Instrumental Ensemble Auditions
Instrumental Ensemble Auditions
Instrumental Ensemble Auditions
Join a Rowan University Instrumental Ensemble --- open to students of all majors!!! For non-music majors, remember that some ensembles do not require an audition. All music majors are required to audition on their primary instrument.
Though auditions for Fall 2023 ensembles have closed, there will be a new opportunity to join ensembles at the start of Spring 2024. For an example of what to expect, please see the details below of Fall 2023 audition details.
Keyboard Students: If you are a piano or organ major, then you are not required to complete an ensemble audition on your primary instrument; however, you may certainly still participate. To perform on a secondary non-keyboard instrument, please sign up for the appropriate audition below. To perform on piano/celeste/organ with the Wind Ensemble or Orchestra, please contact Dr. Higgins for more information (higgins@rowan.edu).
ORCHESTRA, WIND ENSEMBLE & CONCERT BAND AUDITIONS (Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion):
Sunday, September 3, 2023
- 9:30-10:40am CLARINETS (Rm 156)
- 10:45-11:05am OBOES (Rm 156)
- 11:15am-12:15pm FLUTES (Rm 156)
- 12:30-12:50pm BASSOONS (Rm 156)
- 3:30-7:00pm STRINGS (Rm 153)
- 4:00-6:00pm SAXOPHONES (Rm 156)
Monday, September 4, 2023
- 9:00-11:20am TRUMPETS (Rm 107)
- 9:30-11:30am PERCUSSION (Rm 156)
- 11:45am-12:35pm HORNS (Rm 156)
- 12:45am-1:25pm TROMBONES (Rm 156)
- 1:40-2:15pm EUPHONIUMS (Rm 156)
- 2:25-2:55pm TUBAS (Rm 156)
A PDF of audition requirements for woodwind, brass, percussion, and string instruments may be downloaded below. Note: All music majors must audition on both the "BAND" and "ORCH."
Clarinet: BAND ORCH (All students should plan to audition on b-flat clarinet only.)
Saxophone: BAND (You may perform on any saxophone but should play these "alto sax" part excerpts. There are only "BAND" excerpts for saxophone.)
Bass Trombone: BAND ORCH (Bass Trombonists: Omit band excerpts #2 & #5.)
Euphonium: BAND (There are only "BAND" excerpts for euphonium.)
Percussion & Timpani: BAND ORCH
Violin: ORCH & STRING ENS
Viola: ORCH & STRING ENS
Cello: ORCH & STRING ENS
Double Bass: ORCH & STRING ENS
Auditions will take place on Sunday, September 3 and Monday, September 4 (10am-4pm each day) in Denis DiBlasio's office (Wilson 135).
Horns, piano, bass, and guitar:
1) Play melody to Charlie Parker’s Confirmation (Medium tempo swing - 125 mm)
2) Solo using a backing track to four choruses of F Blues , medium tempo
3) In addition...
---Bass: Walk the changes to Confirmation for two choruses same tempo.
---Piano and guitar: Comp the changes to Confirmation for two choruses tempo.
Drums
1) Articulate the melody to Charlie Parker’s Billies Bounce two choruses 12 bars of swing feel (Alternate 4’s solo swing, solo, swing, solo, swing)
2) Play a samba beat 30 for seconds.
3) Play a 4/4 swing beat with brushes for 30 seconds.
4) Play a bossa nova beat for 30 seconds.
5) Play a 3/4 swing beat for 30 seconds.
6) Play along softly to Count Basie’s Corner Pocket (Use the track on YouTube).