The High School Symphony Orchestra (HSO) auditions for the 2024-’25 school year’s band and strings took place from Aug. 19-22. Results were posted on Aug. 23, and the first class will take place on Aug. 26.

For this year’s auditions, students were required to play a scale along with two songs,“La Forza del Destino” by Giuseppe Verdi and “Winds of Poseidon” by Robert W. Smith. The audition pieces were released on the HSO website a week before summer break started.

During the auditions, Julia Kim and Robert Thalhuber, directors of HSO, tested students on sections of the excerpt. Additionally, Strings students applying for leadership positions were required to have an interview with the teachers after the first class.

“Teachers are excited to see the student’s improvement and growth during the audition,” Julia Kim, HS strings teacher, said. “As our ensembles are large (50-60 students), we don’t get as much 1:1 time, and it’s a great opportunity to catch up with students individually.”

Experienced or not, the audition process is a nervous encounter for many SIS musicians.

“I was a bit anxious during the audition, because it was my first time having a sight reading piece during the HSO audition,” Chris Ahn (10), avid trumpet player, said. “However, I was very happy after the audition, not only [because] of my performance, but also because Mr. Thalhuber was very fun and friendly, which helped ease my nervousness.”

“Unlike prepared audition pieces, sight reading is a great way to see how students work under pressure,” Robert Thalhuber, HS band teacher, said. “I’ve gotten a lot of advice from Mr. Ganus and Ms. Kim, and I am very proud and amazed of all the auditionees I have encountered this week.”

Future rehearsals will take place every Monday after school. HSO will be practicing for future concerts and events, including the high school winter and spring concerts, as well as the KAIAC large ensemble festivals.