Each year the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra takes on a dynamic new identity with the participation of both returning and new musicians. Through nationwide auditions, an extremely talented group of young professionals and students of many nationalities is selected to form the Festival resident ensemble. The Orchestra works with Resident Conductor and Director of Orchestral Activities John Kennedy, as well as with guest conductors in opera, symphonic, choral, chamber, and contemporary music performances.

The Festival Orchestra is central to the international excellence of performances at Spoleto Festival USA and has over the years proven to be one of the finest opportunities for young musicians to gain extensive performance experience. Alumni of the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra can be found in almost every professional orchestra in the United States and many abroad.

At the 2013 Festival, the Orchestra will perform in the Festival’s two opera productions, a double bill of Giordano’s Mese Mariano and Puccini’s Le Villi, as well as the American premiere of Hosokawa’s Matsukaze. Orchestral and choral programs include Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol, Bartók’s The Wooden Prince, Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, Adams’ Harmonielehre, the Verdi Requiem, and American Premieres by Boulez and Vasks — with conductors including Stefan Asbury, Maurizio Barbacini, and Joseph Flummerfelt.

The application deadline has now passed. Late applications will be considered on the basis of availability.
 
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Audition Schedule:
Monday, Jan. 14 – Houston, TX – Rice Univ. Shepherd School of Music
Wednesday, Jan. 16 – Boston, MA – New England Conservatory
Friday, Jan. 18 – New York, NY – DiMenna Center for Classical Music
Saturday, Jan. 19 – New York, NY – DiMenna Center for Classical Music
Saturday, Jan. 26 – Miami, FL – New World Symphony
Sunday, Jan. 27 – Miami, FL – New World Symphony
*Tuesday, Jan. 29 – Bloomington, IN – Indiana University
Wednesday, Jan. 30 – Cleveland, OH – Cleveland Institute of Music
Thursday, Jan. 31 – Chicago, IL – Roosevelt University
*Friday, Feb. 1 – Charleston, SC – Grace Episcopal Church
Wednesday, Feb. 6 – Los Angeles, CA – Colburn School of Music
Tuesday, Feb. 12 – San Francisco, CA – San Francisco Conservatory of Music

*no percussion auditions at these locations