Cornell Symphony Orchestra

Fall 2011 Audition Information

Current as of June 10, 2011

All new and returning members of either CCO or CSO must audition in the fall semester. The audition info below is only for string players. For winds, brass, and percussion, the Cornell University Wind Ensembles and the CSO will be holding joint auditions this year. Please visit the CUWinds website for more info about the audution procedure for these instruments.

The following positions will be available in the Symphony Orchestra:

Strings	22 violin 10 viola 10 cello 6 basses
Winds	3 flutes 3 oboes 3 clarinets 2 bassoons
Brass	5 horns 3 trumpets 3 trombones 1 tubas
Percussion	3 percussionist
Keyboard	1 piano/keyboards 1 harp

In addition, following positions will be available in the Chamber Orchestra:

Strings

16 violins 5 violas 5 cellos 2 basses

Audition Schedule

Fall 2010 auditions for the Chamber and Symphony Orchestras will be held during the dates show below:

Flutes	Monday, August 22, 12:30-3:30PM (with Juliana May and CJT)
Clarinets	Monday, August 22, 3:30-5:30PM (with Lenora Schnekller and CJT)
All brass	Tuesday, August 23, 12:30-4:30PM (with Eric Nathan and CJT)
Double Reeds	Tuesday, August 23, 4:30-6:30PM (with ? and CJT)
Double Basses	Tuesday, August 23, 10:00AM-12:00PM (with Heather Miller-Lardin and CJT)
Violas	Tuesday, August 23, 1:00-5:00PM (with ? and CK)
Cellos	Wednesday, August 24, 1:00-5:00PM (with John Haines-Etzen and CK)
French Horns	Wednesday, August 24, 4:30-6:30PM (with Ilze Brink-Button and CJT)
Saxophones	Wednesday, August 24, 6:30-8:30PM (with ? and CJT)
Violins	Thursday, August 25, 1:00-5:00PM (with Juliana Athayde and CK) Friday, August 26, 1:00-5:00PM (with Juliana Athayde and CK)
Percussion	Thursday, August 25, 5:30-8:00PM (with Tim Feeney and CJT)
Piano, Harp, Keyboards, conflicts	Friday, August 26, 4:30-6:30PM (with CJT - does not apply to strings)

Note - Callbacks for winds and brass will be on Saturday, August 27, at 11:00AM to 4:00PM, with CJT and CK.

Winds, brass, and percussion - please complete the audition form at the CUWinds website. All string players must complete the form at the bottom of this page to be assigned an audition time.

Audition Guidelines

For the Fall 2011 semester, all members are required to audition.

Before Auditioning

• Sign up for your audition time slot using the audition form below.
• In the audition form, indicate a preference for an ensemble. Although the slot is not guaranteed, the student's preference will be given much consideration.
• Thoroughly prepare your audition repertoire.
• Be sure to warm up before the audition. Practice rooms on the basement floor of Lincoln Hall will be available during the entire audition period.
• Please Note: Due to the large number of violins auditioning, the audition format for violins will change. Each auditionee will have 5 minutes; 5 violinists will be scheduled every half hour for a total of 90 slots over the two days. All violinists must audition on Thursday or Friday!

During the Audition

• Be on time for the appointment. If you are late, you will have a shortened audition.
• Each audition will last 10 minutes (except for violins, see note in "Before Auditioning"
• Prepare 6 to 7 minutes of music to play at the audition. Contrasting excerpts from solo or orchestra literature are recommended: for example, a fast and technically demanding excerpt accompanied with a slow and lyrical excerpt.
• You will also be asked to sight-read several passage from the standard orchestral repertoire and also to play some scales. Transposing instrumentalists may be asked to demonstrate faculty with transposition skills.
• Hint: sight-reading will include excerpts from the 2011-2012 repertoire (subject to change). Download the PDF's here:
• • CSO - Totenfeier
  • Flue
  • Oboe
  • Clarinet
  • Bassoon
  • Horn
  • Trumpet
  • Trombone
  • Tuba
  • Timpani
  • Harp
  • Violin (excerpt 1 - Don Juan)
  • Violin (excerpt 2 - Totenfeier)
  • Viola
  • Cello
  • Bass

After the Audition

• Results will be posted online and on the orchestra board in Lincoln Hall after 5PM on Saturday, August 27, 2011.
• All musicians accepted for membership are expected to attend the organization's first rehearsal, as announced on the posted lists. Be sure to check all of the acceptance lists carefully, as you may not be placed in your first-choice ensemble.
• All orchestra members must be available for all rehearsals and concerts. Please check the schedule of rehearsals and concert dates posted online.

Audition Sign-ups

To sign-up, request an audition time by completeing the audition form below.