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

 

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

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Woodwinds & Brass

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

 

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Percussion

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

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UNC Symphony Orchestra Strings

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UNC Choirs

See below for important information regarding choral auditions.

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 Opera

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

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Instrumental Jazz

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 

  Audition Etudes

  Lead Trumpet

  Alto Sax

  Piano

  Section Trumpet

  Tenor Sax

  Drums

  Lead Trombone

  Bari Sax

  Guitar

  Section Trombone

  Bass

  Bass Trombone

 

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Vocal Jazz

• 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