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Fall Quarter Ensemble auditions underway

Submitted by Humanities Web Project on September 16, 2013 - 12:00am
Image of student brass musician

You don't have to be a music major to join one of the School of Music's performance ensembles. Membership in all groups is open to all UW students regardless of major. So make time to play…in a band, an orchestra, a jazz or chamber ensemble, or sing in one of our choirs, and earn VPLA credits toward your degree.

Can I play without an audition? Yes! Several of our band and choral ensembles are open to all performers. Just show up to the first day of class. Follow the links below to find detailed information about each area of performance.


Orchestra Strings Auditions

(Non-music-majors only)
FRIDAY, SEPT. 20, 2013

Details and online audition form is at: http://www.music.washington.edu/admissions/auditions/


Bands/Orchestra Woodwinds and Horn Auditions

Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 23 and 24

Meany Hall, Room 268

MON., SEPT. 23, 2013
9-10:30 HORN
10:30-11:30 BASSOON
11:30-12:30 TRUMPET
12:30-1:30 TROMBONE
1:30-2:30 TUBA/EUPHONIUM

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013
9:30-11:45 FLUTE
11:45-1:00 OBOE
1-2:30 PERCUSSION
2:30-3:45 CLARINET
3:45-5 SAXOPHONE

Visit http://depts.washington.edu/uwwinds/home.html for details on audition process and more information about UW Bands.


UW Symphony Violins-Violas-Celli Seating auditions

Wednesday and Friday, Sept. 25 (Violins) & 27 (Violas/Celli), 3:30 to 5:20 pm, Meany 268

FROM: DAVID A. RAHBEE, Director of Orchestral Activities
Please find the sign-up sheet on my office door, Music Building Room # 209, and sign up BY SEPTEMBER 24th at 5pm for a 5-minute seating audition:

VIOLINS: Wednesday, Sept. 25th, between 3:30 and 5:20
VIOLAS AND CELLI: Friday, Sept. 27th between 3:30 and 5:20

Auditions will take place in Meany, Room 268.
Please come prepared to play selections from two works of contrasting styles/periods.
Music majors will also be asked to sight-read.
These auditions are being held so that we can get to know you and your playing, and devise a seating plan for the first concert.
(Seating will rotate after the first concert and until further notice.)
The first orchestra rehearsal will be Monday, September 30th in Meany 268.
If you have any questions please email the director at: darahbee@uw.edu


Choral Auditions

Mon. and Tues. Sept. 23 and 24

9 a.m. to 4 pm
Meet in the School of Music lobby

More details and online audition sign up at: http://blogs.uw.edu/wyersg/choral-auditions/


Jazz Studies Program Auditions

Modern Band

Thu. Sept. 26
1:30 to 2:20 pm
Room - 35 (on the lowest floor of the Music Building)

The Modern Band ((Studio Jazz Ensemble - MUSEN 346/546 B) is a jazz-rooted ensemble with a primary focus on repertoire that encompasses innovative trends in jazz of the last decade. Ensemble members will also be exposed to a wide range of musical influences that have pushed the boundaries of jazz as an art form forward into its current state. Students are encouraged to write original material for the ensemble while searching for the musical innovations of the artists of their generation to apply to the sound of the group and its repertoire.

Audition process - Students are encouraged to bring repertoire of their choosing to perform solo or with any combination of instrumentalists that are available at the time. Students should audition with what they are most comfortable with, however improvisation in a modern style of your choosing and/or free improvisation are recommended. Students may further be asked to perform an improvisation with any combination of musicians that will be auditioning. **Examples of possible audition repertoire to choose from include a jazz standard, a Monk or an Ornette original, a selection from Schoenberg's "Book of Hanging Gardens" or an Ives "Song", a Beatles classic to a Radiohead tune, to any piece from one of today's musical artists of personal inspiration. Student originals are encouraged.

Small Jazz Ensembles (Jazz Combo) Auditions

Thursday, Sept. 26
2:30 to 3:20 pm
Room 35 (on the lowest floor of the Music Building)

The Small Jazz Ensembles (Jazz Workshop - MUSEN - 345) provide a great opportunity for musicians to regularly rehearse, and perform jazz standards, originals, and covers with their fellow students.

E-mail Professor Cuong Vu - cuongvu@uw.edu to sign-up for an audition. Include Small Jazz Ensembles in the Subject field. Indicate your full name, year, and instrument in the message.

Studio Jazz Ensemble Auditions

Wed. Sept. 25
12:30 to 2:30pm
Music Room 35

The UW Studio Jazz Ensemble will be focusing on the importance of Big Band music tradition, through an intensive and professional rehearsal/performance model. With a vast array of big band literature written throughout the century (and not yet written!), Studio Jazz will strive to challenge and hone your musicianship, in order to be part of a premier Jazz Ensemble, not just at this University, but around the country.

Horn Players
Be prepared to sight-read big band style parts of varying difficulty, as well as play scales in good time. Auditions will be one on one, in a separate room.

Rhythm Section Players
Be prepared to sight read big band charts with the full band, as well as playing in a combo setting with a soloist. Your audition doubles as the first rehearsal with the full band.

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