Music Ensemble Auditions

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

Sunday, August 24, 12:30PM–4:00pm
Monday, August 25 – Thursday, August 28, 9:00AM–12:00PM and 1:00–4:00PM

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

Vocal Dimensions

Auditions will be by appointment during the first week of each semester. Please email Dr. Christopher Kiver (cak27@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.

Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band

For students wishing to audition for Fall Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band:
Auditions will take place the first two days of Fall Semester (August 25–26) between 1–4pm and 7–10pm. Auditions will consist of prepared excerpts, major scales, and sightreading.

Interested students must sign up for an audition time no later than Monday, August 25 at noon. Be aware that certain blocks are designated "band only" while other blocks are for those wanting be considered for "orchestra only and orchestra+band." Be sure to sign-up in the correct block.

• Audition Sign-Up: Click here for sign up for Fall 2025 Band Auditions
• Audition Packet: Click here for the SWE and SB Audition Packet

Concert Band (Music 82 – Meets Spring semesters only)

For students wishing to play in Spring Concert Band:
An audition is required for the Spring Concert Band (MUSIC 82 – M/W 6:00–7:15 pm in the Blue Band Building). Concert Band Auditions for the Spring ensemble will be administered via video submission. Video submissions will be due the first week of Spring Semester classes (date TBD, at 11:59 pm). Students will be asked to submit a 3–5-minute video of a musical excerpt(s) of their choice consisting of contrasting musical styles which best demonstrate their playing abilities. Students will also be required to submit a separate video of an excerpt from the spring concert repertoire that will be provided approximately one month prior to the audition due date.

• Audition Sign-Up: Click here for the Concert Band Audition Form
• Audition Packet: Click here for the Concert Band Audition Packet

Campus Band (Music 83)

There is no audition for Campus Band. Enroll for MUSIC 83 (T/R 4:35-5:50 pm in the Blue Band Building)

Contact Dr. Mitchell-Spradlin for questions: tmitchellspradlin@psu.edu

Other Arts Ensemble

Other Arts Ensemble is an open-instrumentation chamber ensemble that performs a wide range of experimental music from the 20th and 21st centuries. This music includes notated pieces, text scores, graphic scores, improvisations, arrangements, as well as original compositions by members of the ensemble. The ensemble performs several times each semester, both on and off campus. All instruments are welcome to join. If you would like to join Other Arts, email director Kevin Sims at kds5820@psu.edu.

Rock Ensemble

If you are interested in participating in Rock Ensemble (Music 188.2), please email director Jesse Moore at jum1840@psu.edu. The group is made up of experienced guitarists, bass guitarists, vocalists, drummers, and keyboard players, though additional instruments may be considered. In your email, please specify your instrument(s) and experience level. A short audition or video submission may be required depending on demand.

Penn State Jazz

Big band and new (not previously enrolled) combo player auditions will be held on the first Sunday and Monday (first day of classes) of the semester, 3-9pm, in Room 128, Music Building II. Students should complete the audition application and sign-up for an audition time before the semester.

Jazz Combos Auditions

Those previously enrolled in combos who wish to be enrolled again must notify Dr. Davis at joshuadavis@psu.edu before the first day of classes. An audition is not required. Jazz combo players interested in forming their own groups of five or more players should include that request in their email to Dr. Davis. All others will be placed in combos with others of comparable ability.

Those not currently enrolled in combos should prepare improvisation over a Bb or F Blues and any one reading piece from the big band selections posted here.

Combos will be open to solo vocalists. Students interested should prepare a jazz standard with a YouTube backing track emailed to Dr. Davis at joshuadavis@psu.edu. While scat improvisation is not required, substantial melodic embellishment is strongly encouraged.

Big Bands

Big Band Audition Requirements

1. Your Choice
   Prepare a brief portion (less than one minute) of any piece in any style of music that demonstrates your technical and musical strengths.
2. Sight-Reading
   The audition panel may provide brief excerpts to assess sight-reading ability.
3. Prepared Reading (Access Materials here)
   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.
   1. Centre Dimensions – Students who wish to be placed in Centre Dimensions should also prepare all of the pieces for their instrument.
   2. Inner and Outer Dimensions – Students who wish to be placed in Inner or Outer Dimensions are not required to prepare every selection. When auditioning, students will be encouraged to choose the pieces or portions of pieces that are most comfortable.
4. Improvisation
   Demonstrating improvisation is only required for those auditioning for jazz combos.

Instrument Specifics

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

Trombone players interested in playing bass trombone are encouraged to audition on both bass and upper parts if possible. Those interested in upper trombone seats should prepare the Tip Toe solo and Fedchock etudes 1 and 7. Those interested in a bass trombone seat should prepare the Tip Toe Solo and Fedchock etudes 6 and 9. 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.

Jazz and Big Band questions should be directed to Dr. Joshua Davis, Director of Jazz at joshuadavis@psu.edu.

Vocal Dimensions

Auditions will be by appointment during the first week of each semester. Please email Dr. Christopher Kiver (cak27@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.

Opera Theatre auditions are held at the end of each semester for the following term. If you are interested in signing up for an audition, please contact dawn pierce.

Philharmonic, Chamber, and Campus Orchestras

The Penn State Orchestras are open to all University Park campus students by audition. Chamber Orchestra only meets in the fall; the Philharmonic Orchestra meets in both semesters.

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

• Fall semester (all orchestras): please prepare two contrasting pieces from two different composers and two different music periods. In addition, you may be asked to sight-read an excerpt from the standard orchestral repertoire.
• Spring semester (Philharmonic): A list of excerpts to be prepared for the audition will be provided at the end of the fall semester. Campus orchestra retains the fall requirements both semesters.

You must sign-up for an audition and complete the application prior to your audition.

If you have questions about the Philharmonic or Chamber Orchestras, please contact Prof. Gerardo Edelstein, Director of Orchestral Studies at gfe1@psu.edu.

If you have any questions about Campus Orchestra, please contact Dor Amran (dga5174@psu.edu).

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.