Current Vacancies
Our regular season auditions were completed in September 2011, but we still do have some vacancies. If you play one of the following instruments, please contact us at orchestra@skule.ca to schedule an audition time. The audition format will stay consistent with our September 2011 auditions, described below.
- Trumpet
- Double Bass
- Bassoon
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
Audition Information
Thanks for your interest in the orchestra! We're very excited about the upcoming year, and we hope you can join us.
All new and returning members are required to audition. Auditions are an opportunity for you to play music and show us your talent. Since we often have more people interested in playing some instruments than we can accomodate, auditions give everyone a fair shot at the available spots. We use auditions to select performing members of the orchestra, as well as to seat members within the orchestra.
We have only one request of you, once you sign up for an audition: show up for it! We are dedicating our time to listening to you, and we ask that you make sure our time is not wasted. If you find out that you won't be able to make it to your audition, please let us know by cancelling your audition more than a day in advance (either on our website or via email).
If you have any other questions, e-mail us directly (orchestra@skule.ca) or use the contact form on the left. We're looking forward to hearing you play!
2011-2012 Audition Requirements
General
- All auditions will be 6 minutes in duration. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled timeslot.
- If you are unable to make your audition, please cancel on our website at least a day in advance.
- Bring your instrument and your music. Scale books are optional.
- Percussion auditions will only be held on Friday. Any percussionist who signs up for a timeslot other than Friday will have their audition cancelled. If you are unable to make it, contact us at orchestra@skule.ca as soon as possible.
- Don't worry if your scales are a bit rusty, or your chops aren't what they used to be. We know what it's like to dust off an instrument from the corner of your room and play.
Required Playing
- Come prepared to play a piece (or portion thereof) of your choice, no more than 1 minute in length. (Optional for percussionists)
- You will be asked to play an excerpt from the 4th movement of Dvorak 8; sheet music is available online in our members' area (sign up for a free account to get access). Please rehearse the first part only, and ensure that your sheet music is written in the same key as your instrument. You are expected to be familiar with the entire movement, as we may ask you to play any section from it. We will not be providing printed parts at the audition, so ensure you bring your own copy.
- You may be asked to play some scales, arpeggios or some simple sightreading in order to demonstrate your technical ability. Scale books are allowed.
Available positions
Due to the number of instrumentalists in the university and the needs of the orchestra, the following positions are available:
- Violin (26)
- Viola (10)
- Cello (8)
- Double Bass (6)
- Flute / Piccolo (4)
- Clarinet / Bass Clarinet (3)
- Oboe (3)
- Bassoon (3)
- Horn (4)
- Trumpet (3)
- Trombone / Bass Trombone (3)
- Tuba (1)