Auditions
Audition Information
The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is made up of highly qualified volunteer, unpaid musicians who are chosen through a two-step audition process.
The first round is a self-taped video which is submitted online and reviewed by a committee of current players. The second round is an in-person performance of the same materials for the Music Director and a committee of current players. committee at an in-person audition.
Current Openings
Video Due October 23
Live Audition Sunday, November 3 (evening)
- Bassoon III/Contrabassoon
Video due October 30
Live Audition Sunday November 10 (afternoon)
- Second Trombone
- Principal Percussion
- Section Percussion
- Assistant Principal First Violin (3rd chair)
- Section Violin
Video due October 30
Live Audition Sunday November 10 (evening)
- Oboe – Section, Optional English horn
Ongoing
- Section First & Second Violin (ongoing)
- Cello – Section (ongoing)
- Substitute positions in all other string sections, Winds, Brass, Percussion & Timpani
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I audition for the BSO?
The BSO is made up of musicians who are committed to the values of Excellence, Collaboration, and Dedication. These volunteer musicians come together for Sunday evening rehearsals and concert performances throughout the year.
BSO Musicians love playing both the classic symphonic orchestral repertoire and introducing new pieces into the canon, all under the baton of Music Director Manny Laureano. Manny, along with BSO Concertmaster Michael Sutton, bring their years of experience as Minnesota Orchestra musicians to our ensemble, to encourage and strengthen BSO musicians’ and the audiences’ love of music.
Why do you ask for a video?
We ask for videos to allow candidates to carefully prepare and submit the video that best reflects their performance ability. After reviewing videos, the committee invites musicians who will be the best fit for the BSO, to confirm their playing ability in a live audition experience.
When is the next audition?
Current Openings are listed with deadlines for open seats.
Videos for most section and substitute positions are accepted on a rolling, ongoing basis.
What should I do if I have questions that are not answered on this page?
Complete the form on this page, or send an email to auditions@bloomingtonsymphony.org. We would love to hear from you and see a video come to our inbox!
Audition Interest Form
Audition Materials
BSO Audition Instructions
(click to view PDF)
All instruments
Prepare three minutes of a solo of contrasting sections from your instrument’s standard repertoire
Note: These instructions linked above are for all instruments.
Instrument-specific excerpts are linked below.
Audition Materials - Strings
Violin
- Mozart – Symphony No. 39, Mvt 4 (beginning to Reh B)
- Brahms: Symphony No. 4 (Quarter note = 95)
- Brahms Symphony No. 1 (leadership audition only)
Viola
Cello
- Beethoven – Symphony No. 5 (prepare both excerpts)
- Brahms – Symphony No. 2 (prepare mm. 1-15 only)
Bass
- Beethoven – Symphony No. 5, Scherzo – Beginning to 5 after A
- Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 4 13 after P to the end of the excerpt
Audition Materials - Brass
Horn
- Strauss – Till Eulenspiegel
- Franck – Symphony in D minor, Mvt II
- Beethoven – Symphony No. 3, Mvt III Horn II in E-flat
- Von Weber – Overture to Der Freischutz Horn IV part
Trumpet
- Mahler – Symphony No. 5, Mvt. I, Trumpet I
- Mussorgsky – Pictures at an Exhibition – Opening Promenade
- Stravinsky – Petrouchka
- Beethoven – Leonore No. 2 (offstage trumpet)
Trombone – Second
- Saint-Saens – Symphony No. 3 Mvt I Excerpt from Q to R
- Mozart – Requiem, Tuba Mirum only
- Berlioz – Hungarian March Play 1st trombone only
- Wagner – Die Walkure Play 2 excerpts, 1st trombone only for both excerpts
- Hindemith – Symphonic Metamorphosis Play 3 excerpts, 1st trombone only for all excerpts
Trombone – Bass
- Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 6 Bass Trombone, Mvt. 3, Excerpt 2
- Mahler Symphony No. 2 – Trombone 4 Excerpt 1
- Mahler Symphony No. 2 – Trombone 4 Excerpt 2
- Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 5 “Resurrection” Bass Trombone (Page 5)
Excerpt 1 – Start: Allegro Maestoso after B to 11 before D
Excerpt 2 – 21 after E to 14 before G - Berlioz – Roman Carnival Overture Trombone 3, Excerpt 1, 7 after 19, through 6/8 bar
Tuba (Substitute)
Audition Materials - Winds
Flute
- Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scherzo (2 before [P] until End)
- Dvorak: Symphony No. 8, Mvt. IV (8 before [D] until [E] with repeats
- Dvorak Symphony No. 9 – excerpt 1
- Dvorak Symphony No. 9 – excerpt 2
- Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé [176] until 2m after [179]
Piccolo (optional but encouraged)
- Ravel – Ma mere l’oye Third movement (soloist line)
Oboe
NOTE: No solo required. Prepare all of the following excerpts.
- Rossini: Overture to La Scala di Seta (m 6 until [3])
- Strauss: Don Juan
- Mahler: Symphony No. 3, Mvt II
- Brahms: Symphony No. 1, Mvt. I
- Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Haydn (Theme) Chorale St. Antoni w/repeats; Oboe II only
English horn (optional but encouraged)
Clarinet
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 6, Mvt III
- Berlioz: Symphony Fantastique, Mvt. III (3m after [43] until [44])
- Kodaly: Dances of Galanta
- Sibelius: Symphony No. 1, Mvt. III: [F] to 6 m. after [G]
Bassoon
- Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique IV. March to the Scaffold mm. 49-63
- Mendelssohn – A Midsummer Night’s Dream I. Scherzo mm. 1-26
- Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade: Mvt II “The Kalendar Prince” m. 5 to Rehearsal A
Contrabassoon (prepare bassoon parts in addition)
Audition Materials - Percussion
Section Percussion Candidates
Video round: Snare Drum + one of the following: Xylophone, Cymbals, Triangle or Tambourine
In person round: All
Principal Percussion Candidates
Video Round: Section Percussion + Timpani
In person round: All