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 2009-2010 season will be held in the SDS Room, Mattin Arts Center, on:

Dates	Times	Instruments
Friday, September 11, 2009	4 – 5:30 pm	woodwinds & brass
Friday, September 11, 2009	6:30 – 9 pm	strings

Saturday, September 12, 2009	11 am – 1 pm	strings
	2 – 3:30 pm	strings
	4 – 6 pm	woodwinds & brass

Signing up to audition: Please use the on-line audition request form. Reservations will be accepted from August 3 through September 4. If you miss the deadline, contact the HSO office at 410-516-6542 or hso@jhu.edu. Applicants after the end of auditions will not be considered for the symphony orchestra for the 2009-2010 season, although they may be eligible for the chamber orchestra.

Audition site: The Mattin Arts Center is on the Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus, at the western corner of N. Charles and 33rd Sts. The Mattin Center is a triangle of modern two-story, flat-roofed buildings surrounding a courtyard. The SDS Room is in the Jones Building, the southeast corner of the triangle, closest to Charles St. If you approach from the street, the Jones Building is the first building on your left. The entrance is under a portico. The registration desk will be just inside. The SDS Room (Room 101) is straight ahead and down the steps, or down the elevator.

Parking: If you drive to your audition, please allow plenty of time to park. You can park on N. Charles St. or on a side street. All nearby parking has multispace meters (most easily paid by credit card).

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

Arrival: Plan to arrive at the Mattin Center 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.

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

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.
You will be asked to play a major scale.
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.

Results: You will be informed of the result of your audition by e-mail or phone by Sunday, September 13. Unless they arrange otherwise, violinists, violists, and double bass players accepted into the HSO will be expected to attend the first rehearsal on Monday evening, September 14. Newly accepted woodwind and brass players will probably not play the first concert; they will rotate through the season, playing some concerts and allowing their fellow musicians to play others. Cellists will also probably rotate. Only on rare occasions are vacancies filled during the season. Musicians who are not accepted into the HSO may be eligible to play in the chamber orchestra; HSO presents three chamber music concerts each season. Musicians not accepted this year are welcome to audition again next year.

For more information, or if you want to audition on piano or percussion, contact HSO General Manager Edie Stern at 410-516-6542 or hso@jhu.edu, on or after August 3.