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AUDITION FORUM

Audition Results

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SF Ballet Principal Percussion?

Anyone know how this turned out?

9959 Views

William Chinn won. Congrats to him!


The runner-up was Tennison Watts. The other super-finalists were Ritvik Yaparpalvi and David Cavazos.

Pittsburgh Principal Percussion

Prelim rounds were in January, any news?

15240 Views
The Creator
The Creator
Feb 19

Congratulations are in order to Jason and David. Nice work at this major audition, gents!


Jason is currently the Principal Percussionist at the KBS orchestra in South Korea.


A note:


This thread has been subject to a lot of unsavory back and forth between members. Many comments were deleted as they are not in line with our guidelines and also off-topic. I advise all members to please review our guidelines. It’s a small world. Let’s keep it classy and respectful.


Members who do not follow our guidelines are subject to immediate suspension. Warnings may or may not be issued depending on the nature of the posts.

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Principal Timpani?

This audition took place February 8-10.

11404 Views

Dave Uhlmann is the winner, Will Howald (Spokane Symphony) is the runner up

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Principal Percussion?

This audition happened December 15, 2025.

13396 Views
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Dec 16, 2025

Andrew Busch won this position

band nerd 🤓 🥁band nerd 🤓 🥁
band nerd 🤓 🥁

West Point Timpani / Percussion

Any updates?

10245 Views
Drummersss3
Dec 16, 2025

Justin Gingrich was offered the position. Keith Hammer and Eli Reisz were finalists. Big congrats to Justin!

Army Jazz Ambassadors Drum Set

The audition was today. Did anybody win the job?

11406 Views
colmanburks
Dec 13, 2025

Colman Burks won this position

Colorado Symphony Principal Timpani?

Auditions took place 11/17-19.

15850 Views
thedrummerman86
Nov 20, 2025

Mingyu Son won. Congrats to him!

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An AF Mastermind Member who has been verified by admins as an expert in the field.

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An AF Mastermind Member who has won a professional audition

Professional

Santa Rosa Third Percussion

According to a recent social media post, Peyton Esraelian won this position.

9243 Views
schlagzeuger9schlagzeuger9
schlagzeuger9

San Diego Symphony Section Percussion 🥁

Matthew West won this audition. Congratulations to him!


Bryce Burton was named the runner up.

10632 Views

Utah Principal Timpani

Finals are 11/10

10637 Views
thedrummerman86
Nov 11, 2025

Mike Tetreault won. Congrats to him!

AuditionerH31PAuditionerH31P
AuditionerH31P

Florida Orchestra Principal Timpani

Hamza Able was offered the position 🥶

10245 Views
weissd639
Nov 05, 2025

Runner up is Miles Salerni, and Hwanee Pak was the other super-finalist. Yaaay Hamza, 4 auditions in 2 years, the run continues!!!!!

Edited

Midland Symphony Orchestra (Michigan) Principal Timpani?

Audition was today, October 30, 2025.

10755 Views
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Nov 03, 2025

I’m told Dylan Brule won

Helena Symphony Section Percussion?

Audition happened 10/24/25.

9566 Views
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Nov 03, 2025

Heard that Jake Henneford was the winner

Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra Principal Percussion?

Audition is today, October 26, 2025.

8880 Views
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Oct 27, 2025

Hearing that Nate Mears won

New Jersey Symphony Principal Percussion

Any news? Finals were today, I believe.

9780 Views
ZoeP
Oct 09, 2025

Luca Esposito won, congrats to him!

Elijah Nice and Robert Lenau were named runner ups

schlagzeuger9schlagzeuger9
schlagzeuger9

Atlanta Principal Timpani 🥁

Jake Darnell was the winner of this audition (also offered a trial week with the orchestra).

Brad Davis was named the runner up. Congratulations to all!

9163 Views
sansingx3
Nov 22, 2025

I thought that maybe Michael Stubbart would move up. Stubbart seems good enough to move up.

schlagzeuger9schlagzeuger9
schlagzeuger9

LA Philharmonic Assistant Principal and Section Percussion

Assistant Principal: Wesley Sumpter

Section Percussion: Andres Pichardo Rosenthal


Other super finalists were David Yoon and Matthew West. Congratulations to all!

10345 Views

Akron Principal Percussion

Audition is today I believe

9666 Views
thedrummerman86
Sep 26, 2025

Adriana Harrison won. Congrats to her!


The other finalists were Ruben Shonik and Matthew Larson.

San Francisco Assistant timpani/Section Perc

Any news? Should be finishing up today.

11165 Views
Can u dig it?!
Sep 25, 2025

Heard through the grapevine 3 were offered trials.

Baton Rouge Symphony Principal Timpani + 2nd Percussion

According to the Indiana University Percussion Studio’s Instagram account, William Kim won the Principal Timpani audition.


The Baton Rouge Symphony's website lists Jordan Fajardo-Bird as the winner of the 2nd Percussion audition.

8360 Views

Oklahoma City 3rd Perc

This was last week, there were 2 finalists and Connor Stevens won the position.

7177 Views

Central Texas Philharmonic Section Percussion?

Connor Ainsworth and Seth Bagwell were offered positions. Audition was September 7.

8404 Views
BachBeans
Sep 10, 2025

Connor Ainsworth and Seth Bagwell were offered the 2 positions!

Edited

Stockton Symphony Timpani

Congratulations to Tyler Stell!

7940 Views

Canton Section Percussion?

Auditions were on September 4th

5735 Views
Clay
Sep 07, 2025

Hunter Wirt won this audition!

Allentown Principal Timpani?

Auditions were today September 3rd

6303 Views
YYpauk
Sep 04, 2025

I heard that Daniel Raney and Patrick Sorah got offer trials. Congrats to both of them!

Austin Symphony Section Percussion Audition

Audition was on August 26. Who won the position?

6004 Views
PZyy12891
Aug 28, 2025

Liam McManus was the winner, Harry Zhang was named runner up.

Battle Creek (Michigan) Percussion?

Any news?

Principal and Section percussion, audition was July 24th

9253 Views
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Jul 29, 2025

I’m told section player Collin Boltz won the principal job, while Tae McLoughlin and Fabian Correa were offered section positions

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NACO Principal Timpani

Any updates?

13326 Views
Hornberger
Jul 01, 2025

Paul Philbert has been offered the position

Atlanta Principal Timpani?

Any news on who the finalists are?

11408 Views
anonymous-bean
Oct 07, 2025

Jake Darnell (NWS) is the winner, pending a trial. Brad Davis (Hawai’i) was runner up. The other finalists were Meagan Gillis, Matt Kibort, Alex Artale, Andrew Lauler, and Ian Kerr.

Maryland Symphony Section Horn and Principal Percussion?

Horn audition was yesterday, percussion is today.

13275 Views
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Jun 17, 2025

I’m told Shona Ortiz-Leopold won 4th horn, and no one was hired as 3rd horn.

Greenville Symphony Principal Percussion

Who won this audition?

10098 Views
thedrummerman86
Jun 04, 2025

James Leonard. Congrats to him!

Princess ConsuelaPrincess Consuela
Princess Consuela

Navy Band Percussion?

Should have finished up May 28th. Anyone know the results?

9537 Views
anonymous poster
May 30, 2025

Alex Mendoza won. Congrats to Alex!!

Colorado Ballet Section Percussion

Dominic Grande won. Congrats to him!

7500 Views

Saskatoon Symphony Principal Percussion?

Audition was today, May 25, 2025.

8935 Views
timpacussion
Jul 27, 2025

UPDATE - it appears that there has been another audition scheduled for this position (National Audition), with a recorded first round on September 5 and a deadline to apply on September 3. Those who are invited to the in-person final audition round will take their auditions on October 26 in Saskatoon.


It’s safe to assume that the past audition most likely resulted in a no-hire.

U.S. Army Ceremonial/Commercial Percussion?

Finals were supposed to be 5/20. Any updates?

11439 Views
Drummer12345
May 22, 2025

Wesley Anderson was offered the position!

Rochester Philharmonic Principal Percussion

Caleb Breidenbaugh won!

9066 Views

Erie Philharmonic Section Percussion?

Audition was today, May 19, 2025.

7791 Views
PZyy12891
May 19, 2025

Aidan Marckel was also in the finals!

Sotto voceSotto voce
Sotto voce

Cleveland, Principal Timpani (No. 3)

I was told the audition, with just 2 invited candidates, was to take place this week. Any news?

9450 Views
Sotto voce
May 20, 2025

Zubin Hathi has won this position. The other invited candidate was Charles Renneker

Victoria Symphony Principal Timpani

Jonas Koh won this audition.

8162 Views

Alabama Symphony Section Percussion?

Auditions took place May 12 and 13.

7701 Views
Anonymous
May 16, 2025

The other two finalists were Lucas Vogelman (runner-up) and Jake Haskins.

lookerlooker

Dayton Phil Principal Timpani

Audition is 5/5/2025

7753 Views
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Dec 17, 2025

According to the Indiana University Percussion studio social media, Kaleb Hascall has been appointed Principal Timpani. I believe Hamza won the same position in the Florida Orchestra recently.

Ann Arbor Section Percussion?


11822 Views
Anonymous
Anonymous
Apr 29, 2025

Robert Lenau won the audition, congrats to him!

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New world percussion?

I think the auditions were this past weekend.

6584 Views
ZoeP
Apr 27, 2025

Matthew West, Jack Rutledge, and Griffin Harrison were awarded fellowships. Congrats to them!

drummm02drummm02

New Mexico Phil timpani?


3922 Views
YYpauk
Apr 16, 2025

Tyler Brown won the job. Congrats to him!

Roanoke Principal Percussion?

Audition was yesterday

2102 Views
qwerty789
Apr 08, 2025

Sean Van Winkle was hired as Principal and John Patton was hired as Assistant Principal. Congratulations to both! Hearing a total of 4 were in finals.

Britt Festival timpani

Anyone happen to know the result of this ?

1640 Views

NACO Principal Perc

Anyone know what the result of the recent national round was?

3313 Views
OutlawNoHires
Jun 25, 2025

I just heard that Andrew Johnson has been appointed Principal Percussion. The section vacancy was not filled.

Houston Symphony Substitute and Extra Percussion?


1779 Views

Erie Philharmonic Principal Timpani?


2004 Views
timpacussion
Mar 13, 2025

Congratulations to Will Howald on winning the audition! Jonas Koh and William Kim were the other finalists.

Las Vegas Philharmonic Principal Timpani?


2597 Views
anonymous-bean
Feb 13, 2025

I’m sorry my accusations seem unfair and that the specifics I guessed about as an outsider were incorrect. I won’t apologize for bringing up the issue of resume screening equity, and all I’ll say is that anyone who was qualified to take this audition and wasn’t allowed to should contact a ROPA representative to look into it if they feel so inclined. This is my intent in bringing it up, and I’m really not that interested in how they decided who could and couldn’t take the audition, just that they didn’t allow a lot of people to.

schlagzeuger9schlagzeuger9
schlagzeuger9

President’s Own Marine Band Percussion/Drum Set

Joe Desotelle, Michael Rogers, and Austin Cantrell won this audition. Congratulations to all!

1393 Views

NYC Ballet Principal and Assistant Principal Percussion?

Finals are today for both positions.

4899 Views
anonymous0
May 28, 2025

Tarun Bellur won principal. Ben Cornavaca won associate principal. Congrats to both!

drummm02drummm02

Rochester Philharmonic percussion

Heard this was a no hire

2165 Views
mdpercussion
Jan 30, 2025

Yeah. I was final 2. No hire. 😢

Dubuque Symphony Principal Timpani, Principal Percussion, Section Percussion?

This audition took place on December 6, 2024.

1263 Views
Léonin
Dec 12, 2024

Christian Hughes won principal timpani

Annapolis Symphony Principal Percussion

Audition was yesterday.

1071 Views
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Nov 20, 2024

Heard that William Kan won this

auditionDudeauditionDude
auditionDude

Israel Philharmonic Percussion

The Israel Philharmonic had a couple of percussion auditions recently, anyone know of the results?

998 Views
Sotto voce
Nov 19, 2024

I heard David Tarantino won this position. Congrats to him!

Harrisburg Percussion?

Audition was today.

1147 Views
trombeans
Nov 19, 2024

Congrats to Caleb; he's on quite a roll!

Louisville Percussion?


1332 Views
schlagzeuger9
Nov 19, 2024

Soojin Kang won this audition! Will Chinn was named the runner up.

Phoenix Assistant Principal Percussion

Matt Prendergast won. Congrats to him!


The runner-up was Mingyu Son.

955 Views

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Principal Timpani

Greg LaRosa was offered this position. Nice one bruv.

747 Views

Victoria Symphony Principal Timpani (International)

AJ Hudson won. Congrats to him!


The runner-up was Alex Artale.

9054 Views
grcassa423
Jan 26, 2025

Looks like they are inviting ALL semi-finalists back to redo the audition in May. The union conducted an investigation with statements from involved candidates, and expert advice from professional timpanists, and they’re saying “there was no found wrong doing any candidates” which is disappointing, not sure if they’re just avoiding liability at this point, as the person responsible can just get a free pass to retake the audition after admitting to the act, at the cost of all other candidates now having to dish out more money to retake this audition. Unlucky I guess

First Round LoserFirst Round Loser
First Round Loser

Edmonton Symphony Principal Perc (national)?

The audition was on the 29th of October. Anyone know the results?

886 Views
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Oct 30, 2024

I’ve been told that Andrew Johnson won a trial

schlagzeuger9schlagzeuger9
schlagzeuger9

Bozeman Principal Percussion

Irene Kang won this audition. Congrats to her! Other finalists were Yibing Wang and Gustavo Barreda.

991 Views
anonymous
Oct 19, 2024

*Correction: The other finalists were Yibing and Gustavo Barreda

Nathan’s hot dog
Nathan’s hot dog

Albany Principal 🥁

Caleb Breidenbaugh won the Albany Principal Percussion audition on October 8th, 2024.

944 Views
YYpauk
Oct 09, 2024

I heard Jackson Riffle was the runner up.

Cleveland Assistant Timpani / Section Percussion

2 candidates advanced to a final round to be held at a later date.

3360 Views
thedrummerman86
Feb 24, 2025

Peter Nichols won. Congrats to him!


The other finalist was Jay Ritchie.

New World Symphony timpani?

Audition was yesterday I believe

907 Views
renovare
Aug 27, 2024

Jake Darnell won

Victoria Symphony Timpani National Round?


2607 Views
2224
Jul 09, 2024

They're so low paid because a lot of orchestras simply don't have the donor base (either because of the population of the city in question, or because of an incompetent development team). Whether or not the wage is "livable," if enough musicians continue auditioning for and accepting the positions, the orchestra will continue to be able to operate, and somehow those musicians go on living, whether it's from inheritance, spousal income, other gigs on the side, or simple frugal living.


I'm not making any moral judgment here, it just is what it is.


Instead of complaining that certain jobs are underpaid just... don't apply for those jobs? If others decide that the Victoria Symphony pays enough, good for them. If you prefer to make more money, you can feel free to go do so, either as a musician or by going into another field. The people who choose to audition for and accept positions with Victoria Symphony are adults who can be trusted to be responsible for their own life choices.

Rockford Symphony Section Percussion?

Audition was June 25th, 2 positions

671 Views

SF Symphony Section Percussion & Asst. Principal Timpani?

Finals for both positions are today.

3083 Views
ybrian
Oct 22, 2024

Stan Muncy!

Cape Symphony Principal Timpani?


1292 Views
anonymous-bean
Jul 15, 2024

Mike Weinfield-Zell has accepted this position, per his Facebook.

Maryland Symphony Principal Timpani?


1994 Views
Drummer12345
Jul 04, 2024

Likely won’t be decided until MSO begins their regular season (probably October or November) unless one of the trialists voluntarily withdraws, which is unlikely to say the least.

renovarerenovare

Fort Wayne Timpani

Position filled by local audition. Only local union members and frequent subs were invited. National audition cancelled.


Congratulations Andrew Nowak.

5506 Views
MV42
MV42
Feb 27

They should absolutely stop local auditions. There are (local audition) principal players there who would absolutely NOT have won a national audition there.

Edited

LA Phil Percussion Fellow?


1260 Views
thedrummerman86
Jun 13, 2024

This was a no-hire. The finalists were Jeremy Sreejayan and Soojin Kang.

anonymous-beananonymous-bean
anonymous-bean

Orlando Philharmonic Principal Percussion

No hire.


Finalists were Patrick Bain, Gustavo Barreda, Jake Darnell, and Justin Doute.

1414 Views
drummm02
Jun 05, 2024

🤦🏽‍♂️

alldrums247165alldrums247165
alldrums247165

Army Field Band Percussion/Drum Set

No hire

1198 Views
Drummer12345
Jun 13, 2024

All premiere military bands have need of high level drumset and concert playing. In the Field Bands case, whoever they hire will be in the concert band but also expected to sub into the jazz ambassadors as needed. Needs much more than a basic level on drum set in addition to a high level of concert playing. It’s tough to find that person, but they do exist.

Ann Arbor principal timpani

Eric Stoss won, congrats to him!

604 Views

Principal Percussion Omaha?

It should be finished today.

1206 Views
schlagzeuger9
May 24, 2024

Matthew West was named the runner up, and Leo Taylor was the other finalist. Congrats to all!

Presiden’s Own Marine Band, Percussion/Drum set

No hire, finalists were Lucas Esposito and Jeff Saugerton

580 Views
schlagzeuger9schlagzeuger9
schlagzeuger9

Navy Band Percussion

Dana Dominguez won this audition. Congrats to her! Other finalists were Zach Harris and Michael Rogers.

615 Views
User246User246

Britt Festival Orchestra percussion??

Who won this? There were 2 or 3 spots

2081 Views
Qwerty168
Apr 18, 2024

I have heard that Marcelina is on a one year leave, Madison is acting principle and Joseph Desotelle has been awarded a 1 year section spot

schlagzeuger9schlagzeuger9
schlagzeuger9

New World Symphony Percussion

Leo Simon won this audition. Congrats to him! Other finalists included Matthew West, Jack Rutledge, James Nickel, and Austin Cantrell.

2073 Views
OutlawNoHires
Apr 05, 2024

“Toxic” seems like a good word for this comment tbh


I think the words you were looking for were “congrats to these great players for their successes” maybe try that next time? Or say nothing?

drummm02drummm02

Hartford percussion?

925 Views
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Apr 05, 2024

I’m told Lucas Vogelman has won a trial

Seoul Philharmonic Principal Timpani

Anybody know who won? I believe the finals were supposed to be today.

1100 Views
thedrummerman86
Mar 28, 2024

Omar El-Abidin won. Congratulations to him!

Colorado Music Festival - Section Percussion

Congratulations to Caleb Breidenbaugh on winning this position!

694 Views

Boston Perc

Toby Grace won this audition today. Other finalists were George Nickson, Alex Garde, and Marcelina Suchocka.

1270 Views
drummm02drummm02

NACO Principal Timpani?


3949 Views
sosehas732
Jun 28, 2025

Any updates for this position?

Cleveland Asst Timpani / Percussion

Any updates for this? Auditions were to be held on Jan 8

1399 Views
ytvidguy
Jan 11, 2024

This audition has been postponed to a date TBD.

Seattle Timpani

Eric Schweikert won this audition today. Heard that the other finalists were Jake Darnell (Huntsville Sym) and Brad Davis (Hawaii Sym). Eric has been acting in the role this season, and was runner up at the audition Jim Benoit won a few years ago.

876 Views

Vancouver Assistant Timp/Perc

I think the national round happened earlier this week. Anyone have news?

843 Views
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Nov 23, 2023

Zachary Masri won this position

Air force band percussion?


1064 Views
6482282
Nov 21, 2023

Andy Emerich and Evan Saddler won. Congrats to them! Austin Cantrell and Jeff Sagurton were also in super finals, with Austin being runner up.

President’s Own - US Marine Band Percussion

Mary LaBlanc won the audition today! Matthew West was named runner up and Micheal Rogers was finalist. Congrats!!

865 Views

Opera San Jose Principal Percussion/Timpani

Alex Orfaly won this audition today. Congrats to him!


The other finalists were Kumiko Ito and Artie Storch.

503 Views
Can u dig it?!Can u dig it?!
Can u dig it?!

Philly assistant principal percussion?


1638 Views
OutlawNoHires
Oct 12, 2023

Charlie Rosmarin won, and Joe Desotelle was the other super-finalist

Monterey Principal Timpani

Eric He won this audition. Congrats to him!

522 Views
renovarerenovare

Detroit Opera Timpani

Congrats to Andrew Nowak on winning this position!

580 Views

Royal Swedish Opera Co-Principal Perc

Justin Doute won a trial for this position. He studied at UNF Rice and U Denver Lamont, and has a section position with Boise Phil. Congrats!

418 Views

Seattle Timpani One-Year

Eric Schweikert won this audition. Congrats to him!

615 Views

Melbourne Timpani

I heard that Matt Thomas (Malaysian Philharmonic) has recently been appointed timpanist of the Melbourne Symphony in Australia

498 Views
renovarerenovare

Winnipeg Principal Timpani

International audition held yesterday. Congrats to Justin Gingrich on winning the position

764 Views

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