Ensemble Audition Materials

If you are preparing a solo for audition (expected for anyone in voice lessons or who would like to be considered for advanced ensembles), please choose a composition that shows off the best qualities of your voice. Opera arias are not usually recommended other than those included in 26 Italian Songs and Arias (some of you have 24 Italian Songs and Arias).  We will limit solos to 3 minutes.  Therefore, if your selection is longer, you might choose the best place to begin.

An accompanist will be provided for your choral audition at no charge. Please bring clean and clear copies of your sheet music in a 3-ring binder. All margins must be in view (use 93% reduction for copies). Staples should not be used to affix pages.

If you have any questions, please contact Professor Wooten or Professor Linfors.

Instrumental Ensemble Audition Steps:

• Step 1: Fill out this form by August 9th. All instrumental music majors are expected to audition. https://ithacaedu.formstack.com/forms/ensauditionsfall2025
• Step 2: The audition schedule and materials can be found just below this text. Block out these times in your calendar and prepare these excerpts.
• Step 3: Audition times will be assigned to you within the block of time reserved for your instrument. This is a change from the past; students will no longer sign up for times. You will receive your time sometime the week of the auditions themselves (week of August 18-21)
• Step 4: Report to your audition location before your scheduled time and confirm your name with your “alias” (Letter A, Letter B, etc.). Do not speak once in the audition space. The auditions will be ‘blind.’ The adjudicators scoring your audition and placing individuals in ensembles will be the applied teachers and ensemble conductors. Your identity will not be known. Although you will be behind a screen, we recommend professional attire. The audition process itself is an educational endeavor in addition to being an ensemble placement, and the goal is to mimic future opportunities you might have in a similar format.

excerpts:

• Bassoon
• Cello
• Clarinet
• Double Bass
• Euphonium
• Flute
• Horn
• Oboe
• Percussion
• Saxophone
• Trombone - Bass
• Trombone - Tenor
• Trumpet
• Tuba
• Viola
• Violin

Schedule:

• Bassoon: August 24, 4:30-6:00pm, Hockett
• Cello: August 23, 4:00-6:00pm, Nabenhauer
• Clarinet:
  • Prelims: August 23, 4:00-7:00pm, Presser
  • Callbacks: August 24, 2:30-4:30pm, Ford
• Double Bass: August 23, 6:30-8:15pm, Nabenhauer
• Euphonium and Tuba: August 23, 4:30-6:00pm, Hockett
• Flute:
  • Prelims : August 23, 4:00-6:30pm, Beeler
  • Callbacks: August 24, 5:00-6:30pm, Ford
• Horn: August 24, 12:00-2:00pm, Ford
• Oboe: August 23 – 6:30-7:30pm, Ford
• Percussion: August 23, 4:00-7:30pm, IRR
• Saxophone: August 24, 12:00-4:00pm, Hockett
• Trombone: August 23, 6:00-8:15pm, Hockett
• Trumpet: August 23, 4:00-6:00pm, Ford
• Viola: August 24, 12:00-2:00pm, Nabenhauer
• Violin: August 24, 3:30-7:30pm, Nabenhauer

If you have questions, email all three of the following: Dr. Cook (dcook1@ithaca.edu), Dr. Kwok (hkwok@ithaca.edu) and Prof. Rochford (brochford@ithaca.edu), as we are collaborating on the administration of this new workflow.

If you wish to audition for Jazz Vocal Ensemble, please refer to the Vocal Jazz webpage for specific directions. Select Music Ensembles from column at left, then choose Vocal Jazz, then choose Auditions. Or use this link:

https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/school-music-theatre-and-dance/student-resources/music-students/music-ensembles/vocal-jazz

In a nutshell:

• You must successfully audition to join the group and register for the course;
• You must sing the assigned prepared excerpts;
• You must sing the “one hour sightreading prep” excerpt to be picked up one hour before your audition;
• You must sing one-octave chromatic and whole-tone scales ascending and descending;
• You must sing a short solo piece (does not have to be jazz); you can ignore this requirement IF you’ve been a member of JVE previously.

Refer to the Vocal Jazz Ensemble webpage for more detailed directions.

If you have any questions, please contact Professor White at jwhite@ithaca.edu. 
 

2025-26 instrumental jazz ensemble auditions will be live, in person. The live auditions will be held on Sunday, August 24 (confirmation of this date and times still TBD). To be fair to all, auditions will be done “blind”, behind a screen, so that the ensemble directors will not know who is playing. Be sure not to speak to the directors to maintain anonymity.

For instructions, see our website.

If you have any questions, contact jazz director Mike Titlebaum at mtitlebaum@ithaca.edu.