Want to join?
We’re thrilled you’re interested in joining or renewing your membership in the Cavalier Symphony Orchestra!
Current Members:
Visit our Members Page to see information pertinent to current members.
Prospective Members:
We are delighted that you are interested in joining our orchestra family! We have a spot for people of all musical backgrounds. Every semester, we will accept new members to join our main and philharmonic symphony orchestras! We will also coordinate chamber ensembles, like string trios/quartets/quintets and jazz groups for musicians interested in small group performance opportunities.
If you are interested in hearing more about CSO, please join our email list here (please use your UVA email)! This is how we will send you information about our plans for the fall and the membership form that will allow you to officially join the orchestra.
Our recruiting is currently OPEN for Spring 2026! Rehearsals are from 12-2 (Main) and 2-3 (Philharmonic) every Sunday. You can join our email list or reach out to our Communications Chair, Autumn Lee (jmg6nw@virginia.edu) for more info.
Finally, please take a look around our website and see which programs catch your eye. Feel free to shoot us an email (cavsymphonyorchestra@gmail.com) if you have any questions.
Membership Cap:
Due to fire code restrictions on the rooms we rehearse in, membership of the main ensemble will be capped on a section-by-section basis. Returning members will be guaranteed a seat in the orchestra. New members will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis (determined by the submission time of the membership form) until the section quotas are filled. Prospective members wishing to join a section that has already been filled will be added to a waitlist and notified if a spot opens. Members on the waitlist are encouraged to join our other groups, including our Philharmonic orchestra and chamber groups. Additionally, prospective members on the waitlist who reapply the next semester will be accepted before newly applying members. Note: these membership quotas do not apply to anyone wishing to play only in chamber ensembles.
Auditions?
We are a non-audition orchestra! At the start of every semester, we hold a non-binding, open rehearsal for everyone to come out and play with us!
Questions?
Questions about the joining process or the orchestra in general? Feel free to contact our Communications Chair, Autumn Lee (jmg6nw@virginia.edu) .
Pay dues
Dues can be paid on a semesterly or annual basis via cash, check, card, or PayPal (cavsymphonyorchestra@gmail.com). They are $25/semester or $35/year.
Check out what dues go towards on our finances page.
All the extra fun things you can do
Audition to be a principal / for a seat
If you would like to be the principal of your section or would like an established seat in your section, audition at the end of the semester! This position would be for the following semester. Auditions consist of a 2-4 minute solo and a short interview about your leadership abilities. Visit our audition page to learn more about auditions and view past audition materials.
Rent a stand
CSO stands aren't just some flimsy, wire stand type. No no. Our stands are sturdy, portable, and overall, quite awesome.
Better yet, they only cost $5 a semester! If you're interested, reach out to our Equipment Manager, Brennan Wise (bhy3tt@virginia.edu)
Note: If you have your own stand, feel free to use that instead.
Borrow instruments
We have a variety of instruments available for rent. If you don't have access to an instrument, don't let that stop you from joining. Instrument rentals are $50 per semester. Reach out to our Equipment Manager, Brennan (bhy3tt@virginia.edu), and we'll figure out how to get you the instrument you need.
Instruments not available through CSO can be rented from local music shops WM Mason Violins (Fredericksburg) and Music & Arts (Charlottesville), and CSO may be able to help. Contact Brennan with questions.
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