Weekly rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings from 7-9:30pm in the spacious Rehearsal Room 1 at the Ohio Theatre. Safe and convenient parking is available at the Columbus Commons Underground Parking Garage.


Chorus members are sent weekly emails from Dr. Caracciolo specifying precisely what titles will be rehearsed the following two Tuesdays. Singers are expected to target and master those portions of the program ahead of each rehearsal. Links to recordings, part tracks, and language diction help are provided to aid in rehearsal preparation. Preparing for your Chorus audition, therefore, imitates on a smaller scale the same pattern Chorus members follow when preparing for rehearsals.

Singers are greeted by members of the CSO Chorus Board when they arrive. You will be guided to a comfortable place to wait while you enter contact data into our files and sit for an informal picture. A space will be provided for those who wish to warm up for a few minutes.

When you meet with Dr. Caracciolo, other Chorus Board members will be in the room to assist and to listen. He will check your range, note your singing tone, and assess your musical acuity in about 10 minutes of time. Singers who audition for Dr. Caracciolo routinely note that the experience was enjoyable, engaging, and not at all what they expected!

Sightreading is not assessed. Rather, the skill to thoroughly master the prepared excerpts and sing them accurately, musically, and beautifully at your audition is what we find most important! There is no expectation that those who audition will memorize the choral excerpts for their audition and singers are asked to bring the scores they downloaded in preparation.

The CSO Chorus schedules audition events four times throughout the year. To express your interest and to schedule an audition, contact Chorus Director, Dr. Stephen Caracciolo at SCaracciolo@columbussymphony.com. Expect a return communication within 48 hours.

Auditions are held at All Saints Lutheran Church, 6770 N High Street in Worthington.

PRINT the audition excerpts for Mozart and Handel, and kindly complete the included Audition Form and bring it to your audition.  

Mozart Requiem, ‘Dies Irae’ excerpt.

YouTube Recording of the ‘Dies Irae’ (You will sing with this recording.)

Soprano Part

Alto Part

Tenor Part

Bass Part

Latin Pronunciation

Handel Messiah, ‘Worthy Is the Lamb’ excerpt.

YouTube Recording of ‘Worthy Is the Lamb’ (You will sing with this recording.)

Soprano Part

Alto Part

Tenor Part

Bass Part

Openings for new members depend upon both the number of current members leaving their orchestra and the conductor’s digression. 

If you submit an audition application and fee but there is no opening for your instrument, the CSYO will notify you and refund your audition fee.

Annual auditions take place each spring. The CSYO does accept other members throughout the year on a rolling basis based on specific instrument needs for each ensemble.

We highly encourage everyone to submit an audition video, however, if you DO NOT have a camera available or there are other extenuating circumstances, we will have live audition dates available upon request. Please let us know if this is necessary and we will contact you directly.

Audition fees are $40 payable with audition registration. If you are auditioning for more than one orchestra, there is only one fee. Checks can be made out and mailed to:

CSYO Auditions, Attn. Nia Dewberry
55 E. State St.
Columbus, OH 43215

The annual fees are as follows:

• Youth Orchestra: $525 + $30 registration fee
• Repertory Orchestra: $495 + $30 registration fee
• Chamber Strings: $465 + $30 registration fee
• Junior Strings: $435 + 30 registration fee

You will be billed for your tuition upon acceptance into the program. Need-based financial aid and payment plans are available.

We suggest string students in sixth grade (or younger), who have not yet played in an organized ensemble, audition for Junior Strings, as there are a few differences between playing solo pieces and playing as part of an ensemble. Similarly, string students in seventh or eighth grade should audition for Chamber Strings. Woodwind, brass, and percussion students who have performed in an ensemble for fewer than two years should audition for the Repertory Orchestra.

*Grade parameters are not flexible. Limited exceptions can be made. Students should consult CSYO staff and private teachers on the right ensemble fit for them.

Students whose grade qualifies them for more than one orchestra are welcome to audition for each eligible orchestra. Students will audition using the higher-level ensemble’s audition requirements. If you audition for more than one orchestra, you must indicate so on your Audition Application. You will only need to pay one $40 audition fee.

No. Any written notes that conductors make during your audition are solely for personal use.

No, vaccines and/or boosters are not required to participate in the CSYO program. The CSYO is committed to the health and safety of its musicians, families, and staff and reserves the right to update this policy to reflect safe practices.

The CSYO is firmly committed to the importance of school music programs and strives to cooperate with the music education community. Members must participate in their school instrumental music programs and take private lessons on the instrument on which they perform in CSYO. We expect our members to be role models and musical emissaries in their school ensembles.

At the beginning of each season, students are required to obtain proper music teacher, private teacher, or counselor signatures to participate.

CSYO musicians are expected to attend all scheduled rehearsals and concerts. Musicians are expected to practice their music at home and come to weekly rehearsals prepared to work as an ensemble.

CSYO musicians are expected to attend all scheduled rehearsals and concerts. If you believe you won’t be able to make these dates a priority, you should carefully consider your decision to audition.