UCBSO Audition Requirements

Membership in UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra (UCBSO) and UC Berkeley Philharmonia Orchestra (UCBPO) is by audition only, and is open to Berkeley students as well as community members. Auditions are held every fall and spring before each semester begins.

UCBSO Fall 2025 Syllabus (HERE)

UCBPO Fall 2025 Syllabus (HERE)

Fall 2025 auditions will consist of a pre-screening process, followed by an in-person interview. Your audition will be considered for both orchestras.

If you have any questions or concerns (including any deadline extensions), please contact Julieanna Guo at julieannaguo(at)berkeley(dot)edu.

Re-Audition Info:

ALL new and returning students need to re-audition. This includes those who were in Philharmonia Orchestra and wish to switch to Symphony Orchestra.

IMPORTANT: The deadlines listed below are for best consideration, but UCBSO accepts auditions at any time. For any form and video submissions turned in after the deadline, please contact Julieanna Guo for next steps.

New Member Pre-Screening (for best consideration, forms and videos are due by Wed. 8/20 at 11:59pm Pacific Time):

Auditions will still be accepted for remaining openings

  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 (https://www.cognitoforms.com/UCBSO1/UCBSOFall2025Auditions)

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

  3. You will hear back by Fri. 8/22 latest whether you are invited for an in-person interview.

    • If you submit forms and videos after 8/20, please contact Julieanna Guo for next steps. Note: Not all members may have an in-person interview to be accepted into either orchestra.

    • The following members should expect to have in-person interview:

      • All new members

      • All music majors, new and returning

      • Anyone else will be on a case-by-case basis

    • Final audition results will be sent after ALL in-person interviews are complete - by Weds. 8/27 evening at the latest, before the first UCBSO rehearsal Thurs. 8/28 evening.

Returning Member Pre-Screening (for best consideration, forms and videos are due by Fri. 8/22 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 (https://www.cognitoforms.com/UCBSO1/UCBSOFall2025AuditionsReturning)

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

  3. You will hear back by Fri. 8/22 latest whether you are invited for an in-person interview.

    • If you submit forms and videos after 8/22, please contact Julieanna Guo for next steps. Note: Not all members may have an in-person interview to be accepted into either orchestra.

    • The following members should expect to have in-person interview:

      • All music majors, new and returning

      • Anyone else will be on a case-by-case basis

    • Final audition results will be sent after ALL in-person interviews are complete - by Weds. 8/27 evening at the latest, before the first UCBSO rehearsal Thurs. 8/28 evening.

In-Person Interview (held Sun. 8/24 - Weds. 8/27):

  • If you are invited to an in-person interview, you will receive an email by Fri. 8/22 at latest with a link to sign up for a time slot

    • All in-person interviews are held in Morrison Hall - room 102.
  • Members may or may not be invited to an in-person interview to be accepted. You will be notified if an in-person interview is not needed by Fri. 8/22 at latest.
  • Final audition results will be sent after ALL in-person interviews are complete - by Weds. 8/27 evening at latest, before the first UCBSO rehearsal Thurs. 8/28 evening.
  • For any auditions after 8/22, please contact Julieanna Guo for next steps.

NOTE: The first rehearsal for UCBSO is Thurs. 8/28, 7:30-10:00pm in Hertz Hall. The first rehearsal for Philharmonia Orchestra is Weds. 9/3, 8:00-10:00pm in Hertz Hall.

Audition Video Requirements:

  • 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: as listed below (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 in this format:
      • UCBSO Fa25 Audition - [Instrument]_[Last Name]_[First name]
      • Ex: UCBSO Fa25 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.
2. Beethoven – Symphony No. 3, 3rd movement, beginning through 1st ending.

Viola

1. Shostakovich – Symphony No. 5, 1st movement, rehearsal 15 until 17.
2. Beethoven – Symphony No. 3, 3rd movement.

Cello

1. Mozart – Symphony No. 35, 1st movement
2. Beethoven – Symphony No. 3, 3rd movement.

Bass

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

Flute

1. Beethoven – Leonore Overture No. 3, 328-360.
2. Ravel – Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2, rehearsal 176 – 2 after 179.
3. Mendelssohn – Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scherzo, 2 before P – end.

Oboe

1. Schubert – Symphony No. 9, 2nd movement, mm. 8-30.
2. Rossini – La Scala di Seta Overture, beginning until rehearsal 3.
3. Brahms – Violin Concerto, Mov. II, mm. 3-32.

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

Clarinet

1. Mozart – Clarinet Concerto, 1st movement, beginning of solo through m. 154.
(The Mozart may also be used as your prepared solo piece)
2. Beethoven – Symphony No. 8, 3rd movement, Trio (mm. 48-78).

Bassoon

1. Stravinsky – Firebird Suite, Berceuse, rehearsal number 1-8.
2. Rimsky-Korsakov – Scheherazade, 2nd movement, beginning to letter A.
3. Beethoven – Symphony No. 4, 4th movement, 184-190; 350-end.

French Horn

1. Mahler – Symphony No. 3, 1st movement, opening to rehearsal 2.
2. Brahms – Symphony No. 3, 3rd movement, letters B to C.
3. Shostakovich – Symphony No. 5, 1st movement, rehearsal 17-21.

For principal consideration:
1. Shostakovich – Symphony No. 5, 1st movement, rehearsal 36-39.
2. Strauss – Till Eulenspiegel, beginning until rehearsal 1.

Trumpet

1. Mahler – Symphony No. 5, solo.
2. Mussorgsky/Ravel – Pictures at an Exhibition, opening solo.
3. Beethoven – Leonore Overture No. 3, trumpet call.

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

Trombone

1. Wagner – Die Walküre, Ride of the Walküres.
2. Rossini – La Gazza Ladra Overture, rehearsal F-G, rehearsal I – m. 442.
3. Wagner – Tannhäuser, Overture m. 378 – end.
4. Mozart – Requiem, No. 3, Tuba Mirum.

Tuba

1. Wagner – Die Meistersinger, Prelude.
2. Wagner – Die Walküre, Ride of the Walküres.

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.
2. Copland – Appalachian Spring, rehearsal 6-14, 30-31.

Harp

1. Mahler – Symphony No. 5, Adagietto
2. Tchaikovsky – Nutcracker Suite, Waltz of Flowers