- Young string players aged between 10 – 12 audition to join the Junior Strings and usually play there for 2 years before moving to the Intermediate Orchestra. Older string players who audition may be admitted to an older orchestra.
- Young non-string players, minimum age 12, audition to join the Intermediate Orchestra. They may be admitted to the Concert or the Symphony orchestra depending on age and ability.
- Players progress from Junior to Intermediate, and from Intermediate to Concert Orchestras without further audition. This progress is age related and determined by the conductor and tutors whose decision is final. String players usually stay in each orchestra for two years before moving up. Wind, brass and percussion often stay longer as there may not always be a vacancy in the next orchestra. Players eventually audition for the Symphony but not before they are at least fifteen years old.
- The ‘seating’ in the orchestras is usually on a revolving basis, particularly in the younger orchestras. This gives everybody an opportunity, particularly in the string sections, to play near the front.
For any other query please email at info@dyo.ie