Concertmaster Auditions

We are pleased to announce auditions for the position of Concertmaster. Audition appointments for a new Concertmaster are now being scheduled for July 17, 2018. You are invited to email your bio and contact information to: [email protected]. If selected, you will be ​ ​ contacted with details of the audition location (Seattle) and time slot.

Seattle Festival Orchestra is a community orchestra of experienced musicians. Participation is ​ by audition and direct invitation. Rehearsals & performances are in Seattle. The 2018-19 season will contain 30 rehearsals and 8 performance dates. See attached full schedule.

Concertmaster Position Responsibilities & Compensation Concertmaster Compensation:

The concertmaster salary compensation is $80-100 per service commensurate with experience.

Expectations:

The concertmaster is responsible for setting a good example of musicianship, preparation and leadership.

The concertmaster may be called upon occasionally to solo with the orchestra in works mutually agreed upon with the conductor, and will be expected to play solo passages in the 1st violin part.

The concertmaster is responsible for coordinating the bowing and articulations of all the strings before parts are distributed to the orchestra. The concertmaster will put in bow markings for principal parts of all string sections, as well as the 1st violin parts, then make them available for string principals to adapt for their respective sections no later than two weeks prior to the distribution of music.

The concertmaster will study the music scores and watch/listen to recorded performances in the process of deciding on bow markings.

If necessary, the concertmaster will communicate changes in bow markings to section leaders during rehearsals. (This will be kept to a minimum.)

The concertmaster is responsible for seeing that the orchestra tunes to the oboe A prior to rehearsals and performances, and after rehearsal/concert breaks.

The concertmaster will communicate to the conductor any music-related questions from the 1st violin section, and, if necessary, from the principals of other sections, either during rehearsal or after rehearsal, as appropriate.

The concertmaster will lead sectional rehearsals of the 1st and 2nd violins, if the conductor schedules sectionals.

Conductor-Concertmaster Relationship:

1. Whenever possible, the conductor will involve the concertmaster in recruitment and selection of string players and in auditions, if scheduled. The conductor will forward to the concertmaster the credentials of all string recruits when they are hired. 2. The concertmaster will establish violin seating within the current rotation pattern for each concert and confirm the plan with the conductor.

Audition Details: At Your Audition…

Your audition will be heard by SFO Music Director & Conductor Bobby Collins, departing SFO Concertmaster, winds personnel manager & string personnel manager. Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to relax and prepare yourself for your audition. For any questions or further information, please email: [email protected].

All auditioning concertmaster candidates will be asked for the following:

1. Please prepare the exposition from the solo part of the first movement of either Mozart violin ​ concerto #3, #4, or #5, and the exposition of a romantic/modern concerto. ​ ​

2. Be prepared to play both of the following excerpts drawn from this coming season’s repertoire. Click the titles for printable PDF copies. Excerpt #1: Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade: Movement III solo violin parts ​ ​ Excerpt #2: Mendelssohn: Midsummer Night’s Dream, II. Scherzo, Beginning to E ​

3. Be prepared to play a short excerpt from sight. It will not be anything terribly difficult – We are simply interested in verifying your rhythmic security and sense of musical styles.

4. Please prepare to leave with us a copy of your resume covering your education credentials and performance experience. Thank you. We sincerely look forward to meeting you and hearing your audition.

Recent Past Repertoire Includes Brahms: Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, Op. 102 Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, Op. 64 Mozart: Die Zauberflote, K. 620 Overture Beethoven: Symphony No. 8, Op 93 Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5, Op. 107 Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet Suites 1 & 2 Saint-Saens: Violin Concerto No. 3 Dvorak: Symphony No. 9

Seattle Festival Orchestra Calendar 2018-2019

Date Event Location Time September 4 First rehearsal TBD 7:15-9:30 pm September 11 2nd rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm September 18 3rd rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm September 25 4th rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm October 2 5th rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm October 9 6th rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm October 16 7th rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm October 23 Dress Rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm October 27 Concert Faith Lutheran Saturday, 3pm October 28 Concert Plymouth Sunday, 3pm

Holiday Event Location Time November 6 First rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm November 13 2nd rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm November 27 3rd rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm December 4 4th rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm December 11 Dress Rehearsal TBD 7:15-9:30 pm December 15 Concert Faith Lutheran Saturday, 5pm December 16 Concert Faith Lutheran Sunday, 3pm

Event Location Time January 8 First rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm January 15 2nd rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm January 22 3rd rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm January 29 4th rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm February 5 5th rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm February 12 6th rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm February 19 Dress Rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm February 23 Concert Faith Lutheran Saturday, 3pm February 24 Concert Plymouth Sunday, 3pm

Event Location Time March 5 First rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm March 12 2nd rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm March 19 3rd rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm March 26 4th rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm April 2 5th rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm April 9 6th rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm April 16 7th rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm April 23 Dress Rehearsal Nathan Hale HS 7:15-9:30 pm April 27 Concert Faith Lutheran Saturday, 3pm April 28 Concert Plymouth Sunday, 3pm