Conservatorium Symphonic Ensembles
Eligibility, registration, program and audition information for students wishing to participate in Symphonic Ensembles at the Conservatorium. Audition information for String and Brass Ensemble can also be found below.
Semester 2 Concerts
University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Sunday 23 August & Sunday 27 September, Hamer Hall 5pm
University of Melbourne Wind Symphony
Sunday 16 August 5pm & Wednesday 14 October 7.30pm, Melbourne Recital Centre
Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Concert Band
Wednesday 26 August & Wednesday 7 October, 7pm Ian Potter Southbank Centre
Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Philharmonic Orchestra
Wednesday 2 September & Thursday 15 October, 7pm Ian Potter Southbank Centre
See our Events page or venues for ticketing information. Tickets are usually available 2-3 weeks before the event.
Eligibility and Ensemble Overview
Students who play an orchestral or wind band instrument and wish to enrol or participate in the Symphonic Ensembles subject are required to audition. The following ensembles are included in the subject:
- University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
- University of Melbourne Wind Symphony
- Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Philharmonic Orchestra
- Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Concert Band
Eligibility to participate in a symphonic ensemble will be determined by live audition, held before the beginning of semester 1, or a recorded audition if you are unable to attend the live auditions. Recorded auditions are also held for semester 2 entry.
At the completion of the audition process, students will be placed by staff in up to two ensembles from the list above (unless the student requests to be in three ensembles). Once rostered there is no flexibility for negotiating a change, without the consent of the Head of Instrumental Area and the subject coordinator. Please also note rostering and assignments are subject to change throughout and between semesters, and students cannot nominate their preferred ensemble. It is understood that your combined rehearsal/performance times will not exceed the maximum time commitment as defined by the Unimelb Handbook.
The minimum level of performance required for these ensembles would be equivalent to grade 8 (in either AMEB or ABRSM) or a very high grade for VCE solo performance (grade 7 for breadth students).
To learn more about the ensembles within the Symphonic Ensembles subject, please read the Ensemble Overview.
Registration, Enrolment and Program Information
This subject is conducted on-campus at Southbank. There is no online alternative, unless Covid-19 restrictions will mandate a change in subject delivery.
Before auditioning, students must read through the 2026 Symphonic Ensembles Code of Conduct and the 2026 Symphonic Ensembles Rehearsal and Performance Schedules. These documents outline the time commitment and expectations of participation at The University of Melbourne. By applying to audition you are agreeing to these terms:
2026 Symphonic Ensembles Code of Conduct
2026 Current Rehearsal & Semester Performance Schedule - Semester 2
Information on how to enrol, enrolment and re-enrolment can all be found on the student enrolment and re-enrolment page.
As a student, it is your responsibility to ensure that you complete the administrative requirements of your degree. This includes ensuring your enrolment is finalised prior to the census date of each subject.
After receiving specific ensemble placements in week one of the semester, Honours and Masters students must register their ensemble participation on LMS.
Any student experiencing enrolment issues relating to the Symphonic Ensembles subject must contact STOP1 for further assistance.
All first year BMus Performance students (excluding voice, guitar, jazz & improvisation and interactive composition students) are required to audition for the Symphonic Ensembles program, regardless of how students intend to fulfil the large ensemble component of their degree.
Piano auditions are only open to second year BMus, Honours, MMPT, MMus and PhD students who marked 70 or above in their last performance exam (if applicable).
First year Percussion students have the option of either participating in the scheduled live audition (with optional timpani) or requesting that the panel use their entrance audition report (and/or video) in place of a formal audition. You will be able to select your option under the 'Instrument' section on the audition application form.
Non-enrolled participating students do so with prior understanding that you cannot be enrolled retrospectively in the subject at any time after the census date, and must still audition and adhere to the 2026 Symphonic Ensembles Code of Conduct and 2026 Symphonic Ensembles Rehearsal and Performance Schedule. You must also provide your own instrument.
Other Ensemble Information
Although both String Ensemble and Brass Ensemble are separate subjects from the Symphonic Ensembles subject, placement in these is covered within the same audition process as Symphonic Ensembles. These ensembles are only open to Bachelor and Diploma of Music students only.
During semester, String Ensemble is held Fridays from 10am - 12pm and Brass Ensemble is held Fridays from 9.30 - 11.30am. Any questions regarding String Ensemble, please contact Associate Professor Curt Thompson. Any questions regarding Brass Ensemble, please contact Associate Professor Joel Brennan.
Please see this page for information on how Conservatorium ensembles can feature in your study plan.
2026 Semester 2 Placements
Mid-year recorded auditions now open are held for those commencing in semester 2 or existing students wanting to do the subject in semester 2 who did not audition in February. Due to rostering deadlines, recordings are due by 10am, Monday 29 June. Please read the instructions below, complete the application form and submit your recording via symphonic-ensembles@unimelb.edu.au.
2026 Audition Excerpts
Note these excerpts are also used for mid-year auditions
Contact us
Please contact the Symphonic Ensembles team symphonic-ensembles@unimelb.edu.au for all other queries.