Auditions

playing for hso

Be part of an exciting chapter with the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra as we enter our second season under the leadership of Music Director Dane Lam.

As a pillar for the arts, our vision is to broaden community access to meaningful musical experiences for everyone in our culturally rich state. The HSO remains committed to reaching our community through in-person performances and digital broadcasts that feature our gifted musicians and stellar guest artists from around the Pacific and beyond.

2024 Openings

  • Cello (3 Section Core)

  • Cello (1 Per-Service)

    • Cello auditions to be run as one audition

    • Accepted applicants will be auditioning for all positions

    • Same repertoire list for all cello positions

  • Principal Trumpet

  • 3rd/ Utility Trumpet

  • 2nd Horn

Full Orchestra-min.png
Waikiki Shell 755B69.jpg
Forests IMG_0319.JPG

How to Apply

  • Email a 1-page PDF resume indicating your instrument to Megan Wade at jobs@hawaiisymphonyorchestra.org. Please make sure that your resume includes your current address, cell phone number, and email address.

  • Mail a $50.00 refundable deposit check. Checks should be postmarked no later than Monday, October 7, 2024, and made out to "Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra" with “Audition” in the memo line at:

    Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra
    Attn: Megan Wade
    3610 Waialae Ave
    Honolulu, HI 96816

  • Candidates will receive their deposit back if they withdraw from the audition before 5:00 pm (HST) on Monday, November 4, 2024. Checks will be deposited if candidates cancel after deadline or fail to show up for the audition.

  • Resume and deposit check must be received no later than Monday, October 7, 2024, to be considered. Only those highly qualified applicants will be invited to attend.

  • More information about audition location, specific audition times, etc. will be given upon receipt of the candidate’s resume and audition deposit.

  • Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. 

Additional FAQ

  • Horn
    Monday, November 18

    Trumpet
    Tuesday, November 19

    Cello
    Wednesday, November 20

  • Studio 909

    949 Kapiolani Blvd

    Honolulu, HI 96814

    Located at the Musicians Association of Hawaii (Local 677)

  • Monday, October 7, 2024

  • Cello November 2024

    2nd Horn November 2024

    Principal/3rd Trumpet November 2024

  • Should a current member of the HSO win a position, another candidate may be offered the resulting vacancy.

  • The Hawaii Symphony is a full-time orchestra with a 19-week season that includes 64 core musicians and 20 per-service. Base pay for core musicians is $1,120.00/week with an additional 3% Electronic Media Guarantee ($33.60/week). Principal musicians receive an additional 25% positional guarantee ($280/week) while associate principals receive an additional 10% ($112/week). Per-service musicians are guaranteed a minimum of 66 services at $140.00/service base pay plus an additional 3% Electronic Media Guarantee ($4.20/service). Per the most recent negotiations, our 2025/26 season shall be 21 weeks. There is also the possibility of extra/non-guaranteed services that are not part of our 19-week season.

  • The HSO provides core musicians with a benefits package that includes fully paid medical group insurance, paid instrument insurance, and contributes to the AFM-EPF.

    Core musicians receive paid and unpaid personal leave, paid sick leave, paid emergency leave, unpaid professional leave, and unpaid summer leave.

    Per-service musicians receive paid sick leave, unpaid professional leave, and paid emergency leave

  • Our current Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to last through August 31, 2026

  • Employment of the successful candidate is expected to begin ASAP. View our concert schedule here.

  • The Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra tunes to A=440.

  • Please direct all questions to HSO Personnel Manager, Megan Wade at jobs@hawaiisymphonyorchestra.org.

    No phone calls, please.