Orchestra Auditions

The following sections are in high demand for the 2026-27 Season

Violin

Cello

Bass

Percussion

Harp

Auditions Overview

Come play with us! The Summerville Orchestra is looking to bolster our ranks with some of Summerville’s finest amateur musicians. We are looking in particular for violins, cello, bass, percussion, and harp, but we welcome all to audition. Although these positions are unpaid, they open the door to great new friendships, connections, networking, growth, learning and even more performance opportunities.

If interested, please register below and email marlena@summervilleorchestra.org

Register to Audition for the Summerville Orchestra Here

Audition Details

Audition Dates:  August 9, 2026
 
Location: Fort Dorchester High School band room, 8500 Patriot Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29420
 
Time Slots: Auditions will be scheduled in 15-minute time slots, though you may not need the full allotted time. To reserve a slot, please contact Personnel Manager Marlena Davis at marlena@summervilleorchestra.org and include a phone number where you can be reached.
 
Audition Expectations

The S.O. expects all auditioning musicians to prepare one solo selection and the three required excerpts provided below. Musicians should strive to perform as close to the indicated performance tempo as possible while maintaining accuracy and musicality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an accompanist?
Not needed and certainly not mandatory. You are of course more than welcome to bring an accompanist. However, it will not affect your audition either way.
 
Do I need to memorize my solo an excerpts?
Not required. Please just prepare your excerpts and solo piece to the best of your ability and comfort level.
 
What excerpts do I need to prepare?
Please see below for required excerpts and solo repertoire for your instrument.

Strings

Violin

  • SOLO
  • Exposition of the 1st movement of any Baroque/Classical concerto, OR
  • a solo of your choice that demonstrates your playing ability (no longer than 2-3 minutes)

EXCERPTS

All violinists should prepare:

Beethoven, Symphony No. 6, mvt. 4, m. 1-19 (2nd violin excerpt)

In addition, prepare the excerpts for the section you wish to audition for:

Violin 1:

 

Violin 2:

If you are unsure whether you prefer Violin I or Violin II, please prepare the Beethoven excerpt and one excerpt from each section list.

Viola

SOLO

  • Exposition of the 1st movement of any Baroque/Classical concerto, OR
  • a solo of your choice that demonstrates your playing ability (no longer than 2-3 minutes)

Cello

SOLO

  • Exposition of the 1st movement of any Baroque/Classical concerto, OR
  • a solo of your choice that demonstrates your playing ability (no longer than 2-3 minutes)

Bass

SOLO

  • Exposition of the 1st movement of any Baroque/Classical concerto, OR
  • a solo of your choice that demonstrates your playing ability (no longer than 2-3 minutes)

EXCERPTS

Woodwinds

Flute

SOLO

  • Exposition of the 1st movement of any Baroque/Classical concerto, OR
  • a solo of your choice that demonstrates your playing ability (no longer than 2-3 minutes)

EXCERPTS

Oboe

SOLO

  • Exposition of the 1st movement of any Baroque/Classical concerto, OR
  • a solo of your choice that demonstrates your playing ability (no longer than 2-3 minutes)

EXCERPTS

 

Clarinet

SOLO

  • Exposition of the 1st movement of any Baroque/Classical concerto, OR
  • a solo of your choice that demonstrates your playing ability (no longer than 2-3 minutes)

EXCERPTS

Bassoon

SOLO

  • Exposition of the 1st movement of any Baroque/Classical concerto, OR
  • a solo of your choice that demonstrates your playing ability (no longer than 2-3 minutes)

EXCERPTS

Auxiliary Woodwinds

Please prepare the one excerpt listed below for your instrument, as well as two excerpts from your instrument family above

Piccolo

EXCERPTS

English Horn

EXCERPTS

Eb Clarinet

EXCERPTS

Bass Clarinet

EXCERPTS

Contrabassoon

EXCERPTS

Brass

All brass players interested in auditioning should have experience in and can complete the following:

  • Transpose, at sight, in common transpositions (French Horns in Eb, E, D, and C; Trumpets in D, Eb, F)
  • Be able to read and play all associated clefs needed for your instrument (French Horns – Bass clef, Trombones – Tenor clef)
  • Own at least the most common mutes for your instrument (Straight, Harmon, Cup, etc.)
  • French Horns should be familiar with how to play “stopped horn”

French Horn

SOLO

  • Exposition of the 1st movement of any concerto, OR
  • a solo of your choice that demonstrates your playing ability (no longer than 2-3 minutes)

EXCERPTS

Trumpet

SOLO

  • Exposition of the 1st movement of any concerto, OR
  • a solo of your choice that demonstrates your playing ability (no longer than 2-3 minutes)

EXCERPTS

Trombone

SOLO

  • Exposition of the 1st movement of any concerto, OR
  • a solo of your choice that demonstrates your playing ability (no longer than 2-3 minutes)

EXCERPTS

  • Sheet music and guides
  • Dvorak, Symphony No. 8, mvt. 1, 4 after N – end of mvt.
  • Berlioz, Hungarian March, 1 m. before Reh. 4 – end
  • Mozart, Tuba Mirum: (If auditioning on Tenor Trombone, please prepare Tenor excerpt. If auditioning on Bass Trombone, please prepare Bass excerpt.)

Tuba

SOLO

  • Exposition of the 1st movement of any concerto, OR
  • a solo of your choice that demonstrates your playing ability (no longer than 2-3 minutes)

EXCERPTS

Percussion, Piano, Harp

Percussion

Piano

Harp

SOLO

A solo of your choice that demonstrates your playing ability (no longer than 2-3 minutes)

A long roll on snare drum

EXCERPTS

Players will present each excerpt below, including: timpani, auxiliary percussion, and mallet instruments. 

Auxiliary: 
 
Timpani:
 
Mallet:

SOLO

Prepare a solo piece, or excerpt of a piece, that demonstrates your playing ability (no longer than 2-3 minutes)
 

EXCERPTS

 

SOLO

Prepare a solo piece, or excerpt of a piece, that demonstrates your playing ability (no longer than 2-3 minutes)

EXCERPTS