Orchestra

We are a community with two orchestras and eight choirs that complement each other musically. The ensembles usually perform with their own groups and at large concerts several groups play together . Gustav Mahler's 8th Symphony will be performed in 2024 and Howard Shore's "The Lord of the Rings Symphony" is planned for 2025.

We perform regularly in concert halls such as the Wiener Musikverein, the Wiener Konzerthaus or St. Stephen's Cathedral and invite internationally known artists. And we look forward to you joining us from now on!

Our rehearsals take place weekly and there is a rehearsal weekend once or twice per semester. In order to ensure the musical quality, all rehearsal dates are announced at the beginning of the semester. Attendance of least 75% of the rehearsals is mandatory and it is expected that the repertoire is also practiced individually. If fewer rehearsals are attended the participation in the concert will not be permitted. Rehearsals are expected to be attended on time. It is obligatory to perform at the concerts and to attend last two rehearsals. Musicians who do not show up for the final rehearsals and concerts without a reason (e.g. illness) and do not inform about their absence will no longer be able to participate in the orchestra in the future.

You do not have to study at the University of Vienna to be able to play in the orchestra.

Auditions for the Symphonic Orchestra and the Philharmonic Orchestra will take place in October 2023.

Please register for one orchestra only

Auditions

For the philharmonic orchestra strings should prepare the 1st movement from Tchaikovsky’s “String serenade”.
http://imslp.org/wiki/Serenade_for_String_Orchestra,_Op.48_(Tchaikovsky,_Pyotr)

For the symphonic orchestra, strings should prepare the 1st movement of Primavera of Vivaldi’s “Le quattro stagioni”.
https://imslp.org/wiki/Violin_Concerto_in_E_major%2C_RV_269_(Vivaldi%2C_Antonio)

Violins can choose whether they want to play 1st or 2nd violin.

All wind instruments should prepare a piece of their own choice.

There will be a sight-reading test for all musicians.

For certain instruments the following requirements are obligatory:
Flutists must have a piccolo and be able to play it.
Clarinet players must have a B- and A-clarinet.
Trumpeters must have a B- and C-trumpet.

Pianists, percussionists and harpists:
Please send an e-mail to probespiel@philharmonie.wien.
We are also looking for pianists to accompany choir rehearsals.
For any other questions send us an e-mail to info@philharmonie.wien

Many new students, international exchange students and people new to Vienna come to our orchestras and have few contacts outside of their own university department. To make it easier for you to join our community, we are organizing a welcome concert with a "Speed Friending" event in mid-October. After the concert there will be dancing and partying! It is very important for us to get to know you guys!