How to Join


2025-26 Fall Placement Audition Information

Greetings, Jayhawks! We are thrilled that you are interested in joining the ranks of the University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra. Membership in the KUSO is contingent upon a successful placement audition each season.

Placement Audition Information

Placement auditions for the 2025-2026 KU Orchestral season will take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday August 14-16, 2025 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 Tuesday and Thursday, August 14, 15 and violin auditions will be held on Saturday, August 16. All auditions will be held in Murphy Hall Room 118. The audition sign up link will be available starting July 1, 2025.

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-6:30pm in Murphy Hall Room 130.

First Rehearsal: Monday, August 19, 3:30pm-6:30pm in Murphy Hall Room 130


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 18, 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 Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky/ Arr. Maurice Ravel.



String Excerpts

Bass Excerpt #1 - Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition - Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuÿle

Pickup to Rehearsal 56 to end.

Eighth note = 87

Bass Excerpt #2 - Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition - The Hut on Fowl’s Legs (Baba-Yaga)

Pickup to Rehearsal 56 to end.

Bass Excerpts

Cello Excerpt #1 - Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition - Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle

Pickup to Rehearsal 56 to the downbeat of Rehearsal 58.

Eighth note = 87

Cello Excerpt #2 - Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition - The Hut on Fowl’s Legs (Baba-Yaga)

Measure 130 to end.

Quarter note = 82

Cello Excerpts

Viola Excerpt #1 - Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition - Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle

Pickup to Rehearsal 56 to end of measure 8.

Eighth note = 87

Viola Excerpt #2 - Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition - The Hut on Fowl’s Legs (Baba-Yaga)

Rehearsal 97 to end.

Quarter note = 82

Viola Audition Excerpts

Violin Excerpt #1 - Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition - The Marketplace at Limoges

Pickup to Rehearsal 63 to downbeat of Rehearsal 70.

Quarter note = 122

Violin Excerpt #2 - Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition - The Hut on Fowl’s Legs (Baba-Yaga)

Rehearsal 97 to end.

Quarter note = 82

Violin Audition Excerpts