2026-27 Season Auditions

About the Orchestra:

Nationally recognized for its musical quality, innovative programming, and unique model of community engagement, Longwood Symphony musicians are primarily healthcare professionals from Boston's leading hospitals and universities, including doctors, medical students, research scientists, nurses, therapists, and caregivers--many of whom pursued music studies before turning to medicine.  

The orchestra typically performs four masterworks concerts at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall and one summer concert.

Rehearsals take place near the Longwood Medical Area in Boston. Most rehearsals are Thursday evenings, but there are several Monday evening rehearsals throughout the season. Rehearsals are 7:00-9:30 pm. 

Our 2026-2027 Season Performances will be:
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Saturday December 5, 2026
Saturday, March 20, 2027
Saturday, May 8, 2027
Sunday May 16, 2027

Available Positions:  

Successful applicants will begin as membership-track substitutes, and will be provided playing opportunities after full members. Membership-track substitutes may be offered full membership after at least one season of participation.

Auditions are open to musicians of all professional backgrounds. Musically qualified members of the biomedical community may be given preference when competing with a non-medical musician of comparable musical abilities for a position on the substitute list.

Auditions are open to all instruments; however at this time we have specific vacancies for the following instruments:

  • Bassoon

  • Viola

  • Bass

Audition Requirements:

Auditions consist of two contrasting selections (usually concerto/sonata/solo movement) that you feel best display your level of technical and musical skill. It is acceptable to substitute orchestral excerpts for one of your selections if you prefer. Auditions do not include sight-reading, scales, or arpeggios. The auditions are unaccompanied.

A typical audition will last approximately 8-10 minutes. 

Audition Dates and Format:

In-person auditions will be held at the dates and times below. If you are unable to schedule an audition on one of our designated audition dates, please contact auditions@longwoodsymphony.org to make alternate arrangements. We do accept video auditions for those who are not available

Audition Day 1: Sunday, August 23, 2026, 2pm-7pm
Location: Nathaniel Topliff Allen Homestead (35 Webster St, Newton, MA 02465)

Audition Day 2: Monday, August 24, 2026, 6pm-9pm
Location: United Parish Brookline (210 Harvard St, Brookline MA, 02446).

How to Audition:

To register for an audition, please fill out this AUDITION REQUEST FORM. You will need the following information to complete the form:

  • Your name 

  • Your instrument

  • Your biomedical affiliation, if any

  • A short resume of your musical experience or brief paragraph describing your musical background.

  • If auditioning in person, you will list your preferred audition date and time

  • If auditioning virtually, you will be able to include links to your audition videos. You may also submit videos via email (contact auditions@longwoodsymphony.org). Please submit a video that was recorded within the past six months.

Preference will be given to audition registrations received by August 15th, 2026. Musicians will be notified of their audition results by early-September. 

Please contact Miguel Petris, LSO Operations Manager, with any questions at auditions@longwoodsymphony.org or review the Audition FAQ page here:

Audition FAQs