Information for Ensemble Auditions is updated as soon as it is available. Current materials are noted as "2025."
When 2025 materials are not yet posted, you can use the materials available as examples of what will need to be prepared for future auditions and check back for the 2025 materials.
We wish you all the best on your ensemble auditions!!
LARGE INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES
Wind auditions for both Syracuse University Wind Ensemble and Syracuse University Symphony Orchestra will take place the first day of classes, Monday, August 25, 2025 in Setnor Auditorium (it is a single audition for both ensembles). String auditions for Orchestra will take place the same day in room 405A. Required audition material for each instrument are posted on the ensemble audition page of the site. To sign up for an audition, use the following links:
Wind Ensemble Audition Sign-up Sheet
Orchestra (Strings) Audition Sign-up Sheet
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 wind instruments include the required excerpts available below. 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.
- 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 2024
CLARINET: Clarinet 2024
EUPHONIUM: Euphonium 2024
FLUTE: Flute 2025
FRENCH HORN: Horn 2024
OBOE: Oboe 2024
SAXOPHONE: Saxophone 2024
TRUMPET: Trumpet 2024
TROMBONE: Tenor Trombone 2024; Bass Trombone 2024
TUBA: Tuba 2024
VIOLIN: Violin 2024
VIOLA: Viola 2024
CELLO: Cello 2024
BASS: Bass 2024
CHORAL ENSEMBLES
Fall 2025 auditions for select choirs and voice screening for placement for all other choirs will take place Sunday, August 24-Tuesday, August 26. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/SUChoirsF24 .
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.
- Concert Choir 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.
- 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 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 Dr. Ken Meyer for more information.
- Percussion Ensemble meets T 12:30-1:50 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.
- 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.
JCM ENSEMBLES
- Morton Schiff Jazz Ensemble meets TTH 3:30-4:50 pm (*counts as a large ensemble for JCM students)
- Orange Unified Vocal Jazz meets MW 3:45-5:05 pm (*counts as a large ensemble for JCM students)
- JCM Chamber Ensembles meet Sections 1&2 MW 12:45-1:40 pm, Sections 3&4 MW 2:15-3:10 pm, Sections 5&6 MW 3:45-4:40 pm, Section 7 T 12:30-2:20 pm (*counts as a large ensemble for JCM rhythm section students)
- 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
Fall 2025 JCM instrumental ensemble auditions are for the following groups:
MORTON SCHIFF JAZZ ENSEMBLE, ORANGE UNIFIED VOCAL JAZZ (rhythm section), JAZZ-FUNK ENSEMBLE, CITRUS PUNCH ROCK ENSEMBLE, ORANGE JUICE JAZZ COMBO, TANGERINE SUPREME, and the JCM CHAMBER ENSEMBLES (which count for your large ensemble if you are a JCM piano, guitar, bass, or drum set student).
Jazz and Commercial Music (JCM) instrumental ensemble auditions will take place on Monday, August 25 and Tuesday August 26 in Shaffer Art Building. Please read the instructions and signup for a time that works for your instrument type in the Google Sheet sign-up document (link below).
• Trumpet, trombone, and saxophone auditions: will be held on Monday, Aug 25 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): will be held on Tuesday, Aug 26 from 6:30-8:30 pm in 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.
Questions: Please contact Dr. John Coggiola: jccoggio@syr.edu
Access The Google Audition Signup Sheet By Clicking Here.
Fall 2025 JCM vocal ensemble placements are for the following groups:
MORTON SCHIFF JAZZ ENSEMBLE**, ORANGE UNIFIED VOCAL JAZZ**, ORANGE JUICE JAZZ COMBO, JAZZ-FUNK ENSEMBLE, and CITRUS PUNCH ROCK ENSEMBLE. (**These ensembles count for your large ensemble if you are a JCM vocal student).
Questions: Please contact Professor Solivan: msolivan@syr.edu