After the Audition
When will I find out if I have been accepted?
Students auditioning for the current season will receive notification from the GSYO Office within a week of the audition. All results regarding placement for the 2018-19 season will be sent via email in late-April/early-May 2018. All auditioning students will receive correspondence, regardless of the outcome.
How will I receive my results?
Audition results are sent via email.
Why was I was placed in an orchestra I did not want to audition for?
Our experienced GSYO faculty/coaches will place students at the orchestra level where they will be most successful. Sometimes that may be an orchestra above or below the level for which you wished to be considered.
I'm not pleased with my results. May I re-audition?
No. Our faculty is very experienced at placing students appropriately. If you decline the offered orchestra placement, you can inquire about openings and reapply at a later date. If you auditioned in Spring, you should wait until Fall or Winter to check the open positions list. If you auditioned in Fall or Winter, you should wait until Spring to reapply.
What does it cost to be in GSYO?
GSYO offers scholarships to students who demonstrate financial need and will never refuse a student the opportunity to participate because of an inability to pay the membership fees. For each ensemble, there is an annual tuition fee, which varies by group. In addition to the annual fees, students are also required to purchase tickets to all GSYO benefit concerts. The Senior Symphony attends a weeklong Summer Music Retreat and tours internationally every other summer, while the Sinfonietta Orchestra and Galbraith Honor Strings both hold mandatory mini-camps, local to Palo Alto.
Is GSYO a big time commitment?
GSYO offers a wonderful opportunity for young musicians to develop their skills and learn about being part of an orchestra. An orchestra is a team that needs every player to pull his/her weight. To accomplish this, all musicians must be committed to the program. GSYO ensembles rehearse once a week for two to three hours, depending on the group. Members are expected to attend weekly rehearsals and concerts, and any dress rehearsals or progress checks as required by the conductor. All GSYO families will receive a detailed schedule from the Office at the beginning of the season.