AUDITIONS FOR OUR 2026 SEASON ARE NOW OPEN!

Odyssey Festival Orchestra is an orchestra designed principally for 18–30-year-olds. We aim to achieve the highest standards, presenting music in a bold and creative atmosphere to build a new, younger, more philosophically engaged audience for our musical adventures. Congratulations to all those who’ve taken part in our previous season, and we hope you are looking forward to our future concerts as much as we are! 

​​Concert dates and application deadlines

  • Wednesday 21st January, 2026 – Tchaikovsky (deadline – 21st November)

  • Tuesday 28th April, 2026 – Mahler/Sibelius (deadline – 28th February)

  • Tuesday 22nd September, 2026 – Strauss (deadline – 22nd July)

​​Application forms

  • If you have not been involved in Odyssey before and would like to be involved in our next concert or you are a returning player who would like to re-audition, fill in both the availability form and the audition form below.

  • If you are a returning player who would not like to re-audition, please only fill in the availability form​.

​Please see below for further information about the audition process.

AVAILABILITY FORM
AUDITION FORM

Audition Policy

  • ​Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and positions for Odyssey projects are determined through past involvement, most recent audition and confirmed availability.

  • We continue to welcome auditions and suitable candidates to join Odyssey throughout the season. Please see below for further details and deadlines.

  • Current Odyssey members are often invited to play without submitting another audition. However, past involvement with Odyssey does not guarantee selection.  

  • If you have already played with Odyssey, please be aware that new members are auditioning for each course.

  • We encourage you to re-audition if you would like to be considered for a principal position or front desk.

Audition Process

You can audition or re-audition throughout the year using the audition form above. Re-auditioning is optional. ​If you have not taken part in an Odyssey concert before and would like to be considered, please submit an audition by 5 pm, two months before each 2026 concert date.

​Concert Dates and Deadlines:

  • Wednesday 21st January, 2026 – (Next Audition Deadline - 5pm, 21st November)

  • Tuesday 28th April, 2026 – Mahler/Sibelius (5pm, 7th March)

  • Tuesday, 22nd September, 2026 – Programme TBC (5pm, 16th July)

​Please scroll down for more details on rehearsal times.

We will inform you shortly after the deadline if you have been successful. Seating for each project is flexible. If you do not secure a place because the project is over-subscribed, you may be added to the pool of reserve players to be considered for the future. Please submit your audition via the Google form below.

​Audition Requirements

  • Audition form: A short paragraph detailing musical and performance experience, plus your current study or working status.

  • Audition form: Video of two contrasting solo works (or extracts) on your main instrument - maximum five minutes.

  • Availability form: Availability for the upcoming concert.

​The panel will include Peter Ash and a specialist on your instrument. If you play a doubling instrument, please include that in your recorded performance.

​Confirmed Availability 

You will be asked to confirm your availability for each forthcoming concert. Your availability will influence your invitation to join Odyssey. Depending on the repertoire, rehearsals are scheduled during the two or three weekends before the concert week. Our detailed rehearsal schedule is at the bottom of this page.

​Further Details

Instructions on how to submit your audition video are in the audition video submission form which can also be found here.

You will need to submit your audition video by recording your pieces, uploading the video to YouTube as an unlisted video and providing us with the link. 

We recommend filming in landscape, rather than portrait, as this works better with YouTube’s format. Extremely resonant acoustics are best avoided, and it is best to record in a well-lit place. Please do not worry if you cannot access professional recording equipment. A standard smart phone or tablet will be sufficient, and the panel will make allowances for discrepancies in recording quality between applicants.

If you have any additional questions please email auditions@odysseymusic.org.

You can find information about how we store and process your data in our privacy policy.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR AUDITION!

Rehearsal Dates for upcoming concerts:

Saturated in Myself - Tchaikovsky’s Final Year

Wednesday, 21st January 2026 - Cadogan Hall Concert

Odyssey’s January 2026 concert explores Tchaikovsky’s tempestuous final months.

 

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Op. 71 Extracts 3332/4231/tmp+1/hp/celeste/strings

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B minor Op. 74 “Pathétique" 3222/4231/tmp+2/strings

Rehearsal dates, January 2026: 

  • Fri 9 Jan - 18.00-21.00 (tutti)

  • Sat 10 Jan - 10.00 - 13.00 (string sectionals)

  • Sun 11 Jan - 10.00-13.00 (string orchestra) and 14.00-17.00 (tutti)

  • Fri 16 Jan - 18.00-21.00 (tutti)

  • Sat 17 Jan - 10.00-13.00 (string sectionals) and 14.00-17.00 (string orchestra)

  • Sun 18 Jan - 10.00-13.00 (string orch and four separate wind, brass, percussion and harp sectionals) and 14.00-17.00 (tutti)

  • Tues 20 Jan - 18.00-21.00 (tutti)

  • Wed 21 Jan - 15.00-18.00 (tutti dress reh) and 19.30 Concert

 

Tuesday 28th April 2026 - Cadogan Hall Concert

 

Mahler Symphony No 4 4333/4300/tmp+4/hp/strings

Sibelius Symphony No 7 2222/4330/tmp/hp/strings

 

TBC Rehearsal dates, April 2026: 

  • Fri 17 April - 18.00-21.00 (tutti)

  • Sat 18 April - 10.00-13.00 (string sectionals)

  • Sun 19 April - 10.00-13.00 (string orchestra) and 14.00-17.00 (tutti)

  • Fri 24 April - 18.00-21.00 (tutti)

  • Sat 25 April - 10.00-13.00 (string sectionals) and 14.00-17.00 (string orchestra)

  • Sun 26 April - 10.00-13.00 (string orch and four separate wind, brass, percussion and harp sectionals) and 14.00-17.00 (tutti)

  • Mon 27 April - 18.00-21.00 (tutti)

  • Tues 28 April - 15.00-18.00 (tutti dress reh) and 19.30 Concert

  

Tuesday 22nd September 2026 - Cadogan Hall Concert - Strauss An Alpine Symphony 

 

TBC Rehearsal dates, September 2026: 

  • Fri 11 Sept- 18.00-21.00 (tutti)

  • Sat 12 Sept - 10.00-13.00 (brass and strings sectionals) and 14.00-17.00 (woodwind sectional)

  • Sun 13 Sept - 10.00-13.00 (string orchestra) and 14.00-17.00 (tutti)

  • Fri 18 Sept - 18.00-21.00 (tutti)

  • Sat 19 Sept - 10.00-13.00 (string sectionals) and 14.00-17.00 (string orchestra)

  • Sun 20 Sept - 10.00-13.00 (string orch and four separate wind, brass, percussion and harp sectionals) and 14.00-17.00 (tutti)

  • Mon 21 Sept - 18.00-21.00 (tutti)

  • Tues 22 Sept - 15.00-18.00 (tutti dress reh) and 19.30 Concert