Launched in the 23-24 season, the Crescendo Orchestra is the New York Youth Symphony’s newest ensemble. It is designed to create a pathway and remove barriers for young string musicians aged 10-18 from the five boroughs of New York City. Crescendo uplifts passionate students poised to take the next step in their musical journey!
Crescendo is:
Hallmarks of Crescendo
Crescendo Builds Community
Access, Representation, and Excellence
There are two concerts per season. The concert dates and locations are below:
November 24th, 2024, 7PM at Merkin Hall at The Kaufman Center
Quenton Xavier Blanche: Habari Gani
Stella Sung: Chorale for String Orchestra
Fela Sowande: African Suite, 1st, 2nd, & 5th Movements
Stephen Schwartz: For Good
Soon Hee Newbold: Perseus
Stephen Chin: In the Dreams of Zhou
Tchaikovsky: Souvenir de Florence, 1st Movement
April 27th, 2025, 3PM at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
Jose Elizondo: Estampas Mexicanas, 1st Movement
Aldemaro Romero: Fuga con pajarillo
Edvard Grieg: Holberg Suite
Vivaldi: Concerto in G Minor for Two Cellos
Kathryn Griesinger: Legends of Glory
Florence Price: Old Boatman
Edward Elgar: Introduction and Allegro
Crescendo rehearsals are held on Sundays from 2:30-4:30pm between September and April at the DiMenna Center (450 West 37th Street), and Pearl Studios (500 Eighth Avenue, 3rd Floor).
Students are allowed a maximum of two excused absences during each concert cycle, up to a total of three absences for the season. Please note that there are mandatory rehearsals and performances for each concert cycle. Mandatory dates are noted in the program calendar, which can be found below. Absences from mandatory events will result in dismissal from the concert and/or program, with the possible exception of a death in the family or a serious medical emergency.
Applicants should review the guidelines on this page to ensure they can fulfill the commitment to the program before applying.
Crescendo auditions will be held on August 21st, 26th 29th, and 30th at the NYYS Office at 110 West 40th Street, New York, NY. Upon completing the online application, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to schedule your audition. All auditions will be held in-person.
Applicants must be between the ages of 10 and 18 and must reside in the five New York City boroughs. Please note that the age range for Crescendo is different than our other programs. In order to participate in the 2024/2025 season, the applicant's date of birth must be between April 13, 2006 and November 24, 2014. Please do not apply if your birth date falls outside of these dates as you will not be eligible for the program.
Auditions will be 10 minutes long, and will be heard by the Crescendo Music Director and Assistant Conductor.
During your audition you will be asked to play:
- The orchestra excerpts per instrument
- 2 major scales and 1 minor scale
Applicants may be asked to demonstrate various basic techniques relevant to your instrument, which may include different styles or bowings. You will NOT be asked to sight-read.
If you are auditioning for a Principal position, you will be asked to perform solo repertoire, so please prepare at least one solo piece prepared to play.
View and download the audition excerpts below.
An excerpt is a short section taken from a larger piece of music. In this instance, the excerpt will be taken from one of the pieces Crescendo will be performing this season.
Download Excerpts
If you play two instruments, we suggest that you apply for both instruments. Please schedule your auditions on the same day.
There is no dress code for auditions - please come as you are and be comfortable and ready to play! Also, there will be a performance shirt provided free-of-charge to all Crescendo students for our concerts.
Additional FAQs Contact Us Here
We are happy to announce that we are having an audition tutoring session for all Crescendo applicants featuring our Crescendo Music Director, Tanya Chanphanitpornkit!
This free, optional tutoring session will help potential students learn the audition excerpts as well as get feedback on their playing. This will also be a great time to meet and talk to Tanya regarding our program. Please note that this is different from the NYYS Audition Bootcamp, and this also does not guarantee acceptance into NYYS.
The schedule is as follows. All sessions will meet at the New York Youth Symphony office located at 110 West 40th Street, from 5:30PM to 7:00PM:
Violins & Violas will meet on Thursday, June 27th and Thursday, July 11th
Cellos & Basses will meet on Tuesday, July 23rd and Wednesday, August 7th
Although it not required to attend both days of the workshop, we highly encourage applicants to attend both days.
Below you will find the excerpts to download for your audition. Please prepare all excerpts in the package.
CLICK AN INSTRUMENT TO DOWNLOAD AUDITION PACKET
As Ensemble-in-Residence, the Aizuri Quartet will run four sectionals during the season - two for each concert cycle. The Quartet will also be performing with the orchestra at Zankel Hall on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 3PM.
The Aizuri Quartet view the string quartet as a living art and springboard for community, collaboration, curiosity and experimentation. At the core of their music-making is a virtuosic ability to illuminate a vast range of musical styles through their eclectic, engaging and thought-provoking programs.
Crescendo gave me the experience of having a supportive orchestra with friends and having fun!
Abigail Hua
Violin
Crescendo helped me to grow my experience in orchestra, meet new musicians, and get to know various conductors in the industry.
Weng Ying Chong
Violin
NYYS helped me purchase an instrument through the Vargas-Vetter Ukenna fellowship.
Catherine Wicker
Viola
Photo Credit: Dan Wright
We are deeply grateful for the support of the 2024/25 Crescendo season by The McCutchen Foundation, The Pinkerton Foundation, and Sheppard Mullin.
Donate today and help support our students continue their journey and become a part of our community of musicians and change the landscape of what the musical world look like today.
DonateExperience all the hard work, practice and rehearsals that our students take on and show up to see them perform at one of our many concerts throughout the season.
Get TicketsTake the plunge and give yourself an opportunity to become a part of our amazing community of musicians, songwriters, composers and conductors.
Apply Today
