Ensemble Auditions - Fall Semester

Please continue to check back for updated information on ensemble auditions for the UNI School of Music, fall 2011.

The fall 2011 audition schedule is now available. Click here.

For more information on Choral, Wind/Brass/Percussion, Jazz and Orchestra Auditions or for information for non-music majors see details below.

CHORAL Ensemble Auditions

Choral Placement hearings for Fall 2011 are scheduled for  August 20 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and August 21 (12-5 p.m.) and will be held in PAC 30 at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. If interested, a sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board outside of PAC 46 in August.  The choral placement process consists of the following:

1) one of the two criteria; a prepared solo, or one verse of "America"

2) possible vocalizations to check range; and

3) possible tonal memory examples to evaluate aural skill.

Choral ensemble membership is open to all students, both the music major and the non-music major. Should you have any further questions, feel free to contact Dyan Meyer at 273-7175 (dyan.meyer@uni.edu).

WIND, PERCUSSION and/or JAZZ Ensemble Auditions

Friday, August 19 & Saturday, August 20.

Please read the fall 2011 audition information letter, provided by our ensemble conductors. Click here.

Please click here for important information regarding Large Ensemble auditions and requirements.

Audition Listing with times for fall 2011 can be found here. (requires Adobe Reader)

Info Regarding Jazz Auditions and Requirements:

Large jazz ensembles (Jazz Band I, II or III) are REQUIRED for BA Jazz Studies students. These ensembles satisfy the large ensemble requirement in each semester for students in this track.

Jazz auditions for the various wind instruments will consist of sight reading and improvisation. Students wishing to be considered only for large jazz ensembles (aka "big bands") are not required, but are strongly encouraged, to improvise in their audition. Times for these auditions have been pre-assigned. If you play a traditional jazz instrument as a secondary instrument, you may request an audition by e-mailing Chris Merz (chris.merz@uni.edu).

Jazz auditions for rhythm section instruments (piano, bass, drum set, guitar, vibraphone) are held the night of the first day of classes beginning at 7 pm in various rooms throughout Russell Hall. Drummers will audition in Russell 101 (the Jazz Studio). Pianists and vibes players will audition in Russell 189; guitarists are in Russell 65, bassists are in Russell 171. Auditions are first come, first served. If you are in marching band you will need to arrange with Dr. Galyen to be excused for this audition. Rhythm section players will be asked to demonstrate a variety of grooves and/or techniques specific to their instrument, as well as sight read and improvise.

SYMPHONIC BAND - Non-Music Majors

Non-majors who wish to audition for Symphonic Band should sign up for an audition time on Dr. Galyen's office door (48 GBPAC). Sign up sheets will be posted on August 19, 2011. Auditions for non-majors will take place on Monday, August 22, 2011 (the first day of classes). Non-majors should prepare one or two solos and should also be prepared for sightreading.

Wind Players

Prepare approximately four minutes of music that best represents your abilities - solos, etudes, technical studies, etc. Students will also be asked to sight-read.

Percussionist

Prepare approximately four minutes of material that includes snare drum, mallet instruments, and timpani.

ORCHESTRA Auditions for Strings

Auditions for the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra will be held on Sunday, August 21 from 1-9 p.m. in Davis Hall (GBPAC 2).  You may sign up for an audition time on the Orchestra Bulletin Board outside of Davis Hall. Please prepare a 3-4 minute solo or etude (without accompaniment) and the excerpts posted for your audition (below). Violinists may choose either Violin 1 or 2 to prepare. If you have previously auditioned for acceptance into the School of Music or for Scholarship consideration, then this audition is for chair placement. For all others, this will serve as your audition for the orchestra.

If there are questions or concerns, please contact: Rebecca Burkhardt, Conductor, Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra.

Please note: fall 2011 excerpts are now available.

Violin I excerpts
Violin II excerpts
Viola excerpts
Cello excerpts
Bass excerpts

Additional Information

If there is no repertoire stated for your audition, you may use suggested selections from one of the School of Music's prepared repertoire lists: