Find Your Orchestra
NEW! DEBUT ORCHESTRA
Playing Interview Music: Age 10 + (Concert Orchestra)
Playing Interview Music: Age 14 - 21 (Senior Orchestra)
Playing Interviews/auditions
Find Your Orchestra
CALOS offers three orchestras designed to support musicians at different stages of their musical development. Whether you’re joining an orchestra for the first time or looking for an advanced ensemble experience, there’s a place to grow at CALOS.
Debut Orchestra
A welcoming first step into orchestral playing.
The CALOS Debut Orchestra is designed for developing musicians in Grade 5 and up who have at least two years of playing experience. It’s a supportive place to build confidence, strengthen ensemble skills, and discover what it’s like to make music as part of a full orchestra.
No audition is required. REGISTER NOW!
A good fit for musicians who:
- Are in Grade 5 or higher
- Have approximately 2+ years of playing experience
- Are comfortable reading music at a developing level
- Are ready for their first or next orchestral experience
Rehearsals: Sundays, 12:30–2:00 p.m.
Concert Orchestra
The next step for growing orchestral musicians.
Concert Orchestra is for intermediate musicians who are ready for more challenging repertoire and greater independence within an ensemble. Players continue developing technique, musicianship, listening skills, and confidence while learning to work together as an orchestra.
A good fit for musicians who:
- Are generally in Grade 7 or higher
- Have approximately 3+ years of playing experience
- Can read music independently
- Are developing strong technique and ensemble skills
- Are ready to take on increasingly challenging orchestral repertoire
Rehearsals: Sundays, 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Senior Orchestra
Our most advanced orchestral experience.
Senior Orchestra brings together CALOS’s most experienced young musicians for challenging repertoire, high-level ensemble playing, performances, collaborations, and leadership opportunities.
Musicians are expected to arrive well prepared, read music confidently, demonstrate strong technical skills, and contribute actively to a focused and collaborative rehearsal environment.
A good fit for musicians who:
- Are generally in Grade 10 through age 21
- Have approximately 5+ years of playing experience
- Are confident, independent music readers
- Demonstrate strong technical proficiency and ensemble awareness
- Are ready to perform advanced orchestral repertoire
Rehearsals: Sundays, 3:00–5:45 p.m.
Not sure where you belong?
These guidelines are meant to help families choose a starting point, but every musician develops differently. Auditions for Concert and Senior Orchestra help us find the ensemble where each player will be challenged, supported, and positioned for success.
Make Your Orchestral Debut!
The CALOS Debut Orchestra is a welcoming first step into orchestral playing for developing musicians in Grade 5 and above with at least two years of playing experience. Build confidence, strengthen your ensemble skills, and experience the excitement of making music as part of a full orchestra.
Who can join?
The Debut Orchestra welcomes young musicians playing:
🎻 Strings: Violin, viola, cello and double bass
🎺 Winds & Brass: Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium and tuba
🥁 Percussion: A variety of orchestral percussion instruments, including mallets
No audition required. Rehearsals begin October 4 and take place Sundays from 12:30–2:00 p.m. at the MUN Faculty of Education Building.
We look forward to hearing from young musicians interested in joining the CALOS Youth Orchestras for the 2026–2027 season.
Auditions are friendly, informal, and designed to help our artistic team determine which CALOS ensemble will provide the best experience for each musician. Students may audition either live or by submitting a recorded audition.
Live Auditions
New musicians must complete the audition request form. Once your form has been received, a member of the CALOS team will contact you with further information and an audition time.
Before your audition:
- Review the audition materials for your instrument using the links on this page.
- Download the appropriate information sheet and orchestral excerpts.
- Prepare the required material carefully. Students taking private lessons are encouraged to ask their teacher for support.
- Contact us if you have any questions or difficulty accessing the materials.
A live audition will take approximately 15 minutes. During this time, musicians will perform for and speak with members of the CALOS artistic team.
Our audition panel is welcoming and supportive, and the process is intended to be a positive and relaxed experience. There is no need to be nervous—we are excited to meet you and hear you play.
Recorded Auditions
Recorded auditions are available for musicians who are currently living outside Newfoundland and Labrador and plan to move to the St. John’s area for the 2026–2027 academic year. They may also be considered for musicians who are unable to attend a scheduled live audition.
Please prepare and record the audition material for your instrument. Recordings may be submitted as:
- A shareable Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or similar link
- An unlisted YouTube video link
- Another accessible audio or video file link
Please ensure that the sharing settings allow the CALOS artistic team to view or download your recording.
Audition Materials
More information about the audition process, required scales, solo material, and orchestral excerpts can be found using the instrument links on this page.
Recorded and Zoom Interview Information (PDF)
Questions about auditions or difficulty accessing the materials may be directed to calos.office@gmail.com.