Kansas State University Symphony Orchestra
2026-27 Fall Placement Auditions
Welcome to the Kansas State University Symphony Orchestra! Membership in the KSUSO is contingent upon a successful placement audition each season.
Placement auditions for the 2026-2027 KSUSO season will take place for strings on August 22-23, 2026 and Monday, August 24 for woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Audition excerpts for all musicians are found within the sections below.
String Auditions
The KSUSO will be holding in-person string section auditions the weekend of Aug. 22-23, 2026. String players should use the STRING AUDITION SIGN-UP link (available Aug. 1) to reserve your specific audition time.
Make sure to prepare all audition requirements (Scales & Excerpts). All audition excerpts have been gathered from the following works: Beethoven - Symphony No. 9, Dvorak - New World Symphony No. 9, Verdi - Overture to La Forza Del Destino, Jessie Montgomery - Starburst.
Click on the corresponding link below to access a pdf of your audition excerpts.
KSUSO 26-27 STRING AUDITION EXCERPTS
Woodwind & Brass Auditions
Woodwind and brass musicians interested in joining the KSUSO will perform one audition comprised of both orchestra and band excerpts. These excerpts are now available in the links below. Students may use their fall audition performance for entry into orchestra, band, or both. Woodwind and brass musicians will gather on Monday, Aug. 24 at 3:30 p.m. (location TBD) for a brief meeting before the audition process begins that afternoon.
Prior to your audition, woodwind and brass musicians should fill out the WOODWIND & BRASS KSUSO AUDITION FORM (Available Aug. 1).
Fall audition excerpts for woodwinds and brass are available within the links below. Click within your section name to access a pdf of your fall orchestra audition excerpts. All audition excerpts have been gathered from the following works: Beethoven - Symphony No. 9, Dvorak - New World Symphony No. 9, Verdi - Overture to La Forza del Destino.
2026-27 WOODWIND & BRASS EXCERPTS
Percussion Auditions
Percussionists will audition for all ensembles through the percussion studio. Auditions will be held on Monday, August 24. Percussionists should use the Percussion Audition Form to sign up for a time that day. Be aware that you will not be able to change your audition time or sign up for multiple timeslots once you have made your selection.
2026-27 PERCUSSION AUDITION EXCERPTS
If you are unable to attend the audition process during any of the above dates, please contact Dr. Rachel Dirks (rdirks@ksu.edu) prior to Aug. 22 to schedule an alternate audition time.
Sometimes students have unavoidable course conflicts with one or more of the KSUSO rehearsal times, including an overlap with Tuesday/Thursday marching band rehearsals, Chemistry exams, or labs. Don't let that stop you from auditioning...we offer rehearsal make-up times each week to help keep you on track.
We look forward to hearing you play. If you have any concerns about how to prepare for your audition, please visit the link below. And, if you have any questions, please reach out to the Director of Orchestral Studies, Dr. Rachel Dirks (rdirks@ksu.edu). Good luck in your preparations and see you soon!