Applications for the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra are accepted from October 1st through February 1st each year for consideration for the following season. Audition periods begin in mid-March, with live rounds expected to take place in late May and early June.

If there remain any vacancies in the orchestra following spring auditions, another round of auditions for specific instrument groups will be scheduled in late August / early September, prior to the start of the season. In this case, the Application Form will reopen on or before July 1st and close again in early August.

Auditions are open to musicians aged 20 or under who are prepared for a serious commitment to challenging repertoire and to our complete rehearsal and concert schedule.

*UPDATE 6-10-25*

The faculty and staff of the SFSYO announce vacancies in the following instrument sections for our 25-26 season, to be filled during Summer Auditions in late August / early September:
- Oboe
- French Horn
- Cello

Please note ALL REQUIREMENTS for your instrument category before submitting your application.
Don't hesitate to contact [email protected] if you have any questions or need clarification.

Eligibility: Applicants should be no older than 20 years of age as of the first rehearsal of the season in mid-September. If a candidate's birthday occurs around this time, please contact the YO Office to determine eligibility. Applicants should also reside, or have anticipation of residence, in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. If accepted into the Youth Orchestra, members will be expected to commute to Davies Symphony Hall for all services.

Audition Timeline: Following the application deadline, candidates will be sent the audition procedure for their instrument section. Preliminary videos are due on March 15th, with in-person audition rounds to follow later in the spring / early summer. In-person auditions occur on a single day for each instrument group (with the possible exception of Violin auditions which may occur over two days) due to the scheduling needs of our Music Director, faculty, and of the San Francisco Symphony. For this reason, alternate dates and times will likely not be available.

Location: In-person auditions are held in rehearsal spaces at Davies Symphony Hall. Directions and parking information will be provided after in-person auditions have been scheduled. The Youth Orchestra Music Director and members of the San Francisco Symphony who serve as our faculty adjudicate all auditions.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].