Auditions for the 2010/11 Season.
Applications for the 2010/11 auditions of the Civic Orchestra are no longer being accepted.
Auditions will take place in February and all applicants will receive notification of their audition times in the coming weeks.
Chicago Auditions
February 2, 2010 Flute
February 3, 2010 Clarinet
February 5, 2010 Oboe
February 5, 2010 Bassoon
February 10, 2010 Cello/Double Bass
February 12, 2010 Viola
February 13, 2010 Violin
February 15, 2010 Horn
February 16, 2010 Trumpet
February 17, 2010 Trombone
February 20, 2010 Bass Trombone
February 20, 2010 Tuba
Live Auditions*
February 28, 2010 Percussion
March 1, 2010 Keyboard
March 1, 2010 Timpani
March 2, 2010 Harp
* Harp, Percussion, Keyboard & Timpani applicants must audition in Chicago. All instruments will be provided for these auditions.
Individual Audition Recording Requirements (Updated!)
Individual audition recordings will be accepted from all* applicants, regardless of location. Taped auditions should be unaccompanied and must be submitted in audio CD format (playable on a standard CD player). Recording guidelines are as follows:
Individual audition recordings will be accepted from all eligible instrumentalists*, regardless of location. Recorded auditions should be unaccompanied and must be submitted in audio CD format (playable on a standard CD player).
Recording guidelines are listed below. Any violation of these requirements will result in disqualification. Recordings must be received by January 15, 2010. Late recordings may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Take care to label the disc case, envelope, or sleeve with your name and instrument; do not label the audition disc with any identifying information. CDs will be numbered to ensure anonymity.
- Record complete audition repertoire, in the order listed, as one complete track. Excerpts listed for auxiliary woodwind instruments are optional. Avoid recording in a space that is overly resonant. Do not edit, enhance, or otherwise alter your audition recording.
- Do not announce excerpts or otherwise talk on your audition recording.
*Please note: harp, keyboard, timpani, and percussion applicants must audition in Chicago; other instrumentalists may submit an audition recording.
Who Should Audition?
There is no age limit requirement to be a member of the Civic Orchestra; however, most orchestra members are either graduate level students or post-graduates, between the ages of 22 and 30. While some members are undergraduates, the time commitment is substantial and may conflict with undergraduate university obligations.
About the Civic Orchestra of Chicago
For the past 90 years, young artists have sought membership in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago to develop their talents and further prepare for the life of a professional musician. As the training orchestra of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Civic benefits from a musical alliance that is the only one of its kind among major American orchestras. Members rehearse and perform in Symphony Center, a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose complex located in the heart of downtown Chicago that is home to both the CSO and the Civic Orchestra.
Under the guidance of Principal Conductor Cliff Colnot, this tuition-free program features opportunities for lessons, coaching, and sectional rehearsals with principal chair musicians from the CSO, and masterclasses, workshops, and orchestral performances, throughout the Chicago area, with world-renowned guest conductors and visiting artists, such as Bernard Haitink, Pierre Boulez, Emerson, Esa-Pekka Salonen, David Robertson, Kent Nagano, Yo-Yo Ma, and the Emerson String Quartet. Civic Orchestra concerts are broadcast locally on WFMT 98.7 FM and syndicated nationally to nearly three million listeners.
Participation in Civic represents a part-time commitment, enabling members to pursue additional educational opportunities and engage in the professional musical life of Chicago. Regular Members of the Civic Orchestra are eligible to participate on a season-to-season basis for up to two seasons. Individuals accepted at the Associate level are contracted on an as-needed basis as extra and substitute musicians. You need not be attending or applying to an academic institution to audition for Regular Membership in the Civic Orchestra.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Coaches
As part of the Civic program, designated CSO musicians representing each section work with Civic musicians, offering detailed, practical instruction as well as a direct connection to the artistic legacy of the CSO.
Membership Benefits
- Regular members of the Civic Orchestra will receive a stipend of $6,300. Additional stipend support is available to those who audition successfully for principal string positions within the orchestra.
- Fellowships are available to qualified Civic musicians enrolled in degree programs at Northwestern, DePaul, Roosevelt, and Northern Illinois universities. Contact universities directly for more information.
- Regular members of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago may qualify for school loan deferments as members of the orchestra.
- Members of the orchestra are invited to participate in MusiCorps®, a music education and advocacy program in which selected members of the Civic Orchestra have the opportunity to teach, mentor, and perform at various community sites serving diverse constituencies in order to promote music awareness, appreciation, training, and encourage audience development.
- Members of the orchestra are invited to professional development workshops, seminars, masterclasses, and mock auditions led by CSO musicians, guest artists, and industry professionals.
- Tickets to selected concerts are available free of charge and Civic Orchestra musicians also receive discounted tickets to Chicago Symphony Orchestra and other performances at Symphony Center.
Civic Orchestra of Chicago
220 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60604
|
Audition Repertoire »