Only the peerless sought for chamber orchestra auditions

General auditions for the Saratoga Chamber Orchestra, a professional performing ensemble based on Whidbey Island, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 28, at South Whidbey High School.

General auditions for the Saratoga Chamber Orchestra, a professional performing ensemble based on Whidbey Island, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 28, at South Whidbey High School.

Professional-level musicians, particularly those with residences on or connections to Whidbey Island, are encouraged to apply.

The orchestra has openings in the following permanent positions: second clarinet, second bassoon, violin I & II, viola and cello. Candidates may also audition for substitute and extra positions in all sections of the orchestra.

For additional information or to download an audition form, visit saratogachamberorchestra.org/auditions. Questions can be directed to Roxallanne Medley at 678-3720 or rkmedley1@verizon.net. Applications are due no later than Aug. 6 and only highly qualified applicants will receive an audition appointment.

The Saratoga Chamber Orchestra is a professional orchestra and not-for-profit corporation, founded in 2007. It is comprised of musicians from all corners of Whidbey Island and currently presents four to five concert programs each season, with performance venues ranging from Oak Harbor to Langley.

The orchestra’s unique mission statement positions the organization as a partner in the Whidbey Island community by creating special opportunities for exceptional student musicians, collaborations with artists from other creative disciplines and events designed to help stimulate tourism and the local economy.

Individual members of the orchestra have held or currently hold positions in the Seattle Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Boulder (CO) Philharmonic, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Everett Symphony, Seattle Philharmonic among others. 

Conductor and music director since the orchestra’s inception, Legh W. Burns, is Professor Emeritus of the University of Oklahoma School of Music and former first trumpet with the United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. He lists Pierre Monteux, Herbert Blomstedt, Richard Lert and Renee Longy as conductors and musicians with whom he has studied.

For additional information about the Saratoga Chamber Orchestra, please visit www.saratogachamberorchestra.org.