Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra

Each year, the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra takes on a dynamic new identity with the participation of both returning and new musicians. Through nationwide auditions, an extremely talented group of young professionals and students of many nationalities is selected to form the festival’s resident ensemble. The orchestra works with the festival’s Music Director for Opera & Orchestra, Emmanuel Villaume, as well as with guest conductors in opera, symphonic, choral, chamber and contemporary music performances.

The festival’s orchestra is central to the international excellence of performance at Spoleto Festival USA and has, over the years, proven to be one of the finest opportunities for young musicians to gain extensive performance experience. Alumni of the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra can be found in almost every professional orchestra in the United States.

The 2009 orchestra will offer the opportunity to perform the opera Louise by Gustave Charpentier. Symphonic programs include Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D major, Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde and Mozart’s Requiem as well as works by Mendelssohn, Poulenc, Ravel, and Rossini.

Spoleto Festival USA will be held in Charleston, South Carolina, from May 22 to June 7, 2009. Dates of employment for the Spoleto Festival Orchestra will be May 11 through June 7, 2009.

Auditions will take place at the following locations:

To apply for an audition, please click here.

Please note: Sending your information does not guarantee an audition. Audition times will be assigned starting January 2, 2009. Please complete your application at least two weeks before your chosen audition date to allow for timely processing of your request. Questions or concerns should be directed to Tim Ressler, Orchestra Personnel Manager, at tressler@spoletousa.org.

Audition Requirements:

VIOLIN: Mozart Concerto no. 4 in D major OR Concerto no. 5 in A major – exposition of first movement. Also, first movement of a Romantic violin concerto or several excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire.

VIOLA: One movement from the Bartok Concerto for Viola. Also, one movement of Hoffmeister OR Stamitz Viola Concerto, or several excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire.

CELLO: Haydn Concerto in D major OR C major, first movement. Also, third movement of Dvorak Concerto, or several excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire.

DOUBLE BASS: Koussevitzky Concerto, one movement Also, one movement from Dittersdorf Concerto, or several excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire.

FLUTE: Mozart Concerto no. 1 in G major, exposition of one movement. Several excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire. Flute players must also audition on piccolo and should prepare two excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire.

OBOE: Mozart Concerto in C major, exposition of one movement. Several excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire. Oboe players must also audition on the English horn and should prepare two excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire.

CLARINET: Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A major, exposition of one movement. Several excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire. Clarinet players must also audition on related instruments (E flat and/or bass clarinet) and should prepare two excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire on these instruments.

BASSOON: Mozart Concerto in B flat major, exposition of one movement. Several excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire. Bassoon players should audition on their related instrument, contrabassoon – if instrument is available to them – with an excerpt from standard orchestral repertoire.

HORN: Exposition from a Mozart Concerto and Strauss Concerto no. 1. Several excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire.

TRUMPET: Haydn Concerto OR Hummel Concerto, exposition. Several excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire.

TROMBONE: David Concerto exposition. Several excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire.

BASS TROMBONE & TUBA: Solo of your choice. Several excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire.

HARP: Handel Concerto for Harp Opus 4, B flat major, first movement. Several excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire.

TIMPANI & PERCUSSION: No solos. Several excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire on timpani, bells, xylophone, and snare drum.