Information for Ensemble Auditions is updated as soon as it is available. Current materials are noted as "2023." You can use the materials available as examples of what will need to be prepared for future auditions.
We wish you all the best on your ensemble auditions!!
LARGE INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES
Wind auditions for the SU Wind Ensemble and SU Symphony Orchestra will take place the first day of classes, Monday, August 28, 2023 (it is a single audition for both ensembles). Required audition material for each instrument will be available on the Setnor web page by mid July. Audition sign-up sheets will be posted on the SU Bands board outside 400 Crouse College beginning Wednesday, August 23. For questions about wind auditions, please contact Dr. Bradley Ethington, Director of Bands (bpething@syr.edu). If you are a percussionist, please contact Professor Michael Bull (mwbull@syr.edu) to arrange an audition. Auditions for these groups include required excerpts available below. The 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.
- Wind Ensemble meets MWF 12:45–2:05 pm.
Please contact Dr. Bradley P. Ethington (bpething@syr.edu) for more information. See the excerpts for your instrument to prepare below. - Orchestra meets MWF 3:45 -5:05 p.m.
Please contact Dr. James Tapia (jrtapia@syr.edu) for more information. The 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, below:
BASSOON: Bassoon 2023
CLARINET: Clarinet 2023
EUPHONIUM: Euph Fall 23 pdf
FLUTE: Flute 2023
FRENCH HORN: Horn 2023
OBOE: Oboe 2023
SAXOPHONE: Saxophone_2023
TRUMPET: Trumpet 2023
TROMBONE: Trombone 2023
TUBA: Tuba Fall 23 pdf
VIOLIN: Violin 2023
VIOLA: Viola 2023
CELLO: Cello 2023
BASS: Bass 2023
CHORAL ENSEMBLES
Fall 2023 auditions for select choirs and voice screening for placement for all other choirs will take place Sunday, August 27-Tuesday, August 29. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/SUChoirsF23.
Setnor's select choirs include 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. For any questions, please email cusechoirs@gmail.com.
- Crouse Chorale / Setnor Sonority meets 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
CHAMBER ENSEMBLES
Auditions for chamber ensembles, when required, are arranged directly with the faculty member conducting the ensemble:
- Opera Workshop meets MWF 3:45-5:05 pm. 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 Julia Ebner.
- SU’s Brazilian Ensemble, Samba Laranja, meets TTH 5-6:20 pm. For more information, contact Professor Josh Dekaney.
- Contemporary Performance Lab meets in the fall semester, M,W,F 10:35-11:30 am 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 should contact Dr. Loren Loiacono.
- Guitar Ensemble meets T 12:30-1:50 pm. For more information, contact Dr. Ken Meyer.
- Percussion Ensemble meets T 12:30-2 pm. Students should be able to play multiple percussion instruments and should contact Professor Michael Bull before registering and for more information.
- Saxophone Ensemble meets T 5-6:20 pm. For more information, contact Professor Anne Kunkle.
- String Chamber Music groups are scheduled at agreed upon times once the groups are formed. For more information on registering for this program, contact Professor Will Knuth. Please prepare scales and 5 minutes of solo repertoire.
- Baroque Ensemble meets in the spring semester, TTH 2:00-3:20 pm and is open to all music majors without audition. Non-music majors must audition. For all non-music majors who wish to participate in Baroque Ensemble, contact Professor Janet Brown.
JCM ENSEMBLES
Fall 2023 Ensemble auditions:
INSTRUMENTAL BIG BAND, JAZZ, FUNK, AND ROCK ENSEMBLES
Jazz and Commercial Music (JCM) instrumental ensemble auditions will take place on Monday, August 28 in Shaffer Art Building. JCM instrumental auditions will take place from 12:00-8:30pm.
Access the Google Signup Sheet here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18fT4EP8QBeGLaihYbjXKQCZk3PfUqMKvNlQchPZqpJs/edit?usp=sharing
• Trumpet, trombone, and saxophone auditions will be held from 12-6 pm in room 202C Shaffer Art Building, and will include a self-prepared jazz selection, jazz sight reading (provided), and improvisation over the blues in a key of your choice.
• Rhythm section auditions (piano, guitar, bass drum set) will be held from 6:30-8:30 pm in room 201 Shaffer and will include group performance demonstrating time keeping/improvisation over the blues/swing/Latin selections, and chart/sight reading. Questions: Please contact Dr. John Coggiola.
VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLES, FUNK AND ROCK ENSEMBLE VOCALISTS
JCM Voice Ensemble Auditions/Assessments
All freshman & transfer JCM Voice majors are required to audition.
JCM minors and non JCM vocalist must audition if they would like to be considered for any JCM ensembles.
Auditions will be held in CROUSE room 310,
Monday Aug. 28th & Tuesday Aug. 29th
The Audition will include:
- Melodic and Rhythmic sight reading
- Performance of the Blues, Chromatic and/or Dorian Scale
- Improvisation
- Prepared performance of one medium swing Jazz standard.
Please bring a chart in your key. This means the melody must be notated with chords and lyrics in the appropriate key.
Having a good, clear chart is also part of this audition and will be included in your assessment.
Prof. Solivan will be available to accompany you though you may choose to use IReal or any other accompaniment track.
If a track has been made for you for a past performance, you may use that as well. No matter the accompaniment, you still must bring in a chart in your key.
SIGN-UP HERE
Reach out if you have any questions. Professor Solivan: msolivan@syr.edu
- Morton Schiff Jazz Ensemble meets TTH 3:30-4:50 pm
- Jazz Combo meets M 11:40 am - 12:35 pm
- Jazz Funk combo meets F 10:35-11:30 am
- Rock Band meets F 11:40 am-12:35 pm
- Jazz Guitar Ensemble meets F 12:45-1:40 pm