Orchestra at Temple Square
Orchestra Auditions
Orchestra at Temple Square is made up of volunteer musicians who serve as part-time missionaries. Openings are filled by audition, and this page explains how that works.
Current Openings
Openings are announced here as they become available, and name the instruments the Orchestra is seeking along with the date applications close.
To ask about current openings, or to request application instructions, write to orchestra@tabchoir.org.
Who Can Audition
To meet the requirements set by Orchestra at Temple Square, a candidate must:
- Be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in good standing, able to qualify for a temple recommend
- Be at least 25 years of age
- Be able to serve for a minimum of five years
- Currently live within 100 miles of Temple Square — applications are not accepted from outside that area, regardless of plans to move
- Be available for at least 50% of services; those who fall below 30% are released from the calling
The Weekly Commitment
Service in the Orchestra is a calling, and comes first among Church callings for as long as a member serves. Each week includes:
- Thursday, 6:30–9:00 p.m. — rehearsal
- Sunday, 7:45–10:00 a.m. — Music & the Spoken Word rehearsal and broadcast
- Through the year: the Chorale concert, recording sessions and the Orchestra concert
Before You Apply
Instrumental musicians bring a set of abilities the general membership of the Church does not hold. They have invested thousands of hours in practice, bought professional instruments, paid for lessons with qualified teachers, and performed as soloists, in ensembles and in orchestras.
Most members of Orchestra at Temple Square are professional musicians who make all or part of their living performing and teaching. The fluency the Orchestra asks for takes years of dedication, and artistry is judged by personal audition with section leaders, Orchestra leaders and the music directors.
Applicants are strongly discouraged from moving to the area for the sole purpose of auditioning. At the music directors’ discretion, a musician with significant professional experience may be invited to join without an audition; if so, they complete steps one, two and four below.
The Four Steps
1. Application — Complete and submit the application form online, with a current photo, a one-page résumé of recent performance experience, and a video recording of a set excerpt for your instrument.
2. Bishop’s recommendation — A committee reviews the application. If you are recommended for further consideration, your bishop is contacted for his recommendation and approval.
3. Live audition — Once your bishop has approved, a time is arranged with you personally for a live audition.
4. Interview and potential call — If Orchestra leadership approves the live audition, you meet a member of the presidency of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square for an interview and a possible call.
New members are set apart as missionaries by the Choir presidency at a convenient time after the call to serve is issued.
Questions About Auditioning?
The Orchestra office can send application instructions and answer questions about openings, eligibility and the audition itself.