Fall 2026
UT San Antonio Symphony Orchestra Auditions
General Information
The UT San Antonio Symphony Orchestra is open to both music majors and non–music 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 2026 String Auditions:
August 17 & 18 | 9:00 AM–5:30 PM | Audition location TBA - Spring 2027 String Auditions:
January 19 & 20 | 9:00 AM–5:30 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.
Winds, Brass, and Percussion Players must audition through the UTSA Bands audition process. Visit: www.utsabands.org/auditions for more details.
Ensemble Information
The Symphony Orchestra rehearses on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:00 to 1:30 PM.
Before auditioning, all string players must register for the course to reserve a place in the ensemble.
Fall String Audition Material
Violin
Music Majors:
- 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 complete Beethoven part with marked excerpts can be accessed here.
- L. v. Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, Mvt. I: Beginning–mm. 56
- L. v. Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, Mvt. II: Letter D–E
- L. v. Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, Mvt. IV: mm. 374 (Allegro)–Letter A
- L. v. Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, Mvt. IV: Letter B–mm. 472 (No repeat)– To be prepared only if auditioning for the concertmaster seat
- P. I. Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 2, Mvt. I: Beginning–Letter C
- A short sight–reading excerpt to be provided at the audition.
Non-Music Majors:
- Select two excerpts from the packet and perform a few minutes of a chosen solo piece. If you do not have a solo piece, prepare an additional excerpt 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
Music Majors:
-
- 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 complete Beethoven part with marked excerpts can be accessed here.
- L. v. Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, Mvt. II: mm. 1–10; mm. 23–37; mm. 49–59; mm. 98–106
- L. v. Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, Mvt. III: mm. 146–197
- P. I. Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 2, Mvt. I: Beginning–Letter C
- A short sight–reading excerpt to be provided at the audition.
Non-Music Majors:
- Select two excerpts from the packet and perform a few minutes of a chosen solo piece. If you do not have a solo piece, prepare an additional excerpt 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
Music Majors:
- 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 complete Beethoven part with marked excerpts can be accessed here.
- L. v. Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, Mvt. II: mm. 1–10; mm. 49–60; mm. 98–106
- L. v. Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, Mvt. III: mm. 141–218
- P. I. Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 2, Mvt. II: 15 mm. after Letter A–5 mm. before Letter B
- A short sight–reading excerpt to be provided at the audition.
Non-Music Majors:
- Select two excerpts from the packet and perform a few minutes of a chosen solo piece. If you do not have a solo piece, prepare an additional excerpt 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
Music Majors:
- 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 complete Beethoven part with marked excerpts can be accessed here.
- L. v. Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, Mvt. II: 7 mm. before Letter C–10 mm. after Letter C
- L. v. Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, Mvt. III: mm. 1–100
- L. v. Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, Mvt. III: mm. 141–177
- A short sight–reading excerpt to be provided at the audition.
Non-Music Majors:
- Select two excerpts from the packet and perform a few minutes of a chosen solo piece. If you do not have a solo piece, prepare an additional excerpt 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.
For questions regarding orchestra auditions, please contact:
Asieh Mahyar
Director of Orchestras
asieh.mahyar@utsa.edu
Nicole Cherry
Violin Professor and String Area Coordinator
nicole.cherry@utsa.edu
