Summer Symphony
Description and History
Sponsored by the Department of Music, the UC Summer Symphony is a fully student-run and supported ensemble that rehearses from June through August each summer, and gives two public performances in Hertz Hall. It is currently not available for credit.
The UC Berkeley Summer Symphony started in 1978 by Michael Senturia as a small student-run orchestra comprised mostly of students of the University and members of the Berkeley community. Since then, it has grown into a full-sized orchestra, performing major works from the standard classical repertoire. Currently, the UC Berkeley Summer Symphony draws in players from the University, Cal State East Bay, San Francisco Conservatory, and the Oakland and San Francisco Youth Orchestras. Concerts are held in early August in Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley (near College and Bancroft).
The goal of the UC Berkeley Summer Symphony has always been to keep the classical music scene alive in University and the surrounding community throughout the summer months. The orchestra is led by promising student conductors under the tutelage of Prof. David Milnes in the Music Department at UC Berkeley. It gives them first-hand experience in preparing a concert program, rehearsing an orchestra, and working with the administrative staff which gives them a glimpse of what it will take to become a music director of a professional orchestra. The orchestra members not only play but also learn how to adapt to different conductors and their styles while providing feedback to help the conductors.
Past conductors include: Jean Ahn, Ankush Bahl, Tom Busse, Gene Chang, Hoh Chen, Richard Cheetham, Andrew Chung, Brian Current, Alexander Kahn, Mei-Gang Li, Henry Shin, Kumiko Takahashi, Reynold Tharp, Dmitiri Tymoczko, Linda Wang.
Participation Policies and Audition Information
Schedule: Auditions are held beginning in late June in 125 Morrison Hall, rehearsals are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:15-9:45pm in Hertz Hall starting in early July, the concert is in early August in Hertz Hall on the UC Berkeley campus. Admission to the concert is free with a suggested donation of $10. No tickets are required for entry.
Map with locations of Hertz & Morrison Halls: http://www.berkeley.edu/map/maps/CD56.html
Audition Instructions and Sign-Up
The sign-up sheet is posted in late May/early June on the bulletin board just outside the Music Department Office, 104 Morrison Hall.
Auditionees on all instruments should prepare a solo piece which will demonstrate fast and slow playing (may be two different pieces or movements).
In addition auditionees should prepare two orchestral excerpts. String players should prepare the pieces listed below. Wind and brass players can choose from the solo passage orchestral excerpts listed below or other equivalent excerpts.
Audition excerpts are also available in the Jean Gray Hargrove Music Library. Please do NOT ask for "Summer Symphony excerpts" as they do not exist and the library staff will be unable to help you. Only ask for excerpts for "University Symphony, Music 141" as it is the same excerpts from the orchestra during the year.
Audition Repertoire
Excerpts for String Players
Viola and Cello
Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, 2nd movement
Beethoven, Symphony No. 3, 3rd movement
Bass
Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, 2nd and 3rd movemen
Viola and Cello
Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, 2nd movement
Beethoven, Symphony No. 3, 3rd movement
Bass
Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, 2nd and 3rd movement
Excerpts for Wind & Brass Players
Flute
Brahms, Symphony No. 4, 4th movement
Beethoven, Leonora Overture No. 3
Dvorák, Symphony No. 8, 4th movement
Oboe
Brahms, Symphony No. 1, 1st movement
Ravel, Le Tombeau Couperin
Rossini, La Scala d'Seta Overture
Clarinet
Beethoven, Symphony No. 6, 1st and 2nd movements
Beethoven, Symphony No. 8, 3rd movement
Rimsky-Korsakov, Capriccio Espagnole
Bassoon
Stravinsky, Firebird Suite, Berceuse
Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade
Beethoven, Symphony No. 4, 4th movement
French horn
Strauss, Till Eulenspiegel
Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5, 1st movement
Brahms, Symphony No. 3, 3rd movement
Trumpet
Mussorgsky/Ravel, Pictures at an Exhibition, opening solo
Stravinsky, Petrouchka
Beethoven, Leonore Overture No.3
Trombone
Mozart, Requiem Tuba Miram
Rossini, La Grazza ladra Overture
Berlioz, Damnation of Faust, Rákóczi March
Tuba
Wagner, Die Meistersinger, Prelude Wagner, Die Walküre, Ride of the Walküres
Percussion
Prepare mallet pieces