MIT Symphony Orchestra

Adam K. Boyles, Director
akboyles@mit.edu

Symphony Orchestra may be taken for credit: 21M.421

REHEARSALS

T/Th, 7:30-10pm (Held in Kresge Auditorium)

HISTORY of MITSO

CONCERTS

CONCERTO COMPETITION

MITSO in the NEWS

RECORDINGS

Auditions

The MIT Symphony Orchestra is holding open auditions for Fall 2026. Auditions are open to all with preference given to MIT and Wellesley students. MIT and Wellesley students may take MITSO for 6 units of credit, but one need not take MITSO for credit to fully participate.

For Fall 2026, all auditions are to be submitted by video. Carefully note the following guidelines:

-The entire video is to be done in one unedited take.

- At the beginning, please state your name, date (with year), instrument, school or community affiliation, and the solo work to be performed.
Example: “Hi, I’m John Smith. Today is August 31, 2026. I play the viola and am a first-year MIT student. I will be performing an excerpt from the Walton concerto."

- Perform a short solo work/excerpt of your choosing, no longer than three minutes. This may be performed with music in front of you, but please situate the camera so you can be fully seen the whole time. Percussionists, please perform two short excerpts: one on a pitched instrument and one on a non-pitched instrument (Example: 1 on marimba, and 1 on snare drum).

- When your solo piece is done, please do four scales: one major, one harmonic minor, one melodic minor, and one natural minor. Announce each key and scale before you do it. Each scale must be in a different key. At least one scale must have a flat attached, and one must have a sharp attached. Number of octaves, tempo, and articulation are up to you. Strings, please do not do an arpeggio at the end, and at least three scales must not be the keys of the open strings. Memorization is preferred but not mandatory. Solid intonation and steady tempo are preferred over speed and number of octaves.

Example: Db major, F# harmonic minor, E melodic minor, Bb natural minor

- If you are wanting to audition for consideration on two instruments, please submit two complete videos.

- Please email the video(s) or video link(s) directly to Dr. Boyles, akboyles@mit.edu. If you have posted the file on YouTube or some such video repository, please make sure there are no issues of access or privacy.

- Videos are due August 31 before 11:59pm. You may submit them as early as you like - if you’re ready to go in June, go ahead and send it.

- During the first week of classes in September, you will be contacted directly regarding audition results. You may be contacted about an in-person callback audition to be scheduled either September 8th or 9th. You may be accepted or not accepted into the orchestra with or without a callback.

- Percussionists: For use of the percussion studio and equipment, please email MITSO manager, Riley Vogel (vogel503@mit.edu), to request access.

The first MITSO rehearsal of the season is scheduled for Thursday September 10th, Kresge Auditorium, 7:30pm.

Please email me if you have any questions or concerns.

Audition Information For All Music Ensembles