HOW TO JOIN
An inclusive environment to promote education and
creativity among students of all ages and skill levels
AUDITIONS
2025-2026 Registration and Audition Deadlines
Regular registration and auditions for the 2025-2026 season are currently closed.
Registration and auditions will open for the 2026-2027 season on Monday, April 13, 2026.
HOW TO AUDITION
To audition for the 2025-26 season students MUST complete the following steps:
- Complete your Registration for SDYS and pay the non-refundable registration fee by June 5. : Register Here!
- NEW THIS SEASON: Review, record, and email in sight-reading requirement within 1 week of registration (a link will be included in your registration confirmation)
- Review and prepare all audition requirements listed by instrument below.
- This includes scales, solo piece(s), and orchestral excerpt. NO piano accompaniment.
- Specific repertoire for each instrument can be found in the Audition Requirements by Instrument section below.
- It is recommended that you review the repertoire requirements with your private or school music teacher.
- Intermediate and advanced students may apply for leadership by submitting an extra video answering a specific prompt.
- Complete Audition Application online via Acceptd by June 5: Audition Here!
- Results will be available sent out July 3. Results will not be given over the phone.
2026-2027 Audition Requirements by Instrument
will be released on April 13, 2026.
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 enter 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.
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@sdys.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 2023-2024 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
SDYS' Instrument Wishlist Scholarship
2024-25 Season's Instrument Wishlist:
-
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- Saxophone (especially Baritone and Tenor)
- French horn
- Trombone
- Tuba
- Percussion
- Viola
- Double bass
FAQS
- Musicians between age 7 to 22 at all levels (including debut strings and winds and band instruments) are eligible to audition.
- SDYS Age Chart
- Students with little to no experience who wish to be in one of our beginning groups will still need to complete an Audition Application online via Acceptd. You will be instructed on what to provide, depending on your instrument.
- Refer to our Ensembles Page and the Audition Requirements and consult with your private lesson teacher to determine the orchestra that best suits your skill level. If you do not have a private teacher, please feel free to contact us at support@sdys.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. SDYS judges will be evaluating your performance based on a few specific criteria only.
- 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.
- 24-25 Musician Handbook (English/Spanish)
- 24-25 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 enter our program.
- Families with 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.
MERIT-BASED 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 hope to inspire and instill in our students. They are open to students in good standing who have completed at least one season at SDYS. Applications are closed for the 2024-2025 Season.
START YOUR
AUDITION PROCESS
Learn more about auditioning, explore frequently asked questions, and review opportunities for financial support.
