How hard is it to get into a professional symphonic orchestra?

Question

Like state symphonies. Or even something like the Trans-Siberian orchestra. What is that process? I play viola, guitar, and double bass.

Answer 1

It really depends on the orchestra. For instance, auditioning for a bottom-tier orchestra that's more or less recreational is not much of an issue. Auditioning for a top-tier orchestra takes a lot of hard work and talent. For one of those (like the Philadelphia Orchestra or something), your resumé will be examined to see if you are eligible for an audition. If you are given an audition, there are several rounds of auditioning, each more competitive than the last, and you will be expected to play your scales, arpeggios, etc. flawlessly. You will also have been given a list of orchestral excerpts to study (the list is pretty much the same among good orchestras), from which you will be required to perform specific excerpts. Often, every round save the final one is blind, meaning that the judges can not see the prospective member of the orchestra. Sometimes, as many as 800 people will submit resumés in the hope of getting an audition, but maybe only 200 will get an audition. Those 200 people (all auditioning for the same spot) turn into maybe 100, then maybe 50, then maybe 30, then maybe 10, then maybe 3 by the final round.

Even if you can play most of your audition pretty flawlessly (and consistently flawlessly), there is no guarantee of getting a job. Many musicians looking for an orchestra just sign up for auditions at any place with an open seat in the hope that they might land one job.

And, as I said, it's a completely different deal with less prestigious orchestras. Some small recreational orchestras don't even audition people. Keep in mind that orchestras with general names aren't necessary the cream of the crop; something like "the Symphony or the Northwest" is not necessarily better than the St. Louis Symphony, even if St. Louis seems like less ground than the entire Northwest (I just made up those names, so I could be completely wrong; I don't want to offend anybody).

Good luck, and happy hunting.

Answer 2

i like it. I even have continually listened to the works of composers including Liszt, Chopin, Handel, Vivaldi, Paganini, and Bach for the reason that i grew to become right into a newborn. I continually concept their musical sense lived on in bands like At Vance, Rhapsody, Labyrinth, and Stratovarius. a number of it could get pretentious yet not just about so as present day classical music which in all honesty has been aping previous composers for a pair of hundred years now using yankee aristocracy grouping a gaggle of disparate eu musical kinds and traditions under the banner of 'Classical music' and removing improvisation which grew to become into continually substantial to Bach, Vivaldi, and Paganini on each occasion they performed in stay overall performance decrease back then. In admire to improvisation, I nevertheless discover Yngwie plenty nearer to Paganini than a great variety of those clones from Julliard enjoying stale and uninteresting interpretations of the 24 caprices using fact a minimum of he improvises in stay overall performance for all time. those products are over a hundred and fifty years previous so which you're able to desire to be predicted to throw in some improvised cadenzas on the tip no less than. If something I continually discovered Neoclassical steel to be a form of tribute to the greats mutually as giving a midsection finger to the soulless copycats on the consevatoiries and that i can enjoy that plenty.

Answer 3

Not to sound discouraging, but it can be terribly difficult. For an opening in a well-known, well-funded orchestra the auditors may hear close to 100 auditioners. Keep in mind that players in prominent orchestras earn from $50,000 to $150,000 per year -- that helps to explain the intense competition. Players generally audition behind a screen in order to eliminate any considerations other than quality of playing from the process. (And, yes, you would be expected to be fluent in scales, modes and arpeggios, and confident with many of the famous symphonic passages for your instrument.)

Answer 4

You will probably need a formal musical education. A bachelor's or master's degree in music will allow you to understand the material being played and the instructions of the conductor.

Other than that, you have to find an orchestra with an open seat in an insturment you play and beat out all other comers in an audition. I would guess that its very difficult.

Answer 5

Usually for an audition of that magnitude, they want you to play two "class A" solos of contrasting style, and any scale they name, including the Church modes. For a list of class A solos, get on the Wisconsin and the Texas sites for Solo & Ensemble. They have the most respected music programs in the country.

Answer 6

It's as hard as you feel it might be.It may not be very easy but certainly not impossible.Check out the various auditions you never know!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

My cousin got the chance to play once in the California Symphony when she was a junior in high school for her great skills at the violin. Of course she worked her butt off when she was younger. Her talent is recognized in many places. I assume it is very hard, you have to have a lot of drive, talent, and education.