Audition signups for 24/25 are now closed. If you are interested in auditioning, please contact the ASO office at aso@youraso.org.
Become a member of your Anchorage Symphony Orchestra! Auditions for the Anchorage Symphony will be held September 3rd & 4th, 2024 at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.
OPENINGS FOR PERMANENT POSITIONS:
Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Assistant Principal Violin II, Assistant Principal Viola, Cello, Principal Flute, Flute II (if needed), Principal Oboe, Oboe II (if needed), 2nd Horn, 4th Horn, Principal Trombone, Trombone II, Bass Trombone, and Principal Harp.
SUBSTITUTE POSITIONS: Musicians interested in substitute positions for any orchestral instrument are welcome to audition.
A link to the required excerpts can be found below. Please note: if you are auditioning for a titled chair, review the excerpt cover page for all requirements.
How to schedule: When you are ready to schedule your audition, click the button below and complete the audition application. You will then be contacted within 3 business days with your audition time. Wind players who double on auxiliary instruments (piccolo, english horn, etc.) should audition on both instruments. This fact should be mentioned when making audition appointments to allow adequate time (2 audition periods). (Sept 3 - Winds & Brass; Sept 4 - Strings, Percussion, Piano and Harp)
Approximately 80 orchestra musicians are required for each of the five Classic Concerts scheduled this season. In addition, the ASO will perform Pops Concerts, the Anchorage Concert Association’s production of The Nutcracker, Young People’s Concerts, a Family Concert, and a Free Neighborhood Concert.
Musician’s Availability
Decisions concerning membership in the orchestra and seating will be made primarily on musical grounds; however, because having the same musicians for every concert is essential to maintaining and improving the orchestra’s artistic quality, musicians’ availability will also be considered.
The Audition Form includes a space for you to indicate any major schedule conflicts you know of at the time of auditions. It will be assumed that by accepting a position in the orchestra following auditions, a player is available the entire season barring major unforeseen circumstances such as illness, etc. If there are reasons why you would not be available for all services (rehearsals and performances) in the season, they should be noted on the Audition Form and discussed with the Music Director, Personnel Manager, and Audition Committee at the time of the audition.
Audition Results
Those auditioning will be notified of the results as soon as possible. The names of those qualified musicians for whom there isn’t an immediate place in the orchestra will be placed on the Substitute List if a temporary or permanent vacancy occurs during the season. Should a temporary vacancy occur, a tenured musician from the section may be advanced to fill the vacant chair or the chair may be filled with a qualified musician from the substitute list.
Tenure Policy
Musicians can become tenured members of the ASO by auditioning and successfully completing a one-season probationary period. Musicians must audition for the Music Director to become tenured members of the ASO. It is the responsibility of the Music Director, in consultation with the Audition Committee, to determine who is qualified to be considered for tenure. The final decision for selecting those to be considered for tenure is the Music Director’s. Once granted tenure, a musician retains tenure until he/she resigns from the ASO, or tenure is taken away in accordance with the Tenure Review Policy detailed in the ASO Players’ Personnel Policies.
Pay Scale
ASO Musicians are paid on a per-service basis. Current service pay is $84 for principal players and $72 for section musicians. ASO Musicians are independent contractors and not employees of the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra. The ASO does not file any payroll taxes on behalf of musicians and does not provide health, instrument, or Workers’ Compensation insurance for musicians.
If you have questions, please call us at 274-8668 or email ASO@YourASO.org.
