Auditions

Auditions for the 2025-26 season are now open.

In-person auditions: August 30-31, 2025 10:30-6PM EST, Perez Building, Room 113, University of Ottawa

Virtual Audition Submission Deadline: August 31th, 2025 11:59 AM EST

Orchestral Musicians

We are accepting auditions for all orchestral instruments, including strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, electric guitar, and electric bass.

  • In-person auditions: August 30–31, 2025, Pérez Building, University of Ottawa (Room 113)

  • Virtual submissions: Accepted until August 31, 2025 at 11:59 AM EST

Full details and specific instrument requirements are available below.

Vocalists & Soloists

We welcome vocal reel submissions across a wide range of genres, including classical opera, musical theatre, pop, rock, R&B, soul, and world music. While immediate opportunities may not be available, all auditions will be acknowledged upon receipt. Only selected applicants will be contacted for future programs. If retained, your submission will be added to our artist database for future consideration.

Please submit your CV and reel via an unlisted YouTube link to auditions@ottawapopsorchestra.ca. No other audition formats will be reviewed.

In-Person Auditions Process

  1. Prepare Your Audition Material
    Review the audition requirements below. Choose contrasting pieces that showcase your musicality, technical proficiency, and versatility.

  2. Select Your Timeslot
    When completing the application form, you will be asked to select an available audition time.

  3. Arrive on Time
    Auditions will be held at the University of Ottawa, Pérez Building (Room 113). Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled time, ready to play. Studio rooms will be available for warm-up, and staff will guide you upon check-in.

  4. Audition with the Panel
    Perform your prepared selections directly for the audition panel. You may be asked to play a short sight-reading exercise.

Virtual Auditions Process

  1. Prepare Your Audition Material
    Review the audition requirements below. Choose contrasting pieces that demonstrate your strengths and versatility.

  2. Record Your Audition
    Record a video of your performance. Ensure the video is well-lit with clear audio.

  3. Upload Your Audition
    Upload your video to a platform such as YouTube or Vimeo. Set it to “unlisted” or “public.”

  4. Complete the Application Form
    Submit the online audition form with your personal details and the link to your video. Virtual submissions must be received by August 31th 2025 at 11:59 AM EST.

Seating and Waitlist:

While we welcome auditions for all orchestral instruments, seats in the orchestra will be filled based on vacancies and the specific needs of each section and program requirements. Due to the competitive nature of auditions and the limited availability of positions, not all applicants may be immediately granted a seat, or perform in all concerts. However, we do maintain a waitlist, and exceptional musicians who are not initially selected may still have the chance to join us as vacancies arise.

Notification:

Applicants will be notified of their audition results via email within one week following the submission deadline. If you are selected to join the orchestra or placed on the waitlist, you will receive further instructions regarding rehearsals, schedules, and additional information at that time.

Successful musicians may be called to participate in some or all concerts, depending on programming needs.

All applicants will be informed of the musician class they have been selected to join (see Musician Policy below), as well as whether they have been selected for the Orchestral Development Bursary or any other form of remuneration.

We eagerly anticipate reviewing your auditions and thank you for considering joining the Ottawa Pops Orchestra and contributing to our musical legacy.

Rehearsals and concerts:

Rehearsals are typically held Sunday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the University of Ottawa School of Music building (Perez). Mainstage performances will be at Carleton Dominion Chalmers Center for the Arts. Dress Rehearsals will be scheduled on Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Preliminary 2025-26 rehearsal and concert schedule

Audition Requirements:

ALL CANDIDATES must prepare two contrasting pieces not exceeding 10 minutes in total playing time, in addition to the requirements listed below. Applicants auditioning for doubling instrument positions should prepare one additional piece for each doubling instrument. Orchestral excerpts are acceptable.

Audition Form

Rehearsal & Commitment Expectations

No membership fees will be charged to musicians for the 2025–26 season.

The Ottawa Pops Orchestra (OPO) is a semi-professional ensemble of community and professional musicians. The concert season runs from September 2025 through June 2026, with weekly rehearsals on Sunday evenings, 6:00–9:00 p.m., in Room 109 of Pérez Hall (610 Cumberland Street). Sectionals may occasionally be scheduled on Fridays, 6:30–9:30 p.m, or in the afternoon.

Each mainstage concert cycle consists of 4–5 rehearsals, culminating in a mandatory Thursday evening dress rehearsal (7:00–10:00 p.m.). Concerts are typically held on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Musicians are expected to attend all rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and concerts for which they are scheduled. In the event of an unavoidable absence, it is the musician’s responsibility to arrange for a qualified substitute. Dress rehearsals are mandatory — no exceptions.

Applicants should disclose any scheduling conflicts at the time of their audition.

Compensation & Membership

Membership Fee: OPO will no longer charge a membership fee for the 2025–26 season, removing barriers and supporting the transition to a semi-professional model.

Compensation Model: OPO is developing a rotating payment model for certain chairs or leadership positions, likely on a per-program basis. Rates for these positions will be discussed individually upon offer.

Orchestra Musician Policy
Orchestral Development Bursary (Coming soon)

Instrument-Specific Requirements

  • Applicants wishing to be considered for concertmaster or Principle second violin should prepare a video audition and send a YouTube link, sheet music, and CV to auditions@ottawapopsorchestra.ca. Successful candidates may be offered compensation for certain leadership duties, which will be discussed individually upon offer. Eligible services typically include dress rehearsals and performances, though specific details will be confirmed with selected applicants.

    Concertmaster Audition Requirements

    Scale :

    D-Major 3 octaves 

    Required Excerpts :

    Strauss - Don Juan, Op. 20, m. 1-62. 

    Mendelssohn - Midsummer Night’s Dream: Overture, mm 6-81. 

    Two contrasting pieces not exceeding 10 minutes in total playing time.

  • Applicants wishing to be considered for principal viola should send their CV to auditions@ottawapopsorchestra.ca. Successful candidates may be offered compensation for certain leadership duties, which will be discussed individually upon offer. Eligible services typically include dress rehearsals and performances, though specific details will be confirmed with selected applicants.

    Principal Viola Audition Requirements

    Scale :

    G-Major 3 octaves 

    Required Excerpts :

    Strauss - Don Juan, Op. 20, Opening to D

    Mendelssohn - Midsummer Night’s Dream: Scherzo, Beginning to G

    Two contrasting pieces not exceeding 10 minutes in total playing time.

  • Applicants wishing to be considered for principal cello should send their CV to auditions@ottawapopsorchestra.ca. Successful candidates may be offered compensation for certain leadership duties, which will be discussed individually upon offer. Eligible services typically include dress rehearsals and performances, though specific details will be confirmed with selected applicants.

    Principal Cello Audition Requirements

    Scale :

    D-Major 3 octaves 

    Required Excerpts :

    Strauss - Don Juan, Op. 20, Opening to 4 measures before D

    Mendelssohn - Midsummer Night’s Dream: Scherzo, opening to letter D

    Two contrasting pieces not exceeding 10 minutes in total playing time.

  • Scales :

    All scales are to be played at BPM=60 (minimum) in 16th notes ascending and descending 8 to a bow. 

    Violin - D major 3 octaves 

    Viola - G major 3 octaves 

    Cello - D major 3 octaves 

    Bass - D major 3 octaves 

    Two contrasting pieces not exceeding 10 minutes in total playing time.

  • Scale :

    All scales are to be played at BPM=60 (minimum) in 16th notes ascending and descending.

    Flute/piccolo - D major 3 octaves 

    Oboe/English horn - Eb major full range scale (starting on Eb4 up to F6 back down to Bb3 ending on Eb4)

    Clarinet/bass clarinet - F major 3 octaves 

    Bassoon - Bb major 3 octaves

    Two contrasting pieces not exceeding 10 minutes in total playing time.

  • Scale :

    All scales are to be played at BPM=60 (minimum) in 16th notes ascending and descending.

    French Horn: Eb (A concert) major 2 octaves

    Trumpet: Bb major 2 octaves

    Trombone: G major 2 octaves

    Tuba: C major 2 octaves

    Two contrasting pieces not exceeding 10 minutes in total playing time.

  • Percussion applicants must prepare:

    • One snare drum study or excerpt, and

    • Either a study/excerpt on a pitched keyboard instrument (marimba, xylophone, or glockenspiel) or any major or minor scale.

    Candidates may also present additional selections on one or more instruments if they wish, provided that the total audition performance does not exceed 10 minutes.

    The following instruments will be available on site:

    • Marimba

    • Xylophone

    • Glockenspiel

    • Four timpani

    • Drum set

    A basic set of sticks and mallets will be provided; however, applicants are encouraged to bring their own for comfort and familiarity.

    Please note: as part of their role, percussionists are expected to assist with equipment transport, setup, and teardown at rehearsals and performances.

  • Scale:

    Any scale 3 octaves, hands together, BPM 80+ 

    Two contrasting pieces not exceeding 10 minutes in total playing time.

  • Scale :

    Ab major parallel motion scale 4 octaves hands together BPM=104. F# minor tonic four note chord broken alternate-note pattern 2 octaves (ending with I-IV-164-V-I chord progression) hand together BPM=80.

    Two contrasting pieces not exceeding 10 minutes in total playing time. 

  • Chromatic scale: 2 octaves - A to a'.

    I-IV-V7-I chord progression in a major or minor key up to and including four sharps and two flats. Chords may be fingered in open and/or closed positions.

    Two contrasting pieces not exceeding 10 minutes in total playing time.

Audition Form

Assistance

For any inquiries or assistance, please contact us at auditions@ottawapopsorchestra.ca