Audition Information
Welcome, and thank you for your interest in joining the Stratus Chamber Orchestra! Below you will find current position openings and sub list information to join our community of passionate Denver-based musicians.
2025/26 Season Auditions
Performing with Stratus Chamber Orchestra
This is a paid independent contractor position, with a one year probationary period.
Orchestra musicians are expected to attend 60% of all rehearsals and concerts during the season (September to May).
SCO performs four to six concerts per season with rehearsals primarily on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday evenings. Please review the season schedule to assess your availability to perform with the SCO before submitting an audition.
Pay Scale:
$150/cycle for principal player
$115/cycle for section players
2025/26 Season:
SCO 2: (Pops 1)
Concert Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 3pm
SCO 3: (Masterworks 2)
Concert Date: Saturday, March 7, 2025 at 7pm
SCO 4: (Masterworks 3)
Concert Date: Sunday, May 3, 2025 at 2pm
Principal Positions:
Piano
Audition Requirements:
3-4 min of a standard solo piece from the Classical, Romantic, or 20th/21st Century repertoire for your instrument that demonstrates technical and lyrical abilities.
Excerpts:
Copland App. Spring Excerpts (reh. 8 – 10)
Tchaikovsky Sugar Plum Fairy Celesta (mm. 5 – end, no coda)
Stravinsky Petrouchka (reh. 43-45)
Section Positions:
Violin 1 & Violin 2
Audition Requirements:
3-4 min of a standard solo for your instrument that demonstrates technical and lyrical abilities.
Excerpts (ALL PLAY 1st VIOLIN PART):
Mendelssohn Scherzo- beginning to measure 99
Beethoven (from 3rd movement of symphony 9) Start at Lo Stesso Tempo until measure 115
Copland Appalachian Spring- measure
103 to measure 135
Click here for violin excerpts
Cello
Audition Requirements:
3-4 min of a standard solo for your instrument that demonstrates technical and lyrical abilities.
Excerpts:
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 – Mvt. 2: measures 1-10; 49-59; 98-123
Brahms Symphony No. 2 – Mvt. 2 -beginning to measure 18
Mendelssohn Midsummer Night’s Dream rehearsal letters N-O
Audition Form
Interested in joining SCO? Submit sublist audition materials below.
Please submit the following to be considered for SCO’s sub list:
Performance resume.
2 excerpts of contrasting styles from music in the standard repertoire.
1-3 minutes of a solo from the standard repertoire.