YOLA National Festival 2026 Program Details

Submit the required musical audition materials to demonstrate your current level of musicianship. Each ensemble and instrument require varying scales and excerpts (up to three scales and three excerpts per audition). Access your audition repertoire by completing the first page of the application.

Each audition element is to be recorded individually, in a single and unassisted take. At the beginning of each audition recording, musicians are required to say their name and the audition element they are performing.

Share more about yourself, your musical experience, and what participating in YOLA National would mean to you. A written personal bio of 200 words and recorded format is required. Question prompts will be offered for the recorded statement. Be creative!

Provide contact information for a recommendation from your program director or teaching artist who can speak to your musical development and participation in your program. This will be uploaded onto your application.

Need help keeping track of what you need to do for your application?

Check out our Application Checklist (English or Spanish).

A professional panel will review all audition materials and consider factors including but not limited to proficiency and musicality on the instrument, diversity in age, program, and geographic location, and alignment of students’ personal statement with the Festival’s goals.

We encourage students to review the audition materials carefully, practice their excerpts, consult with primary teacher(s), and record and send their strongest video take. Musicians can attend information sessions hosted by the YOLA National team and our esteemed faculty that will help musicians prepare for the audition.

Notifications will be distributed by March 30, 2027. Accepted students will receive detailed information about travel, packing, and preparation in the spring.

Yes! Those who are on the waitlist will receive a notification date in which they are to be notified if a spot becomes available.

While past participants who are still eligible to apply may be accepted, they must re‐apply to be considered for the next year's Festival. All applicants will be evaluated using the same criteria.