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Audition Information for Ensembles

UNIVERSITY BAND

Auditions for the University Band will take place on MONDAY, AUGUST 20 for new and transfer students, and on TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 for returning students. A sign-up sheet will be available in the Green Center for Performing Arts outside Room 1116 (Dr. Paré's office); when you arrive on campus in August enter your name and time. Be sure to consult your Orientation Schedule before signing up for an audition time.

The required performance piece can be downloaded here.  Download the piece required for your instrument and prepare the selection for your auditions.  Also, some sight-reading will be required at the audition, which will be selected from the repertoire the University Band will be studying and performing during the 2012-2013 academic year.

You may contact Dr. Pare' at cpare@depauw.edu if you have any questions about suitable repertoire for the audition.


UNIVERSITY CHORUS AND CHAMBER SINGERS

Auditions for the DePauw Choirs (University Chorus and Chamber Singers) will take place on SUNDAY, AUGUST 19 and MONDAY, AUGUST 20 in the Green Center for the Performing Arts. Callbacks for Chamber Singers will take place on TUESDAY, AUGUST 21. All singers should sign up for a time on Sunday or Monday, or contact gregoryristow@depauw.edu to make other arrangements.

All students wishing to be placed in a choral ensemble should prepare one piece of music for the audition. Any style of music is acceptable, but the piece selected should give a good indication of the singer's comfortable range, and ability to sing expressively in both loud and soft dynamics. An accompanist will be provided, and candidates should be sure to provide a copy of any accompaniment. A short sight-reading test will also be given.

Please sign up for a convenient audition slot outside Dr. Gregory Ristow's studio (GCPA 0112) when you arrive on campus. For more details please contact Dr. Ristow at gregoryristow@depauw.edu.


UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE

A sign up sheet for Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo auditions will be placed outside of Room 0170.

New and Transfer Students:  Mon, Aug 20; Room 0170; 10am - 1pm, 3pm - 8pm
Returning Students:  Tues, Aug 21; Room 0170; noon - 7pm

Auditions will mainly consist of sight-reading for the big band, and a head (melody) of choice and 2 choruses of improv for combo placement.  You will be asked to improvise, but it is not required for the big band audition.  You may play a prepared piece in addition if time permits, however, it must be jazz-related. (It can be anything ranging from an improv transcription to last year's ensemble music.)  Brass players will also be required to play a two octave concert Bb scale (not a problem if you cannot complete the 2nd octave) and a chromatic scale over your range.  Callbacks may be used to determine certain spots and will take place Tuesday night and/or during the first rehearsal with the band.  Questions can be emailed to Mr. Foster at dan@danfostermusic.com.

For Anyone Interested In a Combo:  Please sign up for a time outside of Room 0170 and email Mr. Foster (dan@danfostermusic.com) with your information (name, year in school, instrument, and an optional brief summary of past jazz experiences).  Mr. Foster will have some blues and common standard background tracks at the audition; feel free to bring a background track for any specific tune you wish to audition on.


UNIVERSITY ORCHESTRA

First-year student and transfer student auditions for the DePauw University Orchestra take place on MONDAY, AUGUST 20 and then for returning students on TUESDAY, AUGUST 21. A Sign-up sheet for Orchestra auditions will be available when you arrive on campus in the Green Center for Performing Arts outside GCPA 1117 (Orcenith Smith's studio) to enter your name, instrument, and time.

You should prepare music that demonstrates two styles of musical performance:
1) fast, technical playing, and, also
2) slow, expressive playing.

Two different works are preferred. Generally, at least 32 measures of each would be enough, but more is acceptable.

Your audition will also include sight-reading which you will be allowed to practice for a few minutes. For students needing an instrument, University-owned instruments are available for your use. For more audition information, contact Orcenith Smith, Music Director, DePauw University Orchestra (osmith@depauw.edu).