for 2027

QYO is offering a 2027 QYS member the opportunity to perform a concerto in the 2027 QYS Concert Series. This offer is open to all 2027 QYS auditionees. Please submit all required files online by the due date, using the form below:

Eligibility:
1. You must audition in October 2026 and be offered and accept a position in QYS for 2027
2. You must not have previously played as a concerto soloist with QYS
3. You must be willing to participate in the entire QYS program in 2027
4. All players must audition on the instruments they play in QYS, excluding auxiliary winds (ie. piccolo/ flute, Cor Anglais/oboe etc)

Prize

  1. A performance as a featured soloist with QYS

  2. An audio recording of your performance

  3. 4 complimentary tickets to the concert and post-concert function

First Round: Video Submission due Saturday 29 August 2026

  1. Applicants must pay the audition fee and submit their online application using the form below by the due date.  Applications must include a YouTube link to a video recording of the applicant playing a complete concerto of their choice with piano accompaniment and a link to the piano score for the concerto.

  2. Only YouTube links will be accepted. No other format will be allowed.

  3. A scanned PDF copy of the concerto’s piano score must be submitted via a Google Drive link. See below for more information. No other format will be allowed.

  4. Please refer to Video Recording Section for exact instructions for video submission.

  5. The application fee is $35 and must be paid by direct bank transfer to:
    Qld Youth Orchestras
    BSB 014 245 Acc. 4950 31908 with “QYSCC” and your surname in the comments field.

  6. Applications which are late or without the application fee paid will not be considered.

Second Round: Live audition

  1. Three applicants will be selected for a live audition

  2. Each audition will last around 30 minutes

  3. The audition panel can request you to play any section of the concerto

  4. The concerto does not need to be played from memory (at this stage)

  5. An accompanist and rehearsal with the accompanist will be provided

  6. An auditionee may provide their own accompanist at their own expense

Key Dates

  • Saturday 29 August 5pm: Applications for first round auditions close - late applications will not be considered

  • Friday 9 October: Applicants for second round audition announced

  • Friday 16 October: Second round auditions, exact times to be confirmed

  • Tuesday 3 November: The QYS concerto soloist for 2027 will be announced

Note
QYS conductor reserves the right to ask the selected candidate to prepare a different concerto for performance in 2027.

Video Recording Instructions:

Recording Location

You should record your video in the spirit of a live audition or recital performance. You may record in a home or any venue with good natural acoustics, with or without an audience. You should dress professionally, as you would for a recital or live audition.

Recording

You should record a single, continuous, unedited video for your entire concerto.

Your camera should record from a fixed position as if three adjudicators were seated in front of you.

You should face the camera as you would appear to adjudicators in a live audition.

Your video recordings must clearly show your face and most of your body from the knees upward.

The recording must have taken place within the last year.

Accompanist

You must perform with a pianist.

Performance

The concerto does not need to be memorised at this stage – however, if you use music, please ensure the stand does not obscure you or your instrument from the camera.

Preparing the YouTube Video

Settings

Please note that you must select "unlisted" in the Privacy settings found under the broadcasting and Sharing Options section when uploading your video file to YouTube.

If you select "private," adjudicators will not be able to access your submission(s). If you select “Public”, you may encounter copyright issues with YouTube.

Video Titles and Description

The video title should contain your name and your instrument

In the YouTube “Description” section, please include the Title, Composer, edition of sheet music, and date of recording

Submission

Please double check the link you provide for your video before submitting your application.

First Round Application Form - Closes Saturday 29 August 5pm AEST