2026 Placements
Youth Orchestra Program

Overview 

Music for Canberra (MfC) holds annual placements for our 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. 

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). 
If you already play in an MfC ensemble, a placement is required unless: 
  • You are new to string playing (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. 

Where? 

Ainslie Arts Centre, Braddon  

When? 

Select your own timeslot via the online form. Please arrive 15 minutes before your slot to warm up and prepare. 
Placement dates: 
  • Saturday 8 November, 1–6 pm: Lower Strings (viola, cello, double bass) 
  • Monday 10 November, 6–8 pm: Violins; Brass, Woodwind & Percussion 
  • Saturday 15 November, 1–6 pm: Violins; Brass, Woodwind & Percussion 

How It Works 

  1. Apply & Schedule: 
Complete the online placement form. 
  2. Prepare: 
    • Two Scales & Arpeggios 
      • Perform from memory: one major set + one minor set (melodic or harmonic minor). 
      • Choose key signature, number of octaves, bowing/articulation, and tempo. 
      • Show your 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! 
  3. Attend Your Placement: 
Arrive at the Ainslie Arts Centre 15 minutes before your chosen time. Warm-up rooms will be indicated on arrival. Placements take approximately 10 minutes and are conducted by a panel of two adjudicators. 
  4. 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