Join the ensemble
Auditions
All full-ensemble positions in the San José Wind Symphony are currently filled. Open auditions are held for substitute positions, and video auditions for sub positions are accepted year-round, so you can apply at any time. Full-time openings and in-person auditions will be announced in June 2027.
Apply onlineCurrent openings
All full-ensemble positions have been filled for this season. We continue to accept video auditions for substitute positions on all instruments. Full-time openings and in-person auditions will be announced in June 2027.
What to expect
You will be asked to perform major, minor, and chromatic scales along with excerpts from one or more solo works for your instrument. You will also sight-read a short excerpt and briefly discuss your musical background and your interest in performing with the San José Wind Symphony. Each audition lasts about 10 minutes and is heard by the Music Director and members of the audition committee.
Requirements by instrument
Flute / Piccolo
- All major and melodic minor scales
- Chromatic scale — normal range of the instrument
- Griffes Poem — A-C, D-F, L-O
- Stars and Stripes — Grandioso to the end, part marked flute / piccolo (C)
- Piccolo (secondary instrument): Stars and Stripes — choose ONE: D-flat, last 32 bars, or C, Grandioso to the end
Oboe
- All major and melodic minor scales
- Chromatic scale — normal range of the instrument
- Gabriel's Oboe — beginning to end of m. 14
- Etude #34
- Handel Sonata: Andante — beginning to 2 measures before letter G; Presto — all
Clarinet
- All major and melodic minor scales
- Chromatic scale — normal range of the instrument
- Mozart Concerto — beginning to end of m. 154
- A solo from the clarinet literature of your choosing
Trumpet
- All major and melodic minor scales
- Chromatic scale — normal range of the instrument
- Etude
Horn
- All major and melodic minor scales
- Chromatic scale — normal range of the instrument
- 2 Alphonse Etudes
- Richard Strauss Concerto No. 1 — beginning to measure 84
Season commitment & schedule
Membership requires consistent preparation, rehearsal attendance, and participation in performances. Members are expected to prepare music independently between rehearsals, attend weekly rehearsals on Tuesdays from 7:30–10:00 PM (September through July), attend all required dress rehearsals and concerts, and contribute volunteer service to the organization.
Required dress rehearsals
- Friday, October 9, 2026
- Friday, December 11, 2026
- Friday, February 26, 2027
- Friday, May 14, 2027
- Friday, July 2, 2027
Concert dates
- Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Sunday, December 13, 2026
- Sunday, February 28, 2027
- Sunday, May 16, 2027
- Sunday, July 4, 2027
The complete rehearsal calendar is provided to members after auditions.
About SJWS
The San José Wind Symphony is one of Northern California's premier community wind ensembles, featuring music educators, former military musicians, college music majors, and accomplished amateur musicians dedicated to performing challenging and engaging repertoire at a high level. Our repertoire spans traditional wind band classics, contemporary works, and transcriptions, with most literature in the Grade 4–6 range. Recent performances have included Deciduous, Frozen Cathedral, Lincolnshire Posy, Give Us This Day, Sensamayá, and First Suite in E-flat. We regularly collaborate with internationally recognized guest artists. SJWS typically presents five concerts each season from early September through early July, primarily at the McAfee Performing Arts Center at Saratoga High School. Beyond our regular season, the ensemble periodically tours and recently completed a professional recording project at Skywalker Sound.
Apply online
Fill out the audition application below. Questions? Contact Liz Grajeda, Managing Director, at info@sjws.org.
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