Key Dates
Event
Date
Excerpts Released
August 2026
Submissions Due
15 October 2026
Results Announced
November 2026
Eligibility
Applicants must be available to participate in the full programme season.
Applicants are typically working at ABRSM or Trinity Grade 7 or above. Grading systems vary across the region — the audition excerpts are the clearest test of readiness.
Video Introduction
Each submission must begin with a brief video introduction of no longer than 30 seconds. State clearly:
- Full name
- Candidate number (assigned upon application)
- Instrument
- Position applying for (e.g. Violin, Bassoon, Concertmaster)
Piece of Own Choice
All applicants must perform a piece of their own choice. An accompanist is not required, and a complete work is not required — a carefully selected passage of a longer piece is entirely acceptable. The piece should be between 3 and 5 minutes in length.
Choose a work that demonstrates your technical proficiency and emphasises your musicianship and musical personality. Discuss your selection with your instrumental teacher.
Orchestral Excerpts
Applicants perform the orchestral excerpts selected by TIYO for their instrument. The number of excerpts varies by instrument, with each set drawn from the parts that instrument plays in the season's repertoire. Excerpts will be available for download from the TIYO portal in August 2026. Each excerpt will be provided as a marked part file with bowings, articulations and fingerings indicated where relevant.
Guidelines for preparing your excerpts:
- Take time to learn about the background of each work and listen to an orchestral recording to hear your part in context
- Follow all tempo, dynamic, articulation and bowing markings in the excerpt file
- Metronome markings are an indication — musical sensitivity takes priority over mechanical accuracy
- A more demanding excerpt should not discourage less experienced players — play at a comfortable tempo if necessary
- For passages with extended rests, pause briefly and continue — counting through full rests is not required
- Seek the guidance of your instrumental teacher in preparing your excerpts
Alto Saxophone
The inaugural programme includes a chair for alto saxophone, an instrument Ravel writes into Pictures at an Exhibition and one rarely heard in the symphony orchestra. Saxophone applicants prepare a piece of their own choice, as above, together with the saxophone solo from Pictures at an Exhibition, "Il vecchio castello" ("The Old Castle"). This solo takes the place of the orchestral excerpt set: saxophone applicants prepare the single solo rather than a set of excerpts. The solo will be available for download alongside the other excerpt files in August 2026.
Concertmaster Applicants
Applicants wishing to be considered for the position of Concertmaster must submit the standard audition requirements plus a selection of designated orchestral solo excerpts. These will feature prominent violin solos from the orchestral repertoire.
Recording Your Audition
The following elements must be recorded as separate video files:
- Own choice piece
- Orchestral excerpts — recorded in order, in a single unedited take
- Concertmaster solo excerpts — if applicable, as a separate file
Technical requirements:
- Record in landscape orientation, minimum 720p resolution
- Upload as unlisted YouTube videos and provide the links in your application
- Film in good lighting with minimal background noise
- Mobile phone recordings are suitable provided they meet the above requirements
- Do not edit any part of your video
Auxiliary Instruments
Wind applicants are encouraged to audition on doubling instruments alongside their primary instrument. Accepted auxiliary instruments include piccolo, cor anglais, E♭ clarinet, bass clarinet and contrabassoon. A separate excerpt set is available for each auxiliary instrument; an own choice piece is not required for auxiliary instruments.
TIYO recognises that some auxiliary instruments — particularly bass clarinet and contrabassoon — may not be readily accessible to all applicants. If you do not have reliable access to your auxiliary instrument for recording purposes, contact admin@tiyo.org to discuss alternative arrangements. Applicants will not be disadvantaged for making this request.
Percussion and Timpani
Percussion and timpani applicants submit video auditions in the same way as all other instruments. We encourage applications from across the region regardless of access to specific instruments — each excerpt may be recorded separately and on whatever appropriate instrument is available to you, whether at your school, conservatoire, teacher's studio, or another accessible location.
Please state briefly in your video introduction what instrument you are using and where it was recorded. The panel assesses technique, musicality, and rhythmic accuracy — not instrument quality or recording environment. Timpani applicants should note the tuning of the instrument used.
Percussion applicants are not required to audition separately for timpani. However, applicants wishing to be considered for timpani must also submit the designated timpani excerpts in addition to their percussion excerpts. Separate excerpt sets are provided for each. All instruments required during the programme will be provided by TIYO.
For any questions about the audition process, please contact us at admin@tiyo.org.
