Auditions

 NHSO Principal and Assistant Principal Bass 

Audition Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025 (daytime) 

Application Deadline: August 27, 2025. All forms must be received by this time. Late applications may be accepted only if space is available. 

NHSO Principal and Assistant Principal Bass Audition Repertoire 2025 

• J.S. Bach: A movement from any Solo Bach Suite 

• Beethoven Symphony 3, 3rd mvmt: M. 14 – M. 127 

• Beethoven: Sym. No. 9, 4th Mvmt: Recits; m. 92 – A; Rehearsal K to Measure 525 

• Brahms: Sym. No. 2, 1st Mvmt: 11 after A-B, E-F; 2nd Mvmt: 8 m. after B – 2 m. before D; 4th Mvmt: 8 before L – M 

• Handel: Messiah, #10 Air: The people that walked in Darkness; and #11 Chorus: For Unto us a child is born 

• Mozart: Symphony No. 39, 1st mvmt: 14 before A to 1 after C 

• Tchaikovsky: Sym. No. 4,1st mvmt: 4 after Letter B to letter C; letter P-Q 

• R. Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, Reh 9-11; 2 bars before 61-65; 

Solos 

• Mahler Sym. No. 1, Beginning of 3rd movement 

• Jessie Montgomery’s Coincident Dances M. 1-12 and 17-25. 

• Stravinsky: Pulcinella solo sections 

Audition Information If a current NHSO member is awarded the principal or assistant principal chair then a corresponding section position will be offered at this audition. 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. 

Please complete the following items: 

1. Completed Audition Application Form 

2. Deposit check in the amount of $30 payable to the NHSO 

3. Updated resume (including dates of experience). 

Send these three items to: 

NHSO Audition Committee 4 Hamilton Street New Haven, CT 06511 

The deadline for receiving all materials is August 27, 2025. Forms may also be emailed to: audition@newhavensymphony.org 

Your deposit check is refundable and will be returned to you at the audition. Cancellations must be received at the symphony office 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. 

Copies of the required music will be sent after August 1st, and as soon as completed application materials are received. The NHSO does not provide any travel expense reimbursement for any audition. 

The New Haven Symphony Orchestra, a Regional (per service) Orchestra, is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion; an Equal Opportunity Employer; and a National Alliance for Audition Support member. All audition rounds are held behind a screen. 

The audition committee of the NHSO reserves the right to immediately dismiss any candidates not meeting the highest professional standards. Qualified musicians may be placed on the substitute/extra list. Auditioning candidates must be eligible to work legally in the U.S. and non-US citizens must show work permission before being invited to audition. 

Contract Information In addition to its eight Classics Series concerts, the NHSO annually produces three 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 evenings (and some weekends) in the day(s) immediately prior to the performance day. 

The pay for the 2025-2026 season is $191.70 for principal and $170.40 for assistant principal. Contracted members are required to play a minimum number of series per season depending on the number of series offered. The NHSO is a part-time, per service orchestra, offering on average 30-45 services per season. In addition, there is a travel pay allowance for players living more than 15 miles from New Haven (maximum of $40 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.