Contact us to arrange an audition!
Hello Musicians,
We appreciate your interest in the San Luis Obispo Symphony Orchestra auditions! Since its founding in 1961, the SLO Symphony has been an artistic, economic, educational, and community-minded entity in the Central Coast of California. The orchestra’s season includes an annual performance of “Pops” at Avila Beach, a bi-annual New Year’s Eve Pops concert, and occasional chamber opportunities in more intimate venues. In addition, we perform five Classics in the Performing Arts Center at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Auditions will be held :
Friday May 19th , 2023 – associate concertmaster, section violin, section viola, section cello
Saturday May 20th , 2023 – section bass
Sunday June 11th , 2023 – percussion
We currently have the following openings:
- Second Clarinet – Thursday May 18, 2023 5:00 –6:00pm First Round;
7:00 – 8:00pm Second Round - Associate Concertmaster- Friday, May 19, 2023 5:00- 5:30 pm First Round;
5:30-6:00 pm Second Round - Section Violin (3 positions)-Friday, May 19, 2023 6:00-6:30 pm First Round;
6:30-7:00 pm Second Round - Section Viola (1 position) Friday May 19, 2023 7:00-7:30pm; First Round
7:30 – 8:00pm Second Round - Section Cello (1 position)-Friday, May 19, 8:00-8:30 pm First Round;
8:30-9:00 pm Second Round - Section Bass (2 positions)-Saturday, May 20, 10:00-10:30 am First Round;
10:30-11:00 am Second Round
The audition location:
Community Baptist Church, 51 Foothill Blvd., San Luis Obispo, California 93405
- Section Percussion (1 position) – Sunday June 11 th , 11:00 – 12:00pm
First Round; 12:00 – 1:00pm Second Round
The audition location for percussion audition:
CalPoly Music Department, Davidson Music Center, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Here you will find the audition information, application, and the audition repertoire. All
applications must be submitted online.
Audition FAQs and APPLICATION PROCESS
- a) What materials do I need to submit to apply for an audition?
Please send a one-page resume (including email, address, and phone number) to [email protected] . To secure an audition time, you will need to complete and submit an online application and one-page resume and a non-refundable audition deposit of $25.00. Please use the direct link, which is also found on the audition page: https://slos.secure.force.com/ticket/#/instances/a0F5G00000OSUieUAH
An application is only considered complete upon the arrival of all application components. Please note that audition materials must be filled out completely, and received by the application deadline, with the deposit, to secure an audition time.
- b) What information needs to be on my resume?
Please limit your resume to one page.
The following information must appear clearly on your one-page resume:
- Name
- Instrument
- Email Address
- Telephone Number (cell preferred)
- Current Mailing Address
Please email your resume to Linda Sorensen, Personnel Manager, at [email protected]
1. c) Do I need to submit a recording?
OPTION #1: You can submit a recording (audio) for the first round by April 21st, 2023.
String candidates will be notified no later than May 1 st , 2023 if they have been advanced to the
“live” second The recorded requirements are as follows:
Associate Concertmaster-all solos, plus the violin excerpts listed below:
- Brahms Symphony No. 4, 4th Mvt., 8 mm before B to D
- Mozart Symphony No. 39, 2nd Mvt., beginning, take first repeat to 2nd beat of m. 27.
- Mendelssohn Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scherzo, beginning to 17 measures after K
- Strauss Don Juan, first page
Violas
- Beethoven Symphony No. 5, 2nd Mvt, beginning to m. 106
- Strauss, Don Juan, beginning to 6 measures after D
- Mozart Symphony No. 35, 1st Mvt., beginning to Letter B
- Shostakovich Symphony No.5, 1st Mvt., rehearsal numbers 15-17
Cellos: .
- Beethoven Symphony No. 5, 2nd Mvt., beginning to m.10; mm. 98-106; mm. 114-124
- Mozart Symphony 40, 1st. Mvt., mm. 114-138 (20 measures before C to 5 measures after C)
- Brahms Symphony No., 2nd Mvt., beginning to m. 15; mm. 46-55
- Strauss Don Juan, beginning to Letter D
Bass
- Beethoven Symphony No. 5, 3rd. Mvt., mm. 141-219 (Trio) w/o repeat
- Mozart. Symphony No.40, 1st Mvt., mm. 114-138
- Stravinsky Pulcinella, Suite VII. Vivo (Figure 85-6 measures after 93 w/o repeat)
- Bach, Violin Concerto in E Major, MWV 1042, Adagio, mm. 1-15
OPTION #2-In-person audition. In person, first-round audition will occur the first half of the
audition time spread. Then we will begin hearing players who have advanced to the second
round starting the second half (see schedule above).
1. d) When will I receive further information?
Usually, you will receive correspondence within 48 hours. All correspondence is done via
email. Audition information is posted on the SLOS website.
1. e) What if I need to cancel my audition?
Please get in touch with the Personnel Manager for any cancellations.
1. f) What if I miss a deadline?
Likely, we will not accept your materials. If extenuating circumstances are at play, an
exception may be made, but typically, this is not the case, and will discard your materials.
Auditions are planned months in advance, please adhere to the deadline.
1. g) Can I request a specific audition time?
Please email the audition account [email protected] with your audition time
request when you submit your complete application. This email should include your
requested audition date and time and your reason for the request. If you need to ask for a
specific time, I strongly encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. This
increases the odds of getting the day and time you need, as requests are honored first
come, first served.
If you receive an audition date or time that doesn’t work for you, you may request another time, but your request may not be granted, as it is much harder to change once we’ve set the audition times.
Sincerely,
Linda Sorensen
San Luis Obispo Symphony Personnel Manager
San Luis Obispo Symphony
75 Higuera St., #160
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401