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Seating Auditions

Strings in PS, and strings, winds & brass in PSP, will be required to take a seating audition at the beginning of each season. Auditions typically happen during regular scheduled rehearsals. 2023-24 seating auditions will be held on Saturdays, September 16 & September 23. PS string players will be asked to prepare orchestral excerpts drawn from the current repertoire and chosen by the conductors. Links to the excerpts are available on this page. PSP musicians should prepare a solo or concerto of your choice for your seating audition.

Philadelphia Sinfonia Players

STRINGS: September 16 & 23, 9:50 AM-12:00 PM
September 16: Violin & Viola
September 23: Cello & Bass

• All strings MUST take a seating audition.
• You should be prepared to play a concerto/solo of your choice (no longer than five minutes).
• Anyone who does not take a seating audition will be placed at the end of their section.

WOODWIND/BRASS: September 16, 11:30 AM-1:00 PM (please note extended time)

• All woodwinds & brass MUST take a seating audition.
• You should be prepared to play a concerto/solo of your choice (no longer than five minutes).
• The conductor distributes part assignments (woodwind & brass sections will rotate parts).

Philadelphia Sinfonia

STRINGS: September 16 & 23, 2:50 PM-5:30 PM
September 16: Violin & Viola
September 23: Cello & Bass, & any remaining Violin & Viola

AUDITION EXCERPTS AND INSTRUCTIONS:
All seating audition excerpts & instructions can be found by following this link.

Philadelphia Sinfonia Association Seating Philosophy 

Our goal when assigning seats is to create the best possible sound for each section while giving our members the best possible experience. This is accomplished by having our PS string players, and PSP string, wind and brass players, take a seating audition at the beginning of each season. The results of the seating audition should not be interpreted as a ranking of our players from strongest to least experienced; rather the more experienced players are spread throughout the section and may be paired with players who are less experienced. This encourages a depth of richness to Sinfonia’s orchestral sound and creates an even and strong string section from back to front – one reason Sinfonia has always had such a mature sound.

This model is based upon a professional orchestra situation in which having a strong, even section from back to front is critical. Every player is an important, vital, and valued part of our orchestra whether in the front, middle, or back. All work together to create the mature sound that Sinfonia has come to be known for.