2026-2027 Mindful Chamber Orchestra Audition

Mindful Chamber Orchestra is a weekly community-based ensemble program hosted by Mindful Musicians. Designed for young musicians from Chinese family backgrounds and everyone who is interested in learning Chinese repertoire, the program offers a distinctive alternative to traditional orchestra models by centering Chinese classical and contemporary repertoire, fostering original student composition, and providing hands-on conducting experiences. In addition to musical development, the program prioritizes social connection, community engagement, and holistic well-being.

Scroll down and read detailed information about the program.

  • strings only for regular repertoire for this academic year: violin, viola, cello and double bass

    Guest musicians may be invited based on needs.

  • intermediate level for all players. You will be invited to submit a video demonstrating your skills and musicality. Please include performance of one complete piece/movement or an excerpt from a standard classical repertoire. Please do not exceed 5 minutes for the video length.

    Violin

    • Well-developed left hand & bow techniques

    • Good sense of rhythm: Steady pulse; accurate dotted rhythms, eighth notes, and simple syncopation.

    • Awareness of dynamic contrast: Clear control of p, mf, f, and crescendo/decrescendo over 2–4 bars.

    • Phrase shaping: Ability to taper phrase endings and shape simple melodic lines.

    • Comfortable use of vibrato

    • Ability to sight-read: Short excerpt at 2 levels below prepared piece; maintains key and pulse.

    Viola

    • Well-developed left hand & bow techniques: 1st–3rd position; fluent alto clef reading; clean string crossings on lower strings; balanced bow use (lower half and middle).

    • Good sense of rhythm: Solid downbeats; ability to play repetitive offbeats and harmonic rhythms accurately.

    • Awareness of dynamic contrast: Clear p vs. f, even on the C string; controlled bow weight and speed.

    • Phrase shaping: Warm, resonant tone with natural rise and fall in 4-bar phrases.

    • Comfortable use of vibrato

    • Ability to sight-read: Navigates simple alto clef passages at moderate tempo with 70% accuracy.

    Cello

    • Well-developed left hand & bow techniques: 1st–4th position; extended positions; clean shifts on one string; détaché, legato, basic staccato.

    • Good sense of rhythm: Accurate dotted rhythms and tied notes across bar lines; steady pulse in accompanimental patterns.

    • Awareness of dynamic contrast: Can play soft near fingerboard and loud near bridge without losing tone quality.

    • Phrase shaping: Shapes simple 4-bar phrases with dynamic contour and natural phrasing breaths.

    • Comfortable use of vibrato

    • Ability to sight-read: Maintains intonation in half steps and extensions while reading unfamiliar bass or tenor clef passages.

    Double Bass

    • Well-developed left hand & bow techniques: Half, 1st, and 2nd positions; Simandl 1-2-4 fingering (no thumb hook); détaché, legato, clean string crossings.

    • Good sense of rhythm: Sustains steady quarter-note pulse; plays simple accompanimental bass lines in time.

    • Awareness of dynamic contrast: Clear difference between p (near fingerboard) and f (near bridge) without pitch distortion.

    • Phrase shaping: Produces clear, fundamental-rich tone; avoids clanky or percussive articulation.

    • Ability to sight-read: Reads simple bass lines in common keys; recovers without stopping after minor errors.

  • $880 （All accepted players automatically receive our scholarship, reducing the cost to 880.）


    Tuition covers all rehearsals September through May, public and community-based performances, composing, conducting and music history workshops and social events.

    • Deadline to submit application: 6/15/2026

    • Admission decision: end of June

    • Complete registration in one week from admission date

    • First rehearsal starts in mid-September

    • Rehearsal days and time TBD, likely to be Saturday afternoons

Start Application
Start Application

deadline to apply: June 15th, 2026

Rehearsal Curriculum

Chinese Classical Works：selected from traditional and contemporary Chinese classical repertoire to celebrate cultural heritage and expand technical and expressive skills.

Western Classical Works：chosen by ensemble members through a voting process, fostering a sense of ownership and engagement with the repertoire.

Original Student Works：compositions and arrangements created by orchestra members and our Mindful Composers, rehearsed and refined for performance.

Conducting: Every member has a chance to practice conducting in our rehearsals.

Rehearsal Length: 2 hours every week (Schedule will be posted later)

Social Time

Recognizing that social connection is a vital part of the ensemble experience, each rehearsal is followed by a 30-minute social time. This unstructured period allows participants to build friendships, collaborate informally, and develop a supportive community outside of the rehearsal setting.

Performances

Mindful Chamber Orchestra offers two distinct performance formats to serve both the ensemble members and the broader community:

Open-to-Public Performances: twice per year

Community Performances: as needed, year-round. Site-based performances at community locations (e.g., senior centers, community for the blind, cultural festivals, schools), building on Mindful Musicians’ three-year history of community engagement.

Workshops

Enrolled students have prioritized access to free supplemental workshops designed to deepen their musical understanding and expand their creative skills. Topics include:

  • Composition – Foundational techniques for creating original music

  • Conducting – Baton technique, score study, and rehearsal leadership

  • Music History – Contextual exploration of Chinese classical music and its intersections with Western traditions

  • Additional Topics – Offered based on student interest and guest artist availability