Auditions
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.
Open Positions
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NHSO Section Violin (3 positions)
View - Orchestra excerpts from first violin parts (parts will be supplied)
- Beethoven: Sym. No. 9, mvmt. 3, m 99 – 114
- Brahms: Symphony No. 4, mvmt. 2, m. 88-101
- Debussy: La Mer, Reh. 33 – 6 after reh. 38
- Mendelssohn: Midsummer Night’s Dream Scherzo: beginning to 7 after Letter D
- Montgomery: Starburst, m. 1-28
- Mozart: Sym. No. 39, 2nd mvmt, beginning to m 27 no repeats
- Schumann: Symphony No. 2, Scherzo mvt. 2, m. 1-54
- R. Strauss: Don Juan, first page
- 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)
- Completed Audition Application Form
- Deposit check (refundable) in the amount of $30 payable to the NHSO
- Updated resume (including dates of experience).
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Harmony Fellowship for Underrepresented Musicians
View
NHSO Section Violin (3 positions)
NHSO Section Violin (3 positions)
Audition Date: Saturday, Nov 21, 2026 (daytime)
Application Deadline: October 15, 2026. All forms must be received by this time. Late applications may be accepted only if space is available.
NHSO Section Violin 2026
Section seating is in 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.
Please complete the following items:
Send these three items to:
New Haven Symphony Orchestra
Attn: NHSO Audition Committee
95 Fountain St
PO Box #2929
New Haven, CT 06515
The deadline for receiving all materials is October 15, 2026. 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 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 deposited.
Copies of the required music will be sent after December 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 2026-2027 season is $146.00 for section positions. These positions are offered for the remainder of the 2026-2027 season beginning January 2027. Since they are offered after the start of the season, the guaranteed services and required minimums only take effect beginning on July 1, 2027, for the 2027-2028 season. 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 35-50 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.
Harmony Fellowship for Underrepresented Musicians
More Information:
Harmony Fellowships
National Alliance for Audition Support
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.
