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ORCHETRAL AUDITIONS

Information

Back to All Ensembles

Auditions for the BYU orchestras, as well as all auditioned ensembles in the School of Music, are administered by the private studio teachers for each instrument. In other words, trumpet players audition for the trumpet teacher, Dr. Seretta Hart, clarinets for the clarinet teacher, Professor Jaren Hinckley, etc. Auditions are the first day or two of classes, and each of the studio instructors will have sign-up sheets on their doors. If you need help finding the right studio instructor for your instrument, please check with the secretaries in C-550 HFAC.

After the auditions are complete, ensemble placement will be posted in order for rehearsals to begin the second week of school. The only exceptions to this procedure are the University Orchestra and the University String Orchestra, which are non-audition ensembles in which participation is determined through regular online registration. If you are unable to register because the section for your instrument is full, attend the first scheduled class to see if there is space for you to be added.

  • Updated for Fall 2022

    Music Majors-Audition Information

    • All majors are required to take this audition.
    • Please prepare a 3-5 minute excerpt of a movement of a solo piece of your choice that shows off your best qualities as a musician and violinist.
    • If you are a music major please also prepare the following excerpts:

    Download PDF

    Beethoven Symphony no. 9 (violin I part) you can find this on

    1 Mvt 2 – mm 21 to letter B. The bowing in mm 21 and mm 57 is down-down-up, then starting at mm 58 it’s down-up-up.

    2 Mvt 3 – Stesso tempo, mm 99–113

    • To sign up for a time please watch for the sign up sheet posted outside of room E-543 in the HFAC not before August 22, 2022.

    Non Music Majors or Music Minors-Audition Information

    • Please prepare a 3 minute excerpt of a movement of a solo piece of your choice that shows off your best qualities as a musician and violinist.
    • To sign up for a time please watch for the sign up sheet posted outside of room E-543 in the HFAC not before August 22, 2022.

  • Updated for Fall 2022
    Auditions for BYU Philharmonic and BYU Symphony Fall 2022 need to be submitted to me as private YouTube recordings. I would like them to be all one recording, to happen in one sitting, just like an in-person audition would be. I want it to all be one link. They are due Tuesday, August 30, 11pm (or earlier). Please send them to claudine_bigelow@byu.edu

    Students: Please prepare and record the following for your auditions.  

    • Two contrasting standard orchestral excerpts (such as the first page of the Mendelssohn Scherzo and the first page of Don Juan)  
    • Two contrasting viola pieces from your repertoire (such as the first page from a concerto and the first page of a sonata or a Bach Suite)  

    I will watch your submissions and have the seating assignments on my office door posted by Wednesday, August 31 at 1 pm.  

  • Updated for Fall 2022

    Auditions

    Video Recorded Auditions(Through YouTube) Due Monday, August 29, 2022 No Live Auditions

    • This audition is open to any current BYU student.
    • All majors are required to take this audition.

    What to Expect

    For music majors auditioning for the BYU Symphony and Philharmonic:

    1. Upload video to YouTube. Email the like to michelle_kesler@byu.edu.
    2. Begin your video recording by stating your email address, your full name, your major (Performance, Education, Composition, Commercial Music, Bachelor of Arts), your year (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate Student), and your course number (260R, 360R, 460R, 660R)
    3. Try to film yourself from approximately the waist up, with the top of your head near the top of the frame.
    4. Don’t stand too close to your recording device (phone, computer, tablet, external microphone) as the sound may be garbled.

    For Philharmonic Audition:

    • TBD

    For BYU Symphony:

    • Play THREE MINUTES of a solo piece of your choice that you feel best represents your playing.

    FYI


    This is the cello audition for the entire year, not just for the current semester, although sometimes there are openings for winter semester.

    If you would like to get more information about the BYU Cello Studio, please contact Professor Kesler:
    E-539 HFAC
    801-422-6353
    michelle_kesler@byu.edu

  • Auditions will be held during the first two days of the semester. Outside of Prof. Hansen’s office (E378) there will be a sign-up sheet posted to select a time to audition. Prepare 3-4 minutes of repertoire that shows off your technical skill to its highest. Excerpts for the sight-reading will be provided.

  • Updated for Fall 2022
    Percussion materials and instructions can be found here. Contact Dr. Matt Coleman at matt_coleman@byu.edu if you have additional questions.
    Signup for Auditions Here