Ensemble Auditions

Owned by Hannah Hein
Last updated: Aug 21, 2024 by Bryan Watson
5 min read


Wind auditions for both Syracuse University Wind Ensemble and Syracuse University Symphony Orchestra will take place the first day of classes, Monday, August 26, 2024 in Setnor Auditorium (it is a single audition for both ensembles). String auditions for Orchestra will take place the same day in room 405A. Required audition material for each instrument are posted on the ensemble audition page of the site. To sign up for an audition, use the following links:

Wind Ensemble Audition Sign-up Sheet

Orchestra (Strings) Audition Sign-up Sheet

For questions about wind auditions, please contact Dr. Bradley Ethington, Director of Bands (bpething@syr.edu). If you are a percussionist, please contact Professor Michael Bull (mwbull@syr.edu) to arrange an audition. Auditions for wind instruments include the required excerpts available below. Symphony Orchestra auditions for string players are a 2-3 octave scale of the student's choice, a 3-5 minute prepared solo or etude of the student’s choice, and prepared excerpts for your instrument.

  • Wind Ensemble meets MWF 12:45–2:05 p.m.
    Please contact Dr. Bradley P. Ethington for more information. See the excerpts for your instrument to prepare below.
  • Orchestra meets MWF 3:45 -5:05 p.m.
    Please contact Dr. James Tapia for more information. The orchestra auditions for string players are a 2-3 octave scale of the student's choice, a 3-5 minute prepared solo or etude of the student’s choice, and prepared excerpts for your instrument, below:


BASSOON: Bassoon 2024

CLARINET: Clarinet 2024

EUPHONIUM: Euphonium 2024

FLUTE: Flute 2024

FRENCH HORN: Horn 2024

OBOE: Oboe 2024

SAXOPHONE: Saxophone 2024

TRUMPET: Trumpet 2024

TROMBONE: Tenor Trombone 2024; Bass Trombone 2024

TUBA: Tuba 2024

VIOLIN: Violin 2024

VIOLA: Viola 2024

CELLO: Cello 2024

BASS: Bass 2024


CHORAL ENSEMBLES

Auditions for select choirs and voice screening for placement for all other choirs will take place Sunday, Aug. 25, through Tuesday, Aug. 27. For more information, visit for information. Setnor's select choirs include Hendricks Chapel Choir, Oratorio Society, and University Singers.

No preparation is necessary. The audition consists of vocalization (listening to your tone and determining your vocal range), tonal memory exercises, and sight-singing. There will also be time at the audition to answer any questions you may have about the different choirs we offer.  For any questions, please email cusechoirs@gmail.com.

  • Concert Choir meets TTH 3:30-4:50 p.m.
  • University Singers meets MWF 2:15-3:35 p.m.
  • Hendricks Chapel Choir meets TH 7-9:15 p.m.
  • Oratorio Society meets M 7-9:30 p.m.


CHAMBER ENSEMBLES

Auditions for chamber ensembles, when needed, are arranged directly with the faculty member conducting the ensemble:

  • Opera Workshop meets MWF 3:45-5:05 p.m. Students who are not music majors should plan to arrange for a brief audition - an aria or song of your choice should be presented; pianist will be provided. For more information, contact Professor Janet Brown.
  • SU’s Brazilian Ensemble, Samba Laranja, meets TTH 5-6:20 p.m. For more information, contact Professor Josh Dekaney.
  • Contemporary Performance Lab meets in the fall semester MWF 11:40 a.m.-12:35 p.m. and is open to all music majors without audition. The ensemble divides into multiple mixed chamber groups to utilize all available players and singers, as well as a free improvisation ensemble. Non-music majors who wish to participate should contact Dr. Nic Scherzinger.
  • Guitar Ensemble meets T 12:30-1:50 pm and is open to all music majors without audition. Depending on enrollment, the ensemble may divide into smaller chamber groups to utilize all available players. Non-music majors are encouraged to participate and should contact Dr. Ken Meyer for more information.
  • Percussion Ensemble meets T 12:30-3:15 p.m. Students should be able to play multiple percussion instruments and should contact Professor Michael Bull before registering and for more information.
  • Saxophone Ensemble meets T 5-6:20 p.m. For more information, contact Professor Anne Kunkle.
  • String Chamber Music groups are scheduled at agreed upon times once the groups are formed. For more information on registering for this program, contact Professor Will Knuth.
  • Baroque Ensemble meets in the spring semester, TTH 2-3:20 p.m. and is open to all music majors without audition. Non-music majors must audition. For all non-music majors who wish to participate in Baroque Ensemble, contact Professor Janet Brown.


  • Morton Schiff Jazz Ensemble meets TTH 3:30-4:50 pm (*counts as a large ensemble for JCM students)
  • Orange Unified Vocal Jazz meets MW 3:45-5:05 pm (*counts as a large ensemble for JCM students)
  • JCM Chamber Ensembles meet Sections 1&2 MW 12:45-1:40 pm, Sections 3&4 MW 2:15-3:10 pm, Sections 5&6 MW 3:45-4:40 pm, Section 7 T 12:30-2:20 pm (*counts as a large ensemble for JCM rhythm section students)
  • Orange Juice Jazz Combo meets TBA
  • Jazz Combo (Tangerine Supreme) meets M 11:40 am - 12:35 pm
  • Jazz Funk combo meets F 10:35-11:30 am
  • Rock Band (Citrus Punch) meets F 11:40 am-12:35 pm
  • Jazz Guitar Ensemble meets F 12:45-1:40 pm

Fall 2024 JCM instrumental ensemble auditions are for the following groups:

MORTON SCHIFF JAZZ ENSEMBLE, ORANGE UNIFIED VOCAL JAZZ (rhythm section), JAZZ-FUNK ENSEMBLE, CITRUS PUNCH ROCK ENSEMBLE, ORANGE JUICE JAZZ COMBO, TANGERINE SUPREME, and the JCM CHAMBER ENSEMBLES (which count for your large ensemble if you are a JCM piano, guitar, bass, or drum set student).

Jazz and Commercial Music (JCM) instrumental ensemble auditions will take place on Monday, August 26 and Tuesday August 27 in Shaffer Art Building. Please read the instructions and signup for a time that works for your instrument type in the Google Sheet sign-up document (link below).

• Trumpet, trombone, and saxophone auditions: will be held on Monday 8/26/24 from 12-6 pm in room 202C Shaffer Art Building. Please download the audition music for your instrument from the link found on the sign-up page, then print and prepare all jazz selections to perform, there will also be some jazz sight reading (provided), and improvisation over any of the prepared tunes or the blues in a key of your choice.

• Rhythm section auditions (piano, guitar, bass, drum set): will be held on Tuesday 8/27/24 from 6:30-8:30 pm in room 201 Shaffer Art Building. Please download the audition music for your instrument from the link found on the sign-up page, print and prepare all jazz selections as you will play in group performance with other auditioning students. We are looking for you to demonstrate your abilities to perform the songs’ melody, improvise over the tune, and comp/create a bass line/keep time over the blues/swing/Latin selections. Questions: Please contact Dr. John Coggiola: jccoggio@syr.edu

Access The Google Audition Signup Sheet By Clicking Here.

Fall 2024 JCM vocal ensemble placements are for the following groups:

MORTON SCHIFF JAZZ ENSEMBLE**, ORANGE UNIFIED VOCAL JAZZ**, ORANGE JUICE JAZZ COMBO, JAZZ-FUNK ENSEMBLE, and CITRUS PUNCH ROCK ENSEMBLE. (**These ensembles count for your large ensemble if you are a JCM vocal student).

There will be no auditions for vocal positions in JCM ensembles for the fall 2024 semester. Placements of JCM vocal students (based on spring jury performances or school auditions) will be made by Professor Solivan. JCM students should watch for notification via email for these ensemble placements. Non-JCM vocal music majors and non-music majors interested in being placed in a JCM ensemble should reach out directly to Professor Solivan: msolivan@syr.edu

Questions: Please contact Professor Solivan: msolivan@syr.edu