Seminar

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a technically advanced music student no younger than 16 and no older than 23 years of age on December 19, 2026 
• 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 Saturday, December 19, through 11:30 p.m. on Monday, December 28, 2026
• May not have already participated in the seminar twice

 Application Submission Requirements

• Application form
• $35 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. 

NOTE: Participation in the 2026 New York String Orchestra Seminar and seating will be determined on the basis of the invitation-only audition video.

Instruction, local housing, transportation, and meals are provided at no cost to participants (valued at $5,000); 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 13, 2026: The application opens.
• September 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET: The application and MP3 audition close.
• September 21, 2026: All applicants receive application status notification.
• October 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET: Invitational video auditions are due.
• November 13, 2026: All applicants are notified of their audition results.
• December 19–28, 2026: 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, 8:00 p.m.: Carnegie Hall Presents New York String Orchestra

Audition Requirements for 2026 New York String Orchestra Seminar
Preliminary mp3 (blind) audition

• The application recording should be between 10 and 15 minutes long
• Record audio submission in the order listed here in a single MP3 file (no other file format is acceptable)
• Recordings must be unaccompanied
• Limit rests to a count of three measures
• Audio effects are not permitted

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 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 4, Movement I: Reh. Letter B – Reh. Letter F or Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5,
  Movement I: bar 40 – Reh. Letter E
• Contrasting solo work of your choice (no more than 5 minutes)
• Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scherzo: m. 17 – seven bars after Reh. Letter
• Strauss: Overture to Die Fledermaus
  • Beginning- m. 40
  • m. 227 - m. 274
• Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919) - Danse Infernale du Roi Kastcheï
  • Reh. No. 31 – four bars after Reh. No. 33
  • Reh. No. 7 – downbeat Reh. No. 11

Viola—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• J. S. Bach: One movement of your choice from any suite for solo viol
• Exposition of the first movement of a contrasting concerto of your choice (5 minutes maximum
• Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scherzo: m. 17 – m. 93 (Rehearsal D downbeat
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 8, Movement II: m. 9 – m. 3
• Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919), Danse Infernale du Roi Kastcheï: Reh. No. 17 – 2 bars before Reh. No. 21

Cello - link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• Either Haydn: Cello Concerto in D Major or Haydn: Cello Concerto in C Major - Exposition of the first
  movement (do not include cadenza
• Contrasting concerto of your choice, exposition of the first movement (5 minutes maximum
• Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scherzo: Reh. Letter C – Reh. Letter
• Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919) Danse Infernale du Roi Kastcheï Reh. No. 28 – four bars after Reh. No. 3
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 8, Movement III: m. 45 – m. 78 (do not take the repeat)

Bass—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• J. S. Bach: Solo cello suite of your choice, one dance movement
• Contrasting solo work of your choice (no more than 5 minute)
• Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro, Overture m. 150 – Reh. No.
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 8, Movement I: m. 132 – m. 175

Flute (Flute 1)—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• J. S. Bach solo work of your choice
• Contrasting solo work of your choice (no more than 5 minutes
• Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scherzo: 2 bars before Reh. Letter P – end
• Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919 version), “Variation de l’oiseau de feu” – entire

Oboe (Oboe 1)—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• J. S. Bach solo work of your choice
• Contrasting solo work of your choice (no more than 5 minutes)
• Rossini: La Scala di Seta
  • Andantino solo (m. 5 – Reh. No. 1 downbeat)
  • Allegro solo (pickup to Reh. No. 2 – Reh. No. 3 downbeat) articulations at applicant’s discretion
• Barber: Violin Concerto
  
  • Movement II: Opening – one measure after Reh. 1
  • Movement III: Reh. No. 6 – 3 bars after Reh. No. 9
  • Movement III: Reh. No. 12 – Reh. No. 14

Clarinet (Clarinet 1)—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, Movement I: Exposition
• Contrasting solo work of your choice (no more than 5 minutes)
• Mendelssohn: A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, Scherzo: Beginning – Reh. Letter B
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 8, Movement III Trio: m. 49 – end
• Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919), Variation de l’oiseau de feu: Entire

Bassoon (Bassoon 1)—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Bassoon Concerto, K. 191, Movement I: Exposition, m. 35 – m. 7
• Contrasting solo work of your choice (no more than 5 minutes)
• Mozart: Overture to The Marriage of Figaro
  
  • m. 101 – m. 123
  • m. 139 – m. 171
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 8
  
  • Movement I: Allegro vivace e con brio m. 35 – m. 90
  • Movement III: Trio, m. 45 – m. 78
• Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919 version), Berceuse: 2 bars after Reh. No. 183 – 6 bars after Reh. No. 186

Horn (Horn 1, except as noted below for Strauss' Don Quixote)—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Concerto No. 2 or Concerto No. 4, Movement 1 - Exposition
• Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel - Opening solo
• Strauss: Don Quixote Horn 4 - variation 7
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 8, Movement III: m. 45 – m. 78 (Horn 2)

Trumpet (Trumpet 1)—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• Haydn: Trumpet Concerto in E-Flat Major, Mvt. I: bars 37 – 117 (exposition until the recapitulation), plus cadenza
• Contrasting solo work of your choice (5 minutes maximum)
• Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition, opening
• Respighi: Pines of Rome, offstage solo
• Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919), Danse Infernale du Roi Katscheï
  
  • Reh. No. 1 – Reh. No. 3
  • Reh. No. 8 – 2 measures after Reh. No. 13
  • 2 measures before Reh. No. 23 – Reh. No. 24

Timpani—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Symphony No. 39, Movement 1: Introduction (minimize bars of rest) m. 1 – m. 21
• Barber: Violin Concerto
  
  • Movement III: Beginning – 4 bars before Reh. No. 1
  • Movement III: 6 bars after Reh. No. 2 – 4 bars before Reh. No. 3
• Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra, Movement IV: bars 42—50
• Sibelius: Finlandia (2 bars before Allegro to Letter H, no repeat)

Audition Requirements 2026 New York String Orchestra Seminar
Invitation Only Video Audition

Those who pass the preliminary MP3 audition will receive an email by September 21, 2026, with instructions for completing the video audition and an informational form.

Invitations to participate in the 2026 New York String Orchestra Seminar and seating assignments will be based on this invitation-only video.

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.

• Record your video submission in a single take, without stopping the camera, in the order listed below.
• NOTE: while you may not stop the camera, you are welcome to pause briefly with camera on between solos and excerpts to settle yourself.
• Announce your first and last name at the beginning of the video.
• Auditions must be unaccompanied
• Limit rests to a count of three measures
• Audio effects are not permitted. Recordings that are altered or have been edited will not be considered.
• Upload your video to YouTube as “unlisted” and provide us with a link (instructions will be provided by email)

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 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 4, Movement I: Reh. Letter B – Reh. Letter F or Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5,
  Movement I: bar 40 – Reh. Letter E
• Contrasting solo work of your choice (no more than 5 minutes)
• Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scherzo: m. 17 – seven bars after Reh. Letter D
• Strauss: Overture to Die Fledermaus
  
  • Beginning- m. 40
  • m. 227 - m. 274
• Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919) - Danse Infernale du Roi Kastcheï
  
  • Reh. No. 31 – four bars after Reh. No. 33
  • Reh. No. 7 – downbeat Reh. No. 11
• Barber: Violin Concerto
  
  • Movement I: Reh. No. 11 – Reh. No. 12
  • Movement III: Reh. No. 8 – Reh. No. 9

Viola—link to 2026 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 (5 minutes maximum)
• Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scherzo: m. 17 – m. 93 (Rehearsal D downbeat)
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 8, Movement II: m. 9 – m. 34
• Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919), Danse Infernale du Roi Kastcheï: Reh. No. 17 – 2 bars before Reh. No. 21
• Barber: Violin Concerto, Movement III: Reh. No. 8 – 2 bars after Reh. No. 9
• Vaughan Williams: Variations on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, 3 bars after Reh. Letter U – 1 bar before Reh. X

Cello—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• Either Haydn: Cello Concerto in D major or Haydn: Cello Concerto in C Major - Exposition of the first
  movement (do not include cadenza)
• Contrasting concerto of your choice, exposition of the first movement (5 minutes maximum)
• Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scherzo: Reh. Letter C – Reh. Letter D
• Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919) Danse Infernale du Roi Kastcheï Reh. No. 28 – four bars after Reh. No. 39
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 8, Movement III: m. 45 – m. 78 (do not take the repeat)
• Barber: Violin Concerto, Movement III - Pickup to m. 95- downbeat of m. 114
• Coleman: Umoja m. 475 – m. 509

Bass—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• J. S. Bach: Solo cello suite of your choice, one dance movement
• Contrasting solo work of your choice (no more than 5 minutes)
• Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro, Overture m. 150 – Reh. No. D
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 8
  
  • Movement I m. 132 – m. 175
  • Movement IV m. 17 – Reh. Letter A
• Beethoven: The Creatures of Prometheus, Overture: 19 bars before Reh. Letter G –1 bar after Reh. Letter G
• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4, Movement I: m. 41 – downbeat of m. 90
• Strauss: Ein Heldenleben Reh. No. 9 – 6 bars after Reh. No. 12

Flute 1—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• J. S. Bach solo work of your choice
• Contrasting solo work of your choice (no more than 5 minutes)
• Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scherzo: 2 bars before Reh. Letter P – end
• Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919 version), “Variation de l’oiseau de feu” – entire
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 8, Allegretto scherzando: m. 9 – m. 81

Oboe 1—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• J. S. Bach solo work of your choice
• Contrasting solo work of your choice (no more than 5 minutes)
• Rossini: La Scala di Seta
  
  • Andantino solo (m. 5 – Reh. No. 1 downbeat)
  • Allegro solo (pickup to No. 2 – Reh. No. 3 downbeat) articulations at applicant’s discretion
• Barber: Violin Concerto
  
  • Movement II: Opening – one measure after Reh. 1
  • Movement III: Reh. No. 6 – 3 bars after Reh. No. 9
  • Movement III: Reh. No. 12 – Reh. No. 14
• Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4, Movement I: Reh. Letter D - 9 before Reh. Letter E

Clarinet 1 - link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, Movement I: Exposition
• Contrasting solo work of your choice (no more than 5 minutes)
• Mendelssohn: A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, Scherzo: Beginning – Reh. Letter B
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 8, Movement III Trio: m. 49 – end
• Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919), Variation de l’oiseau de feu: Entire
• Barber: Violin Concerto
  
  • Movement I: Reh. No. 2 – m. 32
  • Movement I: Reh. No. 14 – m. 156
  • Movement III: Reh. No. 6 – one bar after Reh. No. 8
  • Movement III - Reh. No. 11 – Reh. No. 12

Bassoon 1—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Bassoon Concerto, K. 191, Movement I: Exposition, m. 35 – m. 7
• Contrasting solo work of your choice (no more than 5 minutes)
• Mozart: Overture to The Marriage of Figaro
  
  • m. 101 – m. 123
  • m. 139 – m. 171
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 8
  
  • Movement I: Allegro vivace e con brio m. 35 – m. 90
  • Movement III: Trio, m. 45 – m. 78
• Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919 version), Berceuse: 2 bars after Reh. No. 183 – 6 bars after Reh. No. 186
• Barber: Violin Concerto, Movement III: 4 bars before Reh. No. 5 – 2 bars before Reh. No. 8

Horn 1 (except as noted in Strauss Don Quixote)—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Concerto No. 2 or Concerto No. 4, Movement 1 - Exposition
• Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel - Opening solo
• Strauss: Don Quixote (Horn 4) - variation
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 8, Movement III: m. 45 – m. 78 (Horn 2)
• Stravinsky: Firebird Suite, Danse Infernale du Roi Kastcheï:
  • Beginning – Reh. No. 3
  • Finale: Reh. No. 11 – Reh. No. 12

Trumpet 1—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• Haydn: Trumpet Concerto, Mvt 1—exposition and development
• Contrasting solo work of 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)
  • Mvt 1: bar 497 - bar 510 (trumpet in D)

Timpani:—link to 2026 excerpts (PDF)

• Mozart: Symphony No. 39, Movement 1: Introduction (minimize bars of rest) m. 1 – m. 21
• Barber: Violin Concerto
  
  • Movement III: Beginning – 4 bars before Reh. No. 1
  • Movement III: 6 bars after Reh. No. 2 – 4 bars before Reh. No. 3
• Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra, Movement IV: bars 42—50
• Sibelius: Finlandia (2 bars before Allegro to Letter H, no repeat)
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 8
  
  • Movement I: m. 1 – m. 32
  • Movement IV: Reh. Letter K – end

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 $5,000) 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. 

2025 New York String Orchestra Seminar

• Edward Arron, cello—Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
• Eugene Drucker, violin—Emerson Quartet (retired)
• Lawrence Dutton, viola—Emerson Quartet (retired)
• Bart Feller, flute—principal, New Jersey Symphony
• Hsin-Yun Huang, viola—faculty, The Juilliard School
• Ida Kavafian, viola—Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
• Alan Kay, clarinet—Windscape
• Richard King, horn—Cleveland Symphony
• Kim Laskwoski, bassoon—assoc. principal, New York Philharmonic
• Nina Lee, cello—Brentano Quartet
• Kurt Muroki, bass—faculty, Indiana University
• Nokuthula Ngwenyama, viola
• Janinna Norpoth, violin—PUBLIQuartet
• Daniel Phillips, violin—Orion Quartet (retired)
• Milena Pajaro van de Stadt, viola—Espressivo!
• Melissa Reardon, viola—Borromeo String Quartet
• Samuel Rhodes, viola—Juilliard Quartet (retired)
• Sharon Robinson, cello—Espressivo!
• Steven Tenenbom, viola—Orion Quartet (retired)
• Nicholas Tzavaras, cello—Shanghai Quartet (former)
• Peter Wiley, cello—Guarneri Quartet (retired)

2026 chamber music coaches will be announced soon!