Frequently Asked Questions


How do I audition?

Visit our Audition page for more information and fill out the form. We’ll contact you to set up an audition time.

Where and when do you rehearse?

Most rehearsals take place on Monday nights from 7:30-10 p.m. at San Francisco State University in the Creative Arts Building, Room 153 (1600 Holloway Ave., SF). There may be a few rehearsals during the season that get scheduled for a Tuesday due to a holiday. Dress rehearsals are typically scheduled for the morning of concert at the concert venue.

How many rehearsals are scheduled?

Each concert set has seven to 10 rehearsals, including a dress rehearsal on the morning of the concert.

Should I show up unannounced to a rehearsal for the first time?

If you’re interested in joining the orchestra, please contact us first to audition before attending a rehearsal. If you just want to listen in on a rehearsal, please call or email ahead of time so that we can alert the section leader.

Where and when are the concerts?

Symphony Parnassus performs four concerts each season in San Francisco, typically in mid-November, late January, mid-March, and early June. Concerts dates are on Sundays from 3-5 p.m.. Performance venues vary but include Taube Atrium Theater at Wilsey Opera Center, Herbst Theatre, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In past seasons we also performed at Nourse Theater and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

Are there financial obligations associated with membership?

We are an all-volunteer ensemble and are not able to financially compensate our members. Player dues are $50 per concert set and support our rehearsal operations. We are a diverse community of musicians and understand that some of our members may have other financial priorities. We also accept dues on a sliding scale for those unable to afford the full price.

What is the attendance policy?

We provide the full rehearsal schedule at the beginning of each season. As rehearsal time is limited, we ask all members to make an effort to attend every rehearsal. Dress rehearsals are required and can only be missed at the discretion of the music director. If you must miss a rehearsal, we ask for no more than two absences, preferably early in the set. String players who will be absent should notify their section leader. Non-string players should notify their section leader well in advance and help to find a substitute player for the part.

Do you provide carpools?

Many of our members commute from all areas of the Bay. While we cannot guarantee a carpool to your location, we will do our best to match drivers with passengers when available.

What is the dress code for concerts?

Concert attire for ladies includes black shirt or blouse, black pants or skirt, black stockings or socks, and black shoes (closed-toe shoes are recommended).

Concert attire for gentlemen includes black dress shirt, black pants, black socks, and black shoes. Black coat or tie are both optional and not required.

Do you provide instruments?

In general, all musicians must provide their own instruments. The only exceptions are percussion and piano.

Do I need to bring a music stand to rehearsal?

At SF State, chairs and stands are usually available in the rehearsal hall. There are occasions when we may ask for volunteers to bring chairs and stands to rehearsals if SF State has events scheduled for the same night or we are using an alternate rehearsal venue. In both cases, we do our best to notify musicians in advance.

Do you give out free/complimentary tickets?

We do not provide our musicians with comp tickets.