Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra

Applications for the 2025-2026 Michigan Youth Ensembles Season are due APRIL 7.

MICHIGAN YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS

Students must submit a Michigan Youth Ensembles application and pay a non-refundable $30 application fee before their audition date. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on financial need (please view financial aid information below). Be sure to select your audition time after you submit your MYE application. Auditions are held IN-PERSON in the Earl V. Moore Music Building.

Those interested in auditioning for the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra 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, please contact SMTD’s Office of Engagement & Outreach at [email protected].

• Bass Clarinet
• Bass Trombone
• Bassoon
• Cello
• Clarinet
• Double Bass
• Flute
• Harp
• Horn
• Oboe
• Percussion
• Piano
• Trombone
• Trumpet
• Tuba
• Viola
• Violin

ENSEMBLE PLACEMENTS
Based on the applicant’s primary instrument, students will adhere to one of two schedules throughout the season:

• STRING PLAYERS: those whose primary instrument is a string instrument will rehearse each Sunday from 12:30 to 3:15 P.M. A full schedule can be found above.
• *WIND & PERCUSSION PLAYERS: those whose primary instrument is a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument will join MYSO starting at 1:45 P.M. and will rehearse until 3:15 P.M. They will then move over to MYSB. 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 Symphony Orchestra must be enrolled in grades 9 (nine) through 12 (twelve) for the 2025-2026 academic year. The Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra is also open to woodwind / brass / percussion 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, Cello, Clarinet, Double Bass, Flute, Harp, Horn, Oboe, Percussion, Piano, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Viola and Violin.

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

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.

Application Fee Waiver

Please view this page to review the qualifications and the documentation you will need to provide. Qualified students/families will reach out to the Acceptd Support team to request a waiver code to waive the $30 application fee. Fill out this fee waiver form to request a code.

NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIP
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to families with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $125,000 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