Upcoming audition
The next time we open auditions will be on Spring 2025 – our last recruitment audition took place on Tuesday 17th of September 2024. A piece of your choice of 5 minutes maximum, and a dash of orchestra communicated a few days before the audition will be requested. Piano accompaniment is not possible.
We will contact you approximatively a week before the audition to confirm your registration and communicate the dashes you’ll have to prepare.
Registration for the audition is now CLOSED .
Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. You can also check our FAQ down below!
The Program for Fall 2024 is available ; the program for Spring 2025 will be available at the end of the current semester :
| Beethoven | Symphony No. 1 | Orchestra | Fall 2024 |
| Mendelssohn | Les Hybrides – Overture | Orchestra | Fall 2024 |
Everyone can join the orchestra, but priority is given to students, PhDs and post-docs from EPFL and UNIL, as well as from other universities. The participation in the orchestra is free of charge. Orchestra members who are students, PhDs or post-docs are also members of the association.
We recruit new musiciens through an audition, held on the first week of each semester. The program of the audition consists in the performance of a short orchestral excerpt selected by our Konzertmeisterin, which may be supplemented by a piece of the candidate’s choice for a total duration of maximum 5 minutes.
The orchestra’s main activities are in the periods October-December and March-May with two concerts at the end of each period. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday (7-10 pm) on the EPFL campus as well as during one working weekend (10 am – 5 pm). A regular attendance at the scheduled rehearsals is expected.
The composition of the orchestra and hence the need for recruiting new musicians is defined about one month before every audition, but spontaneous applications are also possible. You can send us your application by contacting us.
How can I join the orchestra?
We recruit new musicians through an audition, which is usually held during the first week of each semester.
I am not a student anymore. Can I join the orchestra?
Yes, you can. However, in case of limited places, the priority is given to students, PhDs and post-docs from EPFL and UNIL, as well as from other universities.
I am an exchange student and will be here just for one semester. Can I subscribe to the audition?
Of course you can!
Is there a fee for playing in the orchestra?
No, the participation in the orchestra is free of charge… and listening to our concerts too!
I am a first-year student and have a busy schedule. If I join the orchestra, how much work should I expect?
We have busy schedules too, but enyoy very much the time spent in the orchestra. University studies and music are fully compatible, even if they require some time management skills.
The orchestra’s main activities are in the periods October-December and March-May with two concerts at the end of each period. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday (7-10 pm) on the EPFL campus as well as during one or two working weekends (10 am – 5 pm). A regular attendance at the scheduled rehearsals is expected.
It looks like the orchestra is already full. Is there a spot for me?
There might be one next semester. The composition of the orchestra and hence the need for recruiting new musicians is defined just before every program. We publish the list of vacant positions on this page about one month before the next scheduled audition. Spontaneous applications are also possible outside these terms, with no guarantee that we can call you for the audition though.
How can I join the association?
If you are a student, PhD or Post-doc and passed the audition, you also are a member of the association.
What is the program of the audition?
The program of the audition consists in the performance of a short orchestral excerpt selected by our Konzertmeisterin, which should be supplemented by a piece of the candidate’s choice of duration of maximum 5 minutes. Remember: enjoy the music and don’t stress! 🙂
I have missed the audition by a few days. Can I still join the orchestra?
Please contact us, there might be still a free spot for you. In case, we will organize a special audition before the next rehearsal.