School of Music

-- Where is DePauw University?
DePauw is approximately 35 miles west of the Indianapolis Airport in Greencastle, Indiana. Traveling either on Interstate 70 or Highway 40, head west until Highway 231 north. Go North into Greencastle.

-- In what kind of academic environment are the DePauw University Orchestras?
DePauw University is a highly rated liberal arts institution with a School of Music. The School of Music is housed in the Judson and Joyce Green Center for the Performing Arts; its three auditoriums are Kresge Auditorium (1500 seats), Moore Theatre (400 seats), and Thompson Recital Hall (230 seats). The size of the student body at the University is always between 2100-2300 students. The School of Music will have up to a 150 majors, but over 600 students a semester participate in Music-related activities, including major ensembles, lessons and classroom activities.

-- Who is eligible to join the DePauw Orchestras?
All students at DePauw may audition for the Orchestras.

-- Are there scholarships available?
Yes, for both Music Majors and Liberal Arts students. Auditions for those scholarships must occur during your senior year of high school as a part of the admission process to DePauw. See the main webpage under Prospective Students or contact: admission@depauw.edu.

-- What is the Orchestra selection process?
The DePauw University Symphony Orchestra has no limit on the number of players it might accept since there is a rotation process to accommodate multiple players in most sections. However, there is probably a workable maximum per section over which it would not be good for the pedagogy of the ensemble or the student’s learning process. Certainly, the best-played auditions will help the player gain entry into the Orchestra. The DePauw Chamber Symphony is chosen from the membership of the larger DePauw Symphony Orchestra for touring every other year.

-- When are auditions?
Auditions for the DePauw Orchestras are held before classes begin in the fall semester during Orientation Week, although students arriving on-campus after that time can still audition. There are second semester auditions for new members, as well, but not current members. The audition will consist of two contrasting works brought to the audition by the player-- a slow lyrical section of music and a fast technical section of music, both demonstrating your best capabilities. You will then be asked to sight-read. You are given sometime to accomplish the sight-reading passages. If you play multiple instruments, you might want to consider auditioning on more than one and sign for several audition times. If you are a Liberal Arts student and you received a scholarship for participation in the Orchestra, you will be initially accepted in your first year; but you must maintain a high playing level throughout your time at DePauw or risk losing that scholarship.

-- Must students re-audition once they are in the Orchestra?
There are no re-auditions for the spring semester once a student has been accepted and enrolled in the fall. But all students in the orchestra must re-audition in the fall of the new school year.

-- If I don’t have an instrument, can I get one to play in the Orchestra?
The DePauw University Orchestra does have instruments that students may use. Contact the Music Director at the below e-mail to inquire.

-- Can I play in orchestra without signing up for it?
It is more usual that people sign-up for it, since there are no monetary restrictions for participation.

-- Can I play a solo with the Orchestra?
Yes, you can, if you are a winner of the Concerto Competition! The DePauw Concerto Competition is held in February each year and the winners perform on a Concert with Orchestra in mid-April. Anyone who is studying an instrument, voice, or piano at DePauw can audition provided they supply the signature of their teacher and an accompanist on the application. There are no restrictions on the number of times that you can win the DePauw Competition.

-- What is the number of concerts that the Orchestra performs each year?
In the first semester the orchestra plays three performances; in the second semester there are four opera performances, a regular full-orchestra concert, a Concerto Competition Winners’ Concert and a final Concert, often with Choirs. During odd-number-year January Winter Terms (2003, etc.), the nucleus of the DePauw Symphony, the DePauw Chamber Symphony forms and plays concert tours. Previous tours have been to Japan, Spain, Italy, France, Austria, The Czech Republic, Great Britain, Canada, the Midwestern, Southeastern and Northeastern, United States.

-- When and where do rehearsals take place?
The Orchestra rehearses in the Judson and Joyce Green Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 4:00-5:30 p.m. An occasional rehearsal will occur outside that timeframe, if special circumstances warrant. Opera Orchestra rehearsals and performances include seven additional evenings in the Spring semester. Orchestra Concerts are in Kresge Auditorium; Opera performances are in Moore Theatre.

For more information, contact:
Orcenith Smith, Conductor
(765) 658-4388
osmith@depauw.edu