• Applicants must be a student in grades 8-12 in Fall 2023.
• Applicants should be proficient in scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats in at least 2 octaves, concert pitch (string players, 3 octaves).
• Percussion applicants should prepare to audition on timpani, snare drum and mallet instruments.
• Flutists should be prepared to audition on piccolo, if possible.
• Oboists should be prepared to audition on English Horn, if possible.
• Applicants must prepare two minutes of a solo in addition to required excerpts.

• Tuition for the CSYO 2023-2024 season is $550 for the Philharmonic and $500 for the Concert Orchestra. There is a $50 sibling discount.
• Fees help cover administrative costs including rehearsal space, performance space and music rental.
• Financial Assistance is available for any students who may need help with the cost of tuition. No eligible student will be denied membership due to financial hardship.
• Tuition is payable by check made out to "Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra" or by credit card by calling the Box Office at 513.381.3300 (M-F 10-5; SAT 10-2)

The Philharmonic Orchestra is led by the CSO Assistant Conductors Samuel Lee and Daniel Wiley.

The Concert Orchestra is under the direction of Felipe Morales-Torres.

Both the Philharmonic Orchestra and Concert Orchestra perform full, unabridged symphonic repertoire and professional-level pops, theater, and film arrangements. Students gain experience with music from the past 400 years up through contemporary, living composers.

To align with the CSO concert attire, CSYO concert dress will change to the following two options in the 2024/2025 Season:

• All: Clothes shall be neat, clean, pressed and professional looking. Please avoid heavy fragrances/scented personal products.
• Option 1: Solid black suit*, black long-sleeved open-collared dress shirt (no tie) (shirt must be tucked in, no more than the top button unbuttoned, and visible undershirts must be black), black executive length socks, and black polished leather shoes. If wearing a mask, it should be solid black.
  *suits with color variation or pinstripes are not allowed.
• Option 2: Ankle-length black dress, skirt, or dress pants. Black top with elbow-length sleeves or longer. Black closed-toe dress shoes and black socks or hose worn if skin is visible while sitting (sandals and casual shoes are not allowed). All clothing and shoes should be formal rather than casual in material and style – NO jeans, leggings, sweaters, or spandex/stretchy material. If wearing a mask, it should be solid black.

Starting in the 2024/2025 Season:

• Students who are selected to perform on the CSYO-CSO Side-by-Side concert will be ineligible to enter the Concerto Competition in future years. 
• Students who are selected to perform on the CSYO Philharmonic Winter or Spring concert will be ineligible to enter the Concerto Competition the following year but may audition after a one-year hiatus.