THE ORCHESTRA
The Pioneer Valley Symphony is comprised of 70-90 incredibly talented volunteers and professionals from across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Directed by Maestro Tianhui Ng, they perform repertoire ranging from beloved classics to pops, to regional and world premieres, the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra offers wonderful opportunities for passionate instrumentalists to perform great works.
CALL FOR INSTRUMENTALISTS
The Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra is growing our roster of permanent and substitute musicians. Auditions are held on a rolling basis on Wednesday evenings in Northampton beginning August 31st. Musicians may perform any music of their choice, up to 8 minutes total. Ideally, selections should include two excerpts from contrasting works from either solo or orchestral repertoire that demonstrate both technical facility and musicianship. Applicants will also be asked to sight-read. Anyone intending to play more than one instrument must audition on all instruments.
To audition, contact Personnel Manager TL LaFleur at TL@pvso.org.
AUDITIONS
The PVS Orchestra is serious… Serious about classical music, serious about a quality performance, and serious about having fun! It is this atmosphere that attracts many incredibly talented instrumentalists from across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
Membership in the PVS Orchestra is open to qualified musicians willing to make a commitment to perform with us throughout the season. We accept inquiries throughout the year from instrumentalists interested in joining the PVS Orchestra. To learn more or express interest, please email your name, contact information, and a resume or brief description of your musical background to our personnel manager at personnel@pvso.org.
All new members must audition. Auditions are informal and brief, lasting at most 15 minutes. Applicants may perform any music of their choice. Ideally, their choices should include two short selections from contrasting works–fast and slow, from either solo or orchestral repertoire–that demonstrate both technical facility and musicianship. Applicants will also be asked to sight-read a piece of music.
Anyone intending to play more than one instrument must audition on all instruments. The personnel manager will arrange the time for the audition and assemble an audition panel consisting of the music director, section principals, and other interested musicians. The audition will be run by the pertinent section principal, who will choose the sight-reading selection and make copies available to the audition panel. Following the audition, the panel will privately discuss the audition and come to a consensus on whether the applicant should be accepted as a member
REHEARSALS
Generally, the orchestra presents five Saturday-evening concerts from October–May. During concert weeks, in addition to the Wednesday evening technical rehearsal, there is a Friday evening dress rehearsal the night before the concert, although this is subject to change.
Announcements about changes will be made via email or at rehearsals.
Attendance of instrumentalists at all rehearsals is vitally important. As a general rule, instrumentalists should miss no more than one rehearsal in a short concert cycle or three rehearsals in a long cycle. If it is necessary to miss a rehearsal, please contact the personnel manager in advance. If you have unusual circumstances that affect your attendance, you should consult with the conductor.