Miami University
Symphony Orchestra

I. PERSONNEL
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THE MIAMI UNIVERSITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (MUSO) is comprised mostly of music majors, but it also includes minors and non-majors. We also have some extra opportunities for non-majors when we play pieces that require a larger number of players, and this happens often. Miami does not have an orchestra of non-music majors, therefore this is your only chance to be in an orchestra. Non-majors like to be in a group where they can keep up with their playing skills. The group is friendly and engages in social events outside of rehearsal (bowling, ice cream socials, attending Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra performances, etc). The level of the orchestra is high and non-music majors are expected to rise to the standards of the music majors.
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Some freshmen tend to be particularly cautious about joining the orchestra. They don’t know what to expect in terms of the academics in the new college environment and are afraid to over-commit. Therefore, they think they should wait during the first year, with the hope of auditioning later. This is a reasonable thought. The problem is that usually what happens is that these freshmen stop playing their instruments. They never audition for the orchestra and end up deeply regretting later that they stopped playing their instruments while in college. The orchestra experience in college is one of the most memorable ones for the rest of your lives.
 
If you are interested in performing in our group, it is crucial that you have space in your schedule for our regular rehearsals. At Miami, orchestra is considered a class for one credit that meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:50PM-4:10PM.  If you are not able to make it to every rehearsal, do not register for orchestra.
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II. SCHEDULING
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We have orchestra auditions both for the fall and spring semester. Every semester, everybody auditions again. Auditions for the fall semester happen during the first four days of classes. Auditions for the spring semester happen before the start of classes. There is a different process for strings, winds/brass and percussion.
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III. AUDITIONING
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Audition material for strings: Audition material is posted in the Department of Music website during the summer (for Fall auditions) and winter term (for Spring auditions). Students are asked to video record their auditions and submit them on FormStack (via YouTube or Google Drive link).
 
Audition material for woodwinds and brass: Auditions for the Fall semester happen during the first week of classes. Audition excerpts are posted in the Department of Music website and students sign up for audition slots online. Students audition simultaneously for the orchestra and wind ensemble and address their preferences during the audition. They are asked to perform scales in addition to the excerpts. Auditions for the Spring semester happen at the end of the Fall semester. Besides scales, students are asked to play pieces or excerpts of their choice, preferably contrasting.