ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS
CHOIRS | OPERA | DANCE | INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES | JAZZ ENSEMBLES | JAZZ ARTS OREGON COMBO | HIP-HOP & POPULAR MUSIC ENSEMBLES
CHOIRS
All UO students are welcome in any of our choirs. We have choirs appropriate for all experience levels, from people who have sung in a choir for many years, to people who would like to join a choir for the first time.
Please note that Chamber Choir (M/W 2:00-2:50 & T/TH 12:00-1:20) and University Singers (MWF 11:00-11:50) audition in the fall only, and members commit for the entire year. Repertoire Singers (T/TH 3:00-3:50) will accept new members each term.
Auditions
Auditions will take place in person in room MUS 163 during Week of Welcome.
- Thursday, September 21, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 22, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday, September 24, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
If you are interested in auditioning for choir but are unable to sign up for a Week of Welcome audition, please come to the first day of whichever choir you are interested in joining and we will arrange your audition at that time. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Paul at sjpaul@uoregon.edu.
FIRST DAY OF EACH CHOIR
Chamber Choir: Tuesday, 9/26: 12:00-1:20 PM in Room 163
Repertoire Singers: Tuesday, 9/26: 3:00-3:50 PM in Room 163
University Singers: Wednesday, 9/27: 11:00-11:50 AM in Room 163
What to Prepare
Please have one song prepared – it can be an art song, aria, folk song, or musical theater piece. A pianist will be provided for you. You will also be asked to perform brief exercises that assess your range, aural skills, and music literacy level.
Questions
Dr. Sharon J. Paul at sjpaul@uoregon.edu for questions about Chamber Choir or Repertoire Singers
Dr. Melissa Brunkan at mbrunkan@uoregon.edu for questions about University Singers
If you have general questions about the choirs, please feel free to contact either of us!
OPERA
The University Opera Ensemble is open to all members of the university community by audition only. All SOMD music majors must have their studio teacher's permission to participate.
Productions for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Winter Term 2024
Don Giovanni (February)
Spring Term 2024
TBD
Auditions
Auditions will take place in person in Beall Performance Hall during Week of Welcome
Thursday, September 21, 4:30-6:30 pm
What to Prepare
- Fill out an Audition Information sheet (will be provided at audition).
- Bring a resumé and headshot, if you have one.
- Have two opera arias memorized and ready to offer, one in Italian and one in French (preferred). If you do not have a French aria prepared a second Italian or an English aria is accepted.
Additional Information
- A pianist will be provided
- Please send a pdf of your audition selections that will be shared with the pianist to esquivel@uoregon.edu no later than September 18, 2023.
Questions
Dr. Karen Esquivel at esquivel@uoregon.edu
DANCE
Placement is encouraged for anyone taking UO Dance classes. Students from other majors are welcome.
Placement is required if:
- you would like to start higher than level I in any technique class, or
- you want to move up a level in any technique class, or
- you are auditioning for the BFA.
Auditions for the BFA program will be Friday, September 22, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.
- BFA candidates must also attend placement 10-noon.
- Auditions are not required for BA/BS Dance majors, or Dance minors.
Contact Dana Gorman with any questions.
Audition Day Schedule
9:15 – 9:45 am: Check in at the Dance Department, 161 Gerlinger Annex.
10am-noon: Placement Class includes ballet, contemporary and hip hop.
Be prepared to change easily between:
- soft slippers (no point) or thin cotton socks for ballet;
- bare feet for contemporary;
- and shoes for hip hop (clean for studio).
Noon – 1 pm: Lunch break
-
Only BFA candidates return after lunch.
1:00 – 3pm: BFA Audition
-
BFA candidates will perform a 2-3 min solo representing your strongest or favorite style of dance, followed by an interview with the UO Dance faculty. A studio will be available for dancers to prepare their solo performances as needed.
Fall 23 UO Dance class schedule:
INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES
Open to students from all majors. Personnel for the various orchestras, bands, and wind ensembles will be formed from these auditions. Participation in Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band require in-person auditions. Participation in Campus Band and Campus Orchestra does not require an audition.
Auditions
Ensemble Auditions for select instruments will take place in person in various rooms in the Music Building during Week of Welcome.
Wednesday, September 20: room MUS 190, 1-2:20 pm - Flute
Wednesday, September 20: room MUS 190, 2:30-3:40 pm - Clarinet
Wednesday, September 20: room MUS 190, 3:50-5:00 pm - Horn
Wednesday, September 20: room MUS 190, 5:10-6:45 pm - Percussion
Thursday, September 21: room MUS 190, 1-2:00 pm - Bassoon
Thursday, September 21: room MUS 190, 2-3:00 pm - Oboe
Thursday, September 21: room MUS 190, 3-4:30 pm - Saxophone
Friday, September 22: room MUS 190, 12-1:20 pm - Euphonium & Tuba
Friday, September 22: room MUS 190, 1:30-2:40 pm - Trumpet
Friday, September 22: room MUS 190, 2:50-4:00 pm - Trombone
Saturday, September 23: room MUS 190, 9:00 am-12:00 pm - Cello & Classical Bass
Sunday, September 24: room MUS 190, 12:30-5:00 pm - Violin & Viola
Audition Tips
- Bring everything you need for a successful audition.
- Arrive early (i.e., you may need to fill out some paperwork, check for any last-minute announcements or instructions).
- Please wear professional dress for the audition.
- Before you enter the room, make sure you complete the audition information sheet located outside your audition room.
Questions
Dr. David Jacobs at djacobs@uoregon.edu for Symphony Orchestra and Campus Orchestra
Dr. Dennis Llinas at dllinas@uoregon.edu for Oregon Wind Ensemble
Dr. Jason Silveira at jsilveir@uoregon.edu for Oregon Wind Symphony
Dr. Eric Wiltshire esw@uoregon.edu for Campus Band
JAZZ ENSEMBLES
UO jazz ensembles (Big Bands, Combos, Latin Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Guitar Ensemble) are open to all University of Oregon students (including Part-time and Continuing Education students) by auditon, regardless of major.
Fall Term - Auditions for the UO jazz ensembles are held during Week of Welcome each Fall. A single audition is used to place students in Big Bands, Combos, Latin, and Guitar ensembles. Students auditioning for these ensembles in the Fall term need not re-audition in Winter or Spring terms.
Winter and Spring Term - Prior to the beginning of both Winter and Spring terms, Open Chair Auditions are announced to fill ensemble vacancies. Open Chair Auditions are held the term before the vacancies occur during Dead Week.
Auditions
Auditions will take place in person in room MUS 184 during Week of Welcome.
Wednesday, September 20, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Jazz Saxophone
Wednesday, September 20, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Jazz Piano
Wednesday, September 20, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. Jazz Drum Set
Thursday, September 21, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. Jazz Trombone
Thursday, September 21, 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. Jazz Trumpet
Friday, September 22, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Jazz Bass
Friday, September 22, 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. Jazz Guitar
Follow the link below to access materials needed specifically for each instrumental audition and to sign-up for your individual audition appointment.
If you would like to audition on an instrument/voice not listed above, please contact Paul Krueger at kruegerp@uoregon.edu to arrange an audition.
JAZZ ARTS OREGON COMBO
The JazzArts Oregon Combo is a small group of student musicians representing the University of Oregon’s Jazz Studies Program in concerts throughout the region. Ensemble members are chosen annually in a seperate audition prior to the Fall term of each school year. The group is open to student of any major. Auditions are held in a group format and judged by a faculty panel.
The Herbert T. Merker Scholarship Endowment
A scholarship fund has generously been established by Herb Merker to support the JazzArts Oregon Combo. Herbert T. Merker Jazz Combo Scholarship recipients will comprise the group for the duration of their award year with each receiving a scholarship of approximately $1000 for the academic year.
Auditions
Wednesday, September 20, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Rm 184
Sign up for Auditions hereQuestions
Prof. Paul Krueger at kruegerp@uoregon.edu
HIP-HOP & POPULAR MUSIC ENSEMBLES
Auditions will take place in person in room MUS 173 during Week of Welcome.
Thursday, September 21, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. [singers will audition from 7:00-8:30 pm and must sign up for a time slot; all others will audition from 8:30-10:00 pm]
What to Prepare
- Singers All singing vocalists should have one popular song prepared to sing, accompanied by a backing track or live/solo accompaniment. Choose a song that shows off your best skills as well as your stylistic tastes. Because singers in these groups must know how to work with a live band, acapella auditions will not be accepted.
- Instrumentalists and DJs: All instrumentalists and DJs should learn the following two songs for the audition:
Instrumentalists should learn their parts as played on the recordings. If their instrument isn’t on the recording, they should contribute by approximating some musical aspect of the recorded arrangement (sax might play the flute part from “Ain’t No Love,” e.g.). In addition to the two prepared songs, one or more short chord progressions will be taught to instrumentalists by ear in the audition, and instrumentalists will play them back with an assigned groove/style. If you are unable to learn one or both of the assigned songs above, we still want to hear you audition, so please come and at least participate in this ear-learning activity.
- MCs: MCs should rap at least the first verse from “Ain’t No Love” (see link above). In addition, MCs should prepare at least one 16-bar verse, or two 8-bar verses, of their own creation that it’s possible to perform over one of the songs the instrumentalists must prepare (see above).
Popular Music FAQs
Q: I don’t freestyle/improvise/harmonize/I’ve never played in a band before, should I still audition?
A: Yes! These auditions are just to see where you are at right now.
Q: I don’t like hip hop but I like metal/indie/R&B/ska can I audition?
A: Yes! This audition is for several popular music ensembles. One group does focus on mainly hip hop, and the others are created based on the styles and personalities of other musicians that audition. The more people that audition and want to play a certain style, the more likely we are to be able to put that kind of band together.
Questions
Instructor Sean Peterson at peterso9@uoregon.edu
Program Director Toby Koenigsberg at tobyk@uoregon.edu
STUDIO PLACEMENT AUDITIONS
Studio assignment placement auditions are required for all incoming students in percussion, piano, voice, and guitar who are planning to register for applied lessons (MUP 165 and above). Admitted incoming music students who did not complete an audition previously must audition during Week of Welcome. Click the area below for their specific audition details.
BRASS | PERCUSSION | PIANO | STRINGS | VOICE | WOODWINDS | STUDIO GUITAR
BRASS
Auditions are required for non-music majors who wish to register for applied lessons (horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, euphonium).
Auditions will take place in person in room MUS 178 during Week of Welcome.
- Friday, September 22, 12:00-1:00 pm
Please contact Dr. Miki Sasaki to request an audition.
PERCUSSION
Auditions required for all new & returning students
Studio placement auditions will coincide with ensemble auditions and will take place in person in room MUS 173 during Week of Welcome.
- Wednesday, September 20, 5:10-6:45 pm in Room 190
PIANO
Auditions will take place in person in Beall Hall during Week of Welcome.
- Thursday, September 21, 12:00-3:00 pm
For details about what to prepare, or general questions, please contact Dr. Alexandre Dossin.
STRINGS: VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO AND DOUBLE BASS
Please contact Dr. Leslie Straka to request an audition.
VOICE: ADMITTED MAJORS
Auditions required for BMME Choral, BM Voice, BA/BS Applied Study: Voice, MM Voice, MM Choral Conducting, DMA Voice
Auditions will take place in person in Beall Hall during Week of Welcome.
- Friday, September 22, 12:00 - 3:00 pm
Please plan to present one (1) selection. It can be one of the pieces you sang for your SOMD audition, or something new. Here are some general guidelines:
UNDERGRADUATE: A classical piece in English, Italian, French, Spanish or German.
GRADUATE: An art song (Lied, mélodie, etc.), or an aria from an opera or oratorio.
Memorization is required, except for selections from the oratorio repertoire. An accompanist will be provided.
For questions, please contact Dr. Craig Phillips.
WOODWINDS (NON-SAX)
Auditions are required for non-music majors who wish to register for applied lessons (clarinet, flute, oboe, saxophone)
Auditions will take place in person in room MUS 178 during Week of Welcome.
- Friday, September 22, 1:30-2:30 pm
Please contact Dr. Sean Fredenburg to request an audition.
STUDIO GUITAR
Auditions are required for Popular Music majors who wish to register for applied lessons in studio guitar.
Auditions will take place in person in room MUS 150 during Week of Welcome.
- Friday, September 22, 3:30-6:00 pm
For details about what to prepare, contact instructor Avery Scanlon ascanlo2@uoregon.edu.