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Ensemble Auditions

UNC Ensembles are open to students of all majors. Click on the links below to find more information about the audition requirements and to schedule an audition. 

Schedule Audition

Auditioned Ensembles

  • UNC Symphony Orchestra
  • Jazz Combos
  • Lab Bands I, II, III, Funk/Soul Band
  • Vocal Jazz Ensembles
  • Percussion Ensemble
  • Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, Glee
  • Opera 
  • Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble

Non-Auditioned Ensembles

  • Alternative Styles
  • Chamber Music (based on area)
  • Contemporary Music Ensemble
  • Marching Band, Concert Band
  • World Music Ensemble
  • Early Music Ensemble (Email Dr. Fulks for Instructor Approval)
  • Campus String Orchestra
  • University Singers

 

To make changes to your scheduled audition, log in to the online scheduling portal.


Woodwinds & Brass

Auditions for Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble & UNC Symphony Orchestra Winds

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Audition Dates & Locations

August 22, 2022
  • Trumpets: 9:00am - 12:00pm
  • Horns: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
  • Euphonium: 3:00pm - 4:30pm
August 23, 2022
  • Tenor Trombone/Bass Trombones: 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • Tubas: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
  • Saxophones: 3:00pm - 6:00pm
August 24, 2022
  • Flute/Piccolo: 9:00am - 12:00pm
  • Oboes/Bassoons: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
  • Clarinets/Bass Clarinet: 3:00pm - 6:00pm

 

Audition Information and Requirements

  • Students who are auditioning for band ensembles only should prepare each of the etudes, taken from Hindemith's Symphony in Bb, and Iannaccone's After a Gentle Rain.  For Fall 2022, there will only be Wind Ensemble & Symphonic Band available in terms of concert bands, No Concert Band will take place for Fall 2022; however, all three ensembles (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, & Concert Band) will resume for Spring 2023.  Therefore, the auditions for Fall are open to anyone, regardless of major, but for those students only wanting to participate in Concert Band will need register for Spring participation. No audition is necessary for Concert Band. 
  • Those wind and brass students wishing to audition for the symphony orchestra will need to prepare orchestral excerpts (as outlined by the studio teacher), as well as any three (3) band excerpts.  
  • Students wishing to audition on more than one instrument (band or orchestra) would need to prepare excerpts for those instruments accordingly.  
  • Fall Ensemble Auditions will take place during the first week of classes (Week of August 22nd).  Ensemble rehearsals will begin during the week of August 29.  
  • All auditions will be IN PERSON at Campus Commons Performance Hall.  Should a virtual audition need to be scheduled in place of the in-person audition, the student should contact Dr. Wesley Broadnax (Director of Bands) ASAP via email at wesley.broadnax@unco.edu.  

Contact Wesley.Broadnax@unco.edu for questions.


Percussion

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Audition Date

August 25, 2022, 5:00pm - 6:30pm

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Audition Location

CC Rehearsal Hall

Audition Requirements

  • Perform a solo, etude or orchestral excerpt on snare drum, mallets, and timpani
  • Instruments will be provided
  • Please be early to your scheduled audition and mainting social distancing at all times
  • All students interested in playing percussion in Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and the UNC Symphony Orchestra must audition
  • Only students not enrolled in the percussion studio will need to audition for Percussion Ensemble

UNC Symphony Orchestra Strings

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Audition Dates

August 22, 24, & 26, 2022

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Audition Location

CC Rehearsal Hall


UNC Choirs

See below for important information regarding choral auditions.

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Audition Dates

August 22 - 26, 2022

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Audition Location

CC Performance Hall, Rehearsal Hall, Frasier 256, 249, & 126

Audition Materials and Information

Audition Material
  1. You do not need to bring music to the audition.
  2. Auditionees will be asked to sing the first verse melody of a familiar tune (“My Country Tis of Thee” or “Amazing Grace” -your choice) and vocalize on scales and arpeggios. If you would like to take a look at these pieces, here are links: 
Selecting the Correct Audition Type
  1. All incoming undergrad soprano/alto voices should audition with Dr. Clelyn Chapin.
  2. All incoming undergrad tenor/bass voices should audition with Dr. Jill Burgett.
  3. All incoming graduate S/A/T/B voices should audition with Dr. Jill Burgett.
  4. Returning Glee, Concert, or Chamber Choir Students will not need to reaudition. Simply sign up for the course.
  5. All students who would like to move to another choir WILL need to schedule an audition.
Notes
  • Glee will be comprised of primarily Treble repertoire. TTB repertoire may possibly be added dependent on participant vocal ranges/parts.
  • There is no audition required for University Singers, MUS 282. Register for the class through URSA and attend the first rehearsal. 
  • Based on your audition, you will be placed in the appropriate choir. Students wishing to “pre-register” register for a specific ensemble may do so prior to auditions but may need to change to their assigned choir afterwards. Students may also delay registering for an ensemble until auditions are completed on the Friday of the first week of classes.  
  • Acceptance into a choir carries with it the expectation of participation in both the fall and spring semesters. General exceptions to this would be student teaching or mid-year graduation, or other situations as determined.

We Look forward to your audition. For more information, contact Dr. Jill Burgett at Jill.Burgett@unco.edu


 Opera

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Audition Dates

  • Monday, August 22, 2022 | 3:35pm - 8:45 pm
  • Callbacks - Friday, August 26, 2022 @ 4:30pm and Monday, August 29, 2022 @ 4:30pm

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Audition Location

  • August 22 - Frasier 90
  • August 26 - CC Performance Hall
  • August 29 - CC Performance Hall

Audition Requirements & Notes

Prepare two arias or songs (art songs or musical theatre accepted), at least one of which should be in English; a pianist will be provided.  You may prepare arias from the season: fall, Handel’s Acis and Galatea (collaboration with URSA) and spring, Puccini’s Suor Angelica. Please note that both semesters will be cast from these auditions; we will not hold separate auditions in December for the spring semester.  Callbacks for both productions will be held on Friday, August 26 at 4:30pm (for Acis and Galatea) and Monday, August 29 at 4:30pm (for Suor Angelica) in the Campus Commons Performance Hall


Instrumental Jazz

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Audition  Dates:

August 22 - 24, 2022

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Audition Location

  • Piano/Brass/Bass/Sax - Frasier 0063
  • Drums/Guitar - CC Rehearsal Hall

Instrumental Jazz Audition Information

All jazz groups are open to all students, not only jazz studies majors or music majors. If you are interested in exploring jazz music, we hope you will audition.

Please join us for the UNC Jazz Welcome Concert!

Wednesday, August 24, 7:30pm | Campus Commons Performance Hall

  • Ensemble Rehearsal Schedule

    Instrumental Jazz Ensembles

    Lab Bands (big bands)
    • Lab I: MWF 11:15-12:05, CCPH, Dana Landry-Director
    • Lab II: MWF 1:25-2:15, CCPH, Jim White-Director
    • Lab III: MW 11:15-12:05, Frasier Hall room 90, Shawn Williams-Director
    Bop Shop (focused instruction and practice on standard jazz repertoire and styles):
    • MW 1:25-2:15, Frasier 0090
    Funk/Soul Band
    • Meets MW 1:25-2:15, Frasier 0063
    Small Groups (jazz combos)
    • Meet together for Combo Forum Wednesdays 12:20-1:10*
      • this can be waived if your instrumental studio class meets at this time
    • Rehearsal time: organized around members’ schedules- 75 minutes once a week*
    • Vanguard and Birdland meet Tuesdays at 11:00-12:15
  • Audition Components

    Audition Components

    1) Prepared Piece (required for all auditions)
    • There are audition etudes for Alto, Tenor and Bari Sax; Lead and Section Trumpet; Lead, Section, and Bass Trombone; Guitar; Piano; Bass; and Drums.
    • Etudes for the saxophones also include short excerpts for woodwind doubles (these are optional, but please prepare these if you play these instruments).
    • Saxophonists who wish to be considered on a second saxophone type may include that in their audition, no need to sign-up for an additional time slot.
    • Trumpet and Trombone players who wish to be considered for section positions in addition to lead and/or bass chairs may perform both études during their audition, no need to sign-up for an additional time slot.
    2) Melody/Improv (for all but drums; drums please see below)
    • Required for jazz studies majors and for anyone auditioning for small ensembles (combos).
    • Optional for those who are only auditioning for Large Ensembles (Big Bands, etc.).
      • However, if you are comfortable including this, please do so.

    Select one of these songs:

    • Moment’s Notice (Aebersold vol 38)
    • On Green Dolphin Street (Aebersold vol 34- in Eb, has a 4-bar intro)
    • Stablemates (Aebersold vol 14)
    • Bb Rhythm Changes (Aebersold vol 65 “Oleo”)
    • (Play any melody of your choice: Moose the Mooch, Oleo, etc.)
    • F Blues (Aebersold vol 42)

    You will play with the backing tracks which will be provided at the audition.

    • For all but Guitar, Piano and Bass: Play the melody, then solo for 3-4 choruses, then begin the melody again.
    • For Piano and Guitar: Play the melody, then comp for one chorus, then play a solo for 2-3 choruses, then begin the melody again.
    • For Bass:
 Play the melody, then walk for one chorus, then play a solo for 2-3 choruses, then begin the melody again.
    2) Drums: Styles (Required for all drum auditions)

    Drummers will also be asked to demonstrate different jazz styles and to alternate time and soloing over different forms.

    3) Sight-Reading

    Sight-reading will be included in all auditions.

    Sign-up For an Audition
  • Audition Etudes 

 


Vocal Jazz

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Audition Date

August 22 - 23, 2022

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Audition Location

Frasier 0201

 
 
  • Audition Repertoire

    Audition Repertoire

    1. Perform a prepared medium tempo swing tune of your choice (100-130bpm).
      • We will provide an accompanist but you’re welcome to bring your own or sing with a track or iRealPro. You only need to sing through the tune once. Improv is optional.
      • Song suggestions if you need them: All of Me, Autumn Leaves, Almost Like Being In Love, On The Sunny Side of the Street, Lullaby of Birdland, There is No Greater Love, etc.
      • If you’d like to demonstrate improv skills, you are also welcome to improvise over a blues instead of your chosen tune, if you are more comfortable doing that. This is also optional-improv is not required to be in an ensemble.
    2. Prepare to sing along with 2 ensemble excerpts.
      • All tracks and music are provided. You will sing live with the recording for the audition
        • I’ll Be Seeing You
          • Please sing with the track on the part(s) you wish to audition from the beginning until B(last lyric will be “wishing well”
          • Please be aware that the sopranos and altos voice cross in the measure before
        • Caravan
          • Please sing with the track on the part(s) you wish to audition over “A” including the repeats. 
    3. Prepare to vocalize to test your range.
      • I will play through some vocal exercises to get an idea of how and high you’re able to sing comfortably. Please come warmed up.
    4. Prepare to sing a chromatic scale.
      • You can choose your starting pitch- make sure the scale is in a comfortable part of your range overall. You will play your first and last notes on the piano.

    Download Audition Repertoire and Recordings

  • Ensemble Meeting Times & Schedule

    Ensemble Meeting Times & Dates

    Rehearsals begin the second week of classes

    • Verve: T/Th, 11:00am - 12:15pm, CC Rehearsal Hall (1321)
    • Vocal Lab: T/Th, 2:00pm - 3:15pm, CC Rehearsal Hall (1321)
    • NoCoVo: T/Th, 3:30pm - 4:45pm, CC Rehearsal Hall (1321)
    IMPORTANT DATES- these are mandatory 
      • Fall Concert Date: Tuesday, October 18, 7:30pm | CC Performance Hall
        • You must be available for this performance date in order to participate in an ensemble.
      • UNC Jazz Holiday Concert: Monday December 5, 7:30pm