CYO Placements 2027
14 November 2026
Overview
Music for Canberra offers placements for new students and those wishing to progress to a higher ensemble within our Canberra Youth Orchestra (CYO) program, which comprises three progressive orchestras. Placements help us match each musician with the ensemble best suited to their current level and development.
All string students who attend a placement will be placed in an orchestra.
To participate, students must be taking private instrumental lessons.
Who Can Participate?
Strings: Students aged 7–25.
Orchestral brass, woodwind and percussion: Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba and percussion players at approximately AMEB Level 5 or above. AMEB certificates are not required.
Do I Need a Placement?
Placements are for new students and current students wishing to progress to a higher string ensemble.
You do not need to attend a placement if:
You are a current student wishing to remain in your existing string ensemble.
You are new to string playing, in which case you will automatically join our beginning orchestra, Louise Butler Strings, which does not require a placement.
You are a brass, woodwind or percussion player wishing to join the Canberra Youth Concert Band, which does not require a placement.
New students are warmly welcomed!
How It Works
1. Apply and schedule
Complete the online placement form. You will be emailed your placement timeslot for 14 November 2026.
2. Prepare
Students attending a placement should prepare the following:
Mandatory excerpts
Download the required excerpts here. Both levels are provided, with Level 1 being the easier option and Level 2 the more challenging. Choose the appropriate level in consultation with your instrumental teacher and prepare one excerpt at that level.
Own-choice piece
Prepare a piece of up to two minutes that showcases your best playing. This may be an excerpt from a longer work.
Sight-reading
All students will be asked to play a short piece they have not seen before. Just give it your best go!
Attending Your Placement
Please arrive at Ainslie Arts Centre 10 minutes before your scheduled 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 2026 and early January 2027.
All string students who attend a placement will be placed in an orchestra program.