Music Ensemble Auditions

Wind Symphony Auditions

Wind Symphony is Concordia’s premiere instrumental ensemble; auditions are required. University Band and University Orchestra do not require an audition. Wind Symphony auditions for new students will be held in the Borland Center the morning of Saturday, August 24. Students should arrive 5 minutes prior to their audition time to fill out an audition form. Wind Symphony auditions take approximately 10 minutes and include the following:

• A one-minute excerpt of a piece you play well that demonstrates your technical ability, range and tone.
• An 8-measure rhythm reading exercise for you to sight-read speaking on the neutral syllable “ta.”
• A selected scale in two octaves played on an assigned rhythmic figure.

Sign up for a Wind Symphony audition

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Robert Cody. 

Jazz Ensemble Auditions

Jazz Ensemble auditions for new students will be held in the Borland Center the afternoon of Saturday, August 24. Students should arrive 5 minutes prior to their audition time to fill out an audition form. Jazz Ensemble auditions take approximately 10 minutes; for your audition, please prepare this head tune and be prepared to improvise over at least one chorus with accompaniment. 

Sign up for a Jazz Ensemble audition

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Robert Cody.

Choir Auditions

Concordia has three auditioned choirs: A Cappella, Cantamus Women’s Choir and Male Chorus. Mixed Chorus does not require an audition. Students should arrive 5 minutes prior to their audition time to fill out an audition form.

A Cappella 

A Cappella auditions will be held in the Borland Center the afternoon of Friday, August 23. Auditions take approximately 5 minutes and include the following:

• Singing scales that demonstrate your vocal range.
• An 8-measure rhythm to sight-read, speaking on the neutral syllable “ta.”
• An 8-measure melody to sight-read, singing on “la” (or solfège syllables, if you prefer).
• Singing the first stanza of Amazing Grace, My Country ‘Tis of Thee or Beautiful Savior (words provided).

Sign up for an A Cappella audition

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Kurt von Kampen.

Cantamus

Cantamus auditions for new students will be held in the Borland Center the morning of Saturday, August 24. Auditions take approximately 5 minutes and include the following:

• Singing various patterns and scales to demonstrate your vocal range.
• Sight-reading a short rhythm on the neutral syllable “ta” (or using any other counting system you may know).
• Sight-sing a short melody on “la” (or solfège, if you prefer).
• Perform one stanza of a hymn or folk song of your choice (memorization not required). 

Sign up for a Cantamus audition

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Jeffrey Blersch. 

Male Chorus

Male Chorus auditions for new students will be held in the Borland Center the morning of Saturday, August 24. Auditions take approximately 5 minutes and include the following:

• Matching pitches sung to you or played on the piano.
• Singing a stanza of a well-known song.

Sign up for a Male Chorus audition

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Paul Soulek.

Handbell Choir Auditions

Handbell Choir auditions will be held in the Borland Center the afternoon of Friday, August 23. Auditions will take approximately 10 minutes and will include the following:

• Complete a form that provides past ringing experience (if applicable).
• Brief review of proper ringing technique (if you are new to ringing or need a refresher).
• Ringing a handbell part in several short melodic exercises to demonstrate sight-reading and ringing ability.
• Clapping a rhythm to demonstrate rhythmic reading/counting ability.

Sign up for a Handbell Choir audition

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Jessica Kite.

Questions

Additional questions may be directed to Debbie Brutlag in the Music Office or the individual music directors.