Video Audition Components & Submission Requirements

We highly recommend that you read the components and requirements thoroughly.

VIDEO AUDITION COMPONENTS

WE WILL NOT REVIEW VIDEOS THAT ARE NOT SHOT IN ONE CONTINUOUS TAKE.*

* With the exception of percussionists

Video Quality

Film in a well-lit space. Make sure there is more light in front of you rather than behind you so that you are not back-lit.
Using your smartphone to record your audition is great. You don’t need professional equipment. Feel free to use whichever video orientation makes sense for your instrument and room setup (horizontal or vertical videos). We want to be able to see as much of you and your instrument as possible.
When shooting, place the camera on a tripod or flat surface to keep the camera from shaking.
Frame yourself adequately. The video should show you and your entire instrument, as well as the range of motion associated with playing your instrument.
Ensure your music stand is not blocking you.
Memorization is not required and will not factor into your scoring.
Put your phone/tablet in airplane mode to avoid disruptions.
Video must remain stationary: no panning, zooming, multiple cameras, fading in/out.

Audio Quality

Find a quiet spot at home.
Be mindful of your instrument’s loudest volume, the size of the room, and test your room’s acoustics.
Woodwind and brass musicians should not point your bell directly at the mic but slightly off-center.
String instruments: make sure the face of your instrument is directed towards the video recording device so we can see both your left-hand and your bow arm technique.
Check sound levels beforehand to make sure sound is not distorted in loud passages and inaudible in soft passages.

VIDEO AUDITION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Tune your instrument to A=440
The video audition shall last no longer than 10 minutes.
— The candidate must be unaccompanied.
— Collaborative pianists or recorded accompaniments or backing tracks are not permitted.
You may not edit, cut, splice, or otherwise alter your performance. Do not add titles to the actual video, as that is considered editing.
Audition videos must be shot in one continuous take (without a break), as it best simulates a live audition. Include all of the requirements for your instrument in the order they are listed. The required audition order and suggested timings are as follows:
— ~5 seconds: Introduce yourself. Start your video by looking at the camera and saying, “Hello!” Then state your name and grade for the upcoming school year.
— You do not need to introduce the components. You will enter this information in the video submission form.
— ~ 40 seconds: Scales. Play the required scales for your instrument.
— 6 minutes (maximum): Solo Piece(s) or Excerpts.
— A shorter solo, such as a 4-minute selection of a concerto or solo work is acceptable; you do not need to prepare extra music to fill the full 6 minutes.
— ~3 minutes: Excerpts.
— Perform all the excerpts listed.
— ~2 seconds: Say “Thank you” to the camera to indicate the end of your audition and smile.
Dress code: business casual, and wear shoes if your feet are in the frame. Do not wear a face mask in your video.
Review your video to ensure the entire length of the video quality is clear, with acceptable audio and framing. OSYO may decline video auditions with poor audio or visual quality.
— Video quality: Ensure the image is not flipped (i.e., left-handed violin, reversed hand position in wind playing). Refer to the sample framings below. Get assistance in setting your video equipment for success!
— Audio quality: check that your sound is audible throughout the video and the sound does not peak (distort)
— TIP: Take multiple takes of your entire audition, then submit your best audition recording.
UPLOAD & UPDATE the video share settings before copying the URL link of your video.
— For YouTube or Vimeo, change the video privacy setting to “unlisted.”
— For Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or other cloud-storage services, update the share setting to “anyone with the link can view.”

Instructions to Submit your video

Upload your video to YouTube, Vimeo, or your preferred cloud-storage service, such as Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, etc.
Update the video share settings before copying the URL
- For YouTube or Vimeo, change the video privacy setting to “unlisted.” (This means only those with the link can access your video. It is not public.)
- For Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or other cloud-storage services, update the share setting to “anyone with the link can view”. (Do not assign the video to specific contacts.)
Copy the link (URL) to your video.
Open the “OSYO Video Submission Instructions” email (please check your spam folder)
Click on the Video Submission Form
List your video components in the video description line. Example:
- C Major scale and arpeggios
- Two excerpts from Mozart’s Violin Concerto No 3 in G (from opening and cadenza)
- Orchestral excerpts
Paste your video link (URL) into the Video link section of the form.
Click “Submit” to send your video audition. A copy of your submission will be sent to the email address collected on the submission form.
Please be certain to WATCH AND LISTEN to your video before submission, checking your audio levels and visual presentation of the video overall.
- TIP: Take multiple takes of your entire audition, then submit your best audition recording.

Sample Videos & Photos

Below are some sample videos that show appropriate camera angles and distances. Note: the full range of motion is in the frame at all times, and we can see the details, such as embouchure and technique, and we can see the applicant clearly.

Music | “Ford’s Farm” (Mason Bates) | 2019 YoungArts Los Angeles

2017-18 Kansas (KSMEA) All-State French Horn Audition Samples

Britten Cello Suite No. 2, Op. 80, II. Fuga

Apply Now

To register for an audition, please complete the Audition Application. There is a non-refundable $35 application fee. Candidates auditioning on multiple instruments must complete a new audition application for each instrument and pay the non-refundable fee. Payments are processed through PayPal.

Note: While this application form allows users to save and return to the form within 30 days, entries are not stored in the system until the application is paid.

Financial circumstances should not be a barrier to joining OSYO. We offer need-based aid for all program costs, including audition fee waivers. To request a free application or discuss financial assistance, please contact our office directly.