Symphony Auditions

Do you play professionally or semi-professionally? Do you have a music degree? Have you played in a community ensemble lately? Do you take private lessons or have access to a private teacher? Are you serious about improving your skills to a professional level? If you answered 'yes' to some or most of these questions, you are an ideal candidate. We want to hear you! Be sure to bring all your musical family and friends!

Audition Process
We want the audition process to be as easy for you as possible. There will be two options. You can audition from the comfort of your own home or from a location near you. You can either submit a video audition via YouTube and the online audition form or attend a friendly live audition at one of four regional locations (Bellevue South, Seattle North, Federal Way, and Tacoma). 

Audition for the symphony will include the following:
  • One each: 2-3 octave major and minor scale (slow and fast)
  • Orchestral excerpts from excerpt list (percussion pick 6, no separate solo or scales needed)
  • One 2-3 minute solo that best demonstrates your ability
To reserve an audition spot, just fill in the below form.



Orchestra Excerpts
  • Piccolo (zip file)
    • Tchaikovsky, Symphony #4: mvt. 3 (m.194 - 3 before G, 386-398)
    • Berlioz, Dance of the Will-o'-the Wisps
    • Berlioz, Damnation of Faust: (8 after reh. 9 - 14 after reh.10)
  • Flute (zip file)
    • Beethoven, Leonore Overture #3, Allegro, 2/2: (m.278-360)
    • Tchaikovsky, Symphony #4: mvt. 1 (m.35-50)
    • Ravel, Daphnis et Chloe (m.176-180)
  • Oboe (zip file)
    • Tchaikovsky, Symphony #4: mvt. 2 (m.1-21), mvt. 3 (m.133-145)
    • Beethoven, Symphony #3: mvt. 2 (m.8-56)
    • Rossini, La Scala di Sela Overture (m.5 - reh. 1)
  • Clarinet (zip file)
    • Tchaikovsky, Symphony #4: mvt. 1 (m.35 - reh. B), 4th mvt. (beginning - 8)
    • Beethoven, Symphony #6: mvt. 1 (m.474-492) 1st clarinet
    • Mendelssohn, Midsummer Night's Dream: Scherzo (beginning - reh. B)
  • Bassoon (zip file)
    • Tchaikovsky, Symphony #4: mvt. 2 (m.22-44, 77-85)
    • Mozart, Marriage of Figaro: Overture (m.139-164)
  • Horn (zip file)
    • Tchaikovsky, Symphony #4: mvt. 1 (beginning - 9, reh U - m.380)
    • Tchaikovsky, Symphony #5: mvt. 2 (solo)
  • Trumpet (zip file)
    • Tchaikovsky, Symphony #4: mvt 1 (m.8 - A)
    • Mussorgsky/Ravel, Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade
  • Trombone (zip file)
    • Tenor: Mozart, Requiem: Tuba Mirum
    • Tenor: Tchaikovsky, Symphony #4: mvt. 1 (m.340-350)
    • Tenor: Berlioz, Hungarian March: (reh. 4-5)
    • Bass: Tchaikovsky, Symphony #4: mvt. 1 (m. 340-350)
    • Bass: Berlioz, Hungarian March: (11 before reh. 4-5)
  • Tuba (zip file)
    • Tchaikovsky, Symphony #4: mvt. 1 (m.340-352)
    • Wagner, Die Meistersinger: Overture
  • Timpani (zip file)
    • Tchaikovsky, Symphony #4: mvt. 1 (reh. S - 3 before U)
    • Mozart, Symphony 39: mvt. 1 (beginning - A)
    • Beethoven, Symphony #7: mvt. 1 (20 before C - 2 after C), mvt 4 (7 before K - end)
  • Percussion: select 6, no scales necessary (zip file)
    • Marimba: 2-3 minute excerpt of an unaccompanied Bach Solo
    • Xylophone: Stravinsky, Firebird (m.127-133)
    • Glockenspiel: Dukas, Sorcerer's Apprentice (reh. 19-20, 22-24)
    • Snare: Prokofiev, Lt. Kije Suite: mvt. 1 (reh. 1-2, 13-end)
    • Bass Drum: Mahler, Symphony #3, mvt. 1 (reh. 1-4)
    • Cymbals: Mussorgsky, Night on Bald Mountain (reh. S-T)
    • Tambourine: Bizet, Carmen Suite 1: Aragonaise, Suite 2: Danse Boheme
    • Triangle: Bizet, Carmen Suite 2: Danse Boheme
    • Timpani: Beethoven, Symphony #9: mvt. 1 (beginning - 4, 18 before 5 - end)
  • Guitar
    • 3-4 min.excerpt by JS Bach
    • 3-4 min. excerpt by Villa Lobos
    • 3-5 min. programmatic selection
  • Piano
    • Two solo pieces of contrasting styles and periods
    • One movement of a chamber music work
    • Total time should not exceed 15 minutes
  • Harp (zip file)
    • Ravel, Tzigane (reh. 4-5, reh. 12 - eight after reh. 13)
    • Strauss, Death and Transfiguration (m.15-19, one after reh. B - five after reh. C, eleven after reh. O - seven after reh. R)
    • Tchaikovsky, Nutcracker Suite No. 1, III Waltz of the Flowers (m. 3-33)
  • Violin (zip file)
    • Concertmaster / Section Leader: Strauss Don Juan (1st page)
    • Tchaikovsky Symphony 4: 1st movement (4th mm of I (m.173) -4th mm of K (m. 193)), 2nd movement Tempo 1 in Db (mm.199-224)
    • Mozart Symphony 39: 2nd movement (beginning - m.88), 4th movement (beginning - m.78)
  • Viola (zip file)
    • Section Leader: Strauss Don Juan (beginning - D)
    • Tchaikovsky Symphony 4: 1st movement (C (m.70) - m.86), 4th movement (10th m. of F (m.185) - Andante)
    • Mendelssohn Midsummer Night's Dream (scherzo)
  • Cello (zip file)
    • Section Leader: Strauss Don Juan (beginning - C)
    • Tchaikovsky Symphony #4: 1st movement (8 before F - F, H-I, P-12 after P), 2nd movement (20 before A - A)
    • Smetana Bartered Bride (beginning - A, top line)
  • Bass (zip file)
    • Section Leader: Strauss Don Juan (A - C)
    • Tchaikovsky Symphony #4: 1st movement (m.80-83, 97-101)
    • Mozart Symphony #35: 4th movement (m.134-181)

24 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 24, 2013 at 10:00 PM

    I went to select an audition time, and found that I couldn't select "bassoon" as my primary instrument. Not sure how I should take that . . .

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownApril 13, 2013 at 11:23 AM

    I'd like some clarification on the scales....One of each type? All 12 major and minor? My choosing? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rob ArchibaldApril 17, 2013 at 11:03 PM

      You may choose your favorite major and favorite minor scale. No need to play all 12

      Delete
  3. AnonymousApril 20, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    Hey, Rob--

    (I didn't realize who "Rob" was until I clicked on your profile . . . so, hi!)

    I signed up to audition on the 27th of April, but I've been drafted to help out at a Relief Society activity from 9-2 that day. Can I change my audition to an online one? How would I go about making sure the people in Tacoma know I'm not going to be able to make April 27th? Is this comment enough?

    Thanks--
    Wendy Jones

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rob ArchibaldApril 20, 2013 at 11:47 PM

      Hello back! We're moving the Tacoma audition to May 30th so you should've received an email about that today. We'll look into a system to allow people to update their audition slot online.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousApril 21, 2013 at 8:17 PM

      Okay--great. Thanks!

      Delete
  4. Amy @ Run Mom RunApril 22, 2013 at 4:00 PM

    I have a few questions about the auditions:

    Are we required to have the pieces memorized?

    Is there a piano at the Tacoma audition site and would I have time to practice on it before the audition? Or would it just be better to audition via youtube on a piano I'm familiar with?

    If I do audition via youtube am I allowed to post the best take or do you just want one shot at it like a live audition would be?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rob ArchibaldApril 22, 2013 at 5:01 PM

      I'm just going to guess that you're referring to piano auditions since you mention the piano. Yes, there will be a piano available for auditions and we can arrange for you to warm up in the room where you will audition. If you prefer to submit an online audition, that works great too. There is a single URL to submit so all of the sections of the audition will need to be in a single take without edits. You can record the entire audition as many times as you want and take the best one, but you cannot edit it. Hope that makes sense.

      Delete
    2. Amy @ Run Mom RunApril 26, 2013 at 7:40 AM

      Thank you. I just submitted my video, hopefully I meet all the requirements.

      Delete
  5. ErikaMay 7, 2013 at 4:37 PM

    When is the last day we can submit an online audition?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rob ArchibaldMay 9, 2013 at 12:51 PM

      Please submit your online audition by May 30th. Thanks!

      Delete
  6. t.t.turnerMay 11, 2013 at 6:40 PM

    I have also had an important church meeting rescheduled for the date/time of my audition, so I will be changing to an online audition. Please remove me from my time slot this coming Thursday (May 16th). I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you for having the online submission option!

    Tally Turner

    ReplyDelete
  7. clarinaMay 23, 2013 at 1:26 AM

    Hello! I'm wondering how much traditional classical repertoire the orchestra will be playing. (eg. would you say approx. half of the music will be classical? Or more? Less?)
    Thanks so much for your help,
    Clarina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ClariBelleMay 23, 2013 at 12:16 PM

      The symphony will have two concerts alone each year where they will be playing serious literature like Tcaikovsky's 5th symphony (we'll be playing this in March), a classical concert with the choir where we'll perform a major work, a traditional Christmas concert and a pops or patriotic concert to end the season. Altogether, we expect 40-60% of the orchestra literature each year will be traditional classical literature.

      Lori Shepherd, VP of Symphony

      Delete
  8. ClariBelleMay 23, 2013 at 12:18 PM

    Okay all of you trumpet, trombone, percussion, and bass players! Now is the time for you to sign up for an audition. Either record your video and upload it using the form above, or join us on May 30th in Tacoma for a live audition.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kmjviolinJune 10, 2013 at 11:11 AM

      Let's add cello to the list too. We are still looking for a principal horn, principal bassoon, principal cellist, principal trumpet and players for all the sections. :-) So in short- keep applying.

      Delete
  9. kmjviolinJune 10, 2013 at 11:12 AM

    You should hear something by June 20th.

    ReplyDelete
  10. KimJune 10, 2013 at 11:24 AM

    Is there still a need for percussion? Also, what instrumentation will be provided for the auditions.

    ReplyDelete
  11. kmjviolinAugust 16, 2013 at 2:02 PM

    Hi Kim,
    Sorry it has taken so long for someone to get back to you. We do need another percussionist and we will provide a way for you access instruments on the day of auditions which is August 29th from 6-9 pm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KimAugust 21, 2013 at 7:42 PM

      Thank you! I went ahead and registered for that audition date.

      Delete
  12. JulieSeptember 19, 2013 at 12:32 AM

    I just came across the blog today, and noticed an announcement about some sections in the Symphony needing some additional instrumentalists. I realize the post was dated July 23rd and some of those positions may be filled by now, but I was curious to see if there are still openings for harpists?

    ReplyDelete

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