Ensemble Auditions

For Concert Choir, Glee Club, Oriana Singers, and University Choir:

Monday, January 8 – Wednesday, January 10, 2024 | 9:30am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm

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 Essence of Joy:

Singers for Essence of Joy will be selected from the general choir auditions mentioned above. If selected for a call-back audition, new Tenors and Basses will be required to attend a second audition on Wednesday, August 23 at 3:35 p.m. in Room 110, Music Building 1, and Sopranos and Altos on Thursday, August 24 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 110. Nothing needs to beprepared in advance of the audition.

Returning members of Essence of Joy should attend the appropriate session for their voice part on August 23 or 24 in room 110.

Please contact Dr. Anthony Leach for further information: atl105@psu.edu

For Vocal Dimensions:

Auditions will be by appointment during the first week of each semester. 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.

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

For Students wishing to play in Concert Band:

Audition Guidelines for Jazz Ensembles (Big Bands and Jazz Combos)

Penn State Fall 2023

Big band and Jazz combo auditions will be held on Sunday, August 20, 4 pm – 10 pm, and Monday, August 21, 3 – 10 pm in room 128, Music Building I.

Jazz combo players interested in forming their own groups of five or more players should submit a request by email to joshuadavis@psu.edu by August 21. All others will be placed in combos with others of comparable ability.

Saxophone players should prepare the audition materials on alto saxophone and either soprano, tenor or baritone saxophone if possible. Those able to demonstrate using only one instrument are strongly encouraged to audition regardless.

Bassists should prepare the audition materials on both double bass and electric bass if possible. Those able to demonstrate using only one instrument are strongly encouraged to audition regardless.

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 (please choose the download option to obtain the files):

Audition Materials

Prepared Reading

Prepare all of the music in the OneDrive folder labelled for your instrument. 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 for Miles Higher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgzd5Xik1d4

Sight-Reading

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

Improvisation

Demonstrating improvisation is optional for those auditioning for big bands only but is required for those auditioning for Jazz combos. Miles Higher has harmonies provided and can be used like a lead sheet for improvisation with the accompaniment track. Alternatively, you may request to play over a blues in Bb or F.

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

For Vocal Dimensions:

Auditions will be by appointment during the first week of each semester. 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.

Program and Audition Information

Please contact Dr. Ted Christopher for information.

For Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras