2023-2024 Academic Year

All auditions for the 2023-2024 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.

If you have questions after reading the information below, please contact the Music Department coordinator, Kelly Brueske 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:

1. Upload your video to YouTube as an “unlisted” video.
2. 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.
3. Click on 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 21 (one week prior to the first day of class).
2. Results will be communicated by Friday, August 25 via email.
3. First Rehearsal: All who earn a position in each ensemble will attend their first regularly schedule rehearsal:
   • Wind Ensemble – Monday, August 28, 3:20-4:40 p.m., D-040
   • Jazz Ensemble – Tuesday, August 29, 2:40-4:10 p.m., D-040
   • Orchestra – Tuesday, August 29, 6:30-9:30 p.m., D-040

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 Friday, August 4 from 1-4 p.m. at the BAC on the CSB campus.
   • Woodwinds and Brass
      - Schedule your appointment by contacting Dr. Justin Zanchuk at [email protected]
   • Strings
     - Schedule your appointment by contacting Dr. Andrew Towsey-Grishaw at [email protected]
   • Guitar
     - Schedule your appointment by contacting Dr. Ryan Picone at [email protected]

Your audition video will contain:

1. A short introduction of yourself and the name of your audition piece(s)
2. Woodwinds/Brass
   • 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.
   • Play your instrument part to the third movement of Second Suite in F by Gustav Holst. Please play the movement straight down. Tempo is quarter note = 92-96. For a reference recording, please listen to the link HERE.
   • Play your chromatic scale, preferably the full range of your instrument. At a minimum, play two octaves up and down.
3. Percussion
   • Play any solo piece or etude of your choice for snare drum approximately 1-2 minutes in length (play on snare, practice pad, or any drum to which you have access)
   • Play any solo piece or etude of your choice for mallets approximately 1-2 minutes 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)
   • Play m. 82-98 and m. 157-179 from Magnolia Star by Steven Danyew (play on wood blocks, buckets, chair backs, or any creative home instrument of your choosing if you do not have access to two tom-toms). Tempo is quarter note = 138. For a reference recording, please listen to the link HERE.

Wind Ensemble Audition Application - Fall 2023

Your audition video will contain:

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

Jazz Ensemble Audition Application Fall 2023

Your audition video will contain:

1. A short introduction of yourself and the name of your audition piece(s)
2. Strings–
   • Play a major scale of your choosing. At minimum two octaves, preferably three octaves
   • 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
   • Play your instrument part to the first movement of Capriol Suite by Peter Warlock.  All violin auditions play the 1^st violin part. Always play the top part of a divisi, even if it is marked “divisi a 3”. Tempo is quarter note =150-165, or dotted half note = 50-55. For a reference recording, listen to the link HERE 
                   - Instrument parts: Violin - Viola - Cello - Double Bass
     
     

Orchestra Audition Application Fall 2023