Audition for the Columbia Orchestra

Auditions will be held on Monday, August 1st (for permanent string openings and substitute list winds) and Monday, August 8 (for 4th horn) and August 22 (for 3rd trombone). Please email auditions@columbiaorchestra.org to schedule a time or with any questions.

We currently have openings for the following instruments:

We will have some substitute list opportunities for winds and brass.

If you play an orchestral instrument and enjoy the challenge of performing the best of the symphonic repertoire with an inspiring conductor, don’t miss the opportunity to audition for the Columbia Orchestra! The Columbia Orchestra is a volunteer adult community orchestra dedicated to fostering a lifelong appreciation of and participation in classical music. Join us for an exciting season performing great music!

Our annual auditions are held in August. (If you miss the auditions but are still interested in openings, please contact auditions@columbiaorchestra.org or 410-465-8777 to see what other audition opportunities will be available.)

If the thought of preparing an audition frightens you, please remember: we are a friendly group of people who love to play music together, and we want to make joining us a fun experience for you! If you have checked out our repertoire and you are able to perform this type of music well, you are likely to be a good fit.

Please look around our web site to familiarize yourself with our orchestra. These three links in particular will give you a sense if membership will be a good fit for you:

• Rehearsal Schedule and Member Handbook
• Rehearsal Locations (The Gathering Place, Rouse Theatre)
• Concert Season

Open Positions

For the 2022-2023 season we will have permanent openings for strings, 4th horn, 3rd (bass) trombone, and percussion. We will also hear some auditions for some substitute wind and brass players; please inquire about openings for those instruments. Auditions will be held in August at the orchestra office, except 3rd Trombone auditions which will take place August 22 at The Gathering Place, and percussion auditions by appointment.

Audition Requirements

Strings, 4th Horn, 3rd (Bass) Trombone:
Please visit these pages for audition guidelines:

• Strings
• Fourth Horn
• Third (Bass) Trombone

Percussion:

• At least 1 minute of music of your choosing for mallets (glockenspiel, vibraphone, xylophone, marimba will be available). This may be solos, orchestral excerpts, or a combination of both.
• At least 1 minute of solo music or orchestral excerpts of your choosing for snare drum (drum provided).
• One excerpt each of your choosing on cymbals and tamborine, and triangle.
• Auditions may include sight-reading.

Substitute Winds and Brass:
Please email us if you are interested in auditioning for our substitute list. The following are the requirements for substitute list auditions.

• Please prepare 5-7 minutes of at least two contrasting selections. This music should be demonstrative of your musical and technical abilities. It should include solo repertoire for your instrument; including standard orchestral excerpts is strongly encouraged.
• Auditions may include sight-reading.

Contact Us

For more information, please contact auditions@columbiaorchestra.org or 410-465-8777.