Summer Symphony 2026

Hertz Concert Hall

UC Berkeley

2026 Schedule:

Rehearsals: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:30-10:00 pm

First Rehearsal: July 14th

2 Concerts: Friday, August 14th and Saturday, August 15th - 8:00pm (6:30pm call time)

Repertoire:

Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade

Stravinsky, Suite from The Firebird (1919)

Beethoven, Coriolan Overture

Thomas Green, Tom Pan, and Harry Yuan, Conductors

Sponsored by the Department of Music, the UC Summer Symphony is a fully student-run and supported ensemble that rehearses from July through August each summer and gives two public performances.

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 the 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, Nicholas Koo, Jane Kim, Jennifer Huang, and Jennifer Liu.

NOTE: Audition information is for Summer 2026 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 July. Returning Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 UCBSO members do NOT need to audition.

Summer 2026 audition tapes will be due Monday July 6th, at 11:59pm PDT for best consideration. If you wish to join the group after the audition deadline, you are welcome to check about availability. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Thomas Green (greent@berkeley.edu)

Audition Requirements (for best consideration, forms and videos are due by Monday, July 6 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.

  2. Fill out an audition form

  • Audition form HERE(link is external)

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

Final audition results will be sent by Friday, July 10th at the latest.

Audition Video Requirements (video due by Mon. 7/6 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 (see links at the bottom of the form)

  • 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 Su26 Audition – [Instrument]_[Last name]_[First name]

      • Ex: UCBSS Su26 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.

Orchestra Excerpts

Violin

1. Brahms – Symphony No. 1, 1st movement, mm 1-9.(PDF file)

2. Beethoven – Symphony No. 3, 3rd movement, beginning through 1st ending.(PDF file)

Viola

1. Shostakovich – Symphony No. 5, 1st movement, rehearsal 15 until 17.(PDF file)

2. Beethoven – Symphony No. 3, 3rd movement.(PDF file)

Cello

1. Mozart – Symphony No. 35, 1st movement(PDF file)

2. Beethoven – Symphony No. 3, 3rd movement.(PDF file)

Bass

1. Beethoven – Symphony No. 5, 2nd and 3rd movements, as indicated.(PDF file)

Flute

1. Beethoven – Leonore Overture No. 3, 328-360.(PDF file)

2. Ravel – Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2, rehearsal 176 – 2 after 179.(PDF file)

3. Mendelssohn – Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scherzo, 2 before P – end.(PDF file)

Oboe

1. Schubert – Symphony No. 9, 2nd movement, mm. 8-30.(PDF file)

2. Rossini – La Scala di Seta Overture, beginning until rehearsal 3.(PDF file)

3. Brahms – Violin Concerto, Mov. II, mm. 3-32.(PDF file)

Optional:Ravel – Le Tombeau de Couperin, 1st movement (Prelude), beginning through first ending.(PDF file)

Clarinet

1. Mozart – Clarinet Concerto, 1st movement, beginning of solo through m. 154.(PDF file)

(The Mozart may also be used as your prepared solo piece)

2. Beethoven – Symphony No. 8, 3rd movement, Trio (mm. 48-78).(PDF file)

Bassoon

1. Stravinsky – Firebird Suite, Berceuse, rehearsal number 1-8.(PDF file)

2. Rimsky-Korsakov – Scheherazade, 2nd movement, beginning to letter A.(PDF file)

3. Beethoven – Symphony No. 4, 4th movement, 184-190; 350-end.(PDF file)

French Horn

1. Mahler – Symphony No. 3, 1st movement, opening to rehearsal 2.(PDF file)

2. Brahms – Symphony No. 3, 3rd movement, letters B to C.(PDF file)

3. Shostakovich – Symphony No. 5, 1st movement, rehearsal 17-21.(PDF file)

For principal consideration:1. Shostakovich – Symphony No. 5, 1st movement, rehearsal 36-39.(PDF file)

2. Strauss – Till Eulenspiegel, beginning until rehearsal 1.(PDF file)

Trumpet

1. Mahler – Symphony No. 5, solo.(PDF file)

2. Mussorgsky/Ravel – Pictures at an Exhibition, opening solo.(PDF file)

3. Beethoven – Leonore Overture No. 3, trumpet call.(PDF file)

For principal consideration:1. Stravinsky – Petroushka, Dance of the Ballerina, rehearsal 69-70.(PDF file)

Trombone

1. Wagner – Die Walküre, Ride of the Walküres.(PDF file)

2. Rossini – La Gazza Ladra Overture, rehearsal F-G, rehearsal I – m. 442.(PDF file)

3. Wagner – Tannhäuser, Overture m. 378 – end.(PDF file)

4. Mozart – Requiem, No. 3, Tuba Mirum(PDF file)

Tuba

1. Wagner – Die Meistersinger, Prelude.(PDF file)

2. Wagner – Die Walküre, Ride of the Walküres.(PDF file)

Percussion

Please fill out an audition form and contact Marty Thenell at Martythenell(at)gmail(dot)com for excerpts. Also communicate with both Julieanna Guo (email above) Katherine Zhou (katherinezhou(at)berkeley(dot)edu) and Marty Thenell about in-person audition signup process or access to percussion instruments.

Piano

1. Bernstein – West Side Story, Mambo, mm. 404-437.(PDF file)

2. Copland – Appalachian Spring, rehearsal 6-14, 30-31.(PDF file)

Harp

1. Mahler – Symphony No. 5, Adagietto(PDF file)

2. Tchaikovsky – Nutcracker Suite, Waltz of Flowers