Auditions

The Olympia Symphony is pleased to be accepting applicants for the following position/section auditions:

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2025

2nd violin (Principal and Assistant Principal)
Viola (section; 1 position available)

TO APPLY

STEP ONE - ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM (BELOW)

Deadline: Friday, October 3, 2025 @ 5 pm PT

STEP TWO - LIVE AUDITIONS (ORCHESTRAL EXCERPTS/SIGHT READING)

Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025
Time: Between 10 am - 4 pm
Location: Tumwater Middle School, Tumwater, WA

All rounds of the live auditions will be conducted anonymously behind a screen.

STEP THREE - APPOINTMENT(S)

Appointed musicians will be evaluated after a one season trial and interview.

If the committee selects someone who is already a member of the orchestra, they may offer their current position to the runner-up at the committee's discretion.

VIOLIN 2 (Principal and Assistant Principal)*

Brahms: Symphony 1

Movement I – beginning to m. 29

Movement II - rehearsal E to end of movement

Strauss: Don Juan

First Page Beginning to 8 before D

Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Scherzo Beginning to 7 after D

Unaccompanied Bach movement of choice

*Sight reading may be required at the discretion of the audition committee.

VIOLA SECTION*

Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Scherzo (Letters B-D)

Shostakovich: Symphony 5

Movement I - Reh 15-17

Strauss: Don Juan

Beginning to rehearsal D

Solo of Choice

*Sight reading may be required at the discretion of the audition committee.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
*Appointment would begin with the Dec 7th "See" concert

Below are the concert dates for the 2025-26 season:

October 19, 2025 - Ignite
November 16, 2025 - Listen
December 7, 2025 - See
December 31, 2025 - Dance *Concert at 5:00*
January 15, 2026 - Link Up *DAY TIME CONCERT at 10:30 AM*
February 7, 2026 - Celebrate
March 15, 2026 - Transform
April 19, 2026 - Move

Concerts are held at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Capitol Theater and the Capital High School Performing Arts Center.

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

Olympia Symphony generally rehearses on a condensed schedule M/W/Th*/Sa/Su. Weekday rehearsals are 7:00-9:30 pm, Saturday rehearsals 3:00-5:30 pm, and Sunday (day-of concert) dress rehearsal 10:30 am-1:00 pm. Concerts are matinees at 3:00pm, unless otherwise noted above.

*Thursday rehearsals for Saturday concerts only*

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).

2024-2025 Season Rates (per 2.5 hr service)

Principal - $82.50

Assistant Principal - $63.25
Section - $55.00

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.

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).

Inquiries are welcomed at any time for any instrument. Please email personnel@olympiasymphony.org with any questions.