Choirs, Orchestra, & Bands

All School of Music ensembles are open to all university students by audition. All ensembles are registered courses for which grades are given and tuition is paid. Auditions occur just prior to the beginning of the semester. Music is provided for instrumental musicians. Vocalists must prepare one piece from memory.

To schedule a non-major ensemble audition or for more information, please contact:

• Band Office - (309) 438-2166
• Director of Choral Activities - (309) 438-2012
• Director of Orchestras - (309) 438-2540

Music Classes

Piano, guitar and voice lessons are open to all majors, as are choirs, orchestra and bands! Classes in black music, history of jazz and world arts in music can be taken to fulfill general education requirements!

Auditions

A performance audition is required for admission to a music major or minor.

How to be an Undergraduate Music Major or Minor

Apply to the University! On the University application you will be asked to choose your audition date. Current students can reserve their audition using My.IllinoisState.

• September 25, 2021 (for spring 2022 only)
• December 4, 2021
• January 15, 2022
• January 21, 2022
• January 22, 2022
• February 4, 2022
• February 5, 2022
• March 26, 2022 (not for scholarship consideration)
• If you live outside of Illinois, you may provide a recorded audition.

Review ‘Suggested Repertoire’ for your specific instrument (listed on the individual studio pages) to prepare for your audition.

Once your audition date has been confirmed by the School of Music, you will be asked to upload additional material which includes:

• letter of recommendation
• a music resume
• your audition music for the accompanist (for vocalists only)
• your recorded audition (for applicants living outside Illinois)
• signed Transfer Acknowledgement Form (for transfer students transferring from a 4-year institution only)

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Spring 2022 Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Unified Ensemble Auditions

Unified Auditions

Students auditioning in Woodwind, Brass, Percussion Unified Ensemble Auditions will be considered for all major ensembles: Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, and Symphony Orchestra. All students regardless of major are welcome to audition for all major ensembles. All students participating in Unified Ensemble Auditions are required to prepare all provided excerpts. Music majors are required to participate in the Unified Ensemble Auditions.

Major Ensembles Covered in Unified Auditions

Symphony Orchestra: T/Th; 4-5:50 p.m. (3 concerts); MUS 182A02/282A02/482A02

Wind Symphony: M/W/F; noon-1:50 p.m. (3 concerts); MUS 181A05/281A05/481A05

Symphonic Winds: M/W/F; 4-5:50 p.m. (3 concerts); MUS 181A06/281A06/481A06

Symphonic Band: T/Th; 4-5:50 p.m. (2 concerts); MUS 181A07/281A07/481A07

 

Symphonic Band Only

Symphonic Band Only Auditions are open to students who are not music majors and wish to be considered only for Symphonic Band. Students participating in Symphonic Band Only Auditions will prepare SELECT excerpts as indicated in the Audition Packet. These auditions will happen at the same time as Unified Auditions. Music majors and percussionists are not permitted to use this audition option.

University Band

Students who wish to perform only in the University Band should register for the course as auditions are not required for participation in that ensemble. Further instructions will be emailed to all those enrolled in the course.  University Band: W; 7-9:50 p.m. (1 concert); MUS 181A03/281A03/481A03

Audition Electronic Submission Instructions

1. Download and prepare the Audition Music which will be available NO LATER THAN December 15.  Audition music will be available on the School of Music website or via this link: Spring 2022 Ensemble Audition Packets LINK (accessible via ILSTU email only). Updates to Audition Music - January 3, 2022 (If none listed, then no change)  Flute: Unified Auditions perform ONLY excerpt 1 (Brahms) and excerpt 3 (Prokofiev).   Trumpet: Unified Auditions perform ONLY excerpt 2 (Mahler) and excerpt 3 (Vaughan Williams)
2. Register for the ensemble that you believe is your most likely ensemble placement. Should you be placed in a different ensemble, you can change this later. If you are unsure of what class in which to enroll, you can contact your academic advisor, Dr. Marinello, and/or your applied faculty member for guidance.
3. Record all required excerpts on a single video and upload to YouTube as an UNLISTED video.
   1. 1. The video is a SINGLE TAKE that includes all necessary excerpts. Editing or splicing videos is not permitted.
      2. We recommend that students use an external USB microphone. If you are not comfortable with this equipment, then you may use your device or computer to record using the internal microphone.
      3. Upload your video to YouTube as an UNLISTED video. YouTube uploading instructions can be found at this LINK.
4. Submit the link to your UNLISTED YouTube video in the Ensemble Audition Submission Survey NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JANUARY 7 AT 5:00 PM.

Ensemble Audition Submission Survey 

University Band and Pep Band members should NOT complete the survey.

Please contact Dr. Marinello with any issues or questions.

www.bands.illinoisstate.edu

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Spring 2022 Jazz Ensemble Auditions

All students interested in playing in one of the two Jazz Ensembles (big bands) or various jazz combos this spring must audition for placement. All Illinois State University students regardless of major are eligible to audition. Previous experience with improvisation is not a requirement for participation. Sign-up sheets for auditions will be posted on the bulletin board outside of the audition location (Dr. Marko’s office: Centennial East room 12 in the basement.)

Auditions:

When:                Wednesday, December 1:  2 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

    Thursday, December 2:  2 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

     Friday, December 3:  1 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Where:              Centennial East room 12 (Dr. Marko’s office in the basement)

What:                 Follow the link to download audition requirements and prepared music.  

Please consider the jazz ensemble rehearsal times when planning your course schedule:

• Jazz Ensemble I (top group) meets T/Th noon-1:50 p.m. (MUS 139A70 section 1)
• Jazz Ensemble II meets M/W/F 2-2:50 p.m. (MUS 139A70 section 2)
• Combos generally meet Tu/Th 11-11:50 a.m. or Tu/Th 2-2:50 p.m.

 

Download Audition Materials

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Spring 2022 ISU Symphony String Auditions

Video submissions due by Tuesday, January 11 at 5 p.m.

Spring Audition Letter

Please follow these guidelines for video submissions of the ISU Symphony string auditions no later than Tuesday, January 11 at 5:00 PM.

Record only two excerpts, one each from the first and last movements of the Dvorak SYMPHONY NO. 9 and upload to YouTube as an UNLISTED video.

1. The video is a SINGLE TAKE that includes all necessary excerpts. Editing or splicing videos is not permitted.
2. It is recommend that students use an external USB microphone. If you are not comfortable with this equipment, then you may use your device or computer to record using the internal microphone.
3. Upload your video to YouTube as an UNLISTED video. YouTube uploading instructions.

Download Audition Materials

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Fall 2021 Choral Ensemble Placement Auditions

Returning and transferring students with voice as their primary instrument are expected to submit an ensemble placement audition, comprised of two brief audio-only recordings. Students new to college begin auditions spring semester, and do not need to submit audition recordings at this time. The audition recording components:

1. Sing the standard version of Happy Birthday, unaccompanied, in your preferred key.
   
   
2. Sing the assigned 8-measure excerpt from  O ORIENS  (in your preferred clef), unaccompanied. If possible, use solfege syllables; otherwise  la, la, la  or any neutral syllable will suffice. Submit your recording by August 15 via the available links or by emailing Dr. Carlson. If there is divisi sing the upper part.

• • Sopranos: beginning to m. 19
  • Altos: m. 11-26
  • Tenors: m. 20-39
  • Baritone/Bass: m. 6-25

Other Audition Information

Two audio-only files are best submitted as .mp3

Please label files like this: 
(your) LastName Song.mp3 
(your) LastName Excerpt.mp3

Example: 
Carlson Song.mp3 
Carlson Excerpt.mp3

Drop your audio files in the appropriate section beginning August 7:

2021 Altos
2021 Sopranos
2021 Baritone/Bass
2021 Tenors

The Illinois State University choral faculty remain committed to your health, well-being, and continued learning. We will continue to explore choral repertoire of all styles. We know that all members of the choral family will continue to be empathetic, flexible, and understanding to our evolving circumstances.

Direct all inquiries to Karyl Carlson, director of Choral Activities.