INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES
Wind Ensemble meets MWF 12:45–2:05 pm
Orchestra meets MWF 12:45–2:05 pm
Wind auditions for new students and returning students who did not play an audition during the spring semester, for both Syracuse University Wind Ensemble and Syracuse University Symphony Orchestra, will take place the first day of classes, Monday, August 24, 2026 in Setnor Auditorium (it is a single audition for both ensembles). String auditions for Orchestra will take place the same day in room 405A.
Winds Sign Up: AUDITION SHEETS AVAILABLE SOON
Strings Sign Up: AUDITION SHEETS AVAILABLE SOON
Questions about wind auditions: contact Dr. Ethington, Director of Bands (bpething@syr.edu).
Percussionists should contact Professor Bull (mwbull@syr.edu) to arrange an audition.
Questions about string auditions: contact Dr. Tapia (jrtapia@syr.edu). Symphony Orchestra auditions for string players are a 2-3 octave scale of the student's choice, a 3-5 minute prepared solo or etude of the student’s choice, and prepared excerpts for your instrument.
Required audition excerpts for each instrument are listed below:
BASSOON: Bassoon 2026
CLARINET: Clarinet 2026
FLUTE: Flute 2026
OBOE: Oboe 2026
SAXOPHONE: Saxophone 2026
FRENCH HORN: French Horn 2026
TRUMPET: Trumpet 2026
TROMBONE: Trombone Fall 26 (Bass Trombone use Tenor Trombone Etudes, 8vb)
EUPHONIUM: Euphonium: The Planets 2026 and Euphonium: SunCatcher 2026
TUBA: Tuba: Eurynthe 2026 and Tuba: Stars & Stripes 2026
VIOLIN: Violin 2025
VIOLA: Viola 2025
CELLO: Cello 2025
BASS: Bass 2025
CHORAL ENSEMBLES
Concert Choir and Crouse Chorale meet TTH 3:30-4:50 pm
University Singers meets MWF 2:15-3:35 pm
Hendricks Chapel Choir meets TH 7-9:15 pm
Oratorio Society meets M 7-9:30 pm
Fall 2026 auditions for select choirs and voice screening for placement for all other choirs will take place in room 302 Crouse College on:
Sunday August 23 from 2:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Monday August 24 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tuesday August 25 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Choral audition sign up: AUDITION SHEETS AVAILABLE SOON
Setnor's select choirs include Crouse Chorale, Hendricks Chapel Choir, Oratorio Society, and University Singers. No preparation is necessary. The audition consists of vocalization (listening to your tone and determining your vocal range), tonal memory exercises, and sight-singing. There will also be time at the audition to answer any questions you may have about the different choirs we offer. Questions about choral auditions, contact cusechoirs@gmail.com.
CHAMBER ENSEMBLES
Auditions for chamber ensembles, when required, are arranged directly with the faculty member conducting the ensemble:
Guitar Ensemble meets T 12:30-1:50 pm and is open to all music majors without audition. Depending on enrollment, the ensemble may divide into smaller chamber groups to utilize all available players. Non-music majors are encouraged to participate and should contact Professor Meyer, kmeyer@syr.edu.
Percussion Ensemble meets T 12:30-1:50 pm. Students should be able to play multiple percussion instruments and should contact Professor, Bull, mwbull@syr.edu, before registering and for more information.
Saxophone Ensemble meets T 5-6:20 pm. For more information, contact Professor Kunkle, aekunkle@syr.edu
Chamber Music groups are scheduled at agreed upon times once the groups are formed. For more information on registering for this program, contact Professor Knuth, wtknuth@syr.edu. Please prepare scales and 5 minutes of solo repertoire.
Opera Workshop meets MWF 3:45-5:05 pm in the spring semester. Casting/scene assignment auditions will take place during class time of the first two days of class. Recommended audition material is 1-2 arias, art songs, or musical theatre pieces. For more information, contact Professor Ebner, jfebner@syr.edu
Contemporary Performance Lab meets in the spring semester, and is open to all music majors without audition. The ensemble divides into multiple mixed chamber groups to utilize all available players and singers, as well as a free improvisation ensemble. Non-music majors who wish to participate, please contact Dr. Loiacono, leloiaco@syr.edu.
JCM ENSEMBLES
Morton Schiff Jazz Ensemble meets TTH 3:30-4:50 pm
Orange Unified Vocal Jazz meets MW 3:45-5:05 pm
Orange Collective Vocal Ensemble meets MW 12:45-2:05 pm
JCM Chamber Ensembles sections meet MW afternoons or T afternoon
Orange Juice Jazz Combo meets TBA
Jazz Combo (Tangerine Supreme) meets M 11:40 am - 12:35 pm
Jazz Funk combo meets F 10:35-11:30 am
Rock Band (Citrus Punch) meets F 11:40 am-12:35 pm
Jazz Guitar Ensemble meets F 12:45-1:40 pm
Jazz and Commercial Music (JCM) instrumental ensemble auditions will take place on Monday, August 24 in room 201, Shaffer Art Building. Please read the instructions and signup for a time that works for your instrument type in the sign-up document below. Questions about JCM ensembles: contact Dr. Coggiola, jccoggio@syr.edu.
Trumpet, trombone, and saxophone auditions are Monday, Aug 24 from 12-6 pm in room 202C, Shaffer Art Building. Please download the audition music for your instrument from the link found on the sign-up page, then print and prepare all jazz selections to perform, there will also be some jazz sight reading (provided), and improvisation over any of the prepared tunes or the blues in a key of your choice.
Rhythm section auditions (piano, guitar, bass, drum set) are Monday, August 24 from 6:30-8:30 pm, room 201 Shaffer Art Building.
Please download the audition music for your instrument from the link found on the sign-up page, print and prepare all jazz selections as you will play in group performance with other auditioning students. We are looking for you to demonstrate your abilities to perform the song's melody, improvise over the tune, and comp/create a bass line/keep time over the blues/swing/Latin selections.
JCM Instrumental Sign Up: AUDITION SHEETS AVAILABLE SOON
JCM Voice Auditions are Monday, August 24, time TBD, Crouse 310
Prepare: one jazz standard in a med swing feel and a jazz ballad. You can use a backing track, iRealPro, or an accompanist of your choice. For the audition you will present your tunes, and we will check your music reading skills.
Non-Major, minors, grad students and new students: Please sign up for a virtual audition on Aug 28 & 29th.
Questions about JCM voice: contact Professor Solivan (msolivan@syr.edu).
JCM Vocal Sign Up: AUDITION SHEETS AVAILABLE SOON