Work with The COT

The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle (COT) is a per-service orchestra based in Durham, North Carolina, and does not guarantee any number of services. The COT’s 2026-27 Season consists of six (6) orchestral concerts, one (1) opera, and two (2) ballets. Season contracts are offered on a year to year basis, and auditions are held prior to every season for substitute positions and available contracted positions. Together with audition results, preference is given to those musicians who can commit to all rehearsals and performances throughout the season.

Rate of Compensation:

The COT's rate of compensation is $150 per service, with each orchestral program consisting of a minimum of five (5) services. Travel is compensated for those musicians traveling more than 35 miles at a rate of .50 cents per mile. The maximum travel compensation is $150.

Auditions:

Auditions will be held at Durham Academy Middle School in Durham, NC on Sunday, August 30. Audition requirements, materials, and excerpts can be found below. Should you have any questions or not be able to audition in person, please contact personnel@thecot.org.

Application:

All applications must be filled out online. Applications are due no later than Friday, August 28. There is a $20 application fee, which will be refunded upon completion of the audition. You will not be assigned an audition time until the application fee has been received.

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Audition Requirements:

Violin

Solo Repertoire:

• Movement of Solo Bach

OR

• Exposition of First Movement from Mozart Concerto’s No.3,4, or 5 (applicant’s choice)

Orchestral Excerpts:

• Brahms | Symphony No.2 - Mvt.1 (mm.101-155)
• Mendelssohn | Midsummer Night’s Dream - Scherzo (Beginning through seven (7) measures after Rehearsal D)
• Mozart | Symphony No.39 - Mvt: II (Beginning – m. 28 (no repeats))
• Debussy | La Mer (Rehearsal 33 – 4 m. before Rehearsal 39)

Viola

Solo Repertoire:

• Movement of Solo Bach

OR

• First Movement from concerto by Stamitz, Telemann, or Hoffmeister (applicant’s choice)

Orchestral Excerpts:

• Brahms | Symphony No.2 - Mvt.1 (Beginning to Rehearsal B)
• Mendelssohn | Midsummer Night’s Dream - Scherzo (mm.17 to Rehearsal D)
• Mozart | Symphony No.35 - Mvt.4 (mm. 134 - 181)

Cello

Solo Repertoire:

• Movement of Solo Bach

OR

• Exposition of First Movement from Haydn Concertos in C or D (applicant’s choice)

Orchestral Excerpts:

• Brahms | Symphony No.2 - Mvt.2 (mm.1-15)
• Mendelssohn | Midsummer Night’s Dream - Scherzo (Rehearsal N to Rehearsal O)
• Mozart | Symphony No.35 - Mvt4 (mm. 134 - 197)
• Debussy | La Mer (2m. before Rehearsal 9 – 6 m. after Rehearsal 9 (top line))

Bass

Solo Repertoire:

• Movement of Solo Bach

Orchestral Excerpts:

• Brahms | Symphony No.2 - Mvt.1 (mm.212-225)
• Mendelssohn | Symphony No.4 “Italian” - Mvt.1 (mm.41-90)

Flute

Solo Repertoire:

• Exposition of First Movement from Mozart Concertos 1 or 2 (applicant’s choice)

Orchestral Excerpts:

• Brahms | Symphony No.4 - Mvt.4 (mm.89-105)
• Mendelssohn | Symphony No.4 - Mvt.4 (Beginning to mm.34)

Oboe

Solo Repertoire:

• First movement from baroque oboe concerto (applicant’s choice)

Orchestral Excerpts:

• Brahms | Variations on a Theme by Haydn - Theme (prepare both Oboe 1 and 2)
• Ravel | Le tombeau de Couperin - Mvt. 1 (Beginning to Rehearsal 2)

Clarinet

Solo Repertoire:

• Exposition of First Movement from Mozart Concerto in A

Orchestral Excerpts:

• Kodaly | Dances of Galanta - (mm.31-65)
• Mendelssohn | Midsummer Night’s Dream - Scherzo (Beginning to Rehearsal B)

Bassoon

Solo Repertoire:

• Exposition of First Movement from Mozart Concerto in B-flat

Orchestral Excerpts:

• Brahms | Symphony No.3 - Mvt.1 (mm.149-178)
• Mendelssohn | Midsummer Night’s Dream - Scherzo (mm.1-26)

Horn

Solo Repertoire:

• Exposition of First Movement from a Mozart Horn Concerto

Orchestral Excerpts:

• Beethoven | Symphony No.3 (Horn 2) - Mvt.3 (mm.171-205)
• Mendelssohn | Midsummer Night’s Dream - Nocturne (mm.1-34)

Trumpet

Solo Repertoire:

• First Movement from concerto by Haydn, Mozart, or Hummel (applicant’s choice)

Orchestral Excerpts:

• Brahms | Symphony No.2 (Trumpet 1) - Mvt.1 (mm.282-298)
• Schumann | Symphony No.2 (Trumpet 2) - Mvt.1 (Beginning to mm.13)

Trombone

Orchestral Excerpts:

• Brahms | Symphony No.1 (All) - Mvt.4 (Rehearsal C to 14mm. after Rehearsal C)
• Mozart | Requiem (Tenor) - Tuba Mirum (Beginning to Rehearsal B)
• Rossini | William Tell (All) - Overture (Rehearsal C to 8mm. after Rehearsal D)
• Verdi | Nabucco (All) - Overture (mm.1-16)

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