Our regular auditions for the 2027 season are over. If you missed that opportunity, please contact the CPHO administrator promptly to arrange an audition. Although rehearsals start September 14, our roster remains open until December to accommodate late-comers to homeschooling or to the area.
All instruments are welcome to inquire about auditions. Our particular needs for the 2027 season include: adding viola, double bass (aka contrabass or string bass), and additional cello to the string section, and adding French horn and trombone to the brass section. Though our woodwinds are full and violins just about so, we can make room in those sections for a capable student. The piano and percussion sections are currently full and can take no new members.
Central Pennsylvania Homeschool Orchestra requires prospective members to audition in order to determine whether or not they have the minimum skills necessary to benefit from as well as contribute to the orchestra. Percussionists may be permitted to waive the audition based on an interview with the conductor. CPHO provides percussion instruments (including timpani!) and training.
Auditions are gently conducted at the conductor’s home, always with a parent in attendance, and take about fifteen minutes. The musician should bring a minute or two of music (which need not be memorized) that he can play well, so that the conductor can best gauge the musician’s true skill level. Additionally, the musician should be prepared to sight-read a piece or two provided by the conductor based on the demonstrated skill level.
The musician is usually told immediately whether he passed the audition and, if so, may be offered either a Principal or an Associate membership. Parents who are interested in participating as Mentors may discuss this with the conductor at their student’s audition.
