Seminar

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a technically advanced music student between 16 and 23 years of age 
• Must be enrolled full-time in an educational institution
• Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident or be studying in the United States on an F1 visa
• Must be available, with no exceptions, from 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 19, through 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2025

 Application Submission Requirements

• Application form
• $30 application fee (waivers are available for those with demonstrated financial need)
• Proof of health insurance
• For applicants under 18, a permission form completed by a parent or guardian
• MP3 audio audition. (Only previous seminar participants are exempt from this requirement. These participants must submit all other required documents and the application fee by the deadline.)

Video auditions are by invitation only. Those who pass the MP3 audition will be invited to submit an audition video. We will not hold live, in-person auditions for the 2025 New York String Orchestra Seminar.

Instruction, local housing, transportation, and meals are provided at no cost to participants (valued at $4,000); however, all those accepted to the program must arrange and pay for their own travel to and from New York City.

Application and Audition Timeline

• July 14, 2025: The application opens.
• September 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET: The application and MP3 audition are due.
• September 29, 2025: All applicants receive application status notification.
• October 20, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET: Video auditions are due.
• November 17, 2025: All applicants are notified of their audition results.
• December 19–28, 2025: The New York String Orchestra Seminar takes place in New York City.
• December 24, 7:00 p.m.: Carnegie Hall Presents New York String Orchestra
• December 28, 2:00 p.m.: Carnegie Hall Presents New York String Orchestra

Requirements

1. The application recording(s) should be between 10 and 15 minutes long.
2. The recordings must be in mp3 format (we will not accept videos or other audio formats).
3. Play the excerpts in the order listed; upload them in a single file. (You may record the excerpts as separate takes and edit them into a single file.)
4. Your recordings must be unaccompanied. We cannot accept recordings with piano.
5. Limit rests to a count of 3 measures.

We recommend that you listen to recordings of any of the works you are not familiar with to gain an understanding, and ask your teacher for input.

Our thanks to Luck's Music library for permission to use these excerpts. They are available for download and reference, but you may use any edition of these works.

Violin - link to excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: First movement/exposition of a concerto
• Exposition of the first movement of a contrasting concerto of choice (5 minutes maximum)
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian) Mvt 1: beginning - bar 110
• Mozart: Overture to Marriage of Figaro mm. 236 - 252

Viola - link to excerpts (PDF)

• J. S. Bach: One movement of your choice from any suite for solo viola
• Exposition of the first movement of a contrasting concerto of choice (5 minutes maximum)
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian) Mvt 1: bar 87 - bar 124
• Mozart: Overture to Marriage of Figaro
  
  • Opening - bar 7
  • Bar 81 - bar 85

Cello - link to excerpts (PDF)

• Exposition of the first movement of either Haydn Cello Concerto in D major or Haydn Cello concerto in C Major (do not include cadenza)
• Exposition of the first movement of a contrasting major concerto of choice (5 minutes maximum)
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian) Mvt 1: bar 25 - bar 51
• Mozart: Overture to Marriage of Figaro beginning - bar 7

Bass - link to excerpts (PDF)

• J.S. Bach: Solo cello suite of choice - one dance movement
• Contrasting concerto of choice - exposition of the first movement; no cadenza
• Mozart: Mozart Symphony No. 40 in G Minor 1st movement bar 111 - bar 139
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian) Mvt 1 bar 41 - downbeat of bar 91

Flute (Flute 1) - link to excerpts (PDF)

• J. S. Bach: Work of your choice
• Contrasting solo work of choice (5 minutes maximum)
• Mendelssohn: Midsummer Night's Dream, scherzo (solo at the end)
• Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro mm 116-170

Oboe (Oboe 1) - link to excerpts (PDF)

• J. S. Bach: Work of your choice
• Contrasting solo work of choice (5 minutes maximum)
• Brahms: Violin Concerto - Mvt 2 solo
• Rossini: La Scala di Seta
  • Andantino solo (m. 5 – No. 1)
  • Allegro solo (pickup to No. 2 – No. 3)
• Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro mm. 8-79

Clarinet (Clarinet 1) - link to excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, movement 1 exposition
• Contrasting solo work of choice (five minutes maximum)
• Mendelssohn: Midsummer Night's Dream scherzo (first page)
  • Beginning through B
  • D through G
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
  • Movement 2: Letter A - Letter B
  • Movement 4: Bar 12 - 1st 2 beats of 26
  • Movement 4: Final 10 bars
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 6
  • Movement 1: 2 before K - end of solo
  • Movement 2: 1 before D - m. 78

Bassoon (Bassoon 1)  - link to excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Bassoon Concerto, K. 191, Movement 1 exposition, m. 35 - m. 71
• Contrasting solo work of choice (five minutes maximum)
• Mozart: Overture to Marriage of Figaro
  • m. 101 - m. 123
  • m. 139 - m. 171
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 40 in A, Op. 90 (Italian) - Movement 4: m. 145 - m. 170

Horn (Horn 1, except as noted below for Strauss' Don Quixote) - link to excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Horn Concerto No. 2 or Horn Concerto No. 4
  • Movement 1: exposition
  • Movement 2: exposition
• Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel, opening calls
• Strauss: Don Quixote, variation 7, 4th horn
• Wagner: Siegfried short call

Trumpet (Trumpet 1) - link to excerpts (PDF)

• Haydn: Trumpet Concerto, Movement 1 (exposition and development)
• Contrasting solo work of your choice (four minutes maximum)
• Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition, opening
• Stravinsky: Petrouchka, ballerina solo
• Respighi: Pines of Rome, offstage solo
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian) - Movement I, bar 497 - bar 510

Timpani - TBA

Our thanks to Luck’s Music Library for making these excerpts available.

Those who pass the preliminary MP3 audition will receive an email by September 29 with instructions for completing the video audition and accompanying informational form, as well as a link for upload.

Our thanks to Luck's Music Library for permission to share these excerpts. NOTE: these are available for download for your use and reference, but you may use other editions if you choose.

1. You must submit a single video either played in one take in the listed order; or you may record your solo works in one take and orchestral excerpts in another; however, the two takes must be edited into a single video before submission.
   
    Works must be played in the order listed, and you may not turn the camera off between excerpts, though you may take a moment between to prepare yourself (leaving the camera running).
   
   
2. Video auditions must be unaccompanied.
   
   
3. Do not take repeats in any of the listed repertoire.
   
   
4. Rests within an excerpt should not be counted over three bars.
   
   
5. The video audition should be between 10 and 15 minutes, including pauses between works. For this reason, we recommend that you base your solo work on the amount of time it takes you to play your assigned excerpts.
   
   

   Keep in mind that this is an orchestral program. The deciding factor between two players of equal merit is the level of preparation and execution of the repertoire excerpts. Preparation of these excerpts should be as meticulous as the preparation of the applicant's chosen solo works.

   We strongly recommend that you become familiar with the complete instrumental part for each work from which excerpts have been assigned. In some cases, the music is in the public domain, but if not, it is worth a visit to the library or the expense of purchasing a part in order to be well prepared. We also recommend listening to recordings. Follow nysosseminar on Instagram for updates and tips.

   Your private teacher is a valuable resource. Be sure to ask for their assistance as you prepare.

   Remember: if you simply prepare the excerpt download and do not familiarize yourself further with the piece (looking at a score, acquiring a complete part, or even listening to a recording to familiarize yourself with the work, so that you can play your excerpts with knowledge of context), your audition may not be competitive.

Violin 1 - link to excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Concerto of choice, exposition of the first movement
• Exposition of the first movement of a contrasting work of your choice
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
  • Movement 1: beginning - bar 110
  • Movement 2: beginning - Letter A
  • Movement 4: bar 22 - bar 53
• Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
  • Beginning- bar 7
  • Bar 236 - Bar 252
• Mozart: Symphony No. 40 
  • Movement 2: beginning - bar 20
• Elgar: Introduction and Allegro
  • No. 11 - No. 12
  • No. 13 - No. 15

Viola - link to excerpts (PDF)

• J.S. Bach: One movement of your choice from any suite for solo viola
• Exposition of the first movement of a contrasting concerto of your choice
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
  • Movement 1: bar 87 - bar 124
  • Movement 1: bar 210b - bar 246
  • Movement 2: beginning - bar 35
  • Movement 4: bar 34 - bar 53
  • Movement 4: bar 166 - bar 195
• Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
  • Beginning - Bar 7
  • Bar 12 - Bar 24
• Elgar: Introduction & Allegro
  • No 11 - No. 15
  • 2 bars before No. 16 - 1 bar before No. 19

Cello - link to excerpts (PDF)

• Haydn: Exposition either C Major or D Major Cello Concerto (do not include cadenza)
• Exposition of the first movement of a contrasting concerto of your choice
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
  • Movement 1: bar 25 - bar 51
  • Movement 2: bar 96 - end
  • Movement 4: bar 30 - bar 53
  • Movement 4: bar 166 - bar 180
  • Movement 4: bar 196 - bar 204
• Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
  • Beginning - Bar 7
• Elgar: Introduction & Allegro
  • first 4 bars
  • No. 11 - 14
  • 4 bars before No. 16 - 1 bar after No. 19

Bass - link to excerpts (PDF)

• J.S. Bach: Solo cello suite of choice—one dance movement
• Contrasting concerto of choice—exposition of the first movement; no cadenza
• Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
  • bar 152 - bar 172 (Letter D)
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
  • Movement 1:  bar 41 - downbeat of bar 91
• Mozart: Symphony No. 40
  • Movement 4: pickup to bar 29 - bar 70 (Letter A)
  • Movement 4: bar 219 - bar 246 (Letter F)

Flute 1 - link to excerpts (PDF)

• J.S. Bach: Work of your choice
• Contrasting solo work of your choice
• Mendelssohn: Midsummer Night's Dream, scherzo (solo at the end)
• Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
  
  • Movement 1: letter D to 2nd bar of letter E
  • Movement 2: beginning to letter A
  • Movement 4: beginning to m. 35

Oboe 1 - link to excerpts (PDF)

• J.S. Bach: solo work of your choice
• Contrasting solo work of your choice
• Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
  • mm. 8 - 79
• Mozart: Symphony No. 40
  • Movement 3: Entire Trio mm .6-42 (no repeats)
• Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27 K. 595
  • Movement 1: mm. 228 - 239
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
  • Movement 2: mm. 1 - 27
  • Movement 4: mm. 84 - 162 (omit long rests)
• Dvorak: Violin Concerto
  • Movement 1: 6 measures after letter D to 1 measure after letter E
  • Movement 2: 6 measures after letter N to 13 measures after letter O

Clarinet 1 - link to excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, Movement 1 exposition
• Contrasting solo work of your choice
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian) [Clarinet in A]
  • Movement 2: Letter A to Letter B
  • Movement 4: Bars 12-1st 2 beats of 26
  • Movement 4: Final 10 bars
• Mozart: Symphony 40
  • Movement 4: mm. 85 - 101
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 6
  
  • Movement 1: 2 before K - end of solo
  • Movement 2: 1 before D - m. 78

Bassoon 1 - link to excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Bassoon Concerto, K. 191, Movement 1, exposition m. 35 - m. 71
• Contrasting movement from a concerto, sonata, or work for bassoon alone (or étude) of your choice (5 minutes maximum)
• Mozart: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
  • mm. 101 - 123
  • mm. 139 - 171
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
  • Movement 2: Beginning to 10 before A
  • Movement 4: mm. 145 - 170
• Mozart: Symphony No. 40
  • Movement 1: mm. 51 – 72
• Dvorak: Violin Concerto
  • Movement 1: 14 bars after A to 22 bars after A

Horn 1 (except as noted in Strauss Don Quixote) - link to excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: either Horn Concerto No. 2 or Horn Concerto No. 4
  • Movement 1: exposition
  • Movement 2: exposition
• Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel - opening calls
• Strauss: Don Quixote, variation 7, 4th horn
• Wagner: Siegfried - short call
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
  • Movement 3: mm 77 - 92 (with the repeat) [Horn in E]
• Mozart: Symphony No. 40
  
  • Movement 3: Menuetto, mm. 68 - 85 [Horn in F]

Trumpet 1 - link to excerpts (PDF)

• Haydn: Trumpet Concerto, movement 1 (exposition and development)
• Contrasting solo work of your choice (4 minutes maximum)
• Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition, opening
• Stravinsky: Petrouchka, ballerina solo
• Respighi: Pines of Rome, offstage solo
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
  • Movement 1: bar 497 - bar 510 [Trumpet in D]

Timpani - TBA

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

Our thanks to Luck’s Music Library for making these excerpts available.

Instruction, local housing, transportation, and meals (valued at $4,000) are provided at no cost to participants; )however, all those accepted to the program must arrange and pay for their own travel to and from New York City. Local participants may choose to stay in their own homes if they wish.

• 9:00 a.m.: Charter bus from hotel to rehearsal hall
• 10:00 a.m.: Orchestra rehearsal
• 1:00 p.m.: Lunch
• 2:00 p.m.: Orchestra rehearsal
• 4:00 p.m.: Break
• 4:30 p.m.: Chamber music prep period
• 5:30 p.m.: Chamber  music coaching session
• 7:30 p.m.: Dinner
• 8:30 p.m.: Charter bus from rehearsal hall to hotel

NOTE: You are expected to leave your evenings available for seminar activities until 10:00 p.m. each day, as the schedule is subject to change and will vary for sectionals, rehearsals with soloists, injury avoidance workshops, special activities, and performance days.