Large Instrumental Ensemble Auditions

• Students (of any major) who are enrolled in studio/private lessons with performance faculty or TAs.
• All undergraduate and graduate Music majors.
  • Graduate Teaching Assistants or Project/Program Assistants may be asked, with consultation between ensemble directors and studio teachers, to be assigned to more than one ensemble.
  • Undergraduate and graduate performance majors are strongly encouraged to participate in more than one ensemble to gain more playing opportunities and repertoire experience.
• Any non-music major interested in playing in the Symphony Orchestra or Wind Ensemble.

• It’s important to choose a solo that best represents your playing ability.
• Contact the faculty area-head for your studio for help with excerpts and audition support.
• It is strongly encouraged that you find recordings of the excerpts, and double check tempos, meter, interpretation, etc.
• Flute students who wish to be considered for Piccolo assignments may bring an additional excerpt/etude of their choice to the audition.

• Strings
  • A 3-minute solo of their choice
  • All the provided audition excerpts for your instruments.
  • A sight-reading except
• Woodwinds & Brass
  • A solo/etude excerpt (chosen by student)- no longer than 3 minutes in duration
  • All provided audition excerpts
• Percussion
  • Minimum: 3 of the provided excerpts, inclusive of one pitched and one non-pitched excerpt
  • To be considered for Wind Ensemble/Symphony Orchestra, prepare all excerpts
  • No additional solo/etude is required

Ensemble assignments will be posted throughout the Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts during the evening of Tuesday, September 2.

No. The fall audition should determine your ensemble assignment(s) for the academic year.

However, additional auditions for the spring semester may be held, in consultation between ensemble and studio faculty.

Rehearsal for all large ensembles are held in the Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts, Room 280. Please check the UWM Course Catalog for up-to-date course information. Ensemble and course meeting times will be the same for the Fall and Spring semesters.

Students must hold all ensemble meeting times open in their course schedule until ensemble assignments have been determined. After which, you must register for the appropriate ensemble course number below:

• Symphony Band (MUS 40/340/740): M/W/F, 4–5:15 p.m.
  • First rehearsal: Wednesday, September 3. Folder pick up will be available the prior evening.
• Symphony Orchestra (MUS 182/382/782): T/Th 1–3:45 p.m.
  • First rehearsal: Thursday, September 4. Folder pick up will be available the prior evening.
  • Full orchestral rehearsals: Concert days from 1:30–3:45 p.m.
• Wind Ensemble (MUS 42/342/789): M/W/F, 2–3:50 p.m.
  • First rehearsal: Wednesday, September 3. Folder pick up will be available the prior evening.