Summer Symphony 2025

Hertz Concert Hall

UC Berkeley

UCBSS 2025 Schedule:
All rehearsals and performances will take place in Hertz Hall on the UC Berkeley campus.
Rehearsals: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:30-10:00 pm
First Rehearsal: July 15th

2 Performances: Friday, August 15th and Saturday, August 16th - 8:00pm (6:30pm call time)

Thomas Green and Noam Elisha, Conductors

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.

The UC Berkeley Summer Symphony started in 1978 by Michael Senturia as a small student-run orchestra composed 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, Garrett Wellenstein, Melissa Panlasigui, Jane Kim, Jennifer Huang, and Jennifer Liu.

NOTE: Audition information is for Summer 2025 only.

Membership in UC Berkeley Summer Symphony is by audition, and is open to Berkeley students as well as community members. Audition tapes are due each summer in June.

Summer 2025 auditions will consist of an audition tape, due Friday July 11th, at 11:59pm PDT.

If you have any questions or concerns (including any deadline extensions), please contact Thomas Green (greent.berkeley.edu) and Noam Elisha (noam.elisha@berkeley.edu)

Returning Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 UCBSO members do NOT need to audition.

IMPORTANT: The deadlines listed below are for best consideration, but UCBSS accepts auditions at any time. For any form and video submissions after July 11th, please contact Thomas Green and Noam Elisha for next steps.

Audition Requirements (for best consideration, forms and videos are due by Fri.  7/11 at 11:59pm Pacific Time):

  1. Upload a video recording of required excerpts on YouTube.

  • Video requirements are available at the bottom of this page.

  • Fill out an audition form

    • Audition form HERE

    • Note: YouTube link of your video recording MUST be included on your form.

  • Final audition results will be sent by July 14th at the latest.

    • Audition Video Requirements (video due by Fri. 7/11 at 11:59pm Pacific Time):

    • Solo Piece: a portion of a piece or multiple pieces that demonstrate both fast and slow playing (not to exceed 5 minutes total).

    • Orchestra Excerpts: found HERE (unless stated otherwise, ALL listed excerpts must be prepared).

    • Video Guidelines:

      • Video should be recorded in 1 single take, if possible. If not, piece together all excerpts in 1 file.

      • Using smartphone footage or another device with a clear camera and microphone is acceptable.

      • Upload your video to YouTube – should be published as “Unlisted”

      • Name your video file in this format:

        • UCBSS Su25 Audition – [Instrument]_[Last name]_[First name]

        • Ex: UCBSS Su25 Audition – Trumpet_Green_Thomas

      • Include timestamps of excerpts in the video description

      • Include the YouTube link on your audition form. Please ensure the link is accurate and working before submitting your form.