In order to guarantee an honest selection for the restricted number of empty places, we organise auditions at the beginning of each academic year. Don’t let this scare you: a good basic command of your instrument is usually enough.
What is expected from you on the auditions?
Everyone is asked to perform a prepared piece of their own choice. Choose the solo piece wisely so that it shows your technical and lyrical abilities in a couple of minutes. Make sure it reflects your current level. That way the jury can evaluate your abilities and the required techniques for the orchestral programme more easily. It is not important whether the piece is written for solo instrument, or needs accompaniment (which can not be provided). The jury will only listen for approx. 5 minutes, because of the time restricts for each candidate.
Besides the solo piece, the candidate needs to prepare an excerpt from an orchestra work.
Who decides?
The enactments of the USO state that the auditions are held by the conductor, the concertmaster and the captain of your instrument section. At the auditions of the winds and strings, all of the captains of the respective section will be present. The president of the board is present as well, but doesn’t have an influence on the decision.
Who can join?
Everyone who is a full time (phd-)student at a university or university college of the association Catholic University of Leuven and is admitted based on the audition, becomes a member of the USO. As long as you remain a student at the KU Leuven association, you can remain a member of the USO.
The only exceptions are the music students at LUCA, since they have their own opportunities in their education.
Music students at LUCA and other musicians (students from other colleges and universities or even non-students) are recruited for the duration of a program or the duration of a working year. Students of the KU Leuven association, excluding students of music at LUCA, are therefore always given priority.
Because of the specific instrumentation of our orchestra, it could be that there is no empty spot for you. Sometimes candidates have to come back next year and try again with more luck. These are the instruments we take auditions for:
Violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba.
When do I know the result of my audition?
You will hear the results of the auditions as soon as possible via e-mail or phone. If you haven’t been selected, you can always ask the conductor, the concert master or the captain of your instrument section for feedback.
Note
Double bass players who are interested in joining, but are not able to bring their bass to the auditions, can contact us beforehand. We will provide an instrument for you. Other musicians of course bring their own instruments.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact any of the board members. Their information can be found on the page ‘Contact’. Also, feel free to contact our concertmaster at concertmeester@usoleuven.be.
