Music Ensemble Auditions
If you're interested in participating in one of Concordia's ensembles, there is often an audition process involved. Below, you'll find audition details for each type of ensemble and contact information if you have questions about your specific process.
Wind Symphony Auditions
All auditions will be video recorded for review in the fall.
Sign up for a Wind Symphony audition
Wind Players
For wind players, the audition will consist of the following:
- Play a concert Ab major scale in as many octaves as you are comfortable.
- Please choose a rhythmic value and tempo that are consistent and demonstrates the best of your playing.
- Play a chromatic scale in as many octaves as you are comfortable.
- Please choose a rhythmic value and tempo that are consistent and demonstrates the best of your playing.
- A melodic sightreading excerpt
- One minute of music from a solo of your choosing
- A required excerpt from Gustav Holst’s First Suite in Eb (PDF) - see list below:
| Instrument | Excerpt |
|---|---|
| Flute/Piccolo | Movement 2: Measure 18-C (Piccolo omit flute solo) |
| Oboe | Movement 2: Measure 2-A |
| Clarinet | Movement 2: Measure 1- 4 measures before B |
| Bass Clarinet | Movement 1: Measure 16-C |
| Bassoon | Movement 1: Measure 16-B (choose line) |
| Alto Sax | Movement 1: Measure 16 – 5 measure of B |
| Tenor Sax | Movement 1: Measure 16 – 5 measure of B |
| Bari Sax | Movement 2: A - C |
| Trumpet | Cornet Movement 2: Measure 1-C |
| Horn | Movement 2: Section C, 3rd measure - section E, 8th measure |
| Trombone | Movement 1: Measure 8-C beat 1 |
| Euph./Bar. | Movement 2: D-E |
| Tuba | Basses: Movement 1: Measure 1-8, B-C (either 8ve, bottom preferable) |
| String Bass | Movement 2: Beginning-C beat 1 |
Percussionists
For batterie, the audition will consist of the following:
- A rhythmic sightreading excerpt
- The following etude (PDF)
- The following rudiments from the PAC (PDF)
- If auditioning for Timpani, please perform 1 minute of a solo or excerpt of your choosing.
For mallets:
- Play a concert Ab major scale in as many octaves as you are comfortable.
- Please choose a rhythmic value and tempo that are consistent and demonstrates the best of your playing.
- Play a chromatic scale in as many octaves as you are comfortable.
- Please choose a rhythmic value and tempo that are consistent and demonstrates the best of your playing.
- A melodic sightreading excerpt
- A rhythmic sightreading excerpt
- One minute of music from a solo of your choosing
- Prepare and perform the following etude (PDF).
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 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.
Questions
Additional questions may be directed to Debbie Brutlag in the Music Office or the individual music directors.
