Chamber Orchestra Auditions

Please call Karen Needham at 713.463.0801 for questions, dates and times.

2024–2025 Season

For additional information, please call Karen Needham at 713.463.0801 for questions, dates and times.

Virtuosi of Houston begins its 29th season in the fall of 2024.

All auditions will be held at the Virtuosi of Houston Studio located in Memorial City Mall, Houston. Application fee for new applicants is $50 and the fee for returning Virtuosi of Houston orchestra members is $40.

View map of our location.

For additional information, please call Karen Needham at 713.463.0801 or email virtuosi@virtuosiofhouston.org

AUDITION FORM

Fill out the information below to request an audition time.

Auditions for the 2024 -2025 Season

Student Information
Name*
Instrument*
Requested Audition Preference*
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Email
School Name and District
Grade as of Fall 2024
Age as of Fall 2024
Parent Information
Name
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Work Phone
Cell Phone
Email
Name
Address
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Home Phone
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Work Phone
Email
Music Education
Number of years musical study
Orchestra Director's Name
Orchestra Director's Phone
Orchestra Director's Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Private Teacher's Name
Private Teacher's Phone
Private Teacher's Address
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Region/State Experience
Previous Youth Orchestra Experience
Credit Card information
Application fee for new applicants is $50 and the fee for returning Virtuosi of Houston orchestra members is $40.
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HIGHLIGHTS

Only youth chamber orchestra in Houston of its kind
Virtuosi of Houston Maestros select 40–55 musicians by audition each season
Artistic Directors and Conductors Andrzej Grabiec and Franz Anton Krager founded the orchestra in 1996. Both serve on the faculty of the University of Houston Moores School of Music. Under this two-conductor structure, more individual training is provided.
A typical season includes two concerts in Zilkha Hall in the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts and an annual fundraising concert and dinner in a prestigious Houston hotel.
Total of 30 rehearsals during the academic year/season
Rehearsals are held twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6:45 to 9:30 pm, beginning five weeks prior to the concert date
Dinner is provided by Virtuosi of Houston during rehearsals
Rehearsal schedule is set so as not to conflict with other youth orchestras
Rehearsals are held in a state-of-the-art 5,000 square foot studio in Memorial City Mall
Concert programs are professionally designed and include a headshot and biography for each student member
An annual Concerto Competition awards a total of $10,250 in scholarship support to seven competitors. First-place winners in the wind and string divisions are also invited to perform as soloists in the spring concert. Funds can only be applied to music education expenses. The Concerto Competition is open only to current Virtuosi of Houston musicians.
*Concert dates subject to change.

Virtuosi of Houston operates on the theory that absorbing instruction in an intense, short period of time produces an excellent end product. The student musicians also benefit from the joint direction of two conductors. While one maestro conducts from the podium, the other circulates throughout the ensemble tutoring individual players on the correct techniques of fingering, pitch, sound and other good music practices. Each student benefits from their complementary direction, expertise and knowledge.

EXPECTATIONS

Auditions for:
Bass, Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Flute, Harp, Horn, Oboe, Piano, Percussion, Timpani, Trumpet, Viola, ViolinAll Virtuosi of Houston members are expected to:

Commit to attending all the rehearsals for the entire concert season. Three unexcused absences may result in dismissal from the orchestra. In case of direct conflict with a school event, the school event will always take precedence. All absences must be called in or emailed to the Virtuosi office by 2:00 pm on the day of the absence.
Individually practice their respective parts and come prepared to rehearsals to the best of their ability.
Demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity with respect to one another, to the Artistic Directors and to representatives of the management, the staff, volunteers and the Board of Directors of the organization.

Virtuosi of Houston will provide:

Many exciting musical experiences
An atmosphere of mutual respect and professionalism
Music Directors who will fully share their knowledge and expertise during rehearsals and concerts

New Members Should Prepare the Following (memorization is not required):

Major and minor scales and arpeggios (3 octaves – string players; 2 octaves – wind players)
One prepared solo or concert piece; piano accompaniment is not required
Preparation of orchestral excerpts for your instrument. Contact Karen Needham at kneedham@virtuosiofhouston.org
to request the excerpts.

Returning Members Need Only To Prepare the Following (memorization is not required):

One prepared solo or concert piece; piano accompaniment is not required.

All auditions are held at the Virtuosi of Houston Studio in Memorial City Mall. View map of our location.

For additional information, please call Karen Needham at 832.797.6882.
Mail, fax or e-mail the two-page application form and non-refundable application fee to:

Virtuosi of Houston

303 Memorial City, Suite #235

Houston, Texas 77024

Email: virtuosi@virtuosiofhouston.org

Checks to be made out to Virtuosi of Houston

CODE OF ETHICS

All Virtuosi of Houston members are:

Preferred to be active members of their respective school orchestra or band.
To demonstrate their commitment by attending all the rehearsals for the entire concert season. Three unexcused absences may result in dismissal from the orchestra. In case of direct conflict with a school event, the school event will always take precedence.
All absences must be called in or emailed to Karen Needham at kneedham@virtuosiofhouston.org by 2 pm the day of the absence.
To individually practice their respective parts and come prepared to rehearsals to the best of their ability.
To demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity with respect to one another, to the Artistic Directors, and to representatives of the management, the staff, volunteers, and the Board of Directors of the organization.

Virtuosi of Houston members are promised:

Many exciting musical experiences.
An atmosphere of mutual respect and professionalism.
Music Directors who will fully share their knowledge and expertise during rehearsals and concerts.