Auditioning for the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra

PLEASE NOTE: The Hopkins Symphony Orchestra does not take part in the Johns Hopkins University admissions process. Applicants to JHU who wish to submit a music resume and recording should send them directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

 

Auditions for the Hopkins Symphony's 2016-17 season will be held on:

Dates	Times	Instruments	Location
Thursday, September 1, 2016	5 – 7 pm	woodwinds & brass	SDS Room, Mattin Center
	7 – 10 pm	strings
Friday, September 2, 2016	5 – 7 pm	woodwinds & brass	SDS Room, Mattin Center
	7 – 10 pm	strings
Saturday, September 3, 2016	10 am – 12 pm	woodwinds & brass	SDS Room, Mattin Center
	1 – 6 pm	strings

Signing up to audition: Please use the on-line audition request form. Audition requests will be accepted from July 29 through August 29, 2016. If you miss the deadline, if you want to audition on percussion or piano, or if the scheduled audition times conflict with a religious observance, contact the HSO office at 410-516-6542 or hso@jhu.edu.

Audition times will be assigned according to the designated slots. Specific requests should be included in the above "Audition Time Preference" box and best efforts will be made to accommodate requests. Applications received by August 19th will receive their assigned audition time by August 23rd via email. Applications received after August 19th will be notified oftheir assigned audition time no later than August 30th. If you do not receive a confirmation, please write to hso@jhu.edu or call 410-516-6542.

Audition process: Auditions last about 10 minutes. You will audition unaccompanied.

1. You will be asked to play two contrasting selections of your choice—one fast and one slow—or one selection that has great contrasts in tempo and style. Choose selections that show the range of your abilities but do not exceed them.
2. You will be asked to play a major scale.
3. You will be given a brief excerpt to sight-read. If you are auditioning on French horn or trumpet, be prepared for a sight-reading excerpt with transpositions.

Preparation: You are expected to bring your own instrument. You may use sheet music; please bring an extra copy of music for the audition panelists. To prepare for auditions, JHU students, faculty, and staff may use the Mattin Center's music practice rooms.

Deciding which orchestra(s) to audition for:  You may audition for the Hopkins Symphony and/or the Hopkins Symphony Concert Orchestra. One audition covers both orchestras. To help you decide, click here to see general guidelines for the two orchestras.

Audition site:  The SDS Room in the Mattin Center is located at 33rd Street and North Charles Street. Click here for driving directions and a campus map. Audition registration is just outside the SDS Room (Mattin Center).

Parking: If you drive to your audition, you may find street parking where available or park in the South Garage ($10) off Wyman Park Drive. Please allow plenty of time to find parking and make your way through campus.

Arrival: Plan to arrive at your audition location at least 20 minutes early, so you’ll have time to register, warm up, and be ready to start on schedule. You will have use of a warm-up room.

Results: You will be informed of the result of your audition by e-mail or phone by Wednesday, September 7. For those accepted into the Symphonic Orchestra, violinists, violists, and double bass players accepted into the HSO will be expected to attend the first rehearsal on Monday evening, September 12 (unless otherwise arranged). Newly accepted woodwind and brass players will probably not play the first concert. Wind assignments are assigned on rotation throughout the season. Cellists will also probably rotate. For those accepted into the Concert Orchestra, the first rehearsal will take place on Saturday, Sept. 10. Musicians not accepted this year are welcome to audition again next year.

For more information, contact HSO General Manager Nicoleen Willson at 410-516-6542 or hso@jhu.edu,