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University Concert Band and University Chamber Orchestra

Students interested in Band or Orchestra are required to audition. The audition serves as a placement and seating purpose.

We encourage you to audition at the beginning of the Fall every year, even if you are worried that have not picked up your instrument all summer. We expect that the orchestra/band will be finding its route again during September when we start rehearsals. It is understandable that we are all a little rusty after a summer.

During the audition process, Dr. Qinqing Qian will listen to you performing scales and arpeggios, your prepared pieces, and an excerpt from the links below for your instrument. Dr. Qian will ask you questions to see how responsive you are to interpretive or technical suggestions. But most importantly, she will answer your questions about the ensemble, the music, the time commitment, and the experience. Each person will have approximately 10 minutes for the process.

Please Sign up. If you are interested in and capable of playing more than one instrument in two ensembles, please lock up 20 minutes on the Signup sheet and indicate each of your instruments.

If you cannot make any of the audition dates, please email Dr. Qian and schedule a separate hearing time.

1. Play one major and one minor scale, and arpeggios (three octaves);
2. Perform one solo piece with contrasting parts, or two individual contrasting style solo pieces. (total length should be no longer than 5 minutes)
3. Play the excerpts

1. Play one major and one minor scale (two octaves);
2. Perform one solo piece;
3. Play the excerpts

1. Play one major and one minor scale (two octaves), along with arpeggios (both legato and staccato); *Tuba only needs one octave.
2. Two etudes of different types (total length should be less than 5 minutes);
3. Play the excerpts (no excerpt needed for bass clarinet, all sax, and tuba)

1. Perform three types of rolls on the snare with various dynamics;
2. One etude on mallet or timpani

1. Play one major and one minor scale (four octaves) and arpeggios;
2. One etude and one Bach, or one etude and one movement from a sonata (total length should be less than 7 minutes)

Instrumental Jazz Ensembles, 

Jazz Collective 

Dr. James Miley, area coordinator

• solo piece of student’s choice, any style/genre
• should be something you 1) enjoy playing and 2) demonstrates your musicality and technical skill
• jazz excerpt *(parts for all saxophones, brass, and rhythm section -- scroll to your instrument once you download the file)
• improvise over Bb or F blues (only for those interested in solo chairs and/or jazz combos)
• sight reading 
• RHYTHM SECTION players have additional audition on Tuesday, 8/29, 2:50 pm
  • Play blues w/full rhythm section in various styles/grooves
  • Trade fours with drums
  • Sight read short excerpt from a big band chart

Chamber Choir / Voce / Vox

• solo song of student's choice, sung unaccompanied to demonstrate musicality/expression and intonation (any style, does not need to be memorized)
• vocalizing for range
• pitch matching for pitch memory/accuracy
• sight reading

ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ Singers 

Matt Sazima, area coordinator

• arrive warmed up and ready to sing
• expect to sing scales, do some interval work, and clap rhythms
• short chat about the your musical background, as well as an opportunity to ask the director any questions about the ensemble

• all students invited will be given a range-appropriate part to prepare in order to hear you sing in a group context
• students will also be given an opportunity to sing solo 

Chamber Music 

Dr. Jean-David Coen, area coordinator

Chamber ensembles are staffed according to student interest and faculty recommendation, and do not require a specific audition. Please contact Prof. Coen for more information.