Hoff-Barthelson Music School

Placement Auditions: HBMS Orchestra Program
2024-05-07 18:00 - 22:00, 2024-05-10 18:00 - 22:00, 2024-05-09 18:00 - 22:00, 2024-05-05 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Hoff-Barthelson Music School invites you to audition for our prestigious Orchestra Program for students in Grades 2-12. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just starting your musical journey, there’s a place for everyone in our orchestral family!
Placement auditions for the Young People’s Symphonette, Chamber Orchestra, and Festival Orchestra will take place on the following dates:

Sunday, May 5: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Tuesday, May 7: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Thursday, May 9: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Friday, May 10: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Sign-up here.
Registration deadline: Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
Audition requirements:

Two pieces of your choice that showcase your technical and musical abilities
Scales and Rolls

Violin and Cello: One 3-octave scale of your choosing (2-octaves for those interested in the Symphonette).
Viola, Bass, and Harp: One 2-octave scale of your choosing
Winds and Brass: One 1-octave scale of your choosing
Timpani: Rolls in crescendo and diminuendo

Short sight reading exercise

View flyer here.

Placement Auditions: HBMS Orchestra Program
2024-12-17 19:15 - 22:00
Hoff-Barthelson Music School invites you to audition for our prestigious Youth Orchestra Program! Auditions for the Chamber Orchestra and Festival Orchestra will be held from 7:15 – 10:00 pm.
Reserve an audition time here.

Audition requirements:

Two pieces of your choice that showcase your technical and musical abilities
Scales and Rolls

Violin and Cello: One 3-octave scale of your choosing
Viola, Bass, and Harp: One 2-octave scale of your choosing
Winds and Brass: One 1-octave scale of your choosing
Timpani: Rolls in crescendo and diminuendo

Short sight reading exercise

View flyer here.

Auditions: HBMS Orchestra Program - New Students
2025-05-04 09:00 - 13:00
Hoff-Barthelson Music School invites students in grades 6-12 to audition for our prestigious Youth Orchestra Program’s Chamber Orchestra and Festival Orchestra.
Request an audition time here.
Audition requirements for new students:

Two pieces of your choice that showcase your technical and musical abilities
Technique Skills

Violin, Cello, and Piano: One 3-octave scale of your choosing
Viola, Bass, and Harp: One 2-octave scale of your choosing
Winds: One 1-octave scale of your choosing
Percussion: Rolls in crescendo and diminuendo

Short sight reading

Auditions for returning students will be held on Tuesday, June 10 and June 17 from 6:00-9:00 pm.
Learn about the HBMS Youth Orchestras here.

Auditions: HBMS Orchestra Program Returning Students
2025-06-10 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-06-17 18:00 - 21:00
Hoff-Barthelson Music School invites students in grades 6-12 to audition for our prestigious Youth Orchestra Program’s Chamber Orchestra and Festival Orchestra.
Request an audition time here.
Audition requirements for returning students.

One piece of your choice that showcases your technical and musical abilities
An excerpt from the Orchestra’s 2024-2025 repertoire

Auditions for students new to the Orchestra Program will be held on September 4, 2025, from 7-10 pm.
Learn about the HBMS Youth Orchestras here.

Youth Orchestra Auditions
2025-09-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
Hoff-Barthelson Music School invites students in grades 6-12 to audition for our prestigious Youth Orchestra Program’s Chamber Orchestra and Festival Orchestra.
Request an audition time here.
Audition requirements for new students:
Two pieces of your choice that showcase your technical and musical abilities
Technique Skills
Violin, Cello, and Piano: One 3-octave scale of your choosing
Viola, Bass, and Harp: One 2-octave scale of your choosing
Winds: One 1-octave scale of your choosing
Percussion: Rolls in crescendo and diminuendo
Short sight reading

Youth Orchestra Auditions for 2026-27
2026-04-26 09:00 - 13:00 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
Hoff-Barthelson Music School invites students in grades 6–12 to audition for our prestigious Youth Orchestras!
The Chamber Orchestra is an intermediate ensemble designed for players in grades 6-10. This ensemble focuses on developing technical skills and musicality in a supportive environment, providing an excellent foundation for young musicians.
The Festival Orchestra represents the pinnacle of achievement in our orchestral program, showcasing the highest level of technical ability and musical artistry among high school students. Participation in this ensemble is a testament to a student’s dedication and skill.
Learn more here.
Request an audition time here.
For additional information or questions, email orchestra@hbms.org

Chamber Music Placement Auditions
2026-09-02 14:00 - 20:30, 2026-09-03 14:00 - 20:30 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
Experience the joy of making music with others! Hoff-Barthelson’s Chamber Music Program allows students to collaborate with fellow musicians, build ensemble skills, and explore inspiring repertoire in a supportive and challenging environment.
Students interested in participating during the 2026–27 school year are invited to schedule a placement audition.
To learn more and reserve an audition time, please click here.

Orchestra Auditions
2026-09-03 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
Elevate Your Musical Journey with Hoff-Barthelson’s Renowned Orchestral Program – Audition for the 2026-27 Youth Orchestra Program!
Take your musicianship to the next level as a member of Hoff-Barthelson’s distinguished Youth Orchestra Program. Students may audition by video for the Chamber Orchestra or Festival Orchestra.
Submit your audition video by Thursday, September 3, 2026, to be considered for placement at the start of the fall semester. Auditions received after the deadline will be considered for the next available opening.
New students: Click here to complete the Youth Orchestra Program Audition Form, then submit your audition video.
Festival Orchestra returning students: You do not need to complete the form; simply submit your audition video.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
All students: Prepare two excerpts from pieces of your choice that showcase your technical and musical abilities, approximately two minutes each. For students auditioning for the Festival Orchestra, we recommend that one of the pieces be at or near the equivalent of NYSSMA level 6.
Festival & Chamber Orchestras violin and cello: One three-octave scale of your choice
Festival & Chamber Orchestras viola and bass: One two-octave scale of your choice
Festival Orchestra woodwinds and brass: One two-octave scale of your choice
Festival Orchestra percussion: Rolls demonstrating crescendo and diminuendo
Email the audition video with the student’s name, instrument, and orchestra choice:
Festival Orchestra: orchestra@hbms.org and festivalorchestra@hbms.org
Chamber Orchestra: sartists@yahoo.com
Performance Dates: (subject to change)
Saturday, December 12, 2026, 7:00 pm
Saturday, March 20, 2027, 7:00 pm
Saturday, June 5, 2027, 7:00 pm
Join a community of dedicated young musicians and grow through the power of ensemble playing!

Festival Orchestra Drop-in Day
2026-09-29 19:30 - 21:00
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | 7:00–9:05 p.m.
Come experience the Festival Orchestra at Hoff-Barthelson Music School!
Advanced young instrumentalists and their families are invited to attend this special Drop-in Day to participate in or observe a rehearsal, meet the conductor, and discover what the ensemble has to offer.
Experience firsthand the supportive and engaging musical community at HBMS and explore how Festival Orchestra can challenge and inspire you to grow as an orchestral musician.
View the Festival Orchestra description
RSVP for the Drop-in Day
