CYO Placement Program

Overview

Music for Canberra holds rolling placements for our Canberra Youth Orchestra program (three progressive orchestras). Placements help us match each musician with the ensemble best suited to their level and development. All string students who attend a placement will be placed in an orchestra.  

To participate, you must be taking private instrumental lessons.

How It Works

  • Apply and schedule.
    Complete the online placement form. Click     here.

  • Prepare
    two scales and arpeggios.

  • Perform from memory
    one major set and one (melodic or harmonic) minor set.

  • Choose
    key signature, number of octaves, bowing/articulation, and tempo.

  • Show current technical ability.

  • Mandatory Excerpts: Download excerpts here. 

    • Strings
      2 levels (1 = easiest, 2 = harder). Choose your level with your teacher. Prepare TWO excerpts at that level.

    • Winds, Brass & Percussion
      2 levels (1 = easiest, 2 = harder). Choose your level with your teacher. Prepare the single excerpt at that level. 

    • Own choice piece
      Up to 2 minutes, showing your best playing (can be a section of a longer piece). 

    • Sight reading
      Everyone will be asked to play a short piece you’ve never seen before — just give it your best go! 

Who Can Participate 

  • Strings:
    students aged 7–25

  • Orchestral Brass, Woodwind & Percussion:
    flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, and percussion players at approximately AMEB Level 5 and above (AMEB certificates not required). 

Placements

If you already play in a Music for Canberra ensemble, a placement is still required unless: 

  • You are new to string player (in which case you will automatically join our beginning orchestra, Louise Butler Strings) or you wish to continue in Louise Butler Strings; or  

  • You are a brass, woodwind or percussion player who would prefer to join the Canberra Youth Concert Band, which does not require an audition. 

New players are warmly welcomed. After your placement, we’ll email your results. 

Attending Your Placement 

  • Please arrive at the Ainslie Arts Centre 15 minutes before your chosen time to warm up and prepare.

  • Warm-up rooms will be indicated on arrival.

  • Placements take approximately 10 minutes and are conducted by a panel of two adjudicators. 

Results

  • Placement results will be emailed between December and early January.

  • All string students will be placed into an orchestra program.

Application Form
Placement Materials and Excerpts