Auditions to play in our orchestra are listed below.
Click here to download the audition application.
For information about administrative staff positions, click here.
The NHSO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and anti-racist organization that fights hate, racism, and bigotry in all forms through our words, music, and actions.
* If a current member of the NHSO is awarded this position, then four section violin positions will be offered.
Audition Date: Sunday, October 8, 2023 (daytime)
Application Deadline: September 1, 2023. All forms must be received by this time. Late applications may be accepted only if space is available.
Audition Repertoire 2023 – Section violin position (sections I. and II.)
I. Orchestra excerpts from first violin parts (parts will be supplied, tempi are approximate)
• Beethoven – Sym. No. 9, mvmt. 3, m 99 – 114, dotted quarter = 52
• Brahms: Symphony No. 4, mvmt. 2, m. 88-101; eighth note = 68
• Debussy: La Mer, Reh. 33 – 6 after reh. 38; quarter note = 140
• Mendelssohn: Midsummer Night’s Dream Scherzo: beginning to 7 after Letter D; dotted quarter = 84
• Mozart: Sym. No. 39, 2nd mvmt, beginning to m 27 no repeats; quarter note = 56
• Schumann: Symphony No. 2, Scherzo mvt. 2, m. 1-54; quarter note = 136
• R. Strauss: Don Juan, first page; half note = 84
II. Concerto (music not supplied)
• Standard Romantic/20th century concerto – first movement exposition (no cadenza)
• Mozart concerto (3, 4 or 5) first movement exposition (no cadenza)
III. Assistant Concertmaster position (in addition to section I. and II.)
• Brahms: Sym. No. 1 – 2nd mvmt. 1 before letter E to the end.
• Rimsky-Korsakoff: Scheherazade – 1st and 2nd movement solo passages
• Shostakovich: Sym. No. 5 -2nd mvmt. – 1 before 57 to 59.
• Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake Suite – Scene 4. 26 until 6 before 31.
Section seating is in either first or second violin sections as determined by the Music Director and Audition Committee after the auditions are completed.
Audition Information The NHSO does not provide any travel expense reimbursement for any audition. The NHSO reserves the right not to invite an applicant to the audition they have applied for. Audition invitations may be based on submitted application forms and resume. All rounds are held behind a screen.
A refundable $30.00 deposit is required to secure an audition time. Please complete the following items:
1. A signed Audition Application Form;
2. A deposit check made payable to the NHSO;
3. An updated resume (including dates of experience).
4. Copy of vaccination card
Send these to arrive by Sept. 1, 2023: Audition Committee, NHSO, 4 Hamilton Street, New Haven, CT 06511.
Your deposit check is refundable and will be returned to you at the audition. Cancellations must be received by noon two days prior to the audition to be refundable. If you do not notify us of cancellation and you do not appear for the audition, then your unclaimed check will be cashed. This system is designed to minimize no-shows.
All music will be emailed to applicants beginning August 1st and as soon as applications are completed after that date.
Contract Information In addition to its seven Classics Series concerts, the NHSO annually produces four Pops programs, Young People’s concerts, outdoor concerts in the summer, and other special concerts and educational services. Rehearsals are usually held on consecutive weekdays (and some Sunday) evenings in the day(s) immediately prior to the performance day.
The pay for the 2023-2024 season is currently being negotiated. The current pay for section positions is $119.00 per service and for Assistant Concertmaster is $160.65. Successful candidates will be offered a minimum of 35 services per season. Contracted members are required to play a minimum number of 3 or 4 series per season depending on the number of series offered. The NHSO is a per service orchestra. In addition, there is a travel pay allowance for players living more than 15 miles from New Haven (maximum of $35 per day).
The substitute list may be updated with results from any audition. To perform with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, you need to be a member in good standing with your local musicians’ union (A. F. of M.). If you are offered more than 6 services within a season you must join local 400, even if you are a member of another local.
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is a Regional (per service) Orchestra and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Audition Date: Sunday, October 22, 2023 (daytime)
Application Deadline: September 1, 2023. All forms must be received by this time. Late applications may be accepted only if space is available.
Viola Section Audition Repertoire 2023
• Concerto: First mvmt. exposition section of a Concerto by Bartok, Hindemith, Stamitz, or Walton
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 – 2nd mvmt, m. 1-10; 49-59; 98-106
• Brahms: Variations on a Theme of Haydn – Var. V and VII.
• Mendelssohn: Scherzo from “Midsummer Night’s Dream” – Beginning to D
• Mozart: Ov. to Marriage of Figaro – beginning to m.24
• Mozart: Symphony No. 40 – 1st mvmt. m.115-138
• Rachmaninoff Sym. No. 2 – 2nd mvmt. Reh 33-36.
• Shostakovich: Sym. No. 5 – 1st mvmt. Reh #15 – #17
• R. Strauss: Don Juan – beginning to letter D
• Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 – 1st mvmt. m. 19-88; and 130-153.
Audition Information The NHSO does not provide any travel expense reimbursement for any audition. The NHSO reserves the right not to invite an applicant to the audition they have applied for. Audition invitations may be based on submitted application forms and resume. All rounds are held behind a screen.
A refundable $30.00 deposit is required to secure an audition time. Please complete the following items:
1. A signed Audition Application Form;
2. A deposit check made payable to the NHSO;
3. An updated resume (including dates of experience).
4. Copy of vaccination card
Send these to arrive by Sept. 1, 2023: Audition Committee, NHSO, 4 Hamilton Street, New Haven, CT 06511.
Your deposit check is refundable and will be returned to you at the audition. Cancellations must be received by noon two days prior to the audition to be refundable. If you do not notify us of cancellation and you do not appear for the audition, then your unclaimed check will be cashed. This system is designed to minimize no-shows.
All music will be emailed to applicants beginning August 1st and as soon as applications are completed after that date.
Contract Information In addition to its seven Classics Series concerts, the NHSO annually produces four Pops programs, Young People’s concerts, outdoor concerts in the summer, and other special concerts and educational services. Rehearsals are usually held on consecutive weekday (and some Sunday) evenings in the day(s) immediately prior to the performance day.
The pay for the 2023-2024 season is currently being negotiated. The current pay is $119.00 per service. Successful candidates will be offered a minimum of 35 services per season. Contracted members are required to play a minimum number of series per season depending on number of series offered. The NHSO is a per service orchestra. In addition, there is a travel pay allowance for players living more than 15 miles from New Haven (maximum of $35 per day).
The substitute list may be updated with results from any audition. To perform with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, you need to be a member in good standing with your local musicians’ union (A. F. of M.). If you are offered more than 6 services within a season you must join local 400, even if you are a member of another local.
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is a Regional (per service) Orchestra and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Audition Date: Sunday, October 15, 2023 (daytime)
Application Deadline: September 1, 2023. All forms must be received by this time. Late applications may be accepted only if space is available.
Bass Section Audition Repertoire 2023
• Solo Bach of your choice (no preludes, no repeats)
• Beethoven: Symphony 5 – scherzo & trio (no repeat)
• Brahms: Sym. No. 2, 1st Mvmt: E-F; 4th Mvmt: 8 before L – M
• Mahler: Sym. No. 2 – 1st page
• Mozart: Symphony No. 39 – 1st mvmt: 14 before A to 1 after C; 4th mvmt: Pick up to m. 105 to m. 138
• Strauss: Ein Heldenleben – Reh 9-11
• Tchaikovsky: Sym. No. 4 – 1st mvmt: 4 after Letter B to letter C
Audition Information The NHSO does not provide any travel expense reimbursement for any audition. The NHSO reserves the right not to invite an applicant to the audition they have applied for. Audition invitations may be based on submitted application forms and resume. All rounds are held behind a screen.
A refundable $30.00 deposit is required to secure an audition time. Please complete the following items:
1. A signed Audition Application Form;
2. A deposit check made payable to the NHSO;
3. An updated resume (including dates of experience).
4. Copy of vaccination card
Send these to arrive by Sept. 1, 2023: Audition Committee, NHSO, 4 Hamilton Street, New Haven, CT 06511.
Your deposit check is refundable and will be returned to you at the audition. Cancellations must be received by noon two days prior to the audition to be refundable. If you do not notify us of cancellation and you do not appear for the audition, then your unclaimed check will be cashed. This system is designed to minimize no-shows.
All music will be emailed to applicants beginning August 1st and as soon as applications are completed after that date.
Contract Information In addition to its seven Classics Series concerts, the NHSO annually produces four Pops programs, Young People’s concerts, outdoor concerts in the summer, and other special concerts and educational services. Rehearsals are usually held on consecutive weekday (and some Sunday) evenings in the day(s) immediately prior to the performance day.
The pay for the 2023-2024 season is currently being negotiated. The current pay is $119.00 per service. Successful candidates will be offered a minimum of 35 services per season. Contracted members are required to play a minimum number of series per season depending on number of series offered. The NHSO is a per service orchestra. In addition, there is a travel pay allowance for players living more than 15 miles from New Haven (maximum of $35 per day).
The substitute list may be updated with results from any audition. To perform with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, you need to be a member in good standing with your local musicians’ union (A. F. of M.). If you are offered more than 6 services within a season you must join local 400, even if you are a member of another local.
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is a Regional (per service) Orchestra and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Audition Date: Sunday, October 1, 2023 (daytime)
Application Deadline: September 1, 2023. All forms must be received by this time. Late applications may be accepted only if space is available.
Assistant Principal/2nd Trombone Audition Repertoire 2023
• Solo: David: Concertino – 1st movement
• Berlioz: Hungarian March, 2nd Trombone – 6 before Reh 4 to 2 bars after Reh 5
• Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story -mm. 664 to mm. 701
• Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis -mvt. 4, G to the End
• Mahler: Symphony No. 3 – o mvt. 1, 3 bars after Reh 13 to Reh 17 –
o mvt. 1, pickup to Reh 33 to 2 bars after Reh 34 –
o mvt. 1, 1 bar before Reh 58 to 5 bars before Reh 62
• Mozart: Requiem -Tuba Mirum, opening to mm. 18 downbeat
• Ravel: Bolero -Reh 10 to Reh 11, Trombone 1 solo
• Rossini: William Tell Overture – letter C to 9 bars after D with downbeat
• Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 3 – mvt. 1, Reh Q to 2 bars after Reh S
• Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel – 4 bars before Reh 36 to 4 bars before Reh 38
• Wagner: Walkure, Ride of the Valkyries – 1 bar before M to the end
Audition Information The NHSO does not provide any travel expense reimbursement for any audition. The NHSO reserves the right not to invite an applicant to the audition they have applied for. Audition invitations may be based on submitted application forms and resume. All rounds are held behind a screen.
A refundable $30.00 deposit is required to secure an audition time. Please complete the following items:
1. A signed Audition Application Form;
2. A deposit check made payable to the NHSO;
3. An updated resume (including dates of experience).
4. Copy of vaccination card
Send these to arrive by Sept. 1, 2023: Audition Committee, NHSO, 4 Hamilton Street, New Haven, CT 06511.
Your deposit check is refundable and will be returned to you at the audition. Cancellations must be received by noon two days prior to the audition to be
refundable. If you do not notify us of cancellation and you do not appear for the audition, then your unclaimed check will be cashed. This system is designed to minimize no-shows.
All music will be emailed to applicants beginning August 1st and as soon as applications are completed after that date.
Contract Information In addition to its seven Classics Series concerts, the NHSO annually produces four Pops programs, Young People’s concerts, outdoor concerts in the summer, and other special concerts and educational services. Rehearsals are usually held on consecutive weekday (and some Sunday) evenings in the day(s) immediately prior to the performance day.
The pay for the 2023-2024 season is currently being negotiated. The current pay is $142.80 per service. Successful candidates will be offered a minimum of 35 services per season. Contracted members are required to play a minimum number of series per season depending on number of series offered. The NHSO is a per service orchestra. In addition, there is a travel pay allowance for players living more than 15 miles from New Haven (maximum of $35 per day).
The substitute list may be updated with results from any audition. To perform with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, you need to be a member in good standing with your local musicians’ union (A. F. of M.). If you are offered more than 6 services within a season you must join local 400, even if you are a member of another local.
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is a Regional (per service) Orchestra and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Click here to learn more about our Fellowship Program for Underrepresented Musicians.
One of our organization’s priorities is to build an inclusive artist community and as such we are committed to JEDI work and reimagining a new orchestral collective of today. We are proud to support The National Alliance of Audition Support (NAAS) as an Orchestra Partner. NAAS is an unprecedented national initiative to increase diversity in American orchestras. It will do so by offering Black and Latinx musicians a customized combination of mentoring, audition preparation, financial support, and audition reviews. Click here to learn more.