2025-26 ENTRANCE AUDITIONS [Second Round Review Period Now Open]
The SECOND ROUND REVIEW PERIOD Audition Form for the 2025-2026 CYS Season is now open.The California Youth Symphony is dedicated to the artistic development of a new generation of musicians and building audiences to support them. Auditions for CYS are open to students of high school age and younger as of September of the coming season. Each musician within a family will need to complete a separate form. If you are interested in auditioning on two different instruments other than an auxiliary instrument (i.e. flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet, etc.) please indicate this on your audition application.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
The Second Round review period is intended for new applications only.
Musicians who accept the invitation to join CYS Senior Orchestra are required to participate in our Summer Camp and the International Tour. Those who join the String Ensembles are strongly encouraged to participate in the Summer String Camp. The events take place during the summers on the following dates:
- DAY CAMP [String Ensembles]: 7/21/25 [MON] - 7/25/25 [FRI]
- OVERNIGHT CAMP [Senior Orchestra]: 7/27/25 [SUN] - 8/2/25 [SAT]
- SENIOR ORCHESTRA TOUR TO JAPAN: June 28 - July 7, 2026
For questions about the audition application process, please contact cysauditions@cys.org.
IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES
*Some instruments (bassoon, brass, viola, double bass) will be considered on a rolling basis.
- MAY 22 - All Instruments - Audition Applications Due (closes at 11:59 PM PST)
- MAY 22 - Strings|Winds|Brass - Video Submissions Due (closes at 11:59 PM PST). Submit any time before the deadline - plan accordingly
- LATE MAY - Percussion Auditions held in-person (APPOINTMENTS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF PERCUSSION DIRECTOR)
- JUNE 5 - Audition Results & Registration Instructions sent via Email
- JUNE 17 - Deadline to Complete 2025-26 Registration
NOTE FOR ALL MUSICIANS - NON-REFUNDABLE AUDITION FEE (ALL AUDITIONS)
- MUSICIANS NEW TO CYS: $35
- For your first audition with CYS, a non-refundable audition fee of $35.00 is required to complete your audition application. Payments are processed through PayPal
- CURRENT AND FORMER CYS MEMBERS: $20
- For Current and Former CYS Members auditioning for a different section or ensemble, a discounted, non-refundable audition fee of $20.00 is required to complete your audition application. Payments are processed through PayPal.
- For Current CYS Members remaining in their current ensemble AND section, or not returning, there is no fee.
TUITION ASSISTANCE
CYS offers need-based tuition assistance for musicians of all ensembles. April 13, 2025 is the initial deadline for submitting the Tuition Assistance Application, linked below. We will continue to accept tuition assistance applications after April 13, 2025, but those received by then will have first priority. Due to limited resources it is unlikely additional aid will be available once all funds are used. Our goal is to inform families of their award status and amount as registration opens, or shortly after, so they can make an informed decision about registration.
TUITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATION FORM
2025-26 SEASON COVID-BOOSTER RECOMMENDATION: All musicians are strongly encouraged to keep up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination, with the initial series AND booster doses as eligible. In the 2025-26 Season, masks will be strongly encouraged during rehearsals and concerts but not required.
Internet Browser compatibility & Cookies: This application works best on the latest version of the Chrome browser. Please also update your browser settings to allow the use of cookies on our site, in order to prevent receiving the "login expired" message.
