top of page
Musician Auditions.png

The Olympia Symphony is pleased to be accepting applicants for our 2023-2024 season auditions in the following sections/positions:

​

Percussion - Sunday, September 17, 2023

​

  • Principal Percussion

​

AUDITION PROCESS

​

First round - online form and audio recording (audio only; no video please) of solo piece of choice without accompaniment
Second round+ - live auditions (orchestral excerpts and sight reading)
Third round+ - live audition (orchestral excerpts) 
 

Appointments will be evaluated after a one season trial and interview.

​

+Second and third rounds will occur the same day, and be conducted anonymously behind a screen

​

AUDITION EXCERPTS

​

Click here to view audition repertoire music

​

FIRST ROUND: Audio recording ONLY
 

Marimba Solo: 

  • J.S. Bach solo of choice, totaling no more than 5 minutes  

Snare: 

  • DELECLUSE: Douze Etudes Pour Caisse-Claire: Etude no. 1

 
SECOND ROUND (Preliminary): Live Blind Audition
 

  • Snare Drum - Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kije Suite

    • Mvt. I: [1] to [2] and [13] to end​

  • Xylophone - Copland Appalachian Spring

    • reh. 48 to 4 mm. after reh. 49​

  • Cymbals - Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet 

    • 2 mm. before reh. O to 7 mm. before reh. P  

    • 22 mm before reh. U to 13 mm. before reh. U​

  • Tambourine - Carmen Suite No. 2: Danse Boheme

    • 3 mm. before reh. D through 3 mm. after reh. E ​

  • SIGHT READING – Sight reading may be required at the discretion of the audition committee. SIGHTR

 
THIRD ROUND (Finals): Live Blind Audition
      

  • Xylophone - Gershwin: Porgy and Bess Overture

    • opening only

  • Vibraphone - Bernstein: West Side Story

    • mm. 567-577, mm. 582-607, mm. 620-631

  • Cymbals: Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2

    • reh. 32 to 13 mm. after reh. 32

  • Bass Drum: Stravinsky: Rite of Spring

    • reh. 72 through 2 mm. after reh. 75

  • Tambourine: Bizet: Carmen Suite No. 1

    • Aragonaise complete

  • Glockenspiel - Dukas: Sorcerer’s Apprentice

    • 4 mm. after reh. 17 to reh. 24 7 mm. after reh. 52 to reh. 53

​

CLICK HERE TO VIEW AUDITION REPERTOIRE MUSIC

​

Instruments provided:

  • Bass Drum (Ludwig, 40” with suspended/tilting stand)

  • Xylophone (Adams, 3.5oct rosewood, height adjustable)

  • Vibraphone (Musser, Pro-Traveler, fixed height)

  • Glockenspiel (Musser, 2.5 oct Classic with dampener)

  • Snare Drum (Pearl, Philharmonic solid shell, 6.5” depth w/ diplomat heads, medium tuning)

​

Appointments will be evaluated after a one season trial and interview.

AUDITION DATES/TIMES/DEADLINES

 

Percussion

  • Audition date: Sunday, September 17, 2023 (time TBD)

  • Online form and audio recording deadline: Friday September 1, 2023 @ 5 pm PT

​

AUDITION LOCATION 

 

Will be in the local Olympia/Tumwater area; location will be posted when confirmed

​

TO APPLY​

 

  1. Complete the online form (below)

  2. Email the audio recording of your solo piece of choice (without accompaniment) to personnel@olympiasymphony.org by 5 pm PT on or before the above stated deadlines for the position(s) you are auditioning for.

​

Note: limited audition slots are available and may be filled before the deadline. 

 

Please wait to receive confirmation of your audition before making travel plans. Invitations will be sent by email, typically within one week of the online form/audio recording deadline.

 

All questions regarding the audition must be directed to the Orchestra Manager only. The preferred method of contact is by email personnel@olympiasymphony.org.

​

2023-2024 SEASON AUDITION REGISTRATION
Please select which postion(s) you wish to audition/be considered for. To be eligible for section as well as principal, please mark relevant auditions.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE


Below are the proposed performance dates for the 2023-2024 season. 

 

  • Saturday, September 16, 2023 @ 8 pm*

  • Sunday, October 15, 2023 @ 3pm

  • Sunday, November 12, 2023 @ 3pm*

  • Sunday, December 31, 2023 @ 3 pm and 7 pm*

  • Sunday, February 4, 2024 @ 3pm

  • Sunday, March 17, 2024 @ 3pm

  • Sunday April 21, 2024 @ 3pm

  • Saturday, May 4, 2024 @ TBC*

​

*non-subscription concerts

 

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

​

Olympia Symphony generally rehearses on a semi-condensed schedule (with some exceptions), W/M/W/Sa/Su, beginning 1.5 weeks prior to concerts, with weekday rehearsals running 7-9:30 pm, Saturday rehearsals running 3-5:30 pm, and Sunday (day-of concert) rehearsals running 10-12:30 pm.

 

SERVICE RATES

​

The compensation policy and the rate(s) of compensation are set by the OSO Board of Directors through their annual budgetary process. Mileage reimbursement is available for musicians driving 50-100 mi round trip per service ($0.225/mile). 

​

Associate Concertmaster (2nd chair) - $69.74

Assistant Concertmaster (3rd chair) - $53.46

Principal - $69.74
Section - $46.49

​

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

​

Members of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra contribute to the achievement of the organization’s mission by fulfilling core expectations set by the Music Director regarding artistry, decorum, and attendance.

 

Membership in the Olympia Symphony Orchestra is based on a season commitment, and the signing of an employee agreement. Prior to each season, Orchestra members in good standing from the previous season are invited to commit to fill their prior positions in the complement of the Orchestra for the subsequent season. Remaining vacancies in the Orchestra's complement will be filled by audition, one year appointments, or by substitute musicians. If a position is won by a current OSO musician, the respective vacated position may be offered to the runner-up from the audition process.

 

Musicians are employees of the Orchestra, and as such, are eligible to accrue paid family and medical leave. Employees are required to provide proof of authority to work in the United States (per the US Immigration and Nationality Act). To remain in good standing, musicians can miss up to one service per cycle, and one cycle per season.

​

Inquiries are welcomed at any time for any instrument. Please email personnel@olympiasymphony.org and you will be contacted if a need arises during the season, with a request for an audio recording.

bottom of page