Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a musician in the Shreveport Symphony?

Openings are advertised nationally, in the musician’s union newspaper and on various websites. Applicants submit their resumes to be invited to the live audition, with all the prospective candidates traveling to Shreveport at their own expense. For an audition each musician prepares a solo work and several excerpts chosen from the orchestral repertoire by the audition committee. All the candidates play behind a screen for 10-20 minutes for the audition committee, composed of several orchestra members and the Music Director. After everyone plays, the committee selects the musicians they want to hear again, finally selecting the player they feel will be the best for the position. There are 24 full-time positions, with one currently unfilled.

Part-time positions are filled the same way. There are 15 part-time positions, with 4 currently unfilled. Other musicians are hired on an as-needed basis, depending on the music to be played.

Do the musicians own their own instruments?

Yes, at considerable expense. Professional woodwind and brass instruments cost thousands of dollars, and high quality string instruments can costs hundreds of thousands or more. Collectively the musicians of the SSO own instruments worth over $1.4 million. Musicians also pay an average of $500 a year for maintenance and supplies such as reeds or strings.

What is the work schedule like for the musicians?

Most symphony services take place at night or on weekends. For a Master Series concert, there are usually 4 rehearsals starting on the Wednesday before a Saturday concert. For pops concerts, there are usually 2 rehearsals, and youth concerts and other events will have one or two rehearsals. Educational concerts are scheduled in the mornings, as well as rehearsals that only involve the full-time musicians.

The time spent in rehearsal is only the tip of the iceberg. Musicians are expected to learn their orchestra parts on their own time before rehearsals begin, and must practice many additional hours to maintain their skills. When this is taken into account, a musician's Symphony workweek can easily top 40 hours. Additionally, musicians often serve as volunteers on committees related to their orchestral work. Many of the Symphony musicians then work additional hours teaching or playing in other ense mbles to share their talents and make ends meet.