How are placement decisions made? – Vermont Youth Orchestra Association

The VYOA conducting staff use an evaluation system developed during thousands of auditions over the past two decades and consult closely over the course of auditions to identify and contextualize each student’s current level of development
Based on what we learn from the auditions (and to a lesser degree on what we know about students from previous interaction), the VYOA conducting staff aims to find the appropriate placement for over 400 students. Our goal is to offer each student a placement in an ensemble where they will experience personal challenges and growth and shared camaraderie and accomplishment.
For some instruments, placements can be heavily influenced by the number of available positions—flute and clarinet, for example, sometimes have more qualified candidates than there are available orchestral chairs. In these cases, students who are qualified for membership in a particular orchestra may be put on a waiting list pending the decisions of students who were placed ahead of them.