Course Information

Course Numbers: MUS A 42, A 142, A 242

Music Director/Instructor: Andy Radford

Class time: Mondays 7-9:30 pm

Class location: Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall

Course Description

The UCSB Chamber Orchestra presents a diverse repertoire, featuring masterpieces from the orchestral repertoire. The ensemble offers three concerts each year, one per quarter, open to music majors, non-majors, and community members. Membership is contingent upon audition.

 

Auditions

The UCSB Chamber Orchestra will hold auditions for the 2026-2027 academic year on September 25, 26, 27, and as needed. through 29, 2025. Students who successfully audition must enroll in the course on Gold to participate. Those enrolled for the Fall 2025 quarter will not need to re-audition for winter and spring quarters. New participants in these quarters will undergo the audition process. Existing members may re-enroll throughout the academic year.

Audition Details

Duration: Each audition will last approximately 10 minutes. It is the goal of the audition committee to make every audition as stress-free as possible.

Components: Auditions will include a solo performance and selected orchestral excerpts.

Audition Materials: Access the necessary audition instructions and instrument-specific excerpts here: Audition Materials. Materials to be updated by August 15, 2026.

Audition Sign-Up: An audition sign-up list will be posted on the door of Room 2320 on Friday, September 18, 2026.

Additional Details

Download your instrument's excerpt package to view or print. If the excerpts don't open, download the file first, then open it instead of trying to view it directly in your browser.

Trumpet, Trombone, and Tuba applicants: There are no audition excerpts for these instruments. Auditions for these instruments will consist of a prepared piece of your choosing, and sight-reading. 

To sign up for an audition, please go to Room 2320 (upstairs from the Music Office in the small hallway). There will be audition sign-ups on the door of that office. The sign-up lists will be posted on the door of Room 2320 by Friday, September 18, 2026. 

These excerpts and audition protocols will be used for auditions through the entire 2026-2027 academic year. Any musicians wishing to join the Orchestra for Winter or Spring Quarters should follow the protocols, and prepare the excerpts shown here.

Enrollment Process

Successful candidates will receive verbal or email confirmation and must enroll in the corresponding Chamber Orchestra course on Gold. The first rehearsal will be held on Monday, September 28 at 7:00 pm in Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall. If you're interested in joining, and have not yet auditioned, please come to the first rehearsal with your instrument. We look forward to welcoming new and returning talents to our ensemble and are excited for another year of exceptional music-making together!

Andy Radford, Music Director
amradf@ucsb.edu