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

  • Tenor Saxophone

  • 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.

Apply now online.

About SJWS

The San Jose Wind Symphony is one of Northern California's premier community wind ensembles. Our membership includes current and retired music educators, former military musicians, college music majors, and accomplished amateur musicians who share a passion for performing at a high level.

Our repertoire is comparable to that of leading collegiate and professional wind ensembles, with most literature falling in the Grade 4–6 range. Recent works have included Deciduous, Frozen Cathedral, Lincolnshire Posy, Give Us This Day, Sensamayá, and First Suite in E-flat. We perform traditional wind band classics, contemporary works, transcriptions, and regularly collaborate with internationally recognized guest artists.

SJWS presents five to nine concerts each season, which typically run from early September through early July. Most performances take place at the McAfee Performing Arts Center on the campus of Saratoga High School, where we have built a large and enthusiastic audience. In addition to our regular concert season, SJWS periodically tours and recently completed a professional recording project at Skywalker Sound.

The ensemble rehearses most Tuesdays from 7:30 to 10:00 PM at Obi Studios in San Jose.

Members are expected to prepare music independently, attend rehearsals and performances consistently, and contribute through volunteer service. We maintain high musical standards and a formal attendance policy while fostering a welcoming, collaborative environment. We take our music seriously—but not ourselves—and strive to present engaging, entertaining programs that connect with our audiences.

We currently have openings for the 2026–2027 season in flute, oboe, tenor saxophone, horn, and percussion. Musicians who play any wind band instrument are encouraged to audition, and substitute opportunities are available for all instruments.

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.