Auditions and Registration for Ensembles and Lessons
Auditions:
100-LEVEL MUS courses are open to all students without audition. All MUSP (performance) courses require an audition prior to registration for the course. MUSP auditions take place during the first week of each semester.
Auditions are open to students of any major and school, and are intended to admit as many qualified students as possible. Students are urged to sign up for an audition time as soon as possible. At the conclusion of auditions (but prior to registration), students are informed by email about their placement into major ensembles, studio lessons and/or chamber music.
Registration:
Registration for all MUSP courses takes place during the second week of classes after auditions have been completed. Pre-registration is not possible for MUSP courses. Students in ensembles and chamber music will register in rehearsal during the second week of classes; students in lessons will register with their instructor during the second week of classes.
2025 FALL AUDITION SCHEDULE
SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION TIME
See below for Organ and Harpsichord Lessons or information about joining the Nukporfe African Drumming and Dance Ensemble. (these instructors need to be emialed individually)
For information on what to prepare for your audition, please see the descriptions
PIANO — Michael Salmirs (FOR NEW STUDENTS ONLY)
ORGAN/HARPSICHORD — William Lawson
Auditions: By appointmet only
Prepare to play one work on either piano or organ for the audition.
For an appointment or more information email: William Lawson
ORCHESTRA, WIND SYMPHONY, & INSTRUMENTAL STUDIO — Jingqi Zhu & Jennifer Greene
Auditions: Returning violins/violas Aug. 20; Woodwinds Aug. 21; New violins/violas Aug. 25; Cello/bass Aug. 26; Brass Aug. 25
The audition consists of: a) Major scales/rudiments; b) 2 – 3 minutes of a prepared published solo or etude chosen by the student to demonstrate their technique, tone and musicianship (no accompanist); and c) a brief sight-reading excerpt.
Email Jingqi Zhu for more information.
PERCUSSION — Joel Smales
Auditions: Monday, August 25
Requirements:
Email Joel Smales for more information.
VOICE — Brenda Iglesias & Thomas Goodheart (TA Graduate Voice Lesson Auditions)
Auditions: August 23 from 3:00pm - 7:00pm & August 24 from 2:00pm - 7:00pm in FA21
*Auditions are for open to all students, or for those returning students who wish to change teachers.
AUDITIONS FOR VOICE LESSONS are simple! We just need to hear you sing! You can bring any style of music. If you have sheet music, bring a copy (or airdrop the PDF file too!) a pianist will be available to accompany you. You’re also welcome to sing with a track, a cappella, or even sing "Happy Birthday" if you don’t have a song prepared. If you really don't know any song, we can also just listen to you perform some vocal exercises instead. We’re just looking to hear your voice and assess your musicality.
Note: In order to take private voice lessons, you must be enrolled in an ensemble (Treble Chorus or Harpur Chorale) so make sure you audition for Dr. Culverhouse too!
Email Brenda Iglesias for more information.
CHORUS — William Culverhouse (HARPUR CHORALE and CHAMBER SINGERS) & Megan Burrell (TREBLE CHORUS)
Auditions: August 20 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm; August 22 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm; August 23 from 3:00pm - 7:00pm; August 24 from 2:00pm - 7:00pm; August 25 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm in FA 27
Choir auditions are offered at the following times, all in Fine Arts Building room 27 on the lower level of the building:
AUDITIONS FOR THESE TWO CHOIRS ARE EASY! You don't need to prepare anything in advance. We'll do some voice exercises to map out your comfortable range, some echo patterns to assess your ear, and a little bit of easy sight singing from notation. We're not looking for perfection, just intuitive musicality. Chamber Singers auditions occur at the end of each semester for the following semester.
NOTE: Make sure you scroll back and forth to be able to view all the options on all five days. If all the slots are full, email William Culverhouse right away and we'll add more slots!
Email William Culverhouse for more information.
GUITAR — Paul Sweeny (CLASSICAL) & Jim Wilding (JAZZ, BLUES, ROCK, ETC.)
Auditions: August 25 from 12:00pm - 2:00pm in FA117 (Casadesus Recital Hall)
The Music Department now has a Guitar Ensemble, as well as lessons in both acoustic guitar and electric (Jazz) guitar. Guitarists with previous experience and some familiarity with reading staff notation are welcome to audition. Students taking lessons must also enroll in the Guitar Ensemble and/or a Jazz Ensemble (by separate audition). Students may also audition for the ensembles without taking lessons.
For the auditions, please prepare one piece (any style, acoustic or electric) that demonstrates your level of proficiency, and one major or minor scale (in any key).
For lessons in Classical Guitar and Guitar Ensemble, email Paul Sweeny
For guitar lessons in Jazz, Blues, Rock, etc., email Jim Wilding
JAZZ IMPROVISATION — Greg Evans
Auditions: August 26 from 5:00pm - 6:15pm in FA 24
Jazz improvisation lessons are open to students at both the entry level and experienced level. Knowledge of key signatures and scales is required.
Email Greg Evans for more information.
HARPUR JAZZ ENSEMBLE — Greg Evans
Auditions: August 26 from 6:45pm - 9:45pm in FA 24
Students audition by sitting in with the Jazz Ensemble. Students should bring instruments except for piano and drum set. Amplifiers provided.
Detailed audition information: Harpur Jazz Ensemble
Email Greg Evans for more information.
HARPUR STUDIO JAZZ BAND – Daniel Miller
Auditions: August 27 from 6:45pm - 9:45pm in FA 24
Students audition by sitting in with the Studio Jazz Band. Students should bring instruments except for piano and drum set. Amplifiers provided.
Detailed audition information: Harpur Studio Jazz Band
Email Dan Miller for more information.
NUKPORFE AFRICAN DRUMMING AND DANCE ENSEMBLE — James Burns
Auditions: Email James Burns to schedule an audition.
ALL OTHER AREAS
Please contact the director of the ensemble you are interested in directly. For more information visit our Ensembles page.
SPRING 2026 AUDITIONS
Students interested in auditions for the spring semester should email professors individually to set up audition times for semester lessons.