Astral Artists National Auditions

The application deadline for Astral Artists 2010 National Auditions has now passed.
Thank you for your interest - see you next year!

2010 Audition Dates

WINDS & SMALL WIND ENSEMBLES
(solo winds & ensembles predominantly composed of winds)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010

PIANO
Thursday, January 7, 2010

STRINGS & SMALL STRING ENSEMBLES
(solo strings & ensembles predominantly composed of strings)
Friday, January 8, 2010

Attention, violinists! Read about the MILKA/ASTRAL VIOLIN PRIZE

To Apply

To complete your application, click here.

Application Deadline:
Applications must be submitted by WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2009.
All additional materials (below) must also be received at Astral (not postmarked) by WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2009.

Applicants must provide the following:

  • A completed application form.
  • A $60 non-refundable fee. Make checks payable to Astral Artists, or pay by credit card online.
  • 3 letters of reference from qualified teachers, coaches, conductors, etc. Provided they are received by the application deadline of Wednesday, November 4, 2009, letters of reference may be:
    • emailed to Auditions, with the applicant’s name in the subject line
    • faxed to Astral at 215-735-6856
    • mailed to Astral
  • 2 identical anonymous* CDs, recorded within the last 2 years. Cassette tapes, videotapes, and/or mp3 files will not be accepted. Astral will not reproduce your CD if only 1 copy is submitted; your application will be considered incomplete and therefore will not be reviewed.

* The CD screening round is conducted anonymously; do not include a name or photo on the CDs themselves, but rather, please clearly indicate the applicant’s name on the CD covers. Repertoire must be clearly indicated either on the CDs themselves, or on the CD covers

CD recording requirements:
The CDs must be at least 30 minutes in duration, and must include at least 3 major works demonstrating different styles and periods, at least 1 of which demonstrates virtuosity. Movements from a larger work are acceptable, provided the aforementioned requirements are met, and that the excerpted movements are represented in their entirety. A recording of a soloist’s performance within an ensemble will not be accepted. Repertoire should reflect current level of achievement. Repertoire need not be the same as the repertoire prepared for the live audition.

Eligibility

2010 Auditions exclude Voice & Percussion.
Applicants must be resident and legally eligible to perform in the United States.
Applicants need not be citizens of the United States.
Applicants should be age 32 or under. (For ensembles: the average age of the ensemble members should be 32 or under.)
Applicants may be under professional management.

General Information

If advanced from the CD screening/application round, applicants will be invited to the live auditions.
All auditions are held in Rock Hall at Temple University, Philadelphia.
Live auditions for each discipline take place on one (1) day only; they do not occur in rounds.
The live audition duration is 15-20 minutes.

Repertoire Guidelines: Live Auditions

(Applicable if advanced from the CD screening round)
Your repertoire should include complete works – including all movements – representing the Baroque/Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary (written in 1900 or later) periods, while meeting the following criteria:

STRINGS
(Do not include repeats.)

  • 1 major concerto
  • 1 major sonata
  • 1 piece showing virtuosity
  • 1 other piece of your choice

PIANO & OTHER SOLO INSTRUMENTS
(Do not include repeats.)

  • 1 major concerto or concert piece with orchestra (Pianists: an accompanist will be provided.)
  • 1 major sonata
  • 1 piece showing virtuosity
  • 1 other piece of your choice

PIANO DUOS
(Do not include repeats.)
4 complete major works from the Baroque/Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary (written in 1900 or later) periods, at least 1 of which demonstrates virtuosity

SMALL STRING & SMALL WIND ENSEMBLES
(Do not include repeats.)
4 complete major works from the Baroque/Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary (written in 1900 or later) periods

OTHER INSTRUMENTS & ENSEMBLES
4 complete major works written for or transcribed for your instrument or ensemble, in as many varying styles as are appropriate for your instrument or ensemble

Please Note

Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance for a live audition.
All panel reviews and decisions are final.
Feedback from the anonymous CD screening round cannot be provided.
Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
CDs will not be returned.
The application fee will not be refunded.
All applicants will be informed as to whether or not they have been advanced to the live auditions by December 7, 2009.