Auditions and Registration
The Louisville Youth Orchestra serves over 500 students across our seven orchestras and multi-county education programs.
Audition are LYO’s way of placing each student in the orchestra or ensemble that will enable them thrive. We have a place for every student.
Please read the information on this website in its entirety. You may email info@lyo.org at any time for assistance.
Step 1 - Register to Audition
Click below to complete your registration form. This form tells us everything we need to know in order to welcome you into LYO. Complete it accurately. If you know for which ensemble you intend to audition, mark that on the registration form. If you don’t know just yet, leave it blank. If you need assistance deciding, please email us at info@lyo.org
A non-refundable $35 audition fee is due at the time of registration. If the audition fee is a financial obstacle, please email us at info@lyo.org. LYO is committed to ensuring access for all students.
To learn more about LYO and the 2026-2027 Season, see the Helpful Links section below.
Step 2 - Determine your excerpts and begin preparing
Click below to access specific instructions for your instrument family. If you need assistance determining for which LYO ensemble to audition, email us at info@lyo.org. Our conductors will be happy to help you decide.
Step 3 - Record and submit your audition video
Auditions are conducted via online video submission.
Audition videos are due by Sunday, September 6, 2026. While late submissions are generally accepted and reviewed, students who submit their video late will not be eligible for principal chair placement.
The production value of audition videos are not a consideration during the review process. Any families who are unable to record their audition independently, for any reason, may email info@lyo.org. A member of our staff will schedule an appointment to assist you.
Step 4 - The hard part... wait!
Auditions at LYO aren’t a “get it or not” sort of thing. We place every student in one of our eight ensembles carefully, primarily based on ability. Placements will be announced shortly after the video submission deadline, after every video is reviewed.
Helpful Links
Watch Maestro Gabe perform an example audition.
2026-2027 Season Calendar Overview