How to Join

Contact BYO Manager, Kate McLoughlin.

Audition Form

What to Expect at your Audition : 

• prepare to play a chromatic scale and additional major or minor scale of your choice
• prepare to play an etude or excerpt from a concerto or piece that demonstrates your skill both technically and expressively with emphasis on tone and intonation
• expect to perform a sight reading excerpt provided by us

2007-2008 BYO Handbook

Registration Forms - Due at 9/8/2007 Parent Meeting unless otherwise noted

• BYO Registration Form and Checklist
• BYO Commitment and Permissions Form
• BYO Medical Consent Form
  
• BYO Concert Support Form
• BYO Tuition Contract Form
• BYO Financial Aid Application Form - due 9/29/2007
• Peralta College District (Laney College) Forms (required)
  
  • Application Form for Fall 2007
  • Concurrent Enrollment Form for Fall 2007
    

Cazadero Retreat Forms - Due at 9/8/2007 Parent Meeting

• Cazadero Retreat Information and Reservation Checklist
• Cazadero Liability Waiver
• Laney College Field Trip Permission Form
• Cazadero Medical History Form
• Cazadero Transportation Plans

Students, as the very first step to joining the Berkeley Youth Orchestra, please understand the commitment that is expected. We have had many fine seasons and look forward to continuing this tradition of excellence. Excellence can only result from the full and continuing support of everyone involved. As a new or continuing musician, your contribution can have a profound impact. Clearly you need to know the music, so be prepared to put in the time and effort at home to learn it. Rehearsals are opportunities to work on the orchestra's combined sound, and your fellow musicians will be depending upon you to know your part and to be there. An absence not only slows your development as a musician, it slows the development of the whole orchestra.

Parents, your commitment is needed as well. BYO operates on a shoestring budget and depends heavily on the supporting efforts of volunteers. You will be expected to help by taking stage setup and breakdown, snack setup and cleanup and concert volunteer duties at least once each during the season. There are innumerable other opportunities to help, including marketing efforts, retreat chaperones, grant writing, silent auction committee, practice-a-thon committee, and participating on the BYO board. Check out the BYO handbook, or talk with Kate McLoughlin, the BYO Manager.

Parents will attend a start-of-season meeting during the first rehearsal in September. Introductions will be made. Questions will be asked. Answers will be given. All will be made known. Well, probably not everything, but what we do know, we will tell you. Certainly you will have the opportunity to meet the staff and board members, to hear the plans for the new season, and to sign up for essential volunteer activities.