This award winning community orchestra, celebrating 76 seasons of great music invites musicians, both amateur and professional, interested in auditioning to contact the orchestra's Personnel Manager. The season consists of five subscriptions concerts and a family concert. Rehearsals are Wednesday evening from 7:30 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. and are held at Concordia University in River Forest. Concerts are at First United Church, 848 Lake Street, Oak Park, except for the Family concert which is held at the Oak Park River Forest High School Auditorium at 201 North Scoville in Oak Park and are performed on Sunday afternoons at 4:00 PM.

As a not-for-profit organization, volunteers are the backbone of the organization. Volunteering is a wonderful way of donating a portion of your time and your expertise to give back to your community. As a volunteer you will be behind the scenes and experience the day to day operations and be a part of a vibrant arts organization. Your volunteering can make an important contribution. The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest welcomes those interested in volunteering their time and talents to contact the symphony's Vice President of Marketing and Publicity.

Volunteer Opportunities:
Marketing and Publicity
Public Relations
Ushering on concert day
Photography
Mailings
Writing
Stage setup on concert day
Box office assistance
Concession stand assistance
Database management
Phonathon
Fund Raising

Open to all instrumental musicians who have not completed their high school senior year as of the time of the competition (November 2008), and whose primary residence is within 10 miles of Oak Park.

Contestants must submit a recording of their playing on cassette tape or CD (5-10 minutes). An excerpt from the concerto to be performed in the competition may be submitted (with or without accompaniment), or a solo piece or pieces may be recorded. Professional recording quality is not required.

Finalists will play one movement of any solo instrumental concerto of their choice (standard repertory only, please) on Saturday, November 15, 2008, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, Kretzmann Hall, Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois. Performance does not need to be from memory. Accompanist to play the piano orchestral reduction mandatory for all contestants. Contestants wishing an accompanist please contact us for assistance.

The winner will receive $500 and be invited to perform with the Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest at the Family Concert on January 20, 2008.

Application Fee: $25 (non-refundable, must accompany the application).

Application deadline: October 31, 2008.

Phone 708-218-2648 to request an application form.