Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 6:30-8 p.m.
First rehearsal of the spring semester is Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
Location: NKU School of the Arts, FA 126
2025–2026 Tuition: $350 for the academic year; $175 for the spring semester only
Prerequisites: Audition and acceptance required. Grades 7–12, suggested 4+ years playing experience, yearly entrance and placement audition is required and seating auditions are done each semester. As a reference point, a level of playing equivalent to Suzuki Book III or beyond is recommended for string players. Winds, brass, and percussion: at least 2 years playing in a daily band program.
Questions? Email Mr. Robinson at robinsonc44@nku.edu
The NKU Youth Symphony Orchestra offers fall and spring in-person, priority auditions. The fall audition is for all instruments and serves as the only entrance audition for the full season. The spring audition is for spring only entrance and is non-priority seating.
Video Submission Auditions: If you have an extenuating circumstance, or in-person auditions have passed, you may submit a video audition for non-priority seating. Please email an unlisted YouTube video playing two scales of your choice and either the excerpts in the Audition Materials below or a solo/excerpt of your choice that demonstrates your ability. Email audition videos to Mr. Caleb Robinson at robinsonc44@nku.edu and Dr. Holly Attar at attarh1@nku.edu.
In-person auditions have passed. You may submit a video audition per the directions above.
Audition Requirements and Excerpts:
Audition Materials for Download
YSO Member Handbook 2025–2026
YSO Calendar 2025–2026
REGISTER HERE
Attendance is mandatory for all rehearsals and performances. Our attendance policies are strict to ensure the highest quality learning experience and performance. Please evaluate your schedule to be sure that you are able to meet the commitment to our ensemble that we expect. No more than three absences per year are allowed. Students can use these in any way they like, ie. sickness, school concerts or vacations. After three absences, the student may be dismissed.
Notification in advance of any absence or tardiness is expected, and should be made by submitting the online absence request form. This form can be found under resources on the website homepage. If the absence is an emergency you may email Mr. Robinson. Two (2) late arrivals are equivalent to one (1) absence. Attendance at a dress rehearsal is required for participation in a concert. It is at the discretion of the ensemble director to allow or not allow a student to participate in a concert based on rehearsal attendance and/or preparation.
Ensemble students are required to participate in all concerts. Absences from a performance must be approved ahead of time by the ensemble director and Music Preparatory administration, unless the absence is due to sudden illness. Missing a performance is very serious, and doing so is grounds for probation or immediate dismissal from the program.
