2025-2026 Academic Year

All auditions for the 2024/2025 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:

• Wind Ensemble – Dr. Justin Zanchuk ([email protected])
• Jazz Ensemble – Dr. Ryan Picone ([email protected])
• String Orchestra – Dr. Andrew Towsey-Grishaw ([email protected])

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 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 18 (one week prior to the first day of class).
2. Results will be communicated by Friday, August 22 via email.
3. First Rehearsals
   • All who earn a position in each ensemble will attend their first regularly scheduled rehearsal:
     • Wind Ensemble: Monday, August 25, 3:20-4:40pm, D-040
     • Jazz Ensemble: Tuesday, August 26, 2:40-4:10pm, D-040
     • Orchestra: Tuesday, August 26, 6:15-8:45pm, 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 and SJU.
   • Woodwinds and Brass – Schedule your appointment by contacting Dr. Justin Zanchuk (jzanchuk.edu).
   • Strings – Schedule your appointment by contacting Dr. Andrew Towsey-Grishaw ([email protected]).
   • Guitar – Schedule your appointment by contacting Dr. Ryan Picone ([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
   • 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 for the beginning to rehearsal letter C of the first movement of First Suite in E-Flat by Gustav Holst. Tempo is quarter note = 84-92. For a reference recording, please listen to the link HERE.
     • Saxophones – play the alto sax part even if you are auditioning on tenor or bari sax.
     • Euphoniums – choose to play either the treble clef or bass clef part based on your level of comfort.
   • 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 2025

Jazz Ensemble Content

Your audition requirement video will contain the following materials.

1. A short introduction of yourself.
2. Horns (saxophones, trumpets, trombones) Audition Requirements:
   • 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 just the melody of “All of Me” on your own.
     • All of Me (B♭) – Trumpet and Tenor Sax
     • All of Me (C, Bass Clef) – Trombone
     • All of Me (E♭) – Alto Sax and Bari Sax
       • 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. Rhythm Section (Piano, bass, and guitar) Audition Requirements:
   • Play the melody of “All of Me” and comp as well.
     • All of Me (C, Treble Clef)
     • All of Me (C, Bass Clef)
       • For a reference recording, please listen to the link HERE.
4. Drums Audition Requirements:
   • Demonstrate the following styles:
     • Medium swing
     • Up-tempo swing
     • Bossa, samba
     • Funk/pop/rock

Jazz Ensemble Audition Application Fall 2025

Orchestra Content

Your audition video will contain a short introduction of yourself as well as the title and composer of your chosen solo piece. 

Audition Repertoire:

• G Major 3 Octave or 2 Octave scale, in Quarter Notes at Quarter = 80 with 2 notes slurred
• Solo piece or etude of your choice, approximately 3-5 minutes in length, demonstrating good sound, quality intonation, musical imagination, rhythmic integrity, and technical control of your instrument
• Play the assigned excerpts from “Don Quixote Suite” by G.P. Telemann. Audition packets have details of the exact measures and tempo markings. Do not play repeats.

Reference Recordings:

1. Mov. 3 “His Attack on the Windmills” LINK
2. Mov. 4 “Sighs of Love for Princess Aline” LINK

Instrument Audition Packets:

Violin

Viola

Cello

Bass

Orchestra Audition Application Fall 2025