Those who pass the preliminary MP3 audition will receive an email by September 21, 2026, with instructions for completing the video audition and an informational form, as well as a link for upload.
Invitations to participate in the 2026 New York String Orchestra Seminar and seating assignments will be based on this invitation-only video.
NOTE: 2026 Video audition information will be posted in late spring 2026 and will include standard orchestral excerpts for each instrument, as well as excerpts selected from the 2026 repertoire:
Barber: Violin Concerto, Op. 14 (1939–1940)
Beethoven: Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus (1800–1801)
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major (1806)
Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93 (1812)
Coleman: Umoja—Anthem of Unity for Orchestra (2019)
Strauss: Overture to Die Fledermaus (1874)
Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919)—second version
Vaugh-Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (1910)
Our thanks to Luck's Music Library for permission to share these excerpts. NOTE: These are available for download for your use and reference, but you may use other editions if you choose.
- You must submit a single video of the pieces, either played in one take in the listed order or with solo works in recorded in one take and orchestral excerpts in another; however, the two takes must be edited into a single video before submission.
Works must be played in the order listed, and you may not turn the
camera off between excerpts, though you may take a moment between to
prepare yourself (leaving the camera running).
- Video auditions must be unaccompanied.
- Do not take repeats in any of the listed repertoire.
- Rests within an excerpt should not be counted over three bars.
- The
video audition should be between 10 and 15 minutes, including pauses
between works. For this reason, we recommend that you base your solo
work on the amount of time it takes you to play your assigned excerpts.
Keep in mind that this is an orchestral program. The deciding factor
between two players of equal merit is the level of preparation and
execution of the repertoire excerpts. Preparation of these excerpts
should be as meticulous as the preparation of the
applicant's chosen solo works.
We strongly recommend that you become familiar with the complete
instrumental part for each work from which excerpts have been assigned.
In some cases, the music is in the public domain, but if not, it is
worth a visit to the library or the expense of
purchasing a part in order to be well prepared. We also recommend listening to recordings. Follow nysosseminar on Instagram for updates and tips.
Your private teacher is a valuable resource. Be sure to ask for their assistance as you prepare.
Remember: If you simply
prepare the excerpt download and do not familiarize yourself further
with the piece (looking at a score, acquiring a complete part, or even
listening to a recording to familiarize yourself with the work, so that
you
can play your excerpts with knowledge of context), your
audition may not be competitive.
Violin 1—link to 2025 excerpts (PDF)
- Mozart: Concerto of choice, exposition of the first movement
- Exposition of the first movement of a contrasting work of your choice
- Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
- Mvt 1: beginning - bar 110
- Mvt 2: beginning - Letter A
- Mvt 4: bar 22 - bar 53
- Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
- Beginning - bar 7
- Bar 236 - Bar 252
- Mozart: Symphony No. 40
- Movement 2: beginning - bar 20
- Elgar: Introduction and Allegro
- No. 11 - No. 12
- No. 13 - No. 15
Viola—link to 2025 excerpts (PDF)
- J. S. Bach: One movement of choice from any suite for solo viola
- Exposition of the first movement of a contrasting concerto of choice
- Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
- Mvt 1: bar 87 - bar 124
- Mvt 1: bar 210b - bar 246
- Mvt 2: beginning - bar 35
- Mvt 4: bar 34 - bar 53
- Mvt 4: bar 166 - bar 195
- Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
- Beginning - Bar 7
- Bar 12 - Bar 24
- Elgar: Introduction and Allegro
- No. 11 - No. 15
- 2 bars before No. 16 - 1 bar before No. 19
Cello—link to 2025 excerpts (PDF)
- Haydn: Exposition of either C Major or D Major Cello Concerto (do not include cadenza)
- Exposition of the first movement of a contrasting concerto of choice
- Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
- Mvt 1: bar 25 - bar 51
- Mvt 2: bar 96 - end
- Mvt 4: bar 30 - bar 53
- Mvt 4: bar 166 - bar 180
- Mvt 4: bar 196 - bar 204
- Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
- Elgar: Introduction and Allegro
- First 4 bars
- No. 11 - 14
- 4 bars before No. 16 - 1 bar after No. 19
Bass—link to 2025 excerpts (PDF)
- J. S. Bach: Solo cello suite of choice—one dance movement
- Contrasting concerto of choice—exposition of the first movement; no cadenza
- Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
- Bar 152 - bar 172 (Letter D)
- Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
- Mvt 1: bar 41 - downbeat of bar 91
- Mozart: Symphony No. 40
- Mvt 4: pickup to bar 29 - bar 70 (Letter A)
- Mvt 4: bar 219 - bar 246 (Letter F)
Flute 1—link to 2025 excerpts (PDF)
- J. S. Bach: Work of choice
- Contrasting solo work of choice
- Mendelssohn: Midsummer Night's Dream, scherzo (solo at the end)
- Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
- Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
- Movement 1: letter D to 2nd bar of letter E
- Movement 2: beginning to letter A
- Movement 4: beginning to m. 35
Oboe 1—link to 2025 excerpts (PDF)
- J. S. Bach: solo work of choice
- Contrasting solo work of choice
- Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
- Mozart: Symphony No. 40
- Movement 3: Entire Trio mm. 6 - 42 (no repeats)
- Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27, K. 595
- Movement 1: mm. 228 - 239
- Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
- Movement 2: mm. 1 - 27
- Movement 4: mm. 84 - 162 (omit long rests)
- Dvořák: Violin Concerto
- Movement 1: 6 measures after letter D to 1 measure after letter E
- Movement 2: 6 measures after letter N to 13 measures after letter O
Clarinet 1 - link to 2025 excerpts (PDF)
- Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, Mvt 1 exposition
- Contrasting solo work of your choice
- Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian) [Clarinet in A]
- Movement 2: Letter A to Letter B
- Movement 4: Bars 12-1st 2 beats of 26
- Movement 4: Final 10 bars
- Mozart: Symphony 40
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 6
- Movement 1: 2 before K - end of solo
- Movement 2: 1 before D - m. 78
Bassoon 1—link to 2025 excerpts (PDF)
- Mozart: Bassoon Concerto, K. 191, Movement 1, exposition, m. 35 - m. 71
- Contrasting movement from a concerto, sonata, or work for bassoon alone (or étude) of your choice (5 minutes maximum)
- Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
- mm. 101 - 123
- mm. 139 - 171
- Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
- Mvt 2: Beginning to 10 before A
- Mvt 4: mm. 145 - 170
- Mozart: Symphony No. 40
- Dvořák: Violin Concerto
- Mvt 1: 14 bars after A to 22 bars after A
Horn 1 (except as noted in Strauss Don Quixote)—link to 2025 excerpts (PDF)
- Mozart: either Horn Concerto No. 2 or Horn Concerto No. 4
- Mvt 1: exposition
- Mvt 2: exposition
- Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel—opening calls
- Strauss: Don Quixote, variation 7, 4th horn
- Wagner: Siegfried—short call
- Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
- Mvt 3: mm. 77 - 92 (with the repeat) (horn in E)
- Mozart: Symphony No. 40
- Mvt 3: Menuetto, mm. 68 - 85 (horn in F)
Trumpet 1—link to 2025 excerpts (PDF)
- Haydn: Trumpet Concerto, Mvt 1—exposition and development
- Contrasting solo work of choice (4 minutes maximum)
- Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition, opening
- Stravinsky: Petrouchka, ballerina solo
- Respighi: Pines of Rome, offstage solo
- Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
- Mvt 1: bar 497 - bar 510 (trumpet in D)
Timpani: We will be auditioning timpanists for the 2026 New York String Orchestra Seminar.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
Our thanks to Luck’s Music Library for making these excerpts available.