Instrumental Ensemble Auditions
Instrumental Ensemble Auditions
Instrumental Ensemble Auditions
August 31 & Septemeber 1, 2025
Join one of Rowan University's Instrumental Ensembles -- open to all majors!
PLEASE NOTE: Instrumental Ensemble Auditions are for placement into the following ensembles/orchestras:
- String Ensemble
- Symphony Orchestra
- Wind Ensemble
- Jazz Band (separate audition)
*We do have several ensembles that do not require an audition. For a full list, click here
TO REGISTER FOR AUDITIONS: Please click on the following links to register for an audition
REMINDER: All music majors are required to audition on their primary instrument.**
- Clarinets, Oboes, Flutes, Bassoons, Saxophones & Percussion - SIGN UP HERE
- Trumpets, Horns, Trombones, Euphoniums & Tubas - SIGN UP HERE
- Strings - SIGN UP HERE
- Jazz Band - SIGN UP HERE
**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 still choose to 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).
AUDITION SCHEUDLE:
Sunday, August 31 (Wilson Hall)
- 10am-4pm - JAZZ BAND (Rm 135)
- 9:30-11am CLARINETS (Rm 156)
- 11-11:30am OBOES (Rm 156)
- 11:30am-12:45pm FLUTES (Rm 156)
- 12:45-1:15pm BASSOONS (Rm 156)
- 1:45-3:45pm SAXOPHONES (Rm 156)
- 4-6:30pm PERCUSSION (Rm 156)
- 2-6pm STRINGS (Rm 153)
Monday, September 1 (Wilson Hall)
- 10am-4pm - JAZZ BAND (Rm 135)
- 9:00-11:30am TRUMPETS (Rm 156)
- 11:45am-1pm HORNS (Rm 156)
- 1pm-1:45pm TROMBONES (Rm 156)
- 1:45-2:15pm EUPHONIUMS (Rm 156)
- 2:15-2:45pm TUBAS (Rm 156)
Auditions Requirements
Brass
PDF to audition requirements are linked below.
All Music Majors must audition on both BAND and ORCH.
Trumpet: BAND & ETUDE ORCH
Euphonium: BAND (There are only "BAND" excerpts for euphonium.)
Tuba: BAND (There are only "BAND" excerpts for tuba.)
Jazz Band
2025 Auditions for the Jazz Band will take place on Sunday, August 31 and Monday, September 1 from 10am-4PM in Wilson 135.
For 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.
4) Sight-reading
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).
7) Sight-reading
Percussion
PDF to audition requirements are linked below.
Percussion & Timpani: PDF coming soon...
Strings
Audition for String Ensemble is not mandatory.
Violin: ORCH & STRING ENS
Viola: ORCH & STRING ENS
Cello: ORCH & STRING ENS
Double Bass: ORCH & STRING ENS
Woodwind
PDF to audition requirements are linked below.
All Music Majors must audition on both BAND and ORCH.
Clarinet/Bass 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.)