Auditions

Being a member of the BPO is a rewarding community experience and a lot of fun.
Our members are just like you – ordinary people who enjoy coming together to make extraordinary music! Auditions are held to fill vacant positions or to appoint suitable reserve players capable of filling temporary vacancies from time to time.

2026 Auditions

Live auditions nights are scheduled throughout the year as needed. Our next live audition evening is scheduled for Wednesday 21 January 2026. If you are interested in applying for a vacancy and attending this live audition evening, please complete the form no later than Wednesday 14 January 2026 to register your interest.

If possible, we encourage applicants for tutti string positions to send through video auditions (see below) to enable your application to be reviewed earlier.

For auditions, please see below a list of excerpts for current vacancies:

• Violin (tutti [firsts and seconds])

• Viola (tutti)

• Double Bass (tutti)

• Trumpet (tutti)

Click the links above to access the up-to-date excerpts.

A short video interview or phone call may be required for new players to let them know about the operations of BPO and to answer any questions applicants might have about the orchestra.

Video auditions

BPO will accept video auditions for tutti string positions on a rolling basis. If you would like to record your audition, please:

• Complete the audition form on this page;

• Record your orchestral excerpts in one take;

• Provide a short introduction about yourself and why you want to join BPO (written or recorded);

• Upload the video as an unlisted video on YouTube (or similar platform), or upload to Google Drive and share the link via email.

We will confirm receipt of your video audition and be in touch as soon as possible.

Eligibility

The minimum recommended standard is AMEB Grade 8. Applicants are not required to have completed examinations, they are a guide to standard only. Previous ensemble experience is highly advantageous and the BPO prides itself on the high level of repertoire it performs as a community orchestra.

Audition Requirements

Applicants are to prepare orchestral excerpts which are available for download from the website. No own choice pieces are required.

Audition Tips

Listen to quality recordings of the works from which your excerpts are extracted. This will assist in understanding how the excerpts form part of overall work and what their context is i.e. dynamics, style, tempo – this is what the panel will be listening for. Sometimes accessing a full score can help too. If possible, play your excerpts through for a musical friend to get some general feedback prior to auditioning and to help with confidence.

Commitment

Rehearsals are currently held weekly on Wednesdays (and some Thursdays) between 7:15 pm and 9:45pm in the Old Museum Building, 480 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills.

Typically, four to five concerts are scheduled throughout the year.

Regional concerts are scheduled throughout the year and are optional.

Members are expected to contribute a small amount of their time in supporting the operations of the orchestra.

2026 membership and audition fees (inclusive of GST)

Annual membership:  $192 per annum (best value)

Per-concert membership (standard season of eight pre-concert day rehearsals):  $64 per concert

Per-concert membership (short season of five or fewer pre-concert day rehearsals): $40 per concert

Audition fee (for live in-person auditions only):  $11*

* This fee is payable before your scheduled audition date by electronic transfer. Bank details will be provided in emailed audition confirmation. No fee is payable for video auditions.