HOW TO JOIN
An inclusive environment to promote education and
creativity among students of all ages and skill levels
AUDITIONS
Registration and auditions for a majority of the SDYS ensembles for the 2025-2026 season are currently CLOSED.
Registration and auditions will reopen on July 7th for New Students playing selected instruments.
Students wishing to join one of our Beginning ensembles (Beginning Brass, Beginning Winds, Beginning Percussion, Beginning Strings) may do so by clicking below.
Beginning Ensembles
To join Beginning Strings, Brass, Winds, Percussion, or Strings:
- Complete your Registration for SDYS and pay the non-refundable registration fee: Register Here!
Be sure to review all details, requirements, and deadlines for your registration, and contact the SDYS team with any questions: support@keynote-music.org, 619.233.3232 extension 4.
2025-2026 Audition Requirements by Instrument
All auditions are currently CLOSED except for Beginner Ensembles.
Select Instruments will REOPEN on July 7 for NEW Students.
TUITION ASSISTANCE & SCHOLARSHIPS
SDYS offers tuition assistance so that all families can allow their children to experience the joy of music.
We are strongly committed to our financial aid program and the principle that financial need should not be a barrier to entering our programs.
NEED-BASED ASSISTANCE
SDYS is committed to making quality music education programs accessible and affordable to any young person who wants to participate. In support of this goal, the Encore Fund has been established to provide tuition assistance. Please submit your application early to ensure that it is considered, as funds are limited.
To apply for need-based tuition assistance, please complete the Tuition Assistance Application (PDF and online version found below) and submit this form with the approved supporting documentation (see Part D). Please email support@keynote-music.org or call at 619-233-3232 x 4 with any questions. All information will be kept confidential and only used for the purposes of determining eligibility for tuition assistance.
SDYS requires supporting documents in order to receive tuition assistance for the 2025-2026 season. Please use this helpful info sheet (English & Spanish) to decide which documents are available to you, and how to find them.
Please note: Tuition assistance is not available for the registration fee.
TUITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATION FORMS
SCHOLARSHIPS
SDYS is proud to honor students’ character and citizenship by awarding seven scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to selected students across SDYS who embody the qualities that SDYS hopes to instill in our students. They are open to students in good standing who have completed at least one full season at SDYS.
FAQS
- This is done in three steps:
- Complete your registration for SDYS
- Submit the sight-reading video no later than 1 week after registering. Link will be provided at registration.
- Complete the audition application online via Acceptd
- Musicians aged 7 to 18 at all levels are eligible to audition.
- SDYS Age Chart
- Students with no playing experience are eligible for Beginning Strings, Beginning Winds, Beginning Brass, Beginning Percussion. Students with a year or less of experience may be eligible to audition for Debut Strings and Debut Winds.
- Refer to our Ensembles Page and the Audition Requirements and consult with your private lessons teacher to determine the ensemble that best suits your skill level. If you do not have a private teacher, please feel free to contact us at support@keynote-music.org.
- SDYS Ensemble Age/Progression Chart
- When auditioning, students audition for SDYS in general, not a specific ensemble. Based on the student’s age and performance, our Artistic Staff place them in the appropriate ensemble.
- Tuition depends on which ensemble you place into, and it may change from year to year. SDYS Tuition Chart.
- Please visit our website to view rehearsal information and schedules.
- 25-26 Musician Handbook (English/Spanish)
- 25-26 Season Calendars
- SDYS will no longer offer students the option to join mid-year. All students, including marching band students, are expected to join in the fall. Please review our Ensembles Page or updated rehearsal schedules, which take marching band student schedules into consideration.
- Audition results will be emailed out by July 3. Audition results will not be given over the phone.
- Yes. SDYS offers Tuition Assistance and is strongly committed to the principle that financial need should not be a barrier to entering our program.
- Families with financial need are encouraged to apply and can demonstrate eligibility for support by submitting the tuition assistance application along with your supporting documents.
- To learn more and apply, please visit our website here.
START YOUR
AUDITION PROCESS
Learn more about auditioning, explore frequently asked questions, and review opportunities for financial support.
