INTERESTED IN JOINING DCCOS?

DCCOS offers 3 programs: The DC Concert Orchestra (DCCO), an 80-piece, high-quality non-professional orchestra; DC Chamber Musicians (DCCM), an alliance of skilled musicians seeking resources to support their musical development, including professional coaching and performance opportunities; and Classical Musicians of Metro DC (CM•MDC), an area network of hundreds of musicians at all skill levels, excluding beginners, seeking casual music opportunities. If you are interested in joining one of our programs, please read on!

More about CM•MDC
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More about DCCM
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More about DCCO
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JOIN THE NETWORK (CM•MDC)

CLASSICAL MUSICIANS OF METRO DC
CM•MDC is a network of hundreds of non-professional chamber musicians interested in casual gatherings for playing opportunities in the DC metropolitan area.

This chart may help you decide whether CM•MDC or DCCM is right for you.

Learn more about CM-MDC with the Musicians’ Guide.

CM•MDC OFFERINGS

  • $18/yr. fully refundable during the first 6 months

  • Opportunities to connect with other players

  • Support in planning and hosting your own home events

  • Opportunities to participate in quarterly open houses

  • Discounts on our most popular events and services

  • A listing and basic access to our Chamber Musician Directory

JOIN THROUGH MEETUP

JOIN THE CHAMBER GROUP (DCCM)

DC CHAMBER MUSICIANS
DCCM is an alliance of musicians at the intermediate, advanced or semi-pro levels who share a passion for chamber music. DCCM offers educational and performance opportunities for musicians in pre-formed ensembles, and resources for individual musicians.

THE DCCM VISION
DCCM aspires to be the most comprehensive network of non-professional chamber musicians in the DC metropolitan region. DCCM offers a full suite of resources to support chamber ensembles, including rehearsal venues, coaching, and performance opportunities to provide musical growth for our members and build diverse audiences.

Pre-formed ensembles participating in concerts receive a $180 credit toward a two hour professional coaching in preparation for their performance.  Some ensembles may also receive two hours of free coaching from DCCM’s Artistic Director.  You can see an example of what to expect in a coaching session here.  Coaching for ensembles not participating in a concert is available for an additional fee.

Open Houses are events held jointly with Classical Musicians of Metro DC (CM•MDC) as “Mix and Match” sessions for sight reading or with prepared works. Multiple rooms with piano(s) are available, with a capacity for roughly 30. We invite you to get acquainted with members and meet other musicians to form ensembles.

For pre-formed ensembles that have received private coaching immediately preceding each concert. DCCM concerts are supported by a $60 charge per member, per concert.

Annual dues are currently $40 and include enhanced access to DCCOS’s directory of chamber musician directory, and discounts on fees for quarterly chamber music opens. Additional services such as concerts, private coaching and rehearsal rooms are available at affordable, additional charges. Dues must be paid in advance.

This year’s season overview, including services and fees, is available here. (update pending)

A musicians’ guide, including a full schedule of services, is available here.

BECOMING A DCCM MEMBER
This group is intended for musicians seeking resources to expand their playing opportunities and to advance their skill sets, including possible performance opportunities.

However, CM•MDC is another DCCOS program that can assist you in finding fellow musicians with whom to form ensembles. View this chart to decide whether CM•MDC or DCCM is right for you.

DCCM OFFERINGS

  • Private, professional chamber music coaching

  • Public concert performance opportunities

  • Access to quality rehearsal facilities at affordable rates

  • Discounts on quarterly, casual chamber music open houses to meet and play with fellow musicians

  • A large, searchable directory of chamber musicians throughout the metropolitan area

  • A directory of professional chamber music coaches

JOIN

JOIN THE CONCERT ORCHESTRA (DCCO)

DC CONCERT ORCHESTRA
Founded in 2011, DCCO  is a high-quality, non-professional orchestra and one of Washington’s newest community orchestras. Under the baton of Maestro Randall Stewart (2014-present), DCCO has grown into one of the finest full symphony community orchestras in the region. The orchestra performs up to 4 concerts per season.

THE DCCO VISION
DCCO aspires to be a top-tier non-professional orchestra in the DC metropolitan region, providing educational experiences and musical growth for our members. We seek to explore a range of familiar and lesser-known repertoire, including modern and contemporary American music, to honor our heritage, promote new works, and to develop a loyal, diverse audience.

DCCO is a collegial, congenial, non-competitive group. We strive to create a diverse, inclusive membership that nurtures and encourages classical musicians to improve their musical skills. DCCO performs fewer concerts per season than many comparable orchestras and generally holds bi-weekly rehearsals. This creates less demand on personal schedules, allows for more rehearsals per concert, and permits greater focus on the quality of our musical product. The character of rehearsals is low-stress and enjoyable, but also educational and focused. We look to our members to make a commitment toward the continual improvement and growth of the orchestra.

Conducted by Maestro Randall Stewart, the orchestra rehearses to perform up to 4 concerts each season, covering a wide breadth of themes and eras.

Membership is by audition only. Auditions are held 1-2 times a year. Read through “Auditioning for DCCO” to apply!

All active members pay annual full-season dues of $120 (pro-rata for late season entry and substitutes). Accommodation can be made for those for whom dues pose a challenge.

A guide, fully describing DCCO’s operations, rules, and practices, is available here.

2025-26 Mid-Season Auditions are OPEN

Auditions will be held Sunday, January 4, between 1:00 and 5:00 pm at a downtown location adjacent to Metro Center.

Before applying to audition, please carefully review the documents in our checklist below to ensure the fit is right for you. We look forward to hearing from you.

CURRENT OPENINGS

  • All Strings – full seat
  • Contrabassoon – full seat
  • Trombone – full seat or substitute
  • Percussion (battery) – full seat

If your instrument does not appear on this list, please do not apply.  Visit www.dccos.org/join mid-summer to see openings for our 226-27 season.

AUDITIONING FOR DCCO
Membership is by audition only.  Regular auditions are held in the late summer.  Supplemental winter auditions are held in January to fill mid-season staffing gaps. Candidates fall into two categories: full member or substitute, depending on need. There is no fee to audition, but all performing members pay dues of $120 for the 2024-25 season (pro-rata for late season entry and substitutes).

  • Carefully review the audition requirements, and study performance examples of each excerpt included.

  • Review our 2025-26 rehearsal and concert schedule

  • The repertoire for the 2025-26 season will be announcement in early July.

  • Review the Musicians’ Guide to DCCO (revision pending)

  • If accepted as a core member, you must pay annual dues. Accommodation can be made for those for whom dues pose a challenge (see Handbook under Auditions).

  • Click the button below to complete and submit your audition request form! We will contact you 2-4 weeks prior to auditions.
APPLY

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“Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.”

Leonard Bernstein