auditions

Applying to audition

Students from the following universities and colleges in London may apply to join ULSO:

• Birkbeck College
• The Central School of Speech and Drama
• City University
• Courtauld Institute of Art
• Goldsmiths College
• Guildhall School of Music and Drama
• Heythrop College
• Imperial College
• Institute of Cancer Research
• Institute of Education
• King's College London
• London Business School
• London School of Economics and Political Science
• London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
• Queen Mary
• Royal Academy of Music
• Royal College of Music
• Royal Holloway
• Royal Veterinary College
• St. George's
• School of Advanced Study:
  • Institute of Advanced Legal Studies
  • Institute of Classical Studies
  • Institute of Commonwealth Studies
  • Institute of English Studies
  • Institute of Germanic & Romance Studies
  • Institute of Historical Research
  • Institute of Musical Research
  • Institute of Philosophy
  • Institute for the Study of the Americas
  • Warburg Institute
• School of Oriental and African Studies
• School of Pharmacy
• Trinity College of Music
• University College London

All applicants should be of ABRSM Grade 8 standard or above and have previous orchestral experience. The audition will last about 10 minutes in total, and will consist of:

• A five minute piece of your own choice
• An orchestral excerpt - you should prepare these along with your piece
• A short sight-reading exercise.

An accompanist is neither required nor provided.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals take place every Tuesday evening from 19:00 - 22:00 throughout the term at St Stephen's Church, Gloucester Road (nearest tube: Gloucester Road). There are also occasional weekend rehearsals, particularly when approaching concerts.

Subscriptions

The orchestra depends on subscriptions paid by members in order to survive. This money is spent on conductor and soloist fees, hiring of music and venues, and purchasing equipment such as percussion instruments and music stands. In 2009/10, the subscription fee will be £40 for full ULU members.