How to Join

2026-27 Fall Placement Audition 

Information Greetings, Jayhawks! We are thrilled that you are interested in joining the ranks of the University of Kansas Orchestral Program. Membership in the KU Symphony Orchestra and the KU Prairie Fire Chamber Orchestra is contingent upon a successful placement audition each season. Auditions are not required for membership into the KU Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Placement Audition Information 

Placement auditions for the 2026-2027 season will take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday August 20-22, 2026 for all stringed instruments. Please reference the links below to access the audition excerpts for your specific instrument. All viola/cello/bass auditions will be held on Thursday and Friday, August 20, 21 and violin auditions will be held on Saturday, August 22. All auditions will be held in Murphy Hall Room 118. The audition sign up link will be available starting July 1, 2026. If you have any questions in regards to the audition process, contact the Director of Orchestral Activities, Prof. Creston Herron creston.herron@ku.edu for further clarification.

KUSO Rehearsal Schedule 

KU Symphony Orchestra rehearses on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30pm-6:20pm in Murphy Hall Room 130. 

First Rehearsal: Tuesday, August 25, 3:30pm-6:20pm in Murphy Hall Room 118

Prairie Fire Rehearsal Schedule 

Prairie Fire Chamber Orchestra rehearses on Mondays from 4:00pm-5:50pm in Murphy Hall Room 118. First Rehearsal: Monday, August 24, 4:00pm-5:50pm in Murphy Hall Room 118 

String Excerpts 

Make sure to prepare each excerpt for the placement audition. All excerpts have been gathered from Academic Festival Overture Op. 80 by Johannes Brahms and Symphonic Dances Op. 45 by Sergei Rachmaninoff.