Auditions and Chair Placements

All instrumental music majors MUST play the audition materials, regardless of which band you wish to participate in.

Any non-music major who wishes to be placed in Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

Anyone who wishes to play in the Orchestra string section, University Band, and Symphony Band (and is not an instrumental music major).

If you are an instrumental music major, you are required to play the audition materials, regardless of the band you wish to participate in. You DO NOT need to play the chair placement requirements.

We are asking everyone submit a video file by September 5. 

After practicing, record a video of yourself playing the audition or chair placement music. Please include the following information in your video:

• Name
• Instrument
• Secondary Instrument (if you have one)
• Year in school
• Major/Minor
• Ensemble(s) you are auditioning for (or chair placement)

You can simply use your phone to create the video. You may practice and record yourself as many times as you wish, then submit the recording(s) you are most satisfied with.

• How to make a YouTube video
• Send the video link to Matthew Gregg, Director of Bands, at greggm@uwplatt.edu.

If you want to be in multiple ensembles and play different instruments in each of those ensembles, you will need to submit multiple videos (do not put a string chair placement and a Symphony Band tuba chair placement on same video, for example). 

Audition and placement materials for Jazz 1, Pioneer Jazz Orchestra, and Jazz Combo

Thank you for your interest in the Pioneer Jazz Program. We will be holding jazz auditions on Thursday, Sept. 3 from 2-7 p.m. in CFA 109. A jazz audition is required to participate in either of our two big bands (PJO and Jazz I) or in a jazz combo. 

The audition will consist of:

• Two short, prepared excerpts for all instrumentalists (available in the audition placement materials link).
• Sightreading that will be provided at the audition.
• One or two octave major scales in 8th notes ascending to the 9th, and descending to the root.
• Perform the melody to either 'Blues in the Closet' (Oscar Pettiford) or 'Rhythm-A-Ning' (Thelonious Monk). Lead sheets are available in Bb, Eb, C & bass clef in the audition placement materials link.
• Improvisation on either a Bb or F Blues of your choice. Improvisation is optional for Big Band auditions. To be considered for a jazz combo, improvisation is required.

The audition sign up sheet will be located outside of Doudna 176 during the first week of classes. If you have any questions, please email Austin Cebulske at cebulskea@uwplatt.edu.

Audition and placement materials for Symphonic Wind Ensemble

Please find audition material for your instrument below:

• Flute
• Oboe
• Clarinet
• Bass Clarinet
• Bassoon
• Saxophone
• Horn
• Trumpet
• Tenor Trombone
• Bass Trombone
• Euphonium
• Tuba
• Percussion*

* Percussionists

We realize that most of you do not have a set of timpani or any type of mallet instrument in your home! You may certainly record the snare drum portion using a practice pad, and if you happen to have all the instruments you need…go for it. If you do not have all the instruments, here are your options:

1. Ask a band teacher in your city/town if you could have access to use their instruments and make the video.
2. Wait until you get to campus and get access to the instruments there and make the video.
3. Do a live audition (details on how to do this will be communicated later).

For questions, please contact Matt Gregg at greggm@uwplatt.edu.

Audition and placement materials for University Band and Symphony Band

Please find placement material for your instrument below:

• Bass Clef
• Percussion
• Treble Clef winds B♭
• Treble Clef winds C
• Treble Clef winds F
• Treble Clef winds E♭

For questions, please contact Aaron Cooley at cooleyaa@uwplatt.edu.

All string players participating in the Symphony Orchestra must complete chair placement auditions. Violin players wishing to serve as concertmaster must also complete the concertmaster audition. These excerpts should be recorded and submitted as a YouTube video no later than Friday, September 4. For those interested in performing a live audition, a sign-up sheet will be posted during the first week of classes. Please contact Aaron Cooley (cooleyaa@uwplatt.edu) with any questions.

Please find placement audition excerpts for your instrument below:

• Concertmaster 
• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Bass