Getting into a professional orchestra is extremely competitive and requires immense talent, dedication, and perseverance. Only the top musicians with impeccable technique and artistry make it to the elite level of playing in a major symphony orchestra or opera orchestra. It’s a long and difficult journey, but reaching the pinnacle of the orchestral world is an incredible achievement.
What are the requirements to get into an orchestra?
The basic requirements to get into an orchestra include:
- Extensive training on your instrument, usually starting at a very young age
- A degree from a top conservatory or music school
- Winning demanding auditions against other elite players
- Having a stand-out talent for sight reading and learning music quickly
- Being able to play perfectly in tune and with impeccable rhythm
- Having a compelling musical personality and stage presence
- Being able to take direction and work collaboratively
- Being able to endure the physical demands of playing an instrument for long periods
Beyond just technical ability, orchestras also look for players with exceptional artistry, passion, and musicality. It’s not enough to simply play the right notes – you have to play with nuance, emotion, and stylistic understanding. The competition is fierce enough that just being good is rarely good enough.
How much training is required?
Gaining entry into a professional orchestra requires extensive training, usually starting at a very young age. Here’s a look at the typical training trajectory:
- Early childhood: Begin studying instrument with a private teacher, usually around ages 5-7.
- Late childhood: Continued private lessons and participation in school ensembles and youth orchestras.
- Teenage years: Intensive dedication to practice and performing. Possible attendance at arts high school or conservatory prep program.
- Early adulthood: Attendance at top conservatory to earn Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in music performance. Training with renowned teachers.
- Early career: Winning a paid orchestra job through demanding auditions. Continued practicing and performing. Possible continued schooling for Doctorate.
From a very young age, prospective orchestral musicians dedicate enormous time to practicing in order to perfect their technique. The most competitive candidates begin specialized training before age 10. They spend hours each day with intense, focused practice. This level of diligence continues through college and into their professional careers.
How competitive are orchestra auditions?
Winning a job in an orchestra is incredibly competitive. Open positions attract hundreds of applicants from all over the world. Candidates must go through a rigorous audition process consisting of several demanding rounds.
Here’s an overview of how competitive professional orchestra auditions typically are:
- For each open position, there may be 200-500 applicants
- First auditions round is blind – candidates play behind a screen
- Typically 5-20 candidates are selected from the initial round to advance
- Advancing rounds are performed on stage without a screen
- Final round may require playing full concerto or repertoire list with accompaniment
- 1-2 musicians will win the open position(s)
With so many top-notch musicians vying for just a few coveted spots, the audition process is mentally and physically grueling. Candidates often spend months preparing for auditions. The pressure is incredibly intense. Only the best of the best make it through the hyper-competitive audition gauntlet to win a seat in a professional orchestra.
What are audition requirements?
Orchestra auditions involve playing very challenging excerpts of major orchestral works. Candidates are judged on their technical mastery, musicality, and ability to fit into the orchestra’s sound. Here are some key components of auditions:
- Candidates choose excerpts from a list provided by the orchestra. The list covers major repertoire.
- Excerpts are several minutes long and test tricky techniques. Famous examples include the opening of Brahms Symphony No. 1, Ravel’s Bolero, and solos from The Rite of Spring.
- Judges listen for things like tone quality, intonation, accuracy, phrasing, and style. Blending is crucial.
- Later audition rounds may require performing major concertos or chamber works to showcase breadth of skill.
- Some auditions involve demonstrating sight reading skills by playing a new piece on the spot.
- Playing from memory and perfectly the first time is essential – retries are not allowed.
Preparing for auditions takes months of intense practice on excerpts. Candidates need to know the repertoire perfectly and be able to play it flawlessly under pressure. Just one minor mistake can eliminate someone from contention immediately. Auditions require not just advanced skills but also mental toughness.
How much do orchestra musicians get paid?
Salaries for professional orchestra musicians vary widely. Pay is determined by the size and status of the orchestra as well as the musician’s role. Here are some salary ranges:
- Leading musicians in top-tier orchestras like the New York Philharmonic or Chicago Symphony Orchestra make $200,000-$300,000 per year.
- Major symphony orchestra musicians typically make $60,000-$150,000 annually.
- Regional orchestra salaries average $30,000-$70,000 but can be as low as $15,000 for newer ensembles.
- Entry-level positions pay around the high five figures. Players negotiate gradual salary increases.
- Section principals who lead the first violins or brass sections earn more.
- Permanent orchestra members earn significantly more than temporary “sub” players.
In addition to their orchestra salaries, musicians can supplement their incomes with teaching, chamber music performances, freelance gigs, and summer festival work. Overall, becoming an orchestral musician takes tremendous effort but can lead to solid pay at the top level.
How much does orchestra size matter?
There are over 1,200 professional orchestras in the United States. They range from the “Big Five” orchestras in major cities to smaller regional and community ensembles. Orchestra size has a big impact on factors like competitiveness, pay, and the types of music performed. Some key differences based on orchestra size:
Major Symphony Orchestras | Mid-Size Orchestras | Community Orchestras | |
---|---|---|---|
Musicians | 80-110 | 50-80 | 15-50 |
Audition Competitiveness | Extremely High | High | Moderate |
Pay Scale | $60k-$300k | $30k-$70k | $15k-$30k |
Repertoire Difficulty | Very Complex | Mix of Complex & Medium | Mostly Medium |
Concerts Per Year | 100-200 | 50-100 | 10-50 |
The most prestigious seats are in major orchestras like the New York Philharmonic with large budgets, high salaries, frequent concerts, and very rigorous auditions. Smaller regional and community groups provide more accessible options for amateur musicians.
What are the steps to prepare for auditions?
Preparing for orchestral auditions is an intense process. Here are some tips for getting ready:
- Start preparing 1-2 years in advance. It takes that much time to polish the required repertoire.
- Obtain audition repertoire lists from any orchestras you plan to apply to. Study the lists carefully.
- Be strategic about which excerpts you prepare. Prioritize frequently requested works.
- Break excerpts into small sections and master each section slowly. Increase speed gradually.
- Practice excerpts above performance tempo so the actual tempo feels comfortable.
- Mock auditions are essential. Have your teacher or colleagues listen and give feedback.
- Analyze recordings to determine the orchestra’s style, tradition and favored interpretations.
- Focus intensely on intonation, tone quality, phrasing and musicality.
- Build physical and mental stamina. Audition days are marathon events.
With rigorous preparation and persistent practicing, you can develop the polished performances required to pass these demanding auditions. But it takes major commitment over an extended period.
What if you don’t win an audition?
Given the extreme competitiveness for orchestra jobs, most musicians will face rejection during auditions. Not winning a particular audition doesn’t mean you should give up on an orchestral career. Here are some tips for moving forward:
- Get feedback from the judges and your teacher about areas for improvement.
- Continue practicing diligently and enter more auditions. Persistence is key.
- Consider taking lessons from teachers who specialize in auditions preparation.
- Enter competitions to gain experience competing under pressure.
- Join mock audition workshops to simulate real audition scenarios.
- Consider taking a non-orchestra job while continuing to audition, such as teaching private lessons.
- Expand your freelancing work as a chamber/studio musician.
- Volunteer with community groups to gain ensemble experience and make connections.
While an orchestra career requires major determination in the face of setbacks, keep striving to master your craft. With focused improvement in key areas, you may be able to achieve your goal with time and perseverance.
How can you increase your chances of winning auditions?
Maximizing your odds of winning highly competitive orchestra jobs involves thorough preparation and strategic focus. Consider these tips:
- Fix inconsistent passages: Identify weak spots in your playing and drill them relentlessly until they are 100% solid.
- Refine your sound: Listen to recordings and adjust your tone, articulation, bowing etc. to match the orchestra’s style.
- Isolate problem ranges: Many excerpts test specific technical challenges like high notes or fast passages. Isolate and conquer them.
- Simulate real conditions: Practice performing mock auditions from memory under time constraints to build mental toughness.
- Strategize your repertoire: Research trends in requested works and heavily prepare pieces that get requested frequently.
- Obsess over intonation: Orchestras demand impeccable pitch. Drill minor adjustments until each note locks in perfectly.
- Master audition rituals: Streamline your pacing, unpacking, bowing, and entrance rituals so you can execute them flawlessly under pressure.
- Showcase your strengths: Select excerpts featuring passages you can play with special artistry or flair to stand out.
With rigorous, strategic preparation and continuously refined skills, you can prove to judges that you have what it takes to contribute to their elite ensemble and edge out the fierce competition.
Conclusion
Getting into a professional orchestra is extremely difficult and competitive. Only the most dedicated and gifted musicians achieve this goal after years of intensive study and practice. A successful audition requires technical mastery, compelling artistry, and mental toughness. Candidates who strategically prepare the audition repertoire and showcase their strengths have the best chance of winning one of these coveted positions. While rejection is common, perseverance and continuous improvement will help talented orchestra hopefuls beat the odds and achieve their dream job. With rigorous preparation, the opportunity to take the stage with an elite ensemble awaits.