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Young Artist Program
2026–2027 Auditions

To Schedule and audition email Chorusmaster Steven S. Slusher at chorusmaster@ysomusic.org a letter of recommendation from a voice instructor or choral director giving a professional evaluation of your musicianship, leadership abilities, dependability, and vocal potential.

The Young Artist Program was established to enhance professional training for career-oriented singers. Recipients receive an annual stipend of $2,000 payable over ten months and are provided with experiences to strengthen their development as soloists and professional choral singers.

Benefits and Details
The Young Artists gain experience covering solos in major works and attending dress rehearsals with visiting guest artists, giving them the opportunity to observe and interact with professional soloists. Young Artists also present an annual recital and perform at other Yakima Symphony Chorus events including education concerts and fundraisers.

Eligible Young Artists

• have completed a minimum of 3 years of undergraduate study in music 
• are pursuing a professional vocal/conducting career
• are currently in private vocal study
• are thirty-five years old or younger
• are available to attend all concerts and Monday evening rehearsals from September through June

Audition Format
Auditions last approximately 20-minutes and include sight-reading, tonal memory, and vocalization.
 

Auditioning singers will be asked to present three vocal selections that demonstrate their range, timbre, flexibility, diction, expressiveness, and stage presence from the following:

1. A Baroque aria from a cantata, oratorio, or mass in any language (this does not need to be memorized).
2. An opera aria in a foreign language (this should be performed from memory).
3. An operetta/musical theatre song in English, suitable for informal entertainment (this should be performed from memory).
 

An accompanist will be provided. Please be prepared to send music electronically ahead of time and bring music for the accompanist marked with changes in tempo, dynamics, ritards, etc.
 

Schedule and Duties
Duties will include rehearsal warm-ups, leading sectionals, assisting with concert logistics, covering selected solo parts, and occasional solo singing. Regular rehearsals take place on Monday evenings from 7–9:30pm at Wesley United Methodist Church, with some additional Thursday nights and weekends for performance weeks and piano rehearsals with Yakima Symphony Orchestra Music Director Lawrence Golan.

Click HERE for the full job description.