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Ensemble Audition Information

Ensemble Auditions 2025-26

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for a vocal or instrumental musical ensemble in the Institute of Music!
 
Below you will find each ensemble's Audition Instructions and Materials. Click on each to access information.
 
Looking to audition and apply to the Institute of Music? Click here. 

Additional Information

Audition Sign-up Link for Chamber Singers and Vox Animae:
https://calendar.app.google/xxUGHij6N2fxyT359

Please sign up for a time to audition for Chamber Singers or Vox Animae (August 18 or 19).

Arrive about 5 min early to fill out a form that you will find in front of my office (GCPA 0112).

To audition, please prepare 30-60 seconds from a piece of your choice that you think best represents your voice. You will perform this piece unaccompanied. It may be of any style or genre. I will then lead you through brief vocal warm-ups, ear training and sight-reading exercises.

All singers are welcome to sing in the Festival Choir on Tuesday nights at 7:00pm, starting August 26th – no audition is required, just come!

Looking forward to hearing you sing!

-Dr. Black
bryonblack@depauw.edu

Follow the Audition Process stated below as you prepare your music.

All instruments:

Improvisation is required for Jazz Combos:

 1.) Choose a piece from this list and use either the link for accompaniment or you may elect to have live piano accompaniment provided.

2.) Choose something else to improvise on that you like to play. General suggestions are pieces that come from the repertoire of standard songs known as the Great American Songbook, or a piece that has been recorded by a well-known jazz artist. Please bring a lead sheet for the panel during your audition. You can choose to bring your own accompaniment (YouTube link or other recorded accompaniment) or play with a pianist we provide.

3.) Sign up to audition here.

For incoming First-Year and transferring students, you are invited to audition to make the University Orchestra your "home" ensemble. Follow the Audition Process stated below as you prepare your music.

Auditions for 2025-26 are divided into different groupings of students:

Sign up to audition here. Audition materials can be found here. In those Orchestra materials, if there are multiple passages for your instrument, you are responsible for all of the passages and will be expected to play them all at the audition. 

Contact Professor Orcenith Smith (osmith@depauw.edu) with any questions.

Welcome to DePauw!!!

If you are planning to audition to make the University Band your "home" ensemble (each DePauw musician will have a "home" ensemble within our Rotation system), download your respective instrument's packet of music from the University Band Audition Materials folder. Instructions and music to be prepared are included in each .pdf.

Sign up to audition here.

Any questions? Contact Professor Craig Paré, Director of University Bands

MUS 181 Symphonic Band  T-TH   4:00-5:30pm   .25 credit

The Symphonic Band (our non-auditioned wind band) provides playing experiences for College of Liberal Arts and Sciences majors with previous woodwind, brass, or percussion experience, and Institute of Music majors who want to improve their technique and skills on secondary woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. The mission of the Symphonic Band is to create maximum enjoyment with limited performance demands for students who wish to continue to perform in a large ensemble as part of their collegiate educational experience.  Auditions are not required for participation. All you need to do is add MUS 181 Symphonic Band to your Fall course schedule.

NOTE: Participating in either the Symphonic Band or University Band will also allow students to satisfy a CLAS distribution requirement in Arts and Humanities.

NOTE: Adding a musical ensemble to your schedule will NOT add to an overload for the semester. Credit appears on your transcript, but is not added to your credit load for that semester's registration.

Join the Tiger Pep Band! 

No audition needed – just bring your energy and your instrument!

Looking for a fun, spirited way to get involved on campus? The Pep Band is calling your name! Whether you've been playing for years or are just dusting off your old instrument, all skill levels and majors are welcome – we're all about the vibes, not the pressure.

Here are just a few of the many benefits of joining the Pep Band:

  • Free swag
  • Provided food at events
  • Travel to exciting, nationally televised games like The Monon Bell Classic
  • Instant community and lifelong friendships
  • An inclusive, welcoming space where you can truly be yourself
  • Great leadership opportunities to boost your resume
  • Mentorship from skilled and established professional alumni

We’re loud, proud, and full of energy – and we want YOU to be part of the sound that shakes the stands! Come be a part of the tradition, the hype, and the memories. 

This is your backstage pass to the most spirited squad on campus.

Ready to make noise?

Come find us at club fair during the first week of classes or reach out at williamrabun@depauw.edu, samairasnow_2026@depauw.edu, or lauraallen_2026@depauw.edu!

Follow us on Instagram!

Large Instrumental Ensemble

(University Band, University Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble)

This year, the Institute of Music Large Instrumental Ensembles will feature a rotational system, with the primary goal of creating a cross-ensemble experience for all instrumental students.

Note: Symphonic Band, our curricular, non-auditioned band, is not included in this rotational system. 

Rotational System Overview:

  • Every three weeks, one major ensemble (University Orchestra, University Band, Jazz Ensemble) will be designated the primary ensemble. Student musicians will be rotated into that ensemble to rehearse then perform with that group.
  • All woodwind, brass, percussion, harp and keyboard students are encouraged to audition for the rotational pool of musicians from which the rotation is selected. String players will be considered for the rotation when appropriate.
  • Instrumentation and number of musicians needed will be determined by the requirements of the repertoire to be studied and performed.
  • The primary ensemble will rehearse three days per week (M, W, F) from 4:00-5:30 pm, then present a performance at the end of the rotation.
  • Strings will continue to rehearse for other events even when not in primary ensemble rotation. This will then maintain their allotted hours for the semester's activity. 

Auditions:

Returning woodwind, brass, percussion, harp, and keyboard students (in the Institute of Music and CLA) do NOT audition for placement. Returning string students DO need to audition for Prof. Smith.

Auditions for First-Year woodwind, brass, percussion, harp and keyboard students that must participate in large instrumental ensembles (music majors and CLA Honor Performance Award participants) will be held together the Monday (August 18) before school begins during Orientation activities.  Each musician should select a “home” ensemble's audition repertoire from which to audition and indicate that "home" ensemble on the audition sign-up page (found further down on this page).  All major instrumental ensemble directors, Craig Paré (Bands), Steven Snyder (Jazz Ensemble) and Orcenith Smith (Orchestra) will sit on a panel to hear all students auditioning.

All string players (regardless of year in school) will audition for Professor Smith before school begins and should contact him at osmith@depauw.edu.

Audition registration for woodwind, brass, percussion, harp, and keyboard is here.

Audition Process:

  • Select ONE of the three large ensembles you will audition for as your “home” ensemble. Download and prepare that ensemble’s packet of excerpts.
  • Sight-reading will be a part of the audition.  

Credit for Ensembles: A message will be sent to students who audition about how to register for the course after the auditions take place.