Auditions
San Jose Wind Symphony is holding open auditions for the 2026–2027 concert season on Saturday, August 8, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Auditions will be held at:
Obi Studios
320 Piercy Road
San Jose, CA 95138
Please click or tap here to apply on-line.
All players of modern wind ensemble instruments are welcome to audition. This year, we have openings in the following sections:
Flute
Oboe
French Horn
Percussion (players should demonstrate proficiency on a wide range of percussion instruments, including mallet percussion)
We also have substitute opportunities available for performers on all instruments.
During the audition, you will be asked to perform major, minor, and chromatic scales, along with excerpts from one or more solo works for your instrument (see below for instrument-specific requirements, if applicable). You will also be asked to sight-read a short excerpt and briefly discuss your musical background and interest in performing with the San Jose Wind Symphony.
Each audition lasts approximately 10 minutes and is heard by the Music Director and members of the audition committee.
If you are interested in auditioning—or know someone who might be—please contact Liz Grajeda, Managing Director, at info@sjws.org.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS BY INSTRUMENT
Piccolo
All major and melodic minor scales
Chromatic scale — normal range of the instrument
Stars and Stripes — choose ONE version:
Db: Last 32 bars
C: Grandioso to the end
Flute
All major and melodic minor scales
Chromatic scale — normal range of the instrument
Griffes Poem — A-C, D-F, L-O
Stars and Stripes — Grandiose to the end, play part marked flute / piccolo (C)
OBOE
All major and melodic minor scales
Chromatic scale — normal range of the instrument
Gabriel’s Oboe — beginning to end of m. 14
Etude #34
Handel Sonata
Andante — beginning to 2 measures before letter G
Presto — all
Clarinet
All major and melodic minor scales
Chromatic scale — normal range of the instrument
Mozart Concerto, beginning to end of m. 154
Solo from the clarinet literature of your choosing
Trumpet
All major and melodic minor scales
Chromatic scale — normal range of the instrument
Etude
Horn
All major and melodic minor scales
Chromatic scale — normal range of the instrument
2 Alphonse Etudes
Richard Strauss Concerto No. 1 — Beginning to measure 84.
Season Commitment & Schedule
Membership in the San Jose Wind Symphony requires consistent preparation, rehearsal attendance, and participation in performances.
Members are expected to:
Prepare music independently between rehearsals
Attend weekly rehearsals on Tuesdays from 7:30–10:00 PM (September through July)
Attend required dress rehearsals and concerts
Contribute volunteer service to the organization
2026–2027 Performance Schedule
Required Dress Rehearsals
Friday, October 9, 2026
Friday, December 11, 2026
Friday, February 26, 2027
Friday, May 14, 2027
Friday, July 2, 2027
Tentative Concert Dates
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Sunday, December 13, 2026
Sunday, February 28, 2027
Sunday, May 16, 2027
Sunday, July 4, 2027
The complete rehearsal calendar will be provided to members after auditions.
About SJWS
The San Jose Wind Symphony is one of Northern California’s premier community wind ensembles, featuring music educators, former military musicians, college music majors, and accomplished amateur musicians dedicated to performing challenging and engaging repertoire at a high level.
Our repertoire spans traditional wind band classics, contemporary works, and transcriptions, with most literature in the Grade 4–6 range. Recent performances have included Deciduous, Frozen Cathedral, Lincolnshire Posy, Give Us This Day, Sensamayá, and First Suite in E-flat. We regularly collaborate with internationally recognized guest artists.
SJWS typically presents five concerts each season from early September through early July, primarily at the McAfee Performing Arts Center at Saratoga High School. Beyond our regular season, the ensemble periodically tours and recently completed a professional recording project at Skywalker Sound.