FOOSA Philharmonic Audition Information
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS…
Note: you will find detailed audition requirements on our audition requirements page!
Which instruments are included in the FOOSA Philharmonic orchestra?
FOOSA Philharmonic instrumentation needs: violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute/piccolo, oboe/English horn, clarinet/bass clarinet/e-flat clarinet, bassoon/contra, horn, trumpet, trombone/bass trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion, and harp. Deadline for all applications is March 15. Should openings persist, rolling admissions will continue until we have filled all available positions.
Are you accepting any singers this summer?
Alas, we are not in need of singers for FOOSA 2023. We do hope to return the first “O” in FOOSA to our operations soon…the first “O” is for Opera. (Fresno Opera and Orchestra Summer Academy) For the moment we are the Fresno Orchestra/Orchestra Summer Academy. Check back with us in 2024.
Is there an age limit for participants in the FOOSA Philharmonic?
No. We do not impose age limits in any direction. Our FOOSA Philharmonic has traditionally, and intentionally, included players of a wide range of ages. It is a side-by-side orchestra in which our faculty members perform as principal players. The idea is to create the most encouraging and comprehensive orchestral learning experience possible.
Should I apply for a fellowship?
Fellowships are very specifically intended for advanced, usually older (graduate student, advanced undergraduate) performance majors and/or post-graduate musicians who will be able to coach less advanced musicians, will be willing and able to serve as dorm supervisors, might be interested in gaining more pedagogical experience. Your experience, your audition videos, and your letter(s) of recommendation will indicate your eligibility for fellowship consideration.
Should I apply for tuition assistance?
If you have examined our FOOSA TUITION ASSISTANCE FORM and know that your tax documents will support such an application, then of course you should. NO TUITION ASSISTANCE CAN BE OFFERED TO THOSE APPLYING AFTER THE MARCH 15 DEADLINE, SO PLEASE APPLY EARLY IF YOU CAN!
What are the requirements for audition videos? (Remember that in addition to your regular videos we will want your audition excerpt videos.)
In general, we really just want our faculty members to be able to hear you at your best. The audition excerpts may be the most important part of your submitted videos, so please prepare those with care. Here are a few more details:
You may perform your solo accompanied or unaccompanied. We do not wish to put additional pressure on you as you create audition videos. We just want to hear you playing your best. So a concerto may be performed without accompaniment, but if you have a recording from a recital, say, in which you perform that concerto with piano—that is fine also.
What if I play a doubling instrument (piccolo, English horn, bass clarinet, e-flat clarinet, contrabassoon)?
Our wind and brass faculty would love to know if you play a doubling instrument, and if you are able to upload additional video footage in which you perform orchestral excerpts on those instruments, they will be most grateful. All that information can be found by using the links on our audition requirements page.
Must my audition video be recorded all in one take?
No. You may have breaks between works. Getacceptd.com should allow you to upload more than one video, so that is sometimes the easiest way to go. Please contact us immediately at cmarchese@yoofresno.org if you have trouble uploading audition videos.
Is there a time limit on audition videos?
We do not officially impose a limit. That is because it is easier for some of you simply to upload a recital video, or some other performance recording you may have on hand. That said, five minutes of any given work is plenty.
Enjoy creating the videos, and we will enjoy listening to them!