Application & audition
Participation in the Summer Orchestra Academy is by audition each year. Applicants should be comfortable with the repertoire and technical work at Grade 7 standard or higher.
The audition will comprise of 2 parts:
- An orchestral workshop, playing side by side with members of the Orchestra of Opera North. You will be given some music to read in advance.
- An individual audition. You will be asked to prepare the except listed below as well as an unaccompanied piece of your choice (no more than 2 minutes long). We will confirm your allocated audition time once applications have closed.
Your Audition Piece
The solo piece is of your choosing, and should be a piece you enjoy playing, lasting no more than 2 minutes. It can be a movement or excerpt from a concerto, a sonata or a solo piece. Your piece could be an accompanied or unaccompanied work, but the audition itself will be unaccompanied. Where possible, it should be a piece originally written for the instrument.
Audition Excerpts
Please see the individual audition excerpts below:
Woodwind Audition Excerpts
Brass Audition Excerpts
Percussion Audition Excerpts
String Audition Excerpts
Harp Audition Excerpts
These excerpts form an important part of the audition and applicants should ensure that they are well known and prepared. We would encourage you to listen to recordings as you learn them.
Your audition panel will be made up of players from the Orchestra of Opera North – they’re a friendly bunch! We believe everyone should have the chance to develop their practice and performance skills, and have a positive audition experience, whatever the outcome.
All applicants will receive verbal feedback during the audition. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
