Auditions
We don't hold auditions for regular members of the orchestra. If you'd like to play with us, please see the Play with us section.
We run two audition processes throughout the year: one for composers and one for those wanting to play concertos with us. Information on each is given below. If you have any questions, please do contact us.
Concerto Auditions
These are held on the Sunday after the last concert of the season - usually in July. Auditions are held in central London. You need to provide your own pianist. For further information, please contact us.
Composer Auditions
Each year, we hold auditions for new pieces that we could include in our programming. We don't generally commission works, but ask for completed, or nearly completed works. The following guidelines should be followed:
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Works must be written solely by you
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Works must be unpublished, unperformed, and must not have been professionally recorded
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Works must be scored for symphony orchestra and must not exceed 30 minutes
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Works must be complete (unfinished works cannot be considered)
Two copies of each completed score (no parts) should be submitted with:
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a covering note containing your name, date of birth, postal address, telephone number and email address, title of the work being submitted, date the composition was written (completed);
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a statement that the work has never been performed publicly, professionally recorded, or previously received an award;
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a short programme note about your piece (no more than 100 words);
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your biography (no more than 100 words).
The deadline for submitting completed scores and accompanying materials is 1 September. For further information, including an address to submit your scores to, please contact us.
Completed, eligible scores (not parts) submitted by the 1 September deadline will be assessed by a panel.
The panel will select a shortlist of works that will be discussed and performed by LGSO in an open audition/rehearsal, led by LGSO conductor Simon Bowler, at the orchestra's first rehearsal in October. Composers may attend if they wish.
If we shortlist your piece, we'll contact you to ask you to send orchestra parts. After the auditions, we will be in touch again to let you know how things went. If the committee and conductor feel your piece is of adequate quality and the orchestra like it, we will try to schedule it in for performance.
The LGSO is not able to offer a fee to the winner of the composition competition.
Scores and parts are produced and submitted at the composer’s expense.
Playing • London Gay Symphony Wind • Auditions