Auditions
Auditions for the Ottawa Pops Orchestra's 2026–27 season are now open.
Applicants may audition either in person or by video submission.
In-Person Auditions
September 12–13, 2026
10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. EDT
Pérez Building (Rooms 109 & 113)
University of Ottawa
Virtual Audition Submission Deadline
September 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT
Orchestral Musicians
We welcome auditions for all orchestral instruments, including strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp, piano, electric guitar, electric bass, and other instruments commonly featured in pops repertoire.
Please choose one of the following audition options:
In-person audition: September 12–13, 2026
Virtual video submission: due by September 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT
Full audition requirements and instrument-specific excerpts are available below.
In-Person Auditions
Review the audition requirements below and prepare contrasting selections that demonstrate your musicality, technical proficiency, and versatility.
When completing the application form, you will be asked to select an available audition time.
Auditions will take place in Rooms 109 and 113 of the Pérez Building at the University of Ottawa. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled audition. Practice rooms will be available for warm-up, and volunteers will assist you upon arrival.
You will perform your prepared selections for the audition panel and may also be asked to complete a short sight-reading exercise.
Virtual Auditions
Review the audition requirements below and prepare the same required material for your instrument.
Record your audition with clear audio and video, then upload it to YouTube or Vimeo as either Public or Unlisted.
Complete the online audition form and include the link to your video submission.
Virtual auditions must be received by September 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Seating and Waitlist
We encourage musicians of all instruments to audition. Placement in the orchestra is based on the artistic needs of each concert, instrumentation requirements, and available vacancies within each section.
Due to the competitive nature of auditions, not all successful applicants will receive a permanent seat or be scheduled to perform in every concert. Musicians who are not immediately offered a position may be placed on our substitute or waitlist roster and invited to perform as opportunities arise throughout the season.
Notification
Applicants will be notified of their audition results by email within approximately one week of the final in-person audition date.
Successful applicants will receive additional information regarding rehearsal schedules, concert assignments, musician classification (see Musician Policy below), and any applicable remuneration or bursary opportunities, including the Orchestral Development Bursary.
Depending on programming needs, musicians may be invited to perform in some or all concerts throughout the season.
We look forward to hearing your audition and thank you for your interest in joining the Ottawa Pops Orchestra.
Rehearsals and Performances
Regular rehearsals are typically held on Sunday evenings from 6:00–9:00 p.m. at the University of Ottawa School of Music (Pérez Building).
Dress rehearsals are generally scheduled on Thursday evenings from 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Mainstage performances take place at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre in downtown Ottawa.
While these are our standard rehearsal times, occasional schedule adjustments may be required depending on venue availability, conductor availability, and artistic needs.
Preliminary 2026-27 rehearsal and concert schedule subjet to modification
Rehearsal & Commitment Expectations
No membership fees will be charged to musicians for the 2026–27 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.
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.
Instrument-Specific Requirements
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Scale :
All scales are to be played at BPM=60 (minimum) in 16th notes ascending and descending.
French Horn: Eb 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.
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Percussion applicants must prepare:
One snare drum study or excerpt, and
Study/excerpt on a pitched keyboard instrument (marimba, xylophone, or glockenspiel)
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.
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Scale:
Any scale 3 octaves, hands together, BPM 80+
Two contrasting pieces not exceeding 10 minutes in total playing time.
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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.
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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.
Company Auditions
Audition details for West Side Story in Concert will be announced soon.
The Ottawa Pops Orchestra is committed to an equitable, inclusive, and culturally appropriate casting process. We welcome performers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and will strive to cast roles in a manner that reflects both the artistic integrity of the work and current best practices in representation.
Complete audition requirements, eligibility, audition dates, and submission instructions will be published shortly. We look forward to welcoming talented performers from across the region.
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 or Vimeo link to auditions@ottawapopsorchestra.ca. No other audition formats will be reviewed.
Assistance
For any inquiries or assistance, please contact us at auditions@ottawapopsorchestra.ca