How to Join AYS

AYS has three different groups that students can perform with. Junior Youth Symphony, Youth Symphony, and Chamber Ensemble. All groups are free to play in!

Auditions for the Youth Symphony and Chamber Ensemble are held twice a year, in August and January for new members. All returning members are required to re-audition in August. All auditions are held in the Ringhausen Building on the campus of Lewis and Clark Community College (5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey, IL, 62035).

Junior Youth Symphony

This group requires no audition and is perfect for string students that have been playing for a year or two! To register click here to register. Registration closes on January 3, 2026.

Requirements to join:

• Students must currently play in their school string/orchestra program (if applicable)
• Read music on A and D string
• Understand rhythms/rests such as quarter, half, whole, and eighth
• Maintain routine of practicing of their music (as well as school music or private lesson repertoire)
• Have a weekly attendance commitment (mentioned in AJYS guidelines, attendance determines if a student can or cannot perform in the end of semester concert)

Alton Youth Symphony

This group is for all instruments and requires an audition. Most students in this group are in a school ensemble or have 3 or more years experience. Below are the audition requirements. To sign up for an audition click here.

• Scales, Strings: *Violin, Viola, Cello C, D, G Major (as many octaves as you can) *Bass C, D, G Major (as many octaves as you can)
• Scales, Woodwinds/Brass: All Instruments – Concert Bb Major, Concert F Major, Concert C Major, Concert G Major (1 Octave), Chromatic Scale (lowest note student can play to highest note they can play)
• Scales, Percussion: Played on a mallet keyboard instrument – Bb, F, C & G Major (1 Octave)
• All Instruments: Solo/Etude that demonstrates strength and abilities. 16-32 measures

  long. Percussion: Solo can be on a mallet instrument or a snare drum.

Returning members of the Alton Youth Symphony must register but no audition is required. Please use the same form to register that is used to schedule an audition.

Chamber Ensemble (Strings ONLY)

This group is for strings only. Students in this group have a more rigorous audition requirement and will also be part of the Alton Youth Symphony group. Below are the audition requirements. To sign up for an audition click here.

• Scales: *Violin, Viola, Cello: A and Bb Major scale (2 octaves) ) * Bass: A and Bb Major Scale (1 octave)
• Solo or Etude: *Piece should demonstrate strengths and abilities, 16 – 32 measures long
• *Student must be an active AYS member in good standing with consistent or perfect attendance, positive attitude, hard worker, responsible, prepared and able to follow directions.