Ensemble Auditions

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

Sunday, August 21, 12:30PM-4:00PM; Monday, August 22 to Thursday, August  25, 9:00AM – 12:00PM and 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 during the first week of classes in August. 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.

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

Penn State Fall 2022

Auditions will be held on Wednesday, August 24 and Thursday, August 25 between 5 – 10 pm in room 128, Music Building I.

All students interested in registering for a jazz ensemble are required to audition. Students are placed in ensembles that best match their skills and availability. Those requiring significant assistance with fundamentals may not be placed in an ensemble. Stronger players may be placed in lower-level ensembles based on availability and lower-level players are not placed in higher level ensembles based on availability.

Rhythm section players will be asked to sign up in small bands comprised of bass, drums, and harmonic instruments whenever possible. All others will play individually and will have the backing track accompaniment listed on the ‘Audition Guidelines for Jazz Ensemble Placement’ document found on our OneDrive folder.

The ONLINE AUDITION FORM must be completed prior to your audition.

Audition music and a very important ‘Audition Guidelines for Jazz Ensemble Placement’ document can be found on a OneDrive folder, linked below:

Link to Audition Materials

SIGN UP

Please sign up for your audition time on the jazz bulletin board outside the jazz office on the first floor of Music Building II. The sign-up sheet will be posted on the first day of classes.

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

Program and Audition Information

Please contact Dr. Ted Christopher for information.

For Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras