Kansas State University Symphony Orchestra
2025-26 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
Placement auditions for the 2025-2026 KSUSO season will take place August 23-24, 2025 for strings, Wednesday, August 27 for winds and brass, and the percussion date is currently TBD. Audition excerpts for all musicians are found at the bottom of this page.
STRING AUDITIONS
The KSUSO will be holding string section auditions the weekend of Aug. 23-24, 2025. String players should use the STRING AUDITION SIGN-UP link (available after July 1) to reserve your specific audition time.
Woodwind and brass musicians interested in joining the KSUSO will perform one audition on Wednesday, August 27 comprised of both orchestra and band excerpts. These excerpts will be available after July 1. Students may use this audition performance for entry into orchestra, band, or both. Woodwind and brass musicians will gather on Aug. 27 at 3:30 p.m. in McCain 201 for a brief meeting before the audition process begins.
Prior to your audition, woodwind and brass musicians should fill out the WOODWIND & BRASS KSUSO AUDITION FORM (available after July 1).
PERCUSSION AUDITIONS
Percussionists will audition for all ensembles through the percussion studio. More information regarding these details will be available later this summer.
HAVE AN AUDITION DATE CONFLICT?
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. 23 to schedule an alternate audition time.
HAVE A COURSE CONFLICT?
Sometimes students have unavoidable course conflicts with one or more of the KSUSO rehearsal times, including an overlap with Tuesday/Thursday marching band rehearsals. Don't let that stop you from auditioning...we offer rehearsal make-up times each week to help keep you on track.
String Audition Excerpts
Make sure to prepare all audition requirements (Scales & Excerpts). All audition excerpts have been gathered from the following works:
Beethoven - Symphony No. 8
Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 2
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 5
Violin Excerpts
Viola Excerpts
Cello Excerpts
Bass Excerpts
Wind and Brass Audition Excerpts
Make sure to prepare all audition requirements as outlined in the following excerpts. All orchestra audition excerpts have been gathered from the following works:
Fall audition excerpts for winds and brass will be available after July 1, 2025. Once these are available, click on your instrument link below to access a pdf of your fall orchestra audition excerpts.
Flute Excerpts
Oboe Excerpts
Clarinet Excerpts
Bassoon Excerpts
Horn Excerpts
Trumpet Excerpts
Trombone Excerpts
Bass Trombone Excerpts
Tuba Excerpts
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!