Orchestras

Symphony Orchestra Auditions

CUSO Concerto / Aria Competition

I. Eligibility

        A. Age—The competition is open to Clemson University students. University students must be enrolled full-time during the fall 2024 term. Winners from previous Clemson University Orchestra Concerto Competitions are ineligible to apply.

        B. Winner(s)—One or two performers will be selected to perform with the orchestra. Winners must perform the audition work. In the event a winner is unable to fulfill their obligations, the finalist awarded Honorable Mention will be invited to perform if at all possible. Winner(s) will also receive a $200 scholarship award.

        C. Music—Applicants may submit any work, pending availability of the music and feasibility of its performance as determined by the conductor of the Clemson University Symphony Orchestra. The conductor must approve the work before an application and recording are submitted (see below). The following works are acceptable:

​                1. Instrumentalists—any single-movement work or one movement of a multi-movement work. If the movement is quite short, an additional movement may be entered, pending approval by the conductor.

                2. Vocalists—an aria (or comparable work) that has an available orchestration. If the aria is quite short, an additional aria may be entered, pending approval by the conductor.

II. Application Procedure

​Applications and supporting materials are now handled only electronically.

Applicants must receive approval for a selected competition work before submitting an application. Complete a Repertoire Request Form online by the end of the day on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The approval process is necessary to protect the applicant from preparing a work that is inappropriate for this competition.

The application form and recording of the competition work must be received by the end of the day on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. The student must play the entire work with piano accompaniment on the recording, or the application will not be accepted. Hard copies of the application and/or recording are no longer accepted. Audio recordings may be posted online or sent via email (the latter as an MP3 file). Video recordings can only be posted online, since video files are too big to send via email. Online submissions can be posted to YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, or other such sites. If an online submission requires authentication, make sure to include the password in the application form.

From these recordings, a competition panel will select up to 7 finalists.  All entrants will be notified regarding their finalist status no later than December 5, 2024. NOTE: It is to the applicant’s advantage to make a fine quality recording. If a stereo recorder is used, place the soloist and accompanist on separate channels. If a monophonic (one channel) recorder is used, place the soloist closer to the microphone than the accompanist; this is especially important for piano soloists. Make sure the soloist is heard much more strongly than the accompaniment. A poor-quality recording may disqualify the entrant if the soloist cannot be heard clearly. No audio manipulation (e.g., edits or reverb) is allowed; signing the application acknowledges that no such manipulation has been applied.

Finalists will audition before two judges on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Auditions will be held in room 117 in the Brooks Center at Clemson University and are open to the public. Soloists are not required to play the audition or performance by memory. Also, the audition must be accompanied by a pianist (who will not be provided). Orchestral tuttis should be shortened. And because this competition is an educational experience, judges’ comments will be provided to all finalists after they perform. The winner(s) will be announced at the conclusion of the finals and later that evening via email.

III. Rehearsals and Performance

​The winner(s) will perform with the Clemson University Symphony Orchestra on April 8, 2025. Orchestra rehearsals occur on Mondays from 7-8 p.m. and Thursdays from 4:45 to 6:45 p.m. Preparation for this concert begins January 25, 2024. The conductor will contact the soloist(s) regarding their actual rehearsal times soon after the finals. The soloist(s) should be prepared to participate in at least three rehearsals, one of which is the dress rehearsal on Monday, April 7, 2025 (7-9 p.m.). Rehearsals take place in room 112, whereas the dress rehearsal and concert will be on the Brooks Center stage.

IV. Other Information

A. If you have any questions, contact the conductor via email.

B. All dates and rules are firm. In fairness to all applicants, strict adherence to all rules—especially to the dates—is essential.

C. All decisions made by the conductor and the judges are final.

​Tuesday, November 5 -- Approval of competition work must be requested

Tuesday, November 19 --  Application package must be submitted

Thursday, December 5 -- Finalists will be announced and can sign up for an audition time

Tuesday, January 21 -- Finalists perform - Open to the public: 6:30 p.m.

Monday, January 27-- Rehearsals begin

Mon. April 7 -- Dress rehearsal: 7:00 – 9:30 p.m., Brooks Theatre

Tue, April 8 -- ​Concert: 7:30 p.m., Brooks Theatre

V. Forms

​A. Repertoire Request Form

B. Application Form

D. Competition Information Request Form

Frequently Asked Questions:

​What if orchestra conflicts with another class time?​

Sometimes you won't have a choice, and a class will conflict with orchestra rehearsal time. But don't give up hope! First, try to get into another section of the course or find a different lab time. If that doesn't work, contact the conductor directly. If we can come up with a solution, we can sign an override form, and you can play in the orchestra. 

What if the class conflict is with a Common Exam? You can't work around that, can you?

Actually, YES, we can work around that! Even though the Chemistry Common Exam and Monday evening rehearsals are in direct conflict, we have made a special arrangement with the Chemistry Department whereby orchestra members take the test at an alternate time. Please get in touch with the conductor if you think you might have a conflict.

Can you receive General Education credit for playing in orchestra?

Yes! Take three semesters of orchestra, and it will count as your Humanities Non-Literature requirement in General Education. 

Can I minor in music?

Yes, you can, but you must formally change it with the University before you start junior year. The major comprises four semesters of lessons and four semesters of large ensemble. Add to that Music Theory and Aural Skills I (MUSC 1420 and 1430), a Music History course (MUSC 4150 or 4160) and one 3xxx or 4xxx MUSC course. Visit the Music Minor page for more information.

What do I wear for orchestra concerts?

Concert black: long sleeves, skirt/dress or pants, black socks or stockings, closed-toed black dress shoes. No denim or sneakers.