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Audition Information

General Information

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Boston College Symphony Orchestra

  • Rehearses weekly:

    • Mondays (strings only and/or sectionals) from 7:00-8:30 pm in Lyons 423

    • Wednesdays (full orchestra) from 7:00-9:30 pm in Conte Forum

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Instrumental Chamber Music

  • Chamber ensembles consist of 2 to 6 players

  • Groups rehearse independently, on a schedule they determine together

  • Each group receives weekly coaching from a faculty member

  • Coachings are arranged at times that work best for both the ensemble and the coach

Want to audition for the BCSO and/or an Instrumental Chamber Group?

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Who needs to audition?

  • All students (new and returning) interested in BCSO and/or an instrumental chamber group

  • One audition covers both ensembles

  • Indicate your ensemble preferences via the audition survey​

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Audition Details:

  • The audition is informal, but it's a valuable opportunity for you to:

    • ​Play individually for Dr. Anna Wittstruck, Director of the Boston College Symphony Orchestra (BCSO) and the Instrumental Chamber Music Program

    • Talk one-on-one about:

      • Your musical background

      • Your goals as an instrumentalist at Boston College

      • How to balance music with your academic schedule

    • Get personalized support for making the most of your musical experience at Boston College​

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Questions?

  • Reach out to Dr. Anna (anna.wittstruck@bc.edu) if you have questions about:

    • Orchestra or chamber music participation

    • Instrument storage

    • Borrowing or renting an instrument

    • Audition logistics or expectations

Audition Requirements

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  1. Please sign up for an audition time using this form: Link

  2. Before your audition, be sure to fill out this short pre-audition survey: Link

  3. Please prepare the following:

    • String players

      • 3–5 minutes of solo playing (your choice)

      • AND/OR the optional but recommended orchestral excerpts from Mahler Symphony no. 5 Link

    • Wind players

      • Two short contrasting pieces:
        • One lyrical
        • One technical

      • A chromatic scale

      • AND/OR optional but recommended orchestral excerpts from Mahler Symphony no. 5 and Beethoven Symphony no. 6 Link

    • Percussion

      • Your audition will be a brief one-on-one conversation

      • You'll have a chance to play on instruments at the first rehearsal

    • Pianists

      • 3–5 minutes of solo playing (your choice)

      • Be prepared to sight-read

Important Dates

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First open rehearsal:

  • Wednesday, September 2nd, 7:10-9:30 pm in Conte Forum Band Room

  • Please come even if you haven't auditioned yet! All are welcome!​

  • If you haven’t auditioned yet but would like to join the first BCSO rehearsal, please email Dr. Anna Wittstruck (anna.wittstruck@bc.edu) and include your full name and instrument. This helps her make sure there are enough chairs, stands, and music parts ready for everyone.

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Dates to audition for the BCSO and/or an Instrumental Chamber Group:

  • Location: Lyons 427

  • Regular dates:​​

    • Sunday, August 30, 5:40 pm-10:00 pm (directly following the Music Department Performing Ensembles Welcome Reception in Lyons 423 from 4:30 pm-5:30 pm - all are welcome to attend!)

    • Monday, August 31, 10:00 am-12:30 pm; 1:30 pm-3:30 pm; 4:30 pm-6:00 pm; 7:00 pm-9:00 pm

    • Tuesday, September 1, 2:00 pm-5:00 pm; 7:30 pm-9:00 pm

    • Wednesday, September 2, 9:30 am-1:00 pm; 2:00 pm-5:00 pm (BCSO Open Rehearsal in Conte Forum Band Room at 7:10 pm - all are welcome to show up and play!) 

  • Make-up dates:

    • Thursday, September 3, 2:00 pm-4:30 pm

    • Tuesday, September 8, 2:00-4:30 pm

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  • Make-up auditions are available as a last resort, intended specifically for:

    • Students who need to borrow or rent an instrument from campus or a local shop

    • Students who did not have access to their instrument over the summer

    • Anyone experiencing unexpected delays in preparing for the regular audition period​​​

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Dates to audition for an Instrumental Chamber Group only:

  • If you're interested in participating ONLY in chamber music (not the Symphony Orchestra), additional audition times will be offered. These auditions are reserved for chamber music–only students. If you’ve already completed a full audition earlier in the week, you DO NOT need to audition again.

    • Location: Lyons 406

    • Dates:

      • Wednesday, September 9, 10:00 am-1:00 pm

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  • If you are unable to attend any of the scheduled audition slots and need to arrange a later time, please email Dr. Anna Wittstruck directly (anna.wittstruck@bc.edu). She’ll work with you to find an alternative that fits your situation.​

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Additional Important Dates!

  • Friday, September 11, evening: Halftime Show at BC Football Game!

  • Monday, September 14, 8-9:30 pm: Chamber Music Information Session / Pizza / Sight-Reading (meet your assigned group and coach), Lyons 4th floor

  • Saturday, September 19–Sunday September 20: BCSO Overnight Retreat to Cape Cod

  • Sunday, November 1, morning/afternoon: Perform Mahler Symphony no. 5 at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall!

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