How to Audition
All musicians interested in playing with the LSO must audition, even those who have played with us before.
Admission to the LSO is decided by the music director, in consultation with the executive committee, and preference is given to those who have played with the orchestra in the past, those with a clear life sciences affiliation, and those whose playing ability meets our standards. Please see the FAQ for further information about the criteria for membership and make sure you have completed our Prospective Member form if you have not auditioned for or played with the LSO in the past year. All members pay dues of $75 for faculty/staff/alumni or $50 for students, for the year.
For your audition, please prepare two items:
- A brief piece that showcases your playing ability best, such as a movement from a concerto or sonata, or another suitable work.
- The required excerpt for your instrument, AVAILABLE BELOW.
Make sure the piece you select to perform contrasts with the required excerpt for your instrument!
Audition slots are 7 minutes long, and those interested in first chair may be asked to sight read an excerpt. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your appointed time to check in and warm up in the designated room. If you find that you cannot make your audition time, it is your responsibility to let us know and to arrange another time if we can accommodate it.
Auditions will be held at the School of Music (Earl V. Moore) building on North Campus. When you arrive, go to the upper doors of the Moore building, near the sculpture of the two heads. A member of the LSO Committee will just outside or inside the door. You must check in with them before proceeding to the warm-up room.
Click here to sign up for an audition spot
COVID-19 Guidelines
Before arriving for your audition, you MUST complete the ResponsiBlue screening for faculty/staff/students or unaffiliated guests. (Alumni and retirees please use the guest form unless you have a current faculty/staff appointment or are currently enrolled for credit as a student.) Please show your ResponsiBlue status to us on your phone or a printout when you arrive. If your ResponsiBlue does not yet show a VERIFIED vaccination status for COVID (i.e. you are not currently faculty/staff/student or you are new to campus and your vaccination information has not yet been verified), please be prepared to show a vaccination card or proof of vaccination via an app such as your patient portal from your health care provider.
The LSO will follow Michigan Medicine and SMTD COVID-19 protocols.
All are marked notes at the top indicating starting and ending points. No repeats should be taken.
Rehearsals
All regular rehearsals are Sundays from 7:00-9:30 pm at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance’s Kevreson Rehearsal Hall (accessible via the new entrance of the Earl V. Moore Building), unless otherwise noted. Please arrive at 6:45 pm to set up and warm up.
IMPORTANT: We are following U-M COVID guidance for musical ensembles and expect all members to cooperate or face dismissal from the LSO
- Everyone must complete the ResponsiBlue symptom/contact screening before arrival each week.
- Do not come to rehearsal if you are feeling under the weather.
- String players may sit together as normal; woodwinds and brass players should each sit 3 feet apart from all others.
- You must wear a mask when inside the building except to drink water. (We won’t have snacks at rehearsals this semester.)
- Woodwinds and brass may remove their masks when playing but should put them on during extended rests and when not playing.
- All woodwinds/brass must use bell covers except flutes/piccolos.
If you know in advance that you will need to miss a rehearsal, please email the date to [email protected] as soon as you know your plans. You should also send a message to that address about any unplanned absences. All musicians must make every effort to attend all rehearsals this fall. Keep in mind that after three absences for any reason, your participation in the LSO concert will be at the discretion of the music director.
NI-5E06, NIB
300 North Ingalls
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5470
