Information of 2025-2026 Season Audition

Qualifications and Audition Procedures

Qualifications
  1. Applicants must be professional-level musicians who have completed most or all of their　formal training, and who are in good health.
  2. Applicants must be younger than 35 years old as of April 1, 2025.
  3. Applicants are required to join the Orchestra starting from September, 2025. (Applicants are required to attend an orientation and other official events as indicated by the orchestra office in late August 2025.)
  4. Applicants are required to have basic proficiency either in English or Japanese.
Preliminary (YouTube video) Audition

To apply, please follow the instructions below.

  1. Click the “Audition Repertoires” below for recording the preliminary (YouTube video) audition.
    Audition Repertoires ※Nov 10 edited
  2. Upload your video on the YouTube site (YouTube Studio) as “Unlisted mode”.
    ※Please follow the steps below to record your video.
    • ・Video must be recorded within 3 months prior to the submission date.
    • ・Video must be taken horizontally.
    • ・Video must be taken from the same angle and it has to capture face, body, and fingerings of the applicants’ clearly.
    • ・Record in 2 separate files
      ■ Strings, winds, and brass: One file for concerto alone and another file for all orchestra excerpts in one track.
      ■ Timpani/ perc: All timpani pieces in one file and Marimba piece for another file.
    • ・Upload each recorded video file as YouTube videos and get 2 separate links.
    • ・Record the orchestra excerpts in the order they are listed in the repertoires.
    • ・If the fingering of the video is not synchronized with the audio of the video, the submitted video maybe excluded from the subject to audition.
    • ・Do not use the “Auto Volume Control Function (AGC, ALC, etc.)” as it may reduce the dynamics and nuances of the performance. It often results in a recording which does not accurately present your actual performance.
    • ・The sound volume of the video shall not be too loud (or too quiet), and it shall not contain noise.
    • ・Piano accompanist for concerto is not required.
    • ※If you need further assistance in uploading video on YouTube, please read and check the official website below;
      https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/57407?hl=en
  3. To apply, please complete online application form below by filling out the information, uploading the photo, and entering URL of recorded video saved as unlisted mode by the deadline. (No later than 5pm January 28th, 2025 in Japanese Standard Time).
    Application Form
  4. Submitted documents are solely used for the purpose of audition evaluation and will not be returned.

【Notification of Audition Result】
The result of the Preliminary (YouTube video) Audition will be notified to all applicants by email by February 10, 2025. Successful candidates of the Preliminary (YouTube video) Audition will be notified about the venue, date, time, and repertoire for the Final (Live) Audition.
Final (Live) Audition
Final (Live) Audition will be held in the cities in Japan, the US and Europe as follows:
*Auditions for Timpani/Percussion will be held ONLY on the days and in the cities with a star (★)
*Schedules below are all in year 2025.
Japan
Tokyo: March 2(Sunday), and 24(Monday)
　*Please note that brass players wishing to play at the Tokyo venue will be assigned to play on March 2nd due to venue circumstances.(Oct 24 updated)
Nishinomiya: March 9(Sunday), and 10(Monday)★

Europe
Munich: March 14(Friday)★, and 15(Monday)

US
Philadelphia: March 17(Monday)★, and 18(Tuesday)


＊Final (Live) Audition schedule is subject to change.

＊Repertoire for the Final (Live) Audition is informed separately to the successful candidates of the Preliminary (YouTube video) Audition.

＊Music for the Final (Live) Audition will be designated by HPAC orchestra.

＊Specific passages to be played will be designated by the jury at the time of audition.

＊An accompanist is not required for both preliminary and live audition.

＊Memorization is not required for performing at the audition.

＊Applicants are responsible for all audition-related expenses, including transportation, lodging, and instrument renting/shipping.etc.

＊The result of Final (Live) Audition will be notified to all applicants by email by April 2, 2025 (Wednesday).

Notes
  • ＊All application materials will not be returned.
  • ＊We do not accept any requests for feedbacks or comments regarding the audition result.
  • ＊The Kobe District Court shall be the competent court for settlement of any disputes regarding rights and responsibilities arising from this audition.
  • ＊The applicant is assumed that s/he agreed all articles and notes written in this application guideline upon receiving his or her application materials.
  • ＊Upon submission of the application form, you will be deemed to have accepted all of the information and notes contained in this application guideline.

Work Eligibility/Visas

Successful non-Japanese candidates will need to obtain Japanese working visa to work as a core member at HPAC. HPAC Orchestra office will assist in preparing the documents for applying visa for successful candidates, however, it is their responsibility to apply at their consulate in their country and obtain the visa. This Contract shall be invalid without the Japanese working visa.

Conditions and Benefits

Term
Qualified Core Member will be engaged in the orchestra activities for the period between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026. The Contract can be renewed every year up to August 31, 2028 under the terms of the contract. A maximum of 220 orchestra service days shall be scheduled each contract year.
Compensation
a) The compensation based upon the contract agreement is 3,600,000JPYen, pre-tax, (approximately US$ 25.132, € 22,615)* per year, and will be paid in 12 month installments. Although the compensation is paid monthly, it is not a salary base. Also, the contract between the core member and HPAC is “performance based contract” and not an employment contract. Aside from withholding tax, each core member is responsible for local tax, rent, utilities and Japanese social insurance payment.

b) A transportation fee will be paid according to the stipulation of the Organization.
Insurances
Each Core Member is required to join the National Health Insurance Plan and the National Pension Plan and is responsible for its premium. Employment insurance and worker’s accident insurance are not available.
Housing
Prefectural public housing can be provided by Orchestra Office.
(45minutes commute by combination of Bus and Train to Hyogo Performing Arts Center)
An unfurnished apartment will be provided to each core member at a subsidized rate of ￥13,700 (approximately US$ 96, €87)* monthly. Each apartment is equipped with an air-conditioned soundproof room, private bathroom/bathtub, toilet, kitchen with gas stovetop, and light fixtures.
Travel Grant
Each new Core Member moving from outside Japan will receive a one-time airfare reimbursement of up to ￥100,000 (approximately US$ 698, €628)* to assist in their initial travel to Japan.
Audition Grant
Each Core Member can receive an audition grant to help defray expenses for taking auditions outside of Japan up to a specified amount set by HPAC.

*Exchange rate of US$1=￥143.24, €1=￥159.18 (as of September 6, 2024) is applied for calculation.

Contact

Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra “Orchestra Audition”
2-22 Takamatsu Cho, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo 663-8204 Japan
Tel:＋81(798)68-0203 /FAX:＋81(798)68-0205
E-mail： audition2025@gcenter-hyogo.jp
※ For questions, please contact us by email