What is the Yale Symphony Orchestra?

The Yale Symphony Orchestra (YSO) has long been considered one of the premiere college orchestras in the country.  The orchestra has a rich 42-year history and has performed a wide array of orchestral pieces.  About eighty to ninety musicians perform in the YSO every year to large audiences at Yale's Woolsey Hall.

How competitive is it to get into the YSO?

As with any orchestra, it depends on what each section's needs are for a given year.  Depending on who graduated the year before or what instruments are in need (percussion, viola, bass, brass), certain sections may be more competitive than others.  Nonetheless, everyone who plays an instrument should audition for symphony. The YSO requires all of its members to re-audition each year, so the number of seats available for freshmen is limited only to the number of outstanding freshmen that audition. Auditioning provides a great experience, and the worst that can happen is you don't get in. Audition, audition, audition!

What is the audition process like?

You can start preparing right now by downloading PDFs of the audition excerpts for your instrument HERE. When you get to campus, come to the YSO offices at 304 Hendrie Hall to sign up for an audition slot. Additionally, we encourage you to attend our Organizational Meeting for specific information about the current season, and to answer any questions you might have.

In your audition, you will be asked to play two minutes of a solo work, either from a concerto or from your instrument's solo repertoire, and one or two of the excerpts pre-selected for your instrument. Maestro Shimada might ask you a few questions about your musical experience.

Once all auditions are heard, Maestro Shimada will create the season's roster of musicians, and you will be notified in person if you've been selected to play with the orchestra. The roster will also be posted on the YSO's website.

What kind of time commitment is involved?

The Yale Symphony Orchestra rehearses Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-6:30.  During concert weeks, an additional Friday and Saturday afternoon rehearsal is standard.  It is imperative that all members attend each rehearsal in a timely fashion.  Members of the group must come ready to play and must be extremely focused during each rehearsal.  Each member of the orchestra is vital to the organization's success.  The more dedicated you are to the orchestra, the more rewarding your experience with the YSO will be.

How many concerts does the YSO play, and what is the repertoire like?

The YSO generally performs five concerts in New Haven each season in addition to the annual Halloween show.  The YSO has always been known for the sophistication of its programs.  An example of our typical season might include Stravinsky's Firebird , Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4, and Mahler's Second Symphony, Resurrection . Our updated schedule for this year is available online or from the Symphony Office at (203) 432-4140.

Do we tour?

Do we tour? Is the Queen of England an irrelevant symbol of Britain's past glory? Of course we tour! We toured such Eastern European cities as Prague, Vienna and Budapest. We concluded a tour of Korea in June of 2000 and have toured Portugal in the recent past. In addition, the orchestra performs runouts and special events as they become available.

What do YSO kids do for fun?

The YSO is populated by all sorts of people; as with so many Yale organizations, it is characterized by its diversity.  Students from many different social and academic backgrounds come together to play in the orchestra.  The YSO likes to think of itself as more than just a musical ensemble where students rehearse five hours a week.   Symphony officers try to plan numerous social experiences for members, such as symphony supper, symphony sushi, receptions, and unlimited chamber music opportunities.  Of course, all non- rehearsal activities are optional, but we highly encourage you to take part.

What is the YSO Halloween Show?

In short, the Halloween show is the most popular Halloween event on campus.  Each year, over 3,000 Yalies cram the aisles of sold-out Woolsey Hall at midnight on Halloween.  Though the Halloween show defies explanation, we can tell you that it is a multimedia extravaganza involving a silent movie, live-action scenes, smoke, stunts, a healthy dose of Harvard-bashing, an audience of over 3000 (don't tell the fire marshal), and the typical high quality of the YSO.   Recent special guests have included Yale President Richard Levin and Dean Peter Salovey. 

What other musical opportunities are available to me if I don't get into Symphony
(or if I do and want to play in other ensembles)?

Yale has many musical opportunities. Besides the Yale Symphony Orchestra, numerous chamber orchestras exist at Yale, all of which are of high quality. These groups include the Berkeley College Orchestra, the Bach Society Orchestra, and the Jonathan Edwards Chamber Symphony. If chamber music is more to your liking, musicians abound at Yale and most are extremely eager to start a small chamber ensemble of their own. You can even play in the pit orchestra of a musical or an opera. From string quartets to brass quintets, there is something at Yale for everyone.

How do I get music lessons at Yale?

Highly trained musicians at Yale College may qualify for a program that awards course credit for students taking free music lessons.  Students audition in September at the Yale School of Music, one of the top music graduate schools in the country, and are matched with excellent teachers, including School of Music faculty and highly-trained graduate students.  Participating students must have taken or be concurrently enrolled in Music 210 or 211.  Placement examinations for music classes are administered by the Music Department in the first week of school.  Students who are not selected for lessons for credit are still matched with a teacher and have the opportunity to take lessons for a fee.

How can I learn more about the YSO?

The easiest way to get more information is through the YSO Office. The Manager will be glad to help you with any questions you might have via e-mail, or you can visit him in his lofty tower among the clouds at Hendrie Hall, room 304. To contact the Manager by phone, please call the symphony office at (203) 432-4140. If you would like to get in touch with a student, please write to the orchestra's President.