Applications for the 2025-2026 Michigan Youth Ensembles Season will be available Friday, December 13, 2024. See below for application / audition requirements for our next season.

2025-2026 MICHIGAN YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND APPLICATION / AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

• Complete the 2025-2026 Michigan Youth Ensembles Application via the button below.
• Be sure to select your audition time via the MYE Application. Auditions are held IN-PERSON in the Earl V. Moore Music Buidling.
• Pay the non-refundable $30 application fee. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on financial need (contact Engagement & Outreach Staff for more information).
• Prepare specific audition materials based on your instrument as listed below.

2025-2026 AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Those interested in auditoning for the Michigan Youth Symphonic Band should select their instrument below for full details on their specific instruments audition requirements. Be sure to read all information for your instrument carefully. If you have any questions about audition requirements, pelase contact SMTD’s Office of Engagement & Outreach at [email protected].

• Bass Clarinet
• Bass Trombone
• Bassoon
• Clarinet
• Euphonium
• Flute
• Harp
• Horn
• Oboe
• Percussion
• Piano
• Piccolo
• Saxophone (Alto)
• Saxophone (Baritone)
• Saxophone (Soprano)
• Saxophone (Tenor)
• Trombone
• Trumpet
• Tuba

ENSEMBLE PLACEMENTS
Based on the applicant’s audition, students will adhere to one of two schedules throughout the 2025-2026 season:

• THOSE PLACED IN MAIZE WINDS: those placed in Maize will rehearse excluisvely with the Michigan Youth Symphonic Band each Sunday from 2:15 to 5:00 P.M. A full schedule can be found above.
• THOSE PLACED IN BLUE WINDS: those placed in Blue will rehearse with the Michigan Youth Symphonic Band each Sunday from 3:30 to 5:00 P.M. They will start rehearsal earlier with the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra. A full schedule can be found above.

Woodwind, brass and percussion players auditioning for MYSB and MYSO will be placed in one of two groups: Maize or Blue. Wind & percussion players in Maize will rehearse / perform with our Michigan Youth Symphonic Band only. Wind & percussion players in Blue will rehearse / perform with both our Michigan Youth Symphonic Band and Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra. Schedules for both groups can be found on the MYSB and MYSO webpages. Final group placements are made by MYE Faculty. 

ELIGIBILITY
Students interested in the Michigan Youth Symphonic Band must be enrolled in grades 9 (nine) through 12 (twelve) for the 2025-2026 academic year. The Michigan Youth Symphonic Band is also open to students of exceptional ability enrolled in grade 8 (eight) for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra accepts students who perform the following instruments: Bass Clarinet, Bass Trombone, Bassoon, Clarinet, Euphonium, Flute, Harp, Horn, Oboe, Percussion, Piano, Piccolo, Saxophone (Alto), Saxophone (Baritone), Saxophone (Soprano), Saxophone (Tenor), Trombone, Trumpet, and Tuba.

For questions about applications, audition requirements, or the audition process, feel free to contact SMTD Engagement & Outreach Staff via email at [email protected].

Click the button(s) below to access next season’s schedule for both MAIZE and BLUE Winds & Percussion. A finalized schedule will be sent to students upon acceptance into the Michigan Youth Ensembles Program:

• 2025-2026 MICHIGAN YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND SCHEDULE – MAIZE WINDS & PERC.
• 2025-2026 MICHIGAN YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND SCHEDULE – BLUE WINDS & PERC.

Updated for the 2025-2026 MYE Season

Participant – $525.00
Non-refundable application fee – $30

A discounted tuition rate of $375.00 per additional ensemble is available for musicians who participate in multiple ensembles. This discount is applied to the ensemble of equal or lesser value.

NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIP
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to families with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or under in the previous calendar year, or with special circumstances due to the pandemic. To be considered you must upload your financial aid materials by the application deadline as part of your application. This includes:

• Monthly Expenses
• Previous Year’s Tax Return
• Statement of Need

REFUND POLICY
Full refunds of MYE tuition are only available before the first regularly scheduled rehearsal of the current concert season. Those wishing to learn more about the MYE Refund Policy can do so by clicking here: SMTD Engagement and Outreach refund policy