Ensemble Auditions - Fall Semester

The fall 2013 audition preliminary schedule has been posted. Click here!

Please read the Audition Information Letter and Large Ensemble Requirements documents as well.

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

CHORAL Ensemble Auditions

UNI has 5 Choral Ensembles: Concert Chorale, UNI Singers, Cantorei, Women's Chorus, and the Varsity Men's Glee Club.  All choral auditions for all ensembles will be held on either August 23 (Friday), August 24 (Saturday), or August 25 (Sunday) in GBPAC 30, according to the student's major.  (If necessary, Concert Chorale callbacks and additional auditions for UNI Singers will be held on Monday, August 26).

There are separate audition procedures for varying choirs. Please read the informational handout found here completely. If you have questions, contact Dr. Wiles.

Non-Music Majors & Music Majors with a Primary Instrument other than Voice

Auditions for Non-Music Majors and Music Majors with a Primary Instrument other than Voice will be conducted on Sunday, August 25.  Beginning on Monday, May 6 at GBPAC 86, students may sign up for the most convenient 8-minute audition time. 

Music Majors with Voice as their Primary Instrument and/or Choral Education Majors

All Music Majors with Voice as their Primary Instrument (including MM, BM, BME, and BA degrees) and all Choral Education majors will be assigned an audition time.  It is expected that all Music Majors (Voice) classified as a sophomore or higher will participate in the Concert Chorale audition regardless of previous choral experience at UNI.  Students unable to attend their assigned time due to required military duty or veteran status, and legally mandated absences such as jury duty should contact Dr. Wiles by August 1 to reschedule their audition.  Students who wish to reschedule for personal reasons (such as family weddings) should contact Dr. Wiles by June 10 to request a different audition time.  Assignments will be provided by May 6, 2013.  Music Majors (Voice) who do not participate in choral auditions will not be admitted into a large ensemble.

WIND, PERCUSSION and/or JAZZ Ensemble Auditions

Please read the fall 2013 audition information letter, provided by our ensemble conductors.

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

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


Fall 2013: 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 23, 2013. Auditions for non-majors will take place on Monday, August 26, 2011 (the first day of classes). Non-majors should prepare one or two solos and should also be prepared for sightreading.

Spring 2014: Non-majors may audition for Symphonic Band or Concert Band on Monday, January 13th in room 48 GBPAC. Students may sign up for an audition time the weekend prior to the start of classes. Sign up sheets will be posted on the door to room 48 GBPAC, Dr. Galyen's office. Prepare approximately four minutes of music that best represents your abilities - solos, etudes, technical studies, etc. Students will also be asked to sight-read.

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

Fall 2013: String auditions for the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra will be held on Sunday, August 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 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-available after August 5). 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.

In addition to your solo piece, please prepare the following excerpts for your orchestra audition.  All excerpts are taken from Capriccio Espagnol, by Rimsky-Korsakov, note the tempo markings.  There are numerous recordings online, available through Naxos Music Library on the UNI's ROD Library website.  You may sign up for an audition time on the orchestra bulletin board outside of Davis Hall in the GBPAC.

Those who wish to audition for violin 1, but not concertmaster, do not need to prepare the solo portions of the excerpts.


Excerpts for fall 2013 will be posted on or after August 6. Links below are fall 2012 excerpts, for reference.

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


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

OPERA auditions

Auditions for fall and semester opera productions will be held Thursday and Friday, August 22 and 23.  Sign up sheets will be posted on the opera board (next to Russell 47).  An accompanist will be provided.

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: