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Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts

Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, and Jazz Ensemble Auditions

All students regardless of major are welcome to audition for all major ensembles.

Concert Ensembles

Unified Ensemble Auditions include: Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, and Symphony Orchestra.

Unified and Symphonic Band Only auditions are held at the same times. Students auditioning in Woodwind, Brass, Percussion Unified Ensemble Auditions will be considered for all major ensembles. All students regardless of major are welcome to audition for all major ensembles and must prepare all provided excerpts.

Music majors are required to participate in the Unified Ensemble Auditions.

Email Dr. Marinello with any questions or concerns.

Audition Materials

Required excerpts, lead sheets, and other materials will be available for download with a University login. Excerpts will be available no later than December 15.

Prepare for your audition

Complete the online survey by Monday, January 5, 2026 to notify us of your plans to audition for a concert ensemble.

 

Symphonic Band Only

Students who are not music majors and are looking for a slightly lighter time commitment have the option of auditioning only for the Symphonic Band. Symphonic Band Only auditions are held at the same time as Unified Ensemble auditions.

Woodwind and Brass students participating in Symphonic Band Only auditions will need to prepare excerpts as indicated in the Audition Materials Packet under "SYMPHONIC BAND ONLY."

Percussion students participating in Symphonic Band Only auditions will need to email Dr. Ben Stiers to set up an individual audition. 

Music Majors are not permitted to use the Symphonic Band Only audition option.

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University Band

The University Band is open to all students regardless of major. An audition is not required in order to participate.

Once enrolled in the course, further instructions will be sent to students via University email.

Students who wish to perform in the University Band should register for MUS 181A03/281A03/481A03.

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Athletic Bands

Big Red Marching Machine (BRMM), Pep Band, and ISU Drumlines

Everyone is welcome to participate in an Athletic Band Ensemble! Most students do not need to audition for membership. Participating students are given parts based on skill level. Auditions are required for percussionists and those who wish to be considered for the Redline Express Dance Team, Color Guard, or Twirlers.

Big Red Marching Machine (BRMM)

No auditions are required for woodwind or brass. The BRMM Drumline requires auditions for snare drum, tenors, bass drums, and a video screening for cymbals.

Students who wish to be considered for BRMM auxiliary teams should follow the instructions associated with their area of interest below.

Preseason Instruction Week

Students moving into a residence hall should complete the Residence Hall Move-In Form no later than July 24, 2026. This form provides University Housing with the information needed to allow BRMM students to move into their residence hall on Sunday, August 9, 2026. (Requires an active ULID and password.)

Once you are enrolled in the course, you will receive information via your Illinois State University email. Information will be sent weekly shortly after the July 19 registration deadline. Please check your ISU email closely over the summer.

Color Guard

Interested students should complete the Color Guard Audition Registration Form no later than April 10, 2026 and audition videos are due no later than by 5 p.m. on April 14, 2026. In person auditions are Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Color Guard Coach
Nicole Schneyr
naschn1@IllinoisState.edu 

Drumline

Interested students should complete the Drumline Audition Registration Form no later than April 17, 2026. In person auditions will occur on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3, 2026.

Drumline Instructor
Hannah Fedorchak
hgfedor@IllinoisState.edu

Redline Express Dance Team

Interested students should complete the Redline Express Audition Registration Form. In person auditions will occur on Sunday, April 19, 2026 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Redline Express Dance Team Coach
Jessica Riss-Waltrip
jjriss@IllinoisState.edu

Twirlers

Interested students should complete the Twirler Audition Registration Form by Saturday, March 17, 2026, by 5 p.m.

Twirler Coach
Amanda Heyden
amheyde@gmail.com

  • Pep Band

    Any student who participates in any other Illinois State University Band during the academic year may participate in Pep Band. Email Lauren Bobarsky with questions.

  • BRMM Drumline

    Snare, Tenor, and Bass Drums

    Information for Fall 2026 auditions will be released in Spring 2026. Email Hannah Fedorchak with questions.

     

  • Basketball Drumline

    Snare, Tenor, and Bass Drums

    Information for Spring 2027 will be available in November 2026. Email Hannah Fedorchak with questions.

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Jazz Ensembles

Saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, bass, drums, and vibraphone

Membership is by audition only and is open to all Illinois State University students regardless of major.

Previous experience with improvisation is not a requirement for participation. 

All students interested in participating in a jazz ensemble or combo must audition for placement.

If you are interested but unable to audition during the allotted times, please contact Professor Tom Marko to set up an alternate time as soon as possible.

Audition Materials

Required audition materials, such as lead sheets, excerpts, and chord progressions are available for download with a University login.

Prepare for your audition

Audition Dates

Auditions will be held in Centennial East room 12. (Dr.  Marko's office)

Audition Requirements

Pitch and tone quality, accurate rhythms, and jazz style (articulation, time feel, etc.) will be considered at all auditions.

  • Saxophone, Trumpet, and Trombone

    • Short sight-reading example
    • Prepared excerpt (download)

    Optional:

    • Improvisation outlining the chord progression to Concert F or Bb blues (as indicated on lead sheet available for download)
    • If you wish to perform a prepared piece, a bebop head (melody) such as Au Privave, Billie’s Bounce, or Anthropology is appropriate.

  • Piano, Guitar, and Vibes

    • One or two short sight-reading examples
    • Prepared excerpt (download)
    • Compare two choruses, and play improvised solo for two choruses over blues in F or Bb (please use the chord progression provided for download)

    Optional:

    • Prepared piece: most any jazz standard such as Autumn Leaves, My Romance, Blue Bossa, Body and Soul, etc.

  • Bass

    • One or two short sight-reading examples
    • Walk two choruses over a blues in F or Bb — you may choose key (lead sheet provided)
    • Prepared excerpt (download)

    Optional:

    • Improvisation outlining the chord progression to Concert F or Bb blues (as indicated on lead sheet available for download)
    • Prepared piece: most any jazz standard such as Autumn Leaves, My Romance, Blue Bossa, Body and Soul, etc.

  • Drums

    • Demonstrate the following styles: Medium Swing, Up-tempo Swing, Jazz Waltz, Bossa Nova, Samba, Mambo, funk/rock
    • Trade "Fours" in a medium and up-tempo swing style
    • Short sight-reading example of a big band composition
    • Prepared excerpt (download)

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