Ensemble Auditions

Brass, Woodwinds, & Percussion

(for ensembles in rotation) 

New Music Ensemble (M W F 12-2pm)
Opera Orchestra (M W F 12-2pm during productions)
Symphony Orchestra (M W F 12-2pm)
Wind Ensemble (M W F 12-2pm)
Wind Symphony (M W F 2-4pm)

Requirements

All music majors auditioning for ensembles are required to take the rotation audition. Non-majors also have the option of taking the rotation audition, however they are not required to. Non-majors wishing to audition only for Symphony Band can find more information in the Symphony Band section.

All auditions will take place in Bates Recital Hall.

Students will be required to play excerpts for their instrument. These will be posted soon.

Schedule

Auditions will take place Sunday, August 25 – Wednesday, August 28. A more detailed schedule by instrument will be posted soon.

Sign-Up

Registration instructions will be posted soon.

Choirs

Concert Chorale (M W F 12-2pm)
Treble Chamber Choir (T Th 12:30-2pm)
University Chorus (T Th 3:30-5pm)
Repertory Chorus (M 7-9:30pm)

REQUIREMENTS

Participation in a UT Choir is open to all UT Austin students, regardless of major.

All auditions will take place in MRH 5.138.

Non-music majors who have not participated in choir before are welcome to enroll in either University Chorus ensemble (Soprano/Alto or Tenor/Bass) and the Repertory Chorus without auditioning; you can simply enroll and show up for the first day of class. Participation in Concert Chorale or the Treble Chamber Choir requires an audition. 

AUDITION FORMAT

• Please prepare 16~32 measures of of a song to be sung a cappella (no accompaniment). Choose a piece that will present the best of you as a vocalist. Any genre is acceptable.
• Faculty will take the singers through a series of musical skill assessments: vocalises, sightread, rhythm read, and tonal memory exercises.

SIGN-UP

Sign up for an audition time. Please arrive 10 minutes earlier than your assigned slot.

For audition questions or concerns, please email TA and audition coordinator Steve Ko (stevekomusic@utexas.edu), Dr. Burnett for Concert Chorale (jd.burnett@utexas.edu), or Dr. Pence for University Chorus (pence@austin.utexas.edu).

Jazz

Jazz Orchestra (T Th 3:30-5:30pm)
Jazz Ensemble (T Th 2-3:30pm)
Alternative Improvisation Music Ensemble (AIME) (M W 2-3pm)
Jazz Combos

Jazz auditions are open to all interested students, regardless of major and/or experience level. The audition is a formal, yet welcoming environment in which faculty can become more familiar with your ability level. This assessment ensures you are placed in the ensemble(s) where you have the most beneficial experience and will be most successful.

REQUIREMENTS

The audition consists of three parts.

Part 1 – Excerpts: “Three And One" performed unaccompanied

Saxophone

• Start from beginning, stop at letter “E” 
• Continue from pick-ups to letter “I”, take D.S. al Coda 

Lead Trumpet

• Start from beginning, stop 2 bars before letter “C” 
• Continue from letter “I," take D.S. al Coda 

Section Trumpet

• Start from beginning of Solo Flugelhorn part, stop 2 bars before letter “C” (may played on B-flat Trumpet) 
• Continue from letter “I” of Second Trumpet Part, take D.S. al Coda 

Trombone

• Start from beginning, stop at letter “C” 
• Continue from letter “I,” take D.S. al Coda  

Rhythm Section

• Start from beginning, stop at letter “C” 
• Continue from letter “I,” take D.S. al Coda 

Part 2 – Perform “Tricotism” with Rhythm Section

Saxophones, Trumpets, and Trombones

• Play intro and melody 
• Take 1-2 improvised choruses 
• Play melody out, take D.C. al Coda 

Rhythm Section Instruments

• Play intro and melody 
• Take 1-2 improvised choruses 
• Comp for 1 chorus 
• Play melody out, take D.C. al Coda 

Schedule

Auditions will take place 2–6pm Tuesday, August 26–Thursday, August 29 in the Jazz Room (MRH 6.248).

SIGN-UP

Register for an audition. 

Opera

Opera Studio (M W F 1-2pm)
Butler Opera Center Ensemble for Undergraduates (M W F 4-5:30pm)
Butler Opera Production Rehearsals (M T W Th F 3:30-6:30pm)

Requirements

All auditions will take place in McCullough Theatre, located just across from the music building on Sunday, August 25.

Undergraduate Students

10am–1pm

Prepare three arias and/or art songs. At least one piece must be in Italian and one in English.

Graduate Students

2–5pm

Prepare four arias and/or art songs. At least three languages should be included; one must be in Italian and one must be an aria in English.

Sign-Up

Registration link will be posted soon. 

Strings

(for ensembles in rotation)

Symphony Orchestra (M W F 12-2pm)
New Music Ensemble (M W F 12-2pm)
Opera Orchestra (M W F 12-2pm during productions)

Requirements and Schedule

All auditions will take place in the Orchestra Room 2.118.

Click on your instrument below for repertoire requirements.

Cello

Sunday, August 25

Double Bass

Sunday, August 25

Violin

Saturday, August 24

Viola

Saturday, August 24

Sign-Up

Register for an audition by Friday, August 23.

Sign up for an audition slot. 

Symphony Band

Symphony Band information will be posted soon.

University Orchestra

T Th 7-8:30pm

All University of Texas students are eligible to audition for University Orchestra; being a music major is not a requirement.

Requirements and Schedule

Auditions will take place in the evenings on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25.

Students should show up at least 10 minutes before scheduled audition time with music prepared and instrument tuned.

Click on your instrument below for repertoire requirements.

Double Bass

violin

Horn

Trombone

Trumpet

Tuba

More instrument excerpts will be added soon.

Sign-Up

Register for an audition by Friday, August 23.

Sign up for an audition appointment. Make sure you sign up for the correct time slot for your instrument.

If you have any questions, contact the University Orchestra Teaching Assistants at universityorchestra@gmail.com.