Auditioning for IUP Ensembles

Audition requirements for most ensembles are outlined below. Students from all majors are welcome in the ensembles and are encouraged to follow the guidelines listed below. If you have questions, please contact the appropriate faculty listed below for more information.

Choral Ensembles

Chorale (MUSC 122) and Chamber Singers (MUSC 121) will hold online auditions the first three days of the semester. Sign-ups for auditions are on Craig Denison’s bulletin board at Cogswell 111. Auditions will also be held there. Auditions are not required for University Chorus (MUSC 132). Email Craig Denison at cdenison@iup.edu for more information and to make an appointment.

Instrumental Ensembles (Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, and Symphony Orchestra)

Auditions are required for all students wishing to participate in Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, and Symphony Orchestra.

General Ensemble Auditions

Students of all majors are welcome to audition for all ensembles. Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion students auditioning in General Ensemble Auditions will be considered for all large concert ensembles: Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, and Symphony Orchestra. String players will be considered for the Symphony Orchestra. Students participating in General Ensemble Auditions are required to prepare all materials for their instrument (provided below). Music majors are required to participate in the General Ensemble Auditions. Non-music majors may choose to complete a Symphony Band Only audition (see below), but must complete General Auditions to be considered for Wind Ensemble or Symphony Orchestra.

Audition Materials
Strings Woodwinds Brass Percussion
All Strings Flute Trumpet All Percussion
Piccolo Horn
Oboe Tenor Trombone
Clarinet Bass Trombone
Bassoon Euphonium
Saxophones Tuba

Symphony Band Only Auditions

Symphony Band Only Auditions are open to students who are not music majors and wish to be considered only for the Symphony Band. Students participating in Symphony Band Only Auditions should prepare two to three minutes of any music of their choice. When possible, these auditions occur at the same time as General Auditions; if you are not available during your instrument's audition block, contact Prof. Nalepa at TBA to find an acceptable time to audition. Music majors are not permitted to use this audition option.

Before You Audition

  1. Choose the appropriate audition option and prepare the required music. Register for the ensemble you think you'll be in (you can change this during drop/add).
  2. Find the time block for your instrument on the audition schedule below and click the Sign Up link to select your individual audition time. When you enter your name, put General or SB in parentheses after your name to indicate the audition type.
  3. Arrive at the audition room 10 minutes before your audition time. Wait outside the room until the person before you has completed their audition. Take a deep breath, and have fun playing music!

Audition Schedule

All auditions are held in Fisher Auditorium unless otherwise specified. Enter through the back door in the loading dock (map) and unpack backstage. General and Symphony Band Only auditions occur at the same time or an audition time arranged with Dr. Cheever (Symphony Band non-major only auditions).

IUP Large Ensemble Sign-up Sheet Directions:

  1. Below the numbered directions, click the sign-up for your instrument.
  2. At the bottom of the sign-up page, click the tab that corresponds to the instrument on which you are auditioning.
  3. Sign up for an open auditioning time indicated on your instrument tab page.

Monday, August 26

Clarinet 10:00 a.m.–11:30 p.m. (Sign Up)

Trombone 12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. (Sign Up)

Euphonium/Tuba 2:40 p.m.–4:10 p.m. (Sign Up)

Oboe/Bassoon 4:20 p.m.–4:45 p.m. (Sign Up)

Flute 4:50 p.m.–5:30 p.m. (Sign Up)

Tuesday, August 27

Horn 2:00 p.m.–3:15 p.m. (Sign Up)

Trumpet 3:30 p.m.–4:54 p.m. (Sign Up)

Saxophone 5:00 p.m.–6:15 p.m. (Sign Up)

Percussion 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. (Sign Up)

Rehearsal Times

Wind Ensemble (MUSC 131): TR 11:10 a.m.–12:25 p.m.; W 1:30 p.m.–2:20 p.m.

Symphony Band (MUSC 123): MWF 3:50 p.m.–4:50 p.m.

University Band (MUSC 124): T 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

Symphony Orchestra (MUSC 129): MW 7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

Non-Auditioned Opportunities

To all students interested in joining University Band:

No audition is required for this ensemble. Wind and percussion music majors may perform in this ensemble as long as they are playing on a secondary instrument. All other music majors and non-music majors may perform on the instrument of their choice. Please register for this ensemble no later than Friday, September 1, so that music can be sent to you via email in advance of the first rehearsal on Tuesday, September 3, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in 121 Cogswell Hall. All parts and the ensemble roster will be sent out via email before the first rehearsal. All questions about this ensemble can be directed to Prof. Umholtz, jumholtz@iup.edu.

Questions?

If you have any specific questions about individual ensembles, please contact the following:

Wind Ensemble: Professor Tim Paul, tpaul@iup.edu

Symphony Band: Professor Zach Cheever, zcheever@iup.edu

University Band: Professor Jeremiah Umholtz, jumholtz@iup.edu

Symphony Orchestra: Professor Rebekah O'Brien, robrien@iup.edu