Does anybody knows anything about that orchestra? Their application fee is 25$. Does that mean that they have normal salary? (around 40k/year)

My understanding is that they're a per service group (maybe someone from the bay area is around here and can give more info.)

It's definitely a per-service group. You can tell a lot about the pay just from looking at the # of subscription concerts of any orchestra. The service rate doesn't look bad, but there aren't a lot of services. If you're in AFM, there's a chart where you can look up exact pay rates & compare.

thats from the E-mail i once recieved:The California Symphony has 4 subscription concerts per year (each repeated
a second evening), and 3 run-out concerts. There are 4 rehearsals prior to
each concert. Principal pay is $140 per service.

Does anybody know how is Life in Walnut Creek?
I'm living in Vienna, Austria,Europe ,thinkin about moving to America...

the Bay Area (where Walnut Creek is located) is insanely expensive. People who are in the San Francisco Symphony find living on the salary (which is 6 figures) not all roses and champagne.

If you can get a job in Europe I advise you to stay there....here you have the added problem of getting a green card or other work visa..if you want to come to America for fun why not think about doing a performer's certificate at a conservatory here....

Thanxs venividi for the Advice ,I'm actually engaged in an very good Orchestra in Vienna,it just feels good sometimes to get out of it sometimes....maybe u know this feeling
can u tell me whats a "performers certificate " is it smth. like doing a performers Masters?
Thanx for Reply