Emory University Symphony Orchestra

About the EUSO

The nationally recognized Emory University Symphony Orchestra (EUSO) presents an annual season of dynamic performances with major works from the established orchestral repertoire and new works of the 21st century. The EUSO also combines forces annually with Emory’s celebrated University Chorus to feature masterworks of the rich symphonic-choral tradition. EUSO students bring a variety of orchestral experiences to the ensemble, with many members having participated in the National Youth Orchestra, Interlochen, Brevard, Tanglewood Institute, and the Eastern Music Festival, in addition to prominent youth symphony programs from around the US and abroad. In addition to collaborations with faculty and other distinguished guest artists, students have the opportunity to appear as soloists with the orchestra as winners of the annual Emory Concerto & Aria Competition.


True to the spirit of the liberal arts environment, the large scale symphony orchestra draws its membership from not only the Department of Music but from all disciplines across the campus. Largely populated by music double majors, the orchestra warmly welcomes the participation of qualified non-majors and graduate students with appropriate backgrounds.


The EUSO is featured regularly on Atlanta’s National Public Radio affiliate with broadcast performances including Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Holst The Planets, Saint-Saens Symphony No. 3, Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 and No. 10, Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 and No. 6, and Philip Glass Cello Concerto No. 2 with acclaimed cellist, Matt Haimovitz.


RECENT REPERTOIRE 
Each season, the EUSO performs major works from the repertoire including Brahms Symphony No. 2, Saint-Saens Symphony No. 3, Mahler's Symphony No. 1, Copland's Appalachian Spring, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Orff's Carmina Burana, and the Requiems of Brahms & Duruflé.


FACILITIES
The home of the orchestra is the world-class Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. Completed in 2003, the Schwartz Center houses the 800-seat Emerson Concert Hall, Tharp Rehearsal Hall, the Schwartz Center Box Office and Administrative Suite, multiple chamber music and practice rooms, teaching studios, classrooms and student lounges. The 2005-2006 Season celebrated the inauguration of the new $1.5M concert organ built by Daniel Jaeckel, the latest addition to the hall. Additional practice rooms, classrooms, offices and a 250-seat Performing Arts Studio can be found at the Music Department's Burlington Road building. The Schwartz Center incorporates a small black box theater and a dance studio. See: www.bestvalueschools.com/25-most-amazing-university-performing-arts-centers/.


REHEARSALS
Tuesdays: 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Thursdays: 7:00-9:00 p.m.


CONTACT US
General inquiries: Dr. Paul Bhasin, Director of Orchestral Studies | Music Director & Conductor


For information about the audition process and requirements, see below & visit music.emory.edu/auditions.

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Emory Department of Music

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Music Director

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Join the EUSO

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For new and returning students: auditions, scholarships, and  logistics.

Join the EUSO

NEW & RETURNING STUDENTS

Membership (via audition) is open to ALL Emory students each year. You do not need to major in music to audition! The EUSO's roster proudly draws from across all the University's disciplines each year. 

2019-20 auditions will be held during the first week of class beginning on August 27th and concluding on August 30th. Our first rehearsal will be on Tuesday, September 3rd in Tharp Rehearsal Hall, 5:30pm-7:30pm.


AUDITION REPERTOIRE

New and returning students may select up to six minutes of audition works from the standard solo, orchestral and etude repertoire.  A single piece with contrasting sections is also an acceptable option. Instrument-appropriate major scales will be asked for (in whatever pattern you are used to) and a sight-reading excerpt will be provided. Students are evaluated on the basis of tone quality, intonation, rhythmic accuracy, musicianship, expressiveness, and reading ability.

Please click here for Percussion-specific audition requirements.


Admitted Freshmen and returning Emory students may schedule a time for Fall placement auditions by following the link to the eAudition system. THE AUDITION LINK WILL BE PUBLISHED UNTIL SUMMER 2019! Students – particularly incoming Freshmen – who may not yet know their class schedule should go ahead and schedule regardless and adjust their time if necessary. Please keep your schedule free of conflicts during rehearsal times!

If you have any problems with the system,  please email Martha Shockey in the Music Department at mshocke@emory.edu.


IMPORTANT ADVICE ON NOT WAITING TO AUDITION

Sometimes students wait until the second semester of their freshmen year to try and audition; we would strongly recommend against this as a viable strategy. There are rarely spots available in the middle of the season and EUSO members accepted in the Fall play for the entire season (Fall and Spring). 


PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

Prospective students may contact Dr. Bhasin for questions about  Music Woodruff Scholarships and Music Liberal Arts Scholarships.  More information can be found on our departmental scholarships page and our departmental auditions page  or contact Dr. Bhasin for more detailed information.