Ensemble Auditions - Fall 2009

These are the currently scheduled auditions for the UNI School of Music student ensembles, Fall 2009.

Please take a moment to read the audition information letter provided by our ensemble conductors. Click here.

The Fall 2009 audition schedule is now available. Click here.

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:

CHORAL Ensemble Auditions

Saturday, August 22 & Sunday, August 23

Choral Placement hearings are scheduled for  August 22 (11 a.m. - 4 p.m.) and August 23, 2009 (12 -5 p.m.) and will be held in Classroom 30 at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. If interested, please contact the Music Office at (319) 273-2025 to schedule a hearing time.  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 and PERCUSSION Ensemble Auditions

Friday, August 21 & Saturday, August 22.

All majors are required to audition each semester. Failure to appear at the designated time may affect your applied music registration and your status as a music major. However, you are not required to audition for a jazz band. If you prefer NOT to audition for the jazz bands, please let us know and we will remove your name from the list. If you have an unresolvable conflict with your audition time, please contact us, and we will see about an alternate time.

Wind players should prepare 5 to 6 minutes of music which best represents your abilities . . . solos, etudes, technical studies, etc. Please include contrasting styles. There will also be some sight-reading. Percussionists should prepare material for snare drum, mallet instruments, and timpani . . . there will not be sight-reading for you.

For those students who are participating in the Marching Band Camp, you will be excused 40 minutes prior to your scheduled audition time in order to get to the PAC and have a few minutes before your audition. Dr. Galyen and Ms. Venteicher (Graduate Assistant) will have a complete listing of audition times. Please check with them . . . or their designee . . . before leaving rehearsal. When your audition is completed, you should return to the marching band rehearsal.

If there are questions or concerns, please contact the appropriate faculty member:

Audition Listing with times for Fall 2009 can be found here. (requires Adobe Reader)


ORCHESTRA Auditions for Strings

Sunday, August 23

String auditions for orchestra. Sunday, August 23, 2009, Davis Hall GBPAC. Sign up for afternoon or evening times on the Orchestra bulleting board at Davis Hall.

Wind players should prepare two contrasting orchestral excerpts if they wish to be considered for orchestral placement. Strings prepare an etude or solo, unaccompanied (no excerpts are required this year).

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

CONCERT BAND - Non-Music Majors

Monday, August 24.

Non-majors may choose to audition for Concert Band only (and not Wind Symphony). These students will audition on Monday, August 24 in GBPAC Room 48. To audition for Concert Band only, email Dr. Galyen directly and please include your name, instrument, and schedule of classes for Monday, August 24 in your email. Please prepare approximately five minutes of music that best represents your abilities - solos, etudes, technical studies, etc.  Students will also be asked to sight-read during the audition.

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.

JAZZ Ensembles

Jazz ensemble auditions will include sight reading and improvisation. Improvisation is optional for students auditioning for big bands only, but those who wish to participate in combos must improvise as part of the audition. Students are free to select a tune for improvisation, but they must provide a play-along cd for that tune. Otherwise, they may choose either blues (b flat or f) or Rhythm changes.

In addition, rhythm section players (piano, guitar, bass, drums, vibes) will be asked to demonstrate accompaniment skills relevant to their specific instrument in a variety of musical styles.

Contact Mr. Chris Merz for information.