Instrumental Ensemble Auditions

2020-21 Academic Year

All auditions for the 2020-21 academic year for Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Orchestra will be completed by online video submission. Cell phone videos are acceptable if that is the only equipment available. All the information you need to complete and submit your video is provided below. If you are auditioning for multiple ensembles, you will need to complete separate submissions for each ensemble.

All decisions made regarding instrumental ensemble auditions were made in compliance with CSB SJU safety protocols regarding COVID-19 and follow the preliminary recommendations from the International Performing Arts Aerosol Study. If you have questions after reading the information below, please contact the Music Department chair, Dr. David Arnott at [email protected].

Video Requirements

All audition materials on the video must be done in  one,  continuous,  un-edited take. (Keep the camera on at all times through the audition). Your face and fingers/valves/slides/sticks must always be visible in the video.

Submission for all applications

Upload your video to YouTube as an “unlisted” video. Secure a download link for the file that you can share with us. Please check to make sure that the permissions will allow us to view your video. Click on the link to the appropriate audition application (see below) and complete the form. There will be a place within the form for you to share the link to your audition video.

Important Dates

  1. Audition applications and recordings are due Monday, August 24 (one week prior to the first day of class).
  2. Results will be communicated by Friday, August 28 via email.
  3. First Rehearsals
    All who earn a position in each ensemble will attend their first regularly schedule rehearsal:
    • Wind Ensemble: Monday, August 31, 4:35-5:50pm, D-040
    • Jazz Ensemble: Tuesday, September 1, 4:35-5:50pm, D-040
    • Orchestra: Tuesday, September 1, 6:30-8:15pm, A-135

Instrument Access – Woodwind, Brass, and String Players

If you do not have access to an instrument, we recommend one of the following:

  1. Contact your high school director to borrow an instrument to complete your audition video.
  2. Contact your local instrument store to rent an instrument to complete your audition video.
  3. Schedule an appointment to rent an instrument from CSB/SJU.
    The date for instrument pick-up will be Tuesday, August 11 from 1:00-4:00pm at the BAC on the CSB campus.
    • Woodwind and Brass:
      Schedule your appointment by contacting Dr. Justin Zanchuk at [email protected]
    • Strings: 
      Schedule your appointment by contacting Dr. David Arnott at [email protected]

Wind Ensemble Content

Your audition video will contain:

  1. A short introduction of yourself and the name of your audition piece(s)
  2. Woodwinds/Brass
    1. Play any solo piece or etude of your choice approximately 2-3 minutes in length demonstrating good sound, quality intonation, musical imagination, rhythmic integrity and technical control of your instrument
    2. Play your chromatic scale (preferably the full range of your instrument - at a minimum, two octaves)
  3. Percussion
    1. Play any solo piece or etude of your choice for snare drum approximately 1 minute in length (play on snare, practice pad, or any drum to which you have access)
    2. Play any solo piece or etude of your choice for mallets approximately 1 minute in length (play on any mallet instrument or piano to which you have access. If you cannot access a keyboard instrument, please skip this portion of the audition)
    3. Play rehearsal letter A-D to the wood part of Foundry by John Mackey (play on wood blocks, buckets, chair backs, or any creative home instrument of your choosing)

Wind Ensemble Audition Application Fall 2020

Jazz Ensemble Content

Your audition video will contain:

  1. A short introduction of yourself
  2. All Horns (saxophones, trumpets, trombones):
    1. Play just the melody of “All the Things You Are” on your own.
      1. All The Things You Are (B♭),  All The Things You Are (C, Bass Clef),  All The Things You Are (E♭)
    2. Improvise over an F(concert) blues (optional) 
      1. F blues changes
    3. Rhythm Section (Piano, bass, and guitar)
      1. Play the melody of "All the Things You Are" and comp as well
        1. All The Things You Are (C, Treble Clef),  All The Things You Are (C, Bass Clef)
      2. Comping and improvising over an F-blues
        1. F blues changes
    4. Drums:
      1. Demonstrate the following styles
        • medium swing
        • up-tempo swing
        • bossa, samba
        • funk/pop
      2. Trade fours with yourself (four bars time & four bars solo)

Jazz Ensemble Audition Application Fall 2020

Orchestra Content

Your audition video will contain:

  1. A short introduction of yourself and the name of your audition piece(s)
  2. Strings:
    1. Play any solo piece or etude of your choice approximately 2-3 minutes in length demonstrating good sound, quality intonation, musical imagination, rhythmic integrity, and technical control of your instrument
    2. Play a major scale (preferably the full range of your instrument - at a minimum, two octaves, preferably three octaves)

Orchestra Audition Application Fall 2020