*** AUDITIONS FOR THE 2021/22 ACADEMIC YEAR HAVE CLOSED ***
We held auditions on 2nd/3rd October 2021 and have now put this year’s orchestra together. Please email suso@soton.ac.uk or check back here for when we re-open auditions.
The Southampton University Symphony Orchestra’s membership changes each year. As with any university orchestra, each summer we say goodbye to older members as they leave the university. At the start of each academic year all existing members are re-auditioned, to ensure that the orchestra is of the highest possible standard.
To request an audition, applicants should be of the following playing levels:
• String players – Grade 6/7+
• Woodwind/brass players – Grade 8+ (French Horn players are usually accepted with a minimum standard of Grade 7)
• Orchestral percussion: Grade 7+
* Whilst your playing level is important, we understand that not all musicians have taken graded exams; we use the grade level simply as a guide. If however, you do take exams, it should be assumed that you have already taken and moved beyond the minimum grade requirements in order to be able to request an audition.
When:
We audition for every seat in the Orchestra each September/October – just before Semester 1 starts. Please check our website or our social media channels for any updates regarding the 2022/23 academic year closer to the time.
Preparing for the audition:
Applicants will be expected to prepare in advance and then perform a programme of roughly 3-4 minutes. The timing here is not important, we will stop you once we have heard enough! Your programme should have two contrasting sections, which could be from one piece or two contrasting pieces. You will then be given some orchestral excerpts to play.
Don’t panic!
An audition may seem a little daunting at first, but we keep it as friendly and welcoming as possible. The rewards are great on the other side – being a member of SUSO is an amazing experience! If you choose to join SUSO you will be following in the footsteps of thousands of musicians before you… what are you waiting for?!
Good luck for all future auditions you may take!
