Thank you for your interest in the Chapel Hill Philharmonia! We are a group of musicians in the Chapel Hill area, with a mission to support music in our area. We are led by Donald J. Oehler, Music Director, who is a music professor at UNC.
Our string sections are currently full, but we may have openings in the future. We admit new members at the beginning of each semester (September and January), and as needed throughout the year. New members are selected from a waiting pool on the basis of both the needs of the orchestra and the experience and skills of the individual.
Our orchestra plays major symphonic works, in four concerts a year that are free to the public, including the October concert for children. We typically have about 6-8 regular rehearsals per concert. To see examples of what we play, you can look at a list of recent concerts:
http://www.chapelhillphilharmonia.org/site/Archive/15-16. We are looking for accomplished volunteers who will be able to jump into a fast-paced rehearsal schedule immediately.
We rehearse on Thursday nights from 7:45-10pm in Hill Hall at UNC, and have dress rehearsals on the Saturday mornings before our concerts. Our concerts are usually Sunday afternoons or evenings. The costs of the orchestra are supported by "dues", which are voluntary tax-deductible donations from each member (currently $65 / semester ($130 per year) for nonstudents, half that for students).
Joining the CHP means that you are agreeing to make a commitment to the group. We expect players to attend all rehearsals unless work, health, or similar problems prevent it. In order to play the concert you may not miss more than two rehearsals, and not miss the dress rehearsal without discussing it with your section leader. In general, you should stay in contact with your section leader, so he/she knows if you have to miss a rehearsal, or if something unexpected comes up.
We welcome applications from adults of all ages. High school students are instead encouraged to join one of the many excellent student ensembles in the area. College students are welcome to apply, but note that we are a community group, not a university-based group, and students must be willing to make a full commitment to the orchestra's rehearsal schedule.
If you are interested in joining, please fill out the application below. The section leaders and conductor will build a waiting pool out of interested applicants, and admit new players from that pool. If more information is needed, you may be asked to send a brief video of yourself playing.
You can expect to hear about your application shortly before the beginning of each semester. If you have any questions, you can contact Jennifer Arnold, strings manager (jarnold - at - unc - dot - edu).l
