Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — EUCO is a fully auditioned orchestra. Auditions run once a year, near the start of the autumn semester, for every section (violin, viola, cello, double bass, winds, brass, and percussion).

There's no published grade requirement — auditions are about whether you can play confidently and reliably at the standard the season's repertoire needs, not a specific exam grade. Most successful auditionees have several years of experience on their instrument. If you're unsure whether your level is a good fit, get in touch before audition day and we're happy to advise.

Yes. Auditions are open to any University of Edinburgh student who plays to a good standard, whether that experience comes from a full orchestra, a school ensemble, or largely self-taught playing. The panel is listening for musicality and reliability as much as polish.

Yes — EUCO is a University of Edinburgh student society, run under Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA). Membership is open to current students, undergraduate or postgraduate, with no separate age limit beyond that.

A solo piece of your choice, up to five minutes long, plus orchestral excerpts that we provide in advance so you can practise them. Please bring your own instrument and any accessories you need (reeds, mutes, and so on) — we don't typically provide a piano accompanist.

Weekly, on Tuesday evenings from 6:15pm to 9:15pm, at the Reid Music Hall.

Yes — alongside the weekly full rehearsal, we run occasional sectional rehearsals on weekends in the run-up to a concert.

We expect members to attend all rehearsals. We know academic commitments can clash, so a certain number of excused absences per term is allowed — just let your section principal know in advance where possible.

Let your section principal know ahead of time if you can, and log it formally with our absence form.

From time to time, yes — a relaxed, no-audition read-through of a piece, open to anyone who wants to play with no ongoing commitment attached. These aren't on a fixed termly calendar, so keep an eye on our Instagram or Facebook for announcements.

Orchestral and chamber classical music at a high standard, spanning standard symphonic repertoire through to lesser-performed and underrepresented composers — recent guest conductor Tim Espin, for example, brought a programme of underrepresented Scandinavian composers to the orchestra. Programming shifts with each conductor and season.

Typically two main concerts a year, each with a different professional guest conductor, on top of our annual opera collaboration and Concerto Competition performance.

Concert venues vary by season and are announced with each concert — our opera collaboration, for instance, has recently been staged at the Pleasance Theatre.

The Upcoming Concerts page always has the latest listings and ticket links, and Past Concerts has our recent programme history.

Rather than one fixed principal conductor, EUCO works with a different professional guest conductor most semesters.

Guest conductors are invited by the committee each semester based on the planned programme, availability, and fit with the orchestra.

Yes, most visibly through two routes: our annual Concerto Competition, where the student winner performs their concerto with the full orchestra, and our opera collaboration, where we accompany vocal soloists from Edinburgh Studio Opera.

An annual competition open to instrumentalists from across the University of Edinburgh, not only EUCO members. The winner performs their chosen concerto with EUCO in one of our main season concerts — past winners have gone on to pursue careers in music.

Any instrumentalist from across the University can apply — you don't need to already be an EUCO member. Applications typically open in October; check the Concerto Competition page for this year's exact dates.

Each year, EUCO is proud to be the resident orchestra for Edinburgh Studio Opera (ESO), the city's leading student-run opera company. Our most recent production was Massenet's Cendrillon at the Pleasance Theatre, with our next production planned for Spring 2026.

ESO brings the vocal soloists, director, and wider artistic team; EUCO provides the orchestra. It's a genuine two-organisation collaboration rather than an EUCO production with hired singers.

Yes — many members also form smaller chamber ensembles alongside the full orchestra, a chance to explore repertoire and performance opportunities outside the main concert season.

Yes — our Community Outreach programme brings free, live performances to schools, care homes, and community centres around Edinburgh, delivered by smaller ensembles formed from our members.

It's a recurring part of our history rather than a guaranteed yearly fixture — past tours have taken us from the Highlands of Scotland to Prague and Florence.

Glasgow University's Kelvin Ensemble (on programmes of Stravinsky, Mahler, and Rachmaninov) and Italy's Roma Tre Orchestra, among others — we're always open to more international collaboration.

Yes — EUCO is entirely student-run, as a society of EUSA.

Like most EUSA societies, EUCO is run by an elected student committee covering roles across events, finance, communications, and orchestra logistics — for example, our Special Events & Fundraising role helps organise things like sponsorship partnerships and larger social events. Exact roles are confirmed each year.

You don't need prior committee experience. Most roles are open to any member willing to put in the time, and newer committee members often shadow outgoing ones before fully taking over a role.

Announcements go out to current members via our mailing list and socials ahead of elections — join our mailing list below to stay in the loop.

Yes, a small membership fee is collected at the start of each semester. It helps cover costs like music hire, venue booking, and conductor fees. Financial assistance is available if you need it — get in touch with the committee discreetly.

Yes — please bring your own instrument and any necessary accessories (reeds, mutes, and so on) to both auditions and rehearsals.

Every contribution helps us put on ambitious, high-quality performances — see our Support Us page for sponsorship opportunities, or donate directly via JustGiving.

EUCO is a student society of Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA), a registered Scottish charity, SC015800, regulated by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). We're not separately registered as our own charity — we operate as a society under EUSA's charitable status.

Vibrant — think post-rehearsal pub trips, biscuits during rehearsal breaks, a formal Music Ball, and our yearly ceilidh, on top of regular socials throughout the year.

Many former members stay closely connected to the orchestra — alumni often return for concerts, and some (including past Concerto Competition winners) go on to careers in music. We don't currently run a formal alumni database, but former members are always welcome to reach out.

Weekly rehearsals, two main concerts, our Concerto Competition, an opera collaboration with Edinburgh Studio Opera, community outreach performances, and a full social calendar including the Music Ball and ceilidh — with touring a recurring possibility on top of all that.