Music Ensemble Auditions

Our Choirs

• Concert Choir (Dr. Christopher Kiver) – mixed-voice ensemble
• Essence of Joy (Dr. Arreon A. Harley Emerson) – mixed-voice ensemble
• Glee Club (Dr. Christopher Kiver) – tenor-bass ensemble
• Oriana Singers (Dr. Arreon A. Harley Emerson) – soprano-alto ensemble
• University Choir (Prof. Meghan Nardella Konkle) – mixed-voice ensemble
• Vocal Dimensions (Prof. Eva George) – mixed-voice vocal jazz ensemble

To find out more about each choir, visit the School of Music Ensemble Area website

Concert Choir, Glee Club, University Choir & Vocal Dimensions

When and where will auditions be?

Auditions for these ensembles will be in-person held during the following times:

• Sunday, August 23: 12:30–4:00pm
• Monday, August 24–Thursday, August 27: 9:00am–12:00pm and 1:00–4:00pm

All auditions for these ensembles will be held in 106 Music Building I with Dr. Kiver, Prof. George, and Prof. Nardella Konkle.

What is the purpose of these auditions?

New and prospective members for Concert Choir, Glee Club, University Choir and Vocal Dimensions are required to complete an in-person audition to determine placement in an ensemble that best matches skills and availability. Auditions are solely for faculty to place students in a choir that best matches their schedule, skills, and experience. We have a place for every student in the School of Music choirs.

Who should audition?

• New and prospective members: All singers interested in joining the above ensembles who were not members of those groups in the 2025–2026 academic year must complete the audition process outlined below. This includes singers that sang in a PSU Choir during the 2025–2026 academic year that wish to add or change an ensemble.
• Returning members of Glee Club and University Choir do not need to audition with the general pool and may register for the appropriate course.
• Returning members of Concert Choir and Vocal Dimensions do not need to have a general audition, but will be required to sing in a callback audition during the first week of classes.

Audition process

1. All new and returning auditionees must fill out this form.
2. After filling out the form, sign up for an audition and/or callback time here.
3. Come to the Music Building at least 10 minutes before your scheduled audition time. You do not have to prepare anything in advance for this audition. Watch “An Inside Look: Penn State Choir Auditions” to get a sense of what to expect.

General questions about auditions for these choirs can be directed to Dr. Christopher Kiver, Director of Choral Activities at cak27@psu.edu

Essence of Joy & Oriana Singers

Who should audition?

• Returning Members (2025–2026): If you auditioned for Essence of Joy or Oriana Singers and actively sang in the ensemble during the 2025–2026 academic year, you do not need to re-audition. However, you must complete the Intent to Return Form to confirm your participation for the upcoming year.
  • Essence of Joy Intent to Return
  • Oriana Singers Intent to Return
• New and prospective members: All singers interested in joining either ensemble who were not members in the 2025-2026 academic year must complete the audition process outlined below.

Audition process

1. Submit video and form
   Complete this audition form and upload a short video that includes two contrasting 30-second excerpts.
   
   Example contrasts:
   • Gospel vs. classical
   • Pop vs. jazz
   • Fast and rhythmic vs. slow and sustained
   You may also:
   Sing the same song in two different styles (e.g., “Happy Birthday” in operatic and pop styles
   
   Goal: Show vocal ability, musicality, and stylistic flexibility.
2. In-person audition
   After submitting your video, sign up for an in-person audition with Dr. Harley-Emerson using the provided scheduling link.

Questions about Essence of Joy or Oriana Singers? Please contact Dr. Harley-Emerson at aah6235@psu.edu

Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band

For students wishing to audition for Spring Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and/or Philharmonic Orchestra:
Auditions will take place the first two days of Spring Semester (January 12–13) 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, January 12 at noon.

• Audition Sign-Up (note the specific time slots for band only and band+orchestra): Click here for sign up for Spring 2026 SWE/SB/Orch Auditions
• Audition Packet: Click here for the SWE/SB/Orch 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 (Tuesday, January 13, 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 Information: 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

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)
   

   Despite Amnesia, a progressively difficulty rhythmic etude (not a performance piece) should be played with a Night in Tunisia backing tracking. Prepare as much of Despite Amnesia as possible and feel free to dial a backing track (YouTube has several options) back to 0.75 speed if necessary. You are encouraged to prepare as much as possible but are not required to prepare the whole piece.

   In addition to Despite Amnesia, prepare at least two other pieces or portions of pieces posted here. When auditioning, you will be invited to choose the pieces and portions of pieces you would like to demonstrate. Prepare to demonstrate both that which is comfortable and that which challenges you. China Dolls is a particularly strong representation of sixteenth note reading, a skill often needed for Centre Dimensions repertoire. You are encouraged (but not required) to prepare to play at least a few bars of this at your fastest tempo. Accuracy is much more important than speed.

   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.

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 their preferred saxophone (alto, tenor or baritone).

Trombone players interested in playing bass trombone are encouraged to audition on both bass and upper parts if possible.

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 (Philharmonic and Chamber 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 Orchestra): A list of excerpts to be prepared for the audition will be provided at the end of the fall semester.
• All semesters (Campus Orchestra): Please prepare two contrasting pieces or excerpts (up to 5 minutes total). Then, sign up for your preferred audition time using the following link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Gj9b7e2tYTMFoY82FWqqbT7x4L7_myt_7oT2VXAn-tY/edit?usp=sharing

For Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras, 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.

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 187), please complete the online application form for consideration. The group is made up of experienced guitarists, bass guitarists, vocalists, drummers, and keyboard players, though additional instruments may be considered. A short audition or video submission may be required depending on demand. Feel free to reach out to director Jesse Moore at jum1840@psu.edu with any questions.