BOISE PHIL YOUTH ORCHESTRA · 2026/27
Auditions & ensembles.
Find your ensemble, prepare your audition, and take the next step in your musical journey.
Four ensembles. Room to grow.
BPYO includes two full orchestras and two string ensembles. Placement considers a student’s grade, experience, and audition.
Rehearsals take place at Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy, 516 S. 9th Street in downtown Boise.
Symphonic Orchestra
Grades 9–12 · Advanced players with ensemble experience
Mondays, 4:15–6:30 p.m.
Concert Orchestra
Grades 8–12 · Upper intermediate players
Tuesdays, 4:15–6:15 p.m.
Concert Orchestra students with marching-band conflicts may attend a special Monday rehearsal, 6:45–7:45 p.m. Contact the education team to arrange participation.
Repertory Orchestra
Grades 6–10 · Intermediate string players
Thursdays, 5:30–7:00 p.m., January–May
Students should have reliable pitch and rhythm, read a range of keys and meters, use varied bow strokes, and be developing shifting and vibrato.
String Orchestra
Grades 4–8 · Developing string players
Thursdays, 4:15–5:15 p.m., January–May
Students continue building first-position playing, basic music reading, steady pulse, intonation, and ensemble skills.
Symphonic and Concert Orchestras include violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, and harp. Admission is by audition.
Both string ensembles welcome violin, viola, cello, and bass. Ask the education team for current audition details.
READY FOR YOUR NEXT STEP
Start with an audition.
Contact Education Manager Savannah Butler to request an audition. The live BPYO page currently lists rolling auditions for horn, tuba, percussion, and harp.
Returning members audition each year. Prepare carefully; prior membership does not guarantee placement.
School music eligibility
Students must participate in the appropriate accredited band or orchestra at their primary school.
For fully homeschooled students or students whose public, charter, or private school has no accredited large performing ensemble, an exception may be considered. Provide confirmation that a school program is unavailable, details of ensemble experience, and a recommendation from the current private instructor.
The recommendation should explain the student’s ensemble experience, suitability for BPYO, and, for returning members, musical growth through BPYO.
Academic scheduling conflicts do not qualify for an exception. Homeschool students taking a public-school course must also join that school’s accredited ensemble. Alternative or volunteer ensembles cannot replace an available accredited school program.
Audition excerpts
To apply for an audition time, submit your application here.
Strings and Repertory Audition Information and Excerpts:
*Students auditioning for Repertory need to prepare BOTH Strings + Repertory excerpts*
BPYO Strings + Repertory 27 Audition Info (including scales and solo)
Additionally, we are currently accepting rolling auditions for the following instruments. Contact us to request an audition.
Concert Orchestra Information and Excerpts:
Your audition day
Location
Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy, 516 S. 9th Street, Boise. Enter on the north side along Myrtle Street.
Arrival
Arrive no more than 25 minutes before your appointment to warm up. Bring three copies of your solo for the panel.
Parking
Free audition-day parking is available. Nearby street parking and a public garage offer alternatives when lots fill. Leave campus after your audition to make room for the next students.
Ask the education team when to expect results for your audition round.
ESPAA
Boise Phil Office
Visit our office at the Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy (ESPAA) in Downtown Boise.
Office and box office hours can vary around performance weekends and holidays. On most weekdays, we're open from 9 AM - 5 PM.
We’re here to help you plan your visit and find your place in the music.