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Information on Joining Symphony North of Houston

Wind, Brass, Keyboard, or Percussion Players

If you are interested in joining Symphony North as a musician, and you are a wind, brass, keyboard, or percussion player, click on the Prospective Player Form button to submit your information to find out if there is an immediate need and to schedule an informal audition.

String Players

If you are a string player, click on the Prospective Player Form button to submit your information and schedule an informal audition. We are always looking for additional string players.

For your audition, please bring music that will display your technical ability and intonation. This is a very low-key, non-stressful interview, whose primary purpose is to help the Conductor determine seating within the section.

Protocol

We encourage first-time players to come to the first rehearsal for each concert for their audition.  This allows the conductor, the specific section leader (or designee), and another interested party to listen.  Then for that rehearsal the new musician will sit with the section leader so that they can better evaluate the newcomer’s ensemble playing ability.  A seating decision will be made at the end of that rehearsal, and the seating position will take effect at the following rehearsal.

For new musicians who come after the first rehearsal seating will automatically be assigned at the back of the section.  Seating placement will follow at the first rehearsal of the next concert.  This will most often apply to string players.

The exceptions to this protocol will be at the Conductor’s discretion, with general approval by the section leaders, or should the newcomer voluntarily choose to be placed at the back of the section.

Responsibilities

At the beginning of each season, orchestra members are asked to sign a pledge of financial responsibility, to take the utmost care of their folder and music.  Oftentimes the music is rented and quite expensive to the orchestra to replace if not returned promptly to the Music Publisher/Distributor.

As with any other volunteer organization in which members depend on each other, it is strongly encouraged, even expected, that each member will attend every rehearsal, to the best of their ability. Obviously, life happens, and attending rehearsal is not always possible.

Rehearsals are from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. most Mondays, and the Friday before each concert, according to the schedule on this website.

Dues

Orchestra members support the orchestra with yearly dues of $35 per person, $20 for students.  The dues help to cover the cost of music upkeep and orchestra folders.