Join the Student Symphony Orchestra of USC!
Are you a USC student, staff, faculty, or alum. interested in participating in orchestral and chamber music? Would you like to join an exceptional musical community and work towards exciting new projects and performances? Then the Student Symphony Orchestra of USC is the organization for you, and we'd love to have you work with us!
New Member Information and FAQs
Please contact us (studentsymphonyorchestra@gmail.com) if you have any additional questions!
Note: Returning Members should have been contacted via email. If you have not received the Returning Member form in your inbox, please contact us ASAP.
About Placement Meetings
Q: Are there requirements to join SSO?
A: We have a Placement Meeting for each new member. Placement Meetings consist of:
A short excerpt that you are comfortable playing to demonstrate your experience (this can be a scale, etude, orchestral excerpt, or piece)
Sight-reading of a piece that we will provide at the meeting
Time slots are 10 minutes long. These meetings are purely used to get to know you, answer your questions, and for seating assignments; you will NOT be rejected from playing with us as a result of your Placement Meeting. Sign ups will be sent out on a rolling basis through the end of this month.
Q: When are Placement Meetings?
A: January 14th from 5-9pm. We will have limited availability throughout the next few weeks on select weekday nights for additional meetings.
Please note: Our main ensemble has a limited number of spots available this semester, particularly in impacted sections such as violins. Due to high demand, we may close these sections early. Please email us directly for more information.
About the Org
Q: What is the time commitment?
A: Rehearsals are every Sunday from 5:30-7:30 PM starting Sunday, January 28th and last throughout the semester). Our semester concert will be on Sunday, April 14th (please be available from the mid afternoon-night).
Q: Can I join in the middle of the semester?
A: This depends on SSO's instrument needs during the time - we urge you to fill out this interest forms/sign up for Placement Meetings as soon as you receive the link since we may not be able to accommodate you later in the semester.
Q: Are there other opportunities in SSO?
A: Yes! There are opportunities for leadership (we are a fully student run orchestra), concerto competitions, composition competitions, conducting opportunities, chamber music opportunities, and many socials!
Additionally, we are in the process of creating a list of musicians that would be interested in paid gigs both within the USC community and beyond it. If this interests you, please let us know during your application process.
Q: Does SSO provide instruments?
A: SSO does not provide instruments; we would be happy to make suggestions if you need to obtain an instrument.
Q: Does SSO charge dues?
A: Yes. Dues are $20 per semester. More information provided after Placement Meetings - if you are unable to pay for any reason, just let us know, and we will be more than happy to work with you!