WHO SHOULD SUBMIT AN AUDITION VIDEO for CKYO's 2025-2026 Season All students who were NOT a member of a CKYO classical ensemble during the 2024-2025 season; Any student who is a member of Concert, Repertory, or Bravo String Orchestra during the 2024-2025 season and wishes to move into a more advanced CKYO ensemble. NO AUDITION VIDEO REQUIRED FOR**: All students who are members of Symphony Orchestra in 2024-2025 school year and want to continue in Symphony Orchestra for the 2025-2026 season; Any student who was a member of Concert, Repertory, or Bravo String Orchestra during the 2024-2025 school year and wishes to participate in that same orchestra for 2025-2026 season. **Students wishing to return to their 2024-2025 orchestra next season, should complete the Returning Student Intention Form form HERE by May 2, 2025.

Consult with your school or private teacher and take a look at each orchestras required proficiencies and typical grade levels represented. Also, take a look at the orchestra excerpts for each instrument. The excerpts are taken from repertoire performed by each orchestra and are cumulative in difficulty (i.e. Excerpt#1 in Symphony Orchestra Violin packet is representative of a Repertory Orchestra piece, Excerpt #2 is representative of a Concert Orchestra piece, Excerpt #3 is representative of a Symphony Orchestra piece.) If you need more details or have additional questions, contact the office at operationsckyo@gmail.com.

For the 2025-2026 season classical auditions for all strings, winds, brass, piano and harp, will take place via video. Percussion students should complete this Percussion Interest form to schedule an in-person skills assessment. Each orchestra will begin the season in August 2025 with seating auditions. Seating Audition Music & Instructions will be provided when you receive the results of your audition by June 30, 2025. Seating Auditions create the seating chart for your ensemble for the first concert of the season. Additional seating auditions will be held throughout the season at the discretion of each orchestra's conductor(s).

Audition videos must be submitted through the CKYO Audition Application no later than 11:59 PM on June 1, 2025. After preparing and recording your audition, upload the video to YouTube (instructions for uploading and setting permissions are available at https://www.ckyo.org/video-instructions), and then paste the YouTube link into your audition application. PLEASE FOLLOW THE VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS BELOW: Begin the video by announcing your name, instrument, and the ensemble you are auditioning for. Perform the required excerpts in the order they are listed in the audition packet. Announce which scales you are performing. Perform the scales. Announce the title and composer of your solo. If you are performing only part of the solo, please specify that as well. Play your solo. To ensure you don't forget any information, click HERE for a template to fill in your details and have on your music stand while recording. IMPORTANT VIDEO GUIDELINES: Your video must be one continuous take. You may pause between sections to breathe or prepare, but the video should not be edited together from multiple clips. Videos must follow the exact order and structure outlined above. Failure to comply may result in the disqualification of your audition or affect placement decisions. Before submitting, review your video carefully to ensure it meets all the requirements. When recording your video, understand that it will not be perfect! Submitting a recorded audition is not about perfection.

Click HERE for Audition requirements.

Things the judges consider Rhythmic accuracy Rhythmic stability (steady tempo) Intonation (playing in-tune with yourself) Tone quality Dynamic contrast Instrument-specific technique Musicality, expression, and phrasing Appropriateness of repertoire for your technical level Ability to recover if you make a mistake Careful preparation of all audition music Things the judges do not consider The audio quality of the device you used to record The video quality of the device used to record Where you recorded your video and what it looked like (bedroom, living room, bathroom, etc. However, acoustics can be an issue if, for example you record in your bathroom and the sound is unclear due to the echo. Wherever you record, make sure you can be clearly heard.) Race or ethnicity Gender or gender presentation If you have a private teacher or who your teacher is Other auditions you’ve taken or groups you’ve played with How fancy or expensive your instrument is For the complete rubric and scoring that evaluators use when listening to your video, click below:

No. There should be no editing or enhancements made to your audition video. Your video must be one continuous take. You may pause between sections to breathe or prepare, but the video should not be edited together from multiple clips. Videos must follow the exact order and structure outlined HERE. Failure to comply may result in the disqualification of your audition or affect placement decisions. Before submitting, review your video carefully to ensure it meets all the requirements. We recommend not waiting until 11pm on June 1 to upload your video. It may take a while to upload to YouTube depending on your internet speed.

Paste your video link and provide some basic information about you at our 78th Season: 2025-2026 AUDITION APPLICATION. There is a $20 audition fee. If you need help with the audition fee, contact Amelia at ckyoauditions@gmail.com. Before you make your video, follow these instructions. Begin the video by announcing your name, instrument, and the ensemble you are auditioning for. Perform the required excerpts in the order they are listed in the audition packet. Announce which scales you are performing. Perform the scales. Announce the title and composer of your solo. If you are performing only part of the solo, please specify that as well. Play your solo. To ensure you don't forget any information, click HERE for a template to fill in your details and have on your music stand while recording. IMPORTANT VIDEO GUIDELINES: Your video must be one continuous take. You may pause between sections to breathe or prepare, but the video should not be edited together from multiple clips. Videos must follow the order and structure outlined above. Failure to comply may result in the disqualification of your audition or affect placement decisions. Before submitting, review your video carefully to ensure it meets all the requirements. When recording your video, understand that it will not be perfect! Submitting a recorded audition is not about perfection.

If you do not have access to your instrument or have other challenges preventing you from submitting an audition video, please email us at ckyoauditions@gmail.com as soon as possible and no later than Friday, May 23, 2025. We are happy to help you record a video and get it uploaded and submitted on time.

Memorization of scales is preferred for Bravo String Orchestra and required for Symphony, Concert, and Repertory Orchestra auditions. Memorization of the excerpts and solo are not required.

Wear something that makes you feel good and that you can comfortably play your instrument in. Dressing up in "concert or recital" attire is not required, but sometimes helps you to feel more like you are performing which can enhance your playing. Remember that this is the first impression you will make on those who will evaluate you. It is also a good idea to practice in the clothes/shoes you are planning to wear before your audition.

CKYO is not able to provide feedback or comments from auditions. Judges are only placing students in an ensemble based on the presentation in the video or live audition and the performance of the audition components. The judges listening to your auditions are not aware of your past performance in CKYO, your private teacher, etc. They are assessing your level of proficiency for the orchestra for which you have prepared an audition and must take into account the number of available seats in each section when assigning players to each ensemble. We are aware that audition outcomes can be disappointing, but hope you understand that results are based on a brief snapshot of what you present in an audition. We encourage you to always work to improve on your instrument and build on your technique and musicianship with each audition opportunity, regardless of the outcome.

YES! CKYO is a strong supporter of school music programs, and believes these programs are the foundation of our music community. CKYO is an ENHANCEMENT to your school music ensembles, not a substitute for a school music program. All middle school and high school-aged members are REQUIRED to participate in their school band and/or orchestra program. If a school does not offer an ensemble for the auditioned instrument, please list the name of a school teacher or counselor who can confirm. Home schooling parents should indicate that on the registration form and may list themselves as the teacher name or n/a. CKYO will coordinate teacher communication in regard to signing off/approving a student's participation in CKYO. CKYO will send emails to school and private teachers listed on a students registration form to ensure compliance with our policies and support of their school and private teachers. In making these requirements, CKYO recognizes that a school or private music teacher may refuse to approve a students' participation in CKYO if reasonable efforts have not been met by the student, to work for the betterment of the school or private music program, or to rescind approval if the student is not living up to the agreement made. CKYO reserves the right to retract membership privileges if the proper teacher/program approval requirements have not been obtained in accordance with the CKYO timetable. Please note: CKYO makes NO EXCEPTIONS to its school instrumental and private music teacher signature certification requirements. Because the organization serves students from 12 different counties and over 40 schools, the policy is broad and is in place to support the public school music programs who work in cooperation with the organization. CKYO recognizes that each school has their own ensemble participation requirements. The teacher confirmation required by CKYO each semester indicates the student for which the teacher is approving is in compliance with school requirements as that school and/or teacher deems acceptable.

Yes. CKYO members are required to be enrolled in regular private lessons on their instrument. You will be challenged by the music that is selected and the pace of the rehearsal schedule. While our staff will utilize our expertise to help all students succeed, nothing can replicate the personalized attention musicians receive when they take private lessons. CKYO does not require you to be enrolled in private lessons prior to auditioning for CKYO, but once you have been placed in an ensemble and are attending rehearsals, you must meet the private lesson requirement. If you are not currently taking private lessons, ask your schoolteacher or email us at ckyo@ckyo.org to ask for recommendations.

Audition results will be emailed to the email addresses provided on the application (where you submit your audition video link) no later than June 30, 2025.

It is at the sole discretion of the conductor of each ensemble to decide to hold auditions for any open seats. Should there be mid-year auditions, they will be announced on the CKYO website's "Audition" page and emailed out to school and private teachers.

Yes, CKYO's classical and jazz orchestras are tuition-based and also require a $20 application fee. However, CKYO is committed to the equitable access to high-quality music education and seeks to make our programs accessible to all students who successfully audition into an orchestra, regardless of their financial background. Need-based tuition assistance is available for all CKYO orchestras and we encourage families to apply, whether you are requesting full tuition assistance for the season or a $50 per semester assistance, all requests for tuition assistance should be applied for via the CKYO Tuition Assistance Application. CKYO also offers Payment Plans to split tuition payments up by month. To learn more about CKYO Tuition, click HERE. To learn more about CKYO Tuition Scholarship or Assistance, click HERE. If you are unable to pay the $20 application fee, contact Amelia by emailing ckyoauditions@gmail.com and we can help!

About the Jazz Arts Orchestra (JAO) In January 2008 CKYO adopted the former Jazz Arts Foundation Youth Ensemble, adding big-band jazz to our highly successful classical orchestras. The CKYO Jazz Arts Orchestra (JAO) rehearses one night a week and is comprised of the standard big band instrumentation: alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, trombones, trumpets, and a full rhythm section featuring drums, bass, guitar, and piano. University of Kentucky Professor Raleigh Dailey leads the CKYO Jazz Arts Orchestra. The Jazz Arts Orchestra will accept up to the following for each instrument: 2 Alto, 2 tenor, 1 bari, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones (including bass), piano, guitar, bass, drumset). Rehearsals: Tuesdays from 7:15 – 9:00pm, beginning January 6, 2054 – May 13, 2025 Location: St. Luke Church (2351 Alumni Drive, Lexington) Tuition: $260 for the semester + fundraising or $75 cash opt out (Due January 31, 2025) Monthly payment plans available; Financial assistance available via application Performances: Sunday, January 26. 2025 Harstad Fine Arts Concert @ Faith Lutheran Church, Lexington 3:00pm Concert / Sound check (TBD) Sunday, February 16, 2025 CKYO Teen Arts Festival @ Singletary Center 5:00pm Concert / Sound check 2:45pm Tuesday May 20, 2025 CKYO Jazz Live! Final Concert @ Singletary Center 7:30pm Concert / Sound check 5:00pm About the Jazz Repertory Orchestra (JRO) The Jazz Repertory Orchestra (JRO) is an ensemble open to middle and high school students who are interested in participating in a select Jazz Ensemble but have less experience than students qualifying for the JAO. University of Kentucky Professor Raleigh Dailey leads the CKYO Jazz Repertory Orchestra. The Jazz Repertory Orchestra will accept a larger number of instruments and focuses on exploring improvisation and building jazz skills for the participants. Rehearsals: Tuesdays from 5:30 – 7:00pm, beginning January 6, 2025 – May 13, 2025 Location: St. Luke Church (2351 Alumni Drive, Lexington) Tuition: $245 for the semester + fundraising or $75 cash opt out (Due January 31, 2025) Monthly payment plans available; Financial assistance available via application Performances: Sunday, February 16, 2025 CKYO Teen Arts Festival @ Singletary Center 5:00pm Concert / Sound check 2:45pm Tuesday May 20, 2025 CKYO Jazz Live! Final Concert @ Singletary Center 7:30pm Concert / Sound check 5:00pm

WHO SHOULD SUBMIT AN AUDITION VIDEO by December 1, 2024 All students who are interested in participating in the Jazz Arts Orchestra (even if you were a member of JAO last season) must audition each season 2. All students who are interested in participating in Jazz Repertory Orchestra (JRO) who did not participate last season. NO AUDITION REQUIRED FOR**: All students who were members of JAZZ REPERTORY ORCHESTRA in Spring 2024 and want to continue in Jazz Repertory Orchestra for Spring 2025 season; Members of Jazz Repertory Orchestra (JRO) in spring 2024 who want to continue to participate in Jazz Repertory Orchestra (JRO) in spring 2025 (i.e. do not wish to audition or be considered for Jazz Arts Orchestra (JAO) spring 2025), you do NOT need to audition. Instead, please complete this JRO Registration Form (instead of submitting an audition application) by Sunday, December 1, 2024.

Auditions for the Spring 2025 Jazz Season will be via VIDEO submission this fall. All videos are due by DECEMBER 1, 2024.

All auditions for CKYO Jazz Ensembles are due on or before December 1, 2024 at 11:59pm. Instructions for recording your video are available at https://www.ckyo.org/video-instructions

Your audition will consist of three things: Prepare 1 solo (jazz style preferred, you can also play parts of more than one solo, approx 3-5 minutes of music); All - except drum set - should play the 12 keys of major scales and a chromatic scale through your range; Perform an improvisation to a backing track provided by CKYO. More detailed instructions are available HERE.

Things the judges consider Rhythmic accuracy and stability (steady tempo) Intonation (playing in-tune with yourself) Tone quality Dynamic contrast Instrument-specific technique Musicality, expression, and phrasing Understanding of the style of music you are playing Appropriateness of repertoire for your technical level Ability to recover if you make a mistake Preparation Things the judges do not consider The audio quality of the device you used to record The video quality of the device used to record Where you recorded your video and what it looked like (bedroom, living room, bathroom, etc. However, acoustics can be an issue if, for example you record in your bathroom and the sound is unclear due to the echo. Wherever you record, make sure you can be clearly heard.) Race or ethnicity Gender or gender presentation If you have a private teacher or who your teacher is Other auditions you’ve taken or groups you’ve played with How fancy or expensive your instrument is For the complete rubric and scoring that evaluators use when listening to your video, click below:

Absolutely no editing or sound enhancements of any kind are permitted. Your audition video should be one continuous take. Audition videos that are suspected to have been edited, spliced or otherwise enhanced may be disqualified.

If you do not have access to an instrument or have other challenges preventing you from submitting an audition video, please email us ASAP and well in advance of the 12/1/24 video deadline at operationsckyo@gmail.com.

CKYO is not able to provide feedback or comments from auditions. Judges are only placing students in an ensemble based on the presentation in the video or live audition and the performance of the audition components. The judges listening to your auditions are not aware of your past placement or performance in CKYO, your current grade, your private teacher, etc. They are assessing your level of proficiency for the orchestra for which you have prepared an audition and must take into account the number of available seats in each section when assigning players to each section within each ensemble. We are aware that audition outcomes can be disappointing, but hope you understand that results are based on a brief snapshot of what you present in an audition. We encourage you to always work to improve on your instrument and build on your technique and musicianship with each audition opportunity, regardless of the outcome.

Yes! CKYO is a strong supporter of school music programs, and believes these programs are the foundation of our music community. CKYO is an extended outlet for music and artistic growth and not a substitute for a school music program. All middle school and high school aged members are REQUIRED to participate in their school band and/or orchestra program. If a school does not offer an ensemble for the auditioned instrument, we require that your counselor sign certifying such a situation. Home schooling parents are asked to sign as the student's music teacher, certifying that music is a part of their schooling program. CKYO will coordinate teacher communication in regard to signing off/approving a student's participation in CKYO. CKYO will send emails to school and private teachers listed on a students registration form to ensure compliance with our policies and support of their school and private teachers. In pre-pandemic and post pandemic CKYO season - Students obtained signatures from their school instrumental music teachers each semester of participation in CKYO as a certification of compliance supporting the school and private instrumental teachers and programs. In making these requirements, CKYO recognizes that a school or private music teacher may refuse to approve a students' participation in CKYO if reasonable efforts have not been met by the student, to work for the betterment of the school or private music program, or to rescind a signature if the student is not living up to the agreement made. CKYO reserves the right to retract membership privileges if the proper teacher/program approval requirements have not been obtained in accordance with the CKYO timetable. Please note: CKYO makes NO EXCEPTIONS to its school instrumental and private music teacher signature certification requirements. Because the organization serves students from 15 different counties and over 60 schools the policy is broad and is in place to support the public school music programs who work in cooperation with the organization. CKYO recognizes that each school has their own ensemble participation requirements. The teacher confirmation required by CKYO each semester indicates the student for which the teacher is approving is in compliance with school requirements as that school and/or teacher deems acceptable.

CKYO members are required to be enrolled in regular private lessons on their instrument. You will be challenged by the music that is selected and the pace of the rehearsal schedule. While our staff will utilize our expertise to help all students succeed, nothing can replicate the personalized attention musicians receive when they take private lessons. CKYO does not require you to be enrolled in private lessons prior to auditioning for CKYO, but once you have been placed in an ensemble and are attending rehearsals, you must meet the private lesson requirement. If you are not currently taking private lessons, ask your school teacher or email us at operationsckyo@gmail.com to ask for recommendations.

Audition results will be emailed to the email addresses provided on the application (where you submit your audition video link) no later than December 23, 2024 at 5:00pm.

Submit your video here and tell us a little bit about yourself and how to contact you. 77: Jazz Audition Application and Video Submission Form (jotform.com)