As a community orchestra, Sage City Symphony welcomes new players - particularly violinists, violists, and cellists - who share a love for the orchestral repertoire. Sage City usually has 45 to 55 players from nearby Bennington and Shaftsbury as well as northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts and the Albany area in New York State and beyond. 

No audition is required, but musicians should be able to play works of moderate difficulty. The season runs from September through May. Commitment to all concerts throughout the entire season is not required; however, it is expected that players will participate in all rehearsals scheduled for each concert in which they intend to participate, unless anticipated absences are approved by the Symphony Manager.

Rehearsals are held in Greenwall Auditorium in the VAPA Building at Bennington College on Sunday afternoons 2:45-5:30 PM, with occasional changes to accommodate Bennington College events. Performances are on Sundays at 4 PM, following a 2 PM warmup, and there is an additional dress rehearsal the day before (on a Saturday). 

Rehearsals for our fall concert start in September. The symphony is off between Thanksgiving and the New Year and then start up again in January for a Winter chamber orchestra program in February, followed by a Youth Concert in March, and then a final Spring Concert that is coupled with the Symphony's annual fundraising dinner.  

The fall program generally focuses on a major work; past examples include Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, Henry Brant's casting of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (four movements), and Hindemith's Mathis der Maler. The Symphony commissions and performs one new work each season.  

Rides or carpooling may be available. Sage City can list potential carpools on this website, or Facebook users can take advantage of the Carpool discussion on our Facebook page.  

COVID PROTOCOLS: We follow guidelines issued by the CDC, the State of Vermont, and Bennington College. See specific information here. 

Any questions may be directed to Symphony Manager Gail Smith via email or by phone at 802-733-3382.