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Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts

Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion 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 are 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 9 to notify us of your plans to audition for a concert ensemble.

  • Woodwind and Brass Audition Dates

    Auditions are held in Cook Hall 212.

    Friday, January 13, 2023

    • Flute: 10 a.m. to noon with Kim Risinger

    • Oboe: 1-2 p.m. with Jillian Kouzel

    • Bassoon: 2 to 3 p.m. with Midoria Samson
    • Clarinet: 4 to 6 p.m. with David Gresham and Ann Dervin
    • Saxophone: 7 to 9 p.m. with Paul Nolen

    Saturday, January 14, 2023

    • Horn: 10 a.m. to noon with Rachel Hockenberry

    • Percussion: 12:30 to 3 p.m. with David Collier and Ben Stiers, Cook Hall 103
    • Trombone: 3 to 5 p.m. with Mark Babbitt
    • Trumpet: 5 to 7 p.m. with Ann McNamara
    • Tuba: 7 to 8 p.m. with Andy Rummel 
    • Euphonium: 8 to 9 p.m. with Andy Rummel

    •  

  • Percussion Audition Dates

    Auditions are held in Cook Hall 103.

    Students should arrive 30 minutes before their audition block to check-in and sign up for an audition letter with proctor at Cook Hall 212. Students can then use Cook Hall 305 as a warm up/practice room. Students are asked to stay in Cook Hall 305 until they have completed their audition.

 

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.

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

Music Majors and percussionists are not permitted to use this 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, brass, or cymbals. The BRMM Drumline requires auditions for snare drum, tenors, and bass drums.

    Students who wish to be considered for BRMM auxiliary teams, including Redline Express Dance Team, Color Guard, or Twirlers, should contact the instructor associated with their area of interest.

    Redline Express Dance Team: Jessica Waltrip
    Color Guard: Jessi Rogers
    Twirlers: Amanda Heyden

    Fill out the Online Membership Form no later than July 19 to reserve your spot and be eligible for early move-in to the residence halls. (Requires an active ULID and password.)

    Once you are enrolled in the course, you will receive a welcome packet in your Illinois State email in late July. This packet provides significant details and instruction for the next steps needed to participate. Please read it carefully, and follow the enclosed directions.

  • Pep Band

    Any student who participates in any other Illinois State University Band during the academic year may participate in Pep Band.

  • BRMM Drumline

    Snare, Tenor, and Bass Drums

    Information for Fall 2023 auditions will be released in Spring 2023.

     

  • Basketball Drumline

    Snare, Tenor, and Bass Drums

    Information for Spring 2023 will be available in October 2022.
    Email TJ Mack 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.

If you do not improvise yet or do not have access to any jazz lead sheets, but are interested in playing, please audition anyway! Neither are requirements for being placed in an ensemble.

Contact Dr. Tom Marko with any questions at (309) 438-2541 or tjmarko@IllinoisState.edu.

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. Sign-up sheets for audition times will be posted on the bulletin board outside Dr. Marko's office.

  • Tuesday, December 6, 2022
    11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

  • Wednesday, December 7, 2022
    11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

  • Thursday, December 8, 2022
    11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

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 and Guitar

    • 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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