Fall 2025 UTSA Orchestra Auditions

General Information

The UTSA Symphony Orchestra is open to both music majors and non-majors. All players, including returning members, must sign up for audition spots and attend an in-person audition at the start of each semester.

  • Fall 2025 String Auditions:
     August 25 & 26 | 9:00 AM–5:30 PM | Audition location TBA
  • Spring 2026 String Auditions:
     January 20 |  9:00 AM–6:30 PM | Audition location TBA

If you are unable to attend the in-person audition, please contact Asieh Mahyar, the Director of the Orchestra, at asieh.mahyar@utsa.edu to arrange an alternative time or to submit a recorded audition.

   Strings Auditions Sign Up Form

 

Winds, Brass, and Percussion Players must audition through the UTSA Bands audition process.

Visit: www.utsabands.org/auditions for more details.

Ensemble Information

The orchestra rehearses on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:00 to 1:30 PM. In addition, there will be a few evening dress rehearsals scheduled prior to performances. (TBA)

Before auditioning, all string players must enroll in the UTSA Orchestra to reserve a spot in the ensemble.

Fall 2025 String Audition Material
Violin:
  • A 2- 3 minute solo excerpt (concerto, sonata, other solo work) of your choice. 
  • All of the excerpts listed below are required to be prepared for the audition day. The audition faculty will choose selections to be played. The audition packet can be accessed here. 
    • Gustav Holst, Planets. Mov IV. Jupiter: Beginning to 4 measures after Figure 2
    • Gustav Holst, Planets. Mov IV. Jupiter: Figure 16 to 7 measures after Figure 17

    • Arturo Márquez - Danzón № 2: Measures 328-354

  • A short sight-reading excerpt to be provided at the audition.
Non-Music Majors:
  • Select one excerpt from the packet and perform a few minutes of a chosen solo piece. If you do not have a solo piece, prepare two excerpts from the audition packet.
  • Please note: non-music majors are highly encouraged to perform the music-major excerpts and to audition for the principal seat.
Viola:
  • A 2- 3 minute solo excerpt (concerto, sonata, other solo work) of your choice. 
  • All of the excerpts listed below are required to be prepared for the audition day. The audition faculty will choose selections to be played. The audition packet can be accessed here. 
  • Gustav Holst, Planets. Mov IV. Jupiter: Figure 16 to 8 measures after Figure 17
  • Arturo Márquez - Danzón № 2: Measures 66--99
  • Arturo Márquez - Danzón № 2: Measures 328-351
  • A short sight-reading excerpt to be provided at the audition.
Non-Music Majors:
  • Select one excerpt from the packet and perform a few minutes of a chosen solo piece. If you do not have a solo piece, prepare two excerpts from the audition packet.
  • Please note: non-music majors are highly encouraged to perform the music-major excerpts and to audition for the principal seat.
Cello:
  • A 2- 3 minute solo excerpt (concerto, sonata, other solo work) of your choice. 
  • All of the excerpts listed below are required to be prepared for the audition day. The audition faculty will choose selections to be played. The audition packet can be accessed here. 
  • Gustav Holst, Planets. Mov IV. Jupiter: Opening to 12 after Figure 1 (Count rests for 1 measure only)
  • Gustav Holst, Planets. Mov IV. Jupiter: 1 Measure before Andante maestoso- 2/4 after Figure 9
  • Gustav Holst, Planets. Mov IV. Jupiter: Figure 16 to 8 measures after Figure 17
  • Arturo Márquez - Danzón № 2: Measures 328- End
  • A short sight-reading excerpt to be provided at the audition.

Non-Music Majors:
  • Select one excerpt from the packet and perform a few minutes of a chosen solo piece. If you do not have a solo piece, prepare two excerpts from the audition packet.
  • Please note: non-music majors are highly encouraged to perform the music-major excerpts and to audition for the principal seat.
Double Bass:
  • A 2- 3 minute solo excerpt (concerto, sonata, other solo work) of your choice. 
  • All of the excerpts listed below are required to be prepared for the audition day. The audition faculty will choose selections to be played. The audition packet can be accessed here. 
  • Arturo Márquez - Danzón № 2: Measures 51- 77
  • Gustav Holst, Planets. Mov IV. Jupiter: Measure 16 (Count rests for 1 measure only) - 2 measures after Figure 4
  • Gustav Holst, Planets. Mov IV. Jupiter: 4 measures after Figure 11 to 7 measures after Figure 14
  • A short sight-reading excerpt to be provided at the audition.

Non-Music Majors:
  • Select one excerpt from the packet and perform a few minutes of a chosen solo piece. If you do not have a solo piece, prepare two excerpts from the audition packet.
  • Please note: non-music majors are highly encouraged to perform the music-major excerpts and to audition for the principal seat.

 

Contact Asieh Mahyar, Director of the UTSA Orchestra, at asieh.mahyar@utsa.edu

 Contact Nicole Cherry, Violin Professor and String Area Coordinator, at nicole.cherry@utsa.edu