Ensemble Auditions

Bassist, seated behind piano and music stands playing.

Ensemble-Specific Audition Info

Choirs

For Campus Choir, Concert Choir, Glee Club, Oriana Singers, University Choir, and Essence of Joy

Monday, January 9 – Wednesday, January 11, 2023 | 9:30am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm

All choral activities (auditions, rehearsals and performances) will be in-person.

All students interested in registering for a choir are required to audition. Students audition for all choirs and are placed in ensembles that best match their skills and availability.

The audition includes sight-singing, ear tests and simple vocalizes to determine range and voice part. It is not necessary to prepare a piece.
Auditions will be in Room 106, Music Building I.
Watch “An Inside Look: Penn State Choir Auditions” to get a sense of the audition experience.

The online sign-up form and audition form must be completed prior to your audition.

Questions should be directed to Dr. Christopher Kiver, Director of Choral Activities at cak27@psu.edu

For Vocal Dimensions:

Auditions will be by appointment Monday-Wednesday, January 9-11. Please email Dr. Kathryn Hylton at kjh6093@psu.edu to arrange an audition date and time. The audition includes sight-singing, aural skills exercises, range testing, and an a cappella performance of a verse and chorus of a jazz standard or pop tune of the singer’s choice.

Concert Bands

For students wishing to audition for Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and/or Philharmonic Orchestra:

Wind and percussion auditions for Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE), Symphonic Band (SB), and Philharmonic Orchestra will be held the evenings of Monday and Tuesday January 9^th and 10^thin the School of Music. Auditions are blind and consist of the excerpts in the packet below.

Interested students must sign up for an audition time.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION TIME

CLICK HERE FOR THE SPRING 2022 BAND AUDITION PACKET

For Students wishing to audition for Concert Band:

Auditions for Concert Band will occur in the Blue Band Building during the first week of classes. See the main page for audition information. MUSIC 82 (M/W 6:00-7:15 pm) Contact Mr. Hickey for questions: rlh175@psu.edu

For Students wishing to be considered for Campus Band:

There is no audition for Campus Band. Sign-up for MUSIC 83 (T/R 6:30-7:45 pm) Contact Dr. Ferguson for questions: mmp213@psu.edu

Jazz Ensembles

Audition Guidelines for Jazz Ensembles (big band and small jazz ensembles)

Penn State Spring 2023

Big band and new (not currently enrolled) small ensemble player auditions will be held on the first two days of classes, Monday, January 9, 4 pm – 10 pm, and Tuesday, January 10, 3 – 6 pm and 7:30 – 10 pm in room 128, Music Building I.

Those currently enrolled in small jazz ensembles who wish to be enrolled again next semester do not need to play an audition. While not required, those interested in forming their own groups of five or more players should submit a request by email to joshuadavis@psu.edu before December 9.

Please sign up for your audition time on the jazz bulletin board outside the jazz office on the first floor of Music Building II.

Audition music can be found on a OneDrive folder, linked below:

Audition Materials

Prepared Reading

Despite Amnesia was composed with select phrases intended to push even our strongest players’ boundaries. Portions that you are not yet able to play cleanly should still be played and delivered with note omissions as you see fit, revealing your ability to keep up with the music in real time and add fullness to your section as best as you are able. Play in time, in tune, with printed articulations and dynamics, and with a feel and full sound exemplified by the master players of your instrument. This accompaniment track will be provided:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZi9jcNbdbA

Sight-Reading

The audition panel will provide brief excerpts to assess sight-reading ability.

Questions should be directed to Dr. Joshua Davis, Director of Jazz at joshuadavis@psu.edu.

Opera Theatre

Program and Audition Information

Please contact Dr. Ted Christopher for information.

Orchestras

For Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras

Auditions are required for students interested in participating in the Philharmonic (Music 77/507) and/or Chamber Orchestras (Music 76/508) and are open to all University Park campus students.

Auditions take place the first week of classes each semester and the requirements are as follows:

Fall semester: please prepare two contrasting pieces from two different composers and two different music periods. In addition, you maybe asked to sight-read and excerpt from the standard orchestral repertoire.

Spring semester: A list of excerpts to be prepared for the audition will be provided at the end of the Fall semester.

Please sign-up for an audition time during your instrument slots on the orchestra board by room 104 in music building II.

*Note that Chamber Orchestra is offered only in the Fall

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Gerardo Edelstein, Director of Orchestral Studies at gfe1@psu.edu

For Campus Orchestra

Auditions are required for students interested in participating in the Campus Orchestra (Music 100) and are open to all University Park campus students.

Auditions take place the first week of classes each semester and you are asked to prepare two contrasting pieces from different composers and music periods.

In addition you will be asked to sight-read an excerpt from the standard orchestral repertoire.

Please sign-up for an audition time during your instrument slots on the orchestra board by room 104 in music building II.

If you have any questions, please contact Santiago Jolly (spj5491@psu.ed) and/or Tomas Gracia (tfg5305@psu.edu).

For Early Music Ensemble:

While there is no audition required for Early Music Ensemble, it does require permission of the instructor. Please contact Professor James Lyon at jpl5@psu.edu if you are interested in joining the ensemble.

School of Music Ensembles