Join LU Phil

Audition Information for prospective LU Philharmonic Orchestra Members

Please contact the director directly for an interview and audition if you would like to join our orchestra and you are not a Lehigh Student.

Audition Information for LU Students

To qualify to play in orchestra, you are required to play an audition during the first week of school. Students who were Philharmonic Orchestra members are exempt from the audition. Auditions will determine membership in the Orchestra Program and your seating assignments. Seating rotates every semester and is based upon your attitude, ability, and seniority. Seating availability is usually determined by what repertoire is being performed -- especially for wind, brass, keyboard, harp, and percussion players. If you are not included on the orchestra roster, do not interpret this as an indication that you are not qualified; often there are not enough positions available, especially since many of the non-string parts are one instrumentalist to a part. The director will make every effort to double parts if appropriate.

Audition Material

Please be prepared to:

  • play one or two pieces of your choice that demonstrate your musicality and technique

  • play scales

  • sight read

For auditions in the summer, please contact the orchestra manager at lcg3@lehigh.edu

Auditions are held during Freshman Orientation before classes start.

To join the LU Phil:

You need to have a deep desire to bring music to life. This entails hard work, practicing, rehearsing, research, as well as lots of fun. The commitment is very important. Our members need to feel ownership of the ensemble, and the pride in our group is very important.

Our regular rehearsals are Wednesday nights, 7pm - 10pm, in Baker Hall. We also have string sectionals on one Thursday at 4:15pm - 6pm for each concert.

We have an orchestra camp in September, and the week of concerts we rehearse on Wednesday and Thursday nights, with concerts on Friday and Saturday nights.