The Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra (GBYO) is our most advanced orchestra and is reserved for players whose technical skills and musicality are at the highest level.  Students should prepare a NYSSMA solo, level 5 or 6, grades 7-12.

There are anticipated openings for all instruments in the 2025-2026 season.

All students should be studying privately.

Each student must re-audition every year.

Flutes should play or be willing to learn to play piccolo.

Oboes should play or be willing to learn to play English horn.

Clarinets should be able to transpose parts in A, or own an A clarinet/also be able to play/learn bass clarinet.

Bassoons should be able to read tenor clef & bass clef.

Horns should be able to transpose.

Trumpets should be able to transpose.

(It is recommended that students own both Bb and C trumpets.)

Trombones should be able to read bass clef and tenor clef, and be willing to learn alto clef.

All auditions will be held at Christ United Methodist Church.

Dates:

June 6th (4:30-9 pm) -Winds & Percussion

June 7th (10:30-7:30pm) - Strings

Excerpts will be on the website on May 17th.

Audition Times will be emailed to the applicant by May 24th.

For the entrance audition, students are required to perform a solo of their choice (NYSSMA Level 5 or 6), orchestral excerpts which are emailed three weeks prior to the scheduled audition. Violins and violas are asked to perform a 3-octave scale of their choice (YO ONLY); cellos and basses a two-octave scale (YO ONLY). 

The application Deadline for Student Auditions is May 20, 2025.

Fees: There is a non-refundable AUDITION FEE of $25 dollars for one orchestra or $50 for both orchestras. Please make your check payable to the Youth Orchestra Foundation of Buffalo. Upon acceptance, musicians will be notified of tuition fees and 2025-2026 concert and rehearsal schedules. A limited amount of financial aid is available.

Please mail audition fees by May 20th to:

GBYO/GYBSO Auditions

342 Young Street Tonawanda, NY 14150

Fill out the application form below:

https://forms.gle/FHH87UkCB2KjACHL6

Rehearsals are on Monday evenings, from September to May for GBYO.

Results will be sent out via email by June 19th