Auditions

Wellington Youth Orchestra auditions & excerpts

Orchestral excerpts and the online application for advanced players (Grade 8+) auditioning for the Youth Orchestra.

Who needs to audition

Everyone must fill in the application form, including returning players.

You must audition if you:

  • are new, or didn’t play last season
  • play wind, brass or percussion
  • want a desk position

Returning string players don’t need to audition, but it improves your chances of a section principal or concertmaster position.

What to prepare

These orchestral excerpts are for Wellington Youth Orchestra auditions. If you’re auditioning for the Sinfonietta instead, the requirements are different — see the WYS auditions page.

Play the full audition excerpts for your instrument — download them below.

You have the option of a live or recorded audition. Recorded auditions must be a video.

  • Live audition dates: end of February 2027, exact dates TBD.
  • Recorded audition deadline: email your video link by TBD. It must be one take, with no edits or cuts. Videos are reviewed together close to the live auditions, so please don’t expect an immediate result.

How it works

  1. Download your excerpt.
  2. Prepare everything listed under What to prepare.
  3. Fill in the application form.
  4. We’ll be in touch about your audition time and what happens next.

Questions? [email protected]

How to send a video audition

  1. Film yourself on a phone. Start by saying your name and date of birth.
  2. Upload the video to YouTube. You’ll need a free account.
  3. Set the visibility to Unlisted, so only people with the link can see it.
  4. Email the link to [email protected], or add it to your application form if it’s ready when you apply.

Download your excerpt

The excerpts and audition materials are shown here while applications are open.

Apply online

Applications are currently closed. Sinfonietta auditions run in early December, Youth Orchestra auditions in February. For a late application, or a mid-year place, email [email protected].