Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic
Auditions & Vacancies

Are you a professional, semi-professional or advanced amateur musician, capable of rapidly learning and playing classics and cutting-edge pieces with a few intensive performances? If so, Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic may be the place for you. With approximately 60 professional and semi-professional musicians, The Philharmonic performs varied, complex, and demanding music that can challenge even the most accomplished instrumentalist.

Current Vacancies:

Principal Oboe (2023/2024 Season only, all concerts excluding March 24): 
Current WMP Principal Oboe on a one-year leave of absence. 

WMP Stage Manager:
Email resume and references to contact@wmpamusic.org 
- Facilitate communication across all creative/technical departments at rehearsals/concerts
- Oversee set up/breakdown for all regular rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and concerts
- Secure a set up crew for each dress rehearsal and concert
- Oversee concert/dress rehearsal set up: chairs, music stands, stand lights, conductor podium, mic, etc.
- Work with Music Director on dress rehearsal/concert days as needed
- Manage call-times/breaks etc to ensure all musicians are on stage in a timely manner  

REHEARSAL ATTENDANCE POLICY
The Philharmonic's season schedule - from September to late May - requires a significant commitment. Musicians are required to attend at least 4 out of the 5 rehearsals for each concert. 

Rehearsals are held at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria VA. Our five-concert season is performed at the George Washington National Masonic Memorial.  There are no rehearsals during the December holidays and on Easter Sunday.

​A message to prospective Philharmonic musicians from Music Director Laureate Ulysses James:

There are many fine classical music groups in the DC metropolitan area.  It may be difficult for you to determine which group would be best for you.  Here is some information that might be of help.  Our season offers many tonal 20th century and contemporary works, music that is challenging and exciting to perform.  I also relish conducting great gems of the past.
 
I consider it a duty and a joy to honor and play music of living composers – thus we have an annual composition competition open to composers from the entire East Coast of the United States.  I am far more interested in making impactful, deeply emotional, and meaningful music with perhaps some flaws, than to have perfect performances of less difficult, less interesting works.  I assume that anyone seeking a chair in The Philharmonic is someone who welcomes the excitement of performing challenging music and will prepare diligently.

The orchestra is composed of musicians who are there because of their love of music and the excitement of performance; they conscientiously do their best.  I know of no exclusive cabals, no competitive politics, nor destructive behaviors in this group.
 
I believe The Philharmonic is a place where members can make music with their entire being, where we are stretched to accomplish perhaps more than we thought we could. 
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It is a place that is nourishing and supportive, yet challenging and demanding, where motivation comes from the music itself, not from coercion or competition.