Orchestras, Wind Bands, Choirs, and Music Theatre and Opera auditions
Join our community and participate in exciting performances.
ASU’s ensembles provide opportunities to participate in exciting performances and join a community of passionate musicians and dynamic conductors.
The 2025–26 audition schedule is listed below for the ASU Symphony Orchestra/Chamber Orchestra, ASU Music Theatre and Opera, ASU Philharmonia, ASU Wind Ensemble, ASU Wind Symphony, ASU Concert Choir, Barrett Symphonic Choir and Gospel Choir. For sign-up information, view the “Sign-ups, procedures and results” section below. Audition excepts to prepare are listed below and will be available by May 15.
An audition is not required for the Maroon and Gold Band, Canticum Bassum, Sol Singers and Choral Union.
Chair placement information for Maroon and Gold Band is listed below. Maroon and Gold Band accepts new members in fall and spring spring semesters.
Jazz ensemble audition information can be found by selecting the individual ensemble under Jazz.
Orchestras and Wind Bands audition dates and locations
Music majors and non-music majors
| Instrument | Day | Time | Location | Warm-up room | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarinet | Wednesday, August 20 | 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Gammage 301 | Gammage 209 and/or 212 | |
| Violin | Wednesday, August 20 | 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Katzin Concert Hall | Music W122 | |
| Saxophone | Wednesday, August 20 | 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Gammage 311 | Gammage 209 and/or 212 | |
| Trombone | Wednesday, August 20 | 12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Gammage 301 | Gammage 209 and/or 212 | |
| Flute | Wednesday, August 20 | 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Gammage 311 | Gammage 209 and/or 212 | |
| Horn | Thursday, August 21 | 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Gammage 301 or Gammage 311 | Gammage 209 and/or 212 | |
| Tuba/Euphonium | Thursday, August 21 | 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. | Gammage 301, Gammage 311 or Gammage 312 | Gammage 209 and/or 212 | |
| Violin Callbacks | Thursday, August 21 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Katzin Concert Hall | Music W122 | |
| Percussion | Thursday, August 21 | 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Percussion Studio (WB10) | various | |
| Viola | Thursday, August 21 | 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Katzin Concert Hall | Music W122 | |
| Clarinet Callbacks | Thursday, August 21 | 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Katzin Concert Hall | Music W122 | |
| Oboe | Friday, August 22 | 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Gammage 213 | Gammage 209 and/or 212 | |
| Trumpet | Friday, August 22 | 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Gammage 301 or Gammage 311 | Gammage 209 and/or 212 | |
| Cello | Friday, August 22 | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Katzin Concert Hall | Music W122 | |
| Double Bass | Friday, August 22 | 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Katzin Concert Hall | Music W122 | |
| Bassoon | Monday, August 25 | 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. | Katzin Concert Hall | Music W122 | |
| Philharmonia | Thursday, August 21 | 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Gammage 311 | Gammage 209 and/or 212 | |
| Philharmonia | Tuesday, August 26 | 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Gammage 209 | Gammage 212 |
Audition excerpts for instruments
ASU Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble or Wind Symphony
All music majors must prepare the specific excerpts for their instrument and sign up for the auditions for their instrument. Non-majors who wish to be considered for placement in the ASU Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, or Wind Symphony must do the same.
For non-music majors interested in only the ASU Philharmonia, please sign up under the Philharmonia tab.
For non-music majors interested in only the ASU Maroon and Gold Band (audition not required), as well as music majors looking to play a secondary instrument please see the Maroon and Gold tab below for more details.
Violin
NOTE: Students who would like to be considered for concertmaster/positions of leadership should prepare the necessary excerpts in the above document.
Viola
NOTE: There also will be sight-reading.
Cello
Bass
For audition information, please contact Charles Lynch.
This is for non-music majors interested in only the ASU Maroon and Gold Band (audition not required), as well as music majors looking to play a secondary instrument. All students interested in Maroon and Gold Band for 2024-25 should enroll in MUP 444 (80636). If you are new to the band, you will likely need an override. You can click HERE for that.
There is no audition for membership in the Maroon and Gold Band, however, there are chair placements to determine what part you will play in the band. Once you register, you will have access to the course Canvas shell. In Canvas you will find the chair placement music as well as the link for submission.
Please submit only LINKS to your audition excerpts via YouTube. Your videos should be viewable without download. Please make sure all of the videos have the appropriate privacy settings (UNLISTED or PUBLIC) so that they may be accessed by the conductors. Do NOT upload your video as a YouTube Short, only as a regular video.
All interested students should submit the playing assessment form before August 20, 2024, at 11:59PM ET.
If you do not have your own instrument you will need to first be registered and the contact Jamal Duncan at [email protected]. Instruments will be able to be checked out starting August 14. The inventory is limited and will be on a first-come-first-served basis.
For non-music majors interested in only the ASU Philharmonia, please prepare two short (1–2 minutes each) and contrasting excerpts of your choice (any genre, composer, style).
You will also have a sight-reading excerpt to play during the audition.
For questions, please contact Julie Desbordes at [email protected] .
Audition sign-ups, procedures and results
The following information is for those interested in auditioning for the following ensembles:
- ASU Symphony Orchestra/Chamber Orchestra
- ASU Music Theatre and Opera
- ASU Philharmonia
- ASU Wind Ensemble
- ASU Wind Symphony
If you are interested in the Maroon and Gold Band (audition not required) go to the Maroon and Gold Band tab above for chair placement information. Rehearsals are Tuesday nights from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m..
Any new student wishing to enroll in Maroon and Gold Band who has not been enrolled before will need to request an override for this semester. Once you have enrolled in the ensemble, we add a special code to your record to allow you to enroll in future semesters.
If you are a returning student experiencing issues registering, please request an override so we can assist you.
For the ASU Wind Ensemble, ASU Wind Symphony, ASU Symphony Orchestra, and Philharmonia, please do the following to secure your audition time:
- Fill out this form.
- Sign up for one audition time using this audition sign-up form. Only sign up for one audition time. Any duplicate audition times will be deleted by the administrator.
- For non-music majors interested in only the ASU Philharmonia, please prepare two short (1–2 minutes each) and contrasting excerpts of your choice (any genre, composer, style). You will also have a sight-reading excerpt to play during the audition. Please sign up under the Philharmonia audition slots.
- Practice!
Audition process for the ASU Wind Ensemble, ASU Wind Symphony, ASU Symphony Orchestra, and Philharmonia:
- You may use the Green Room as a warm-up area for auditions that take place in Katzin Concert Hall or one of the classrooms as a warmup area for auditions that take place in ASU Gammage. You may also warm up in the Music building practice rooms.
- Please arrive ahead of your audition time so you are ready to play at your scheduled time.
- Before entering the audition room make certain that you have your music and all equipment needed to play the audition.
- Most auditions will be “blind”, that is, you will perform from behind a screen so your identity remains anonymous until after the audition process is complete. Therefore, please communicate with the room monitor only. Additional instructions will be given by an audition panel member if needed. Do your best to not respond verbally so that you remain anonymous. In the event you have a question, leave the space, ask the monitor your question, and the monitor will communicate with the panel.
Only sign up for one audition time. Any duplicate audition times will be deleted by the administrator.
Assignments
Upon completion of all auditions, the faculty will confer and make ensemble assignments for the Fall 2024 term. All musicians who auditioned will be contacted through the ASU email address given on the audition sign-up form and informed of their ensemble(s) placement.
Choirs audition dates and locations
Music majors and non-music majors
“General” auditions will be for our two auditioned SATB ensembles: Concert Choir and Barrett Symphonic Choir.
Note: the outcome of this audition may result in placement in Sol Singers, Canticum Bassum, and/or Choral Union
All students interested in singing in the ASU choral program must complete an audition
| Choir | Day | Time | Location | Warm-up room |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General auditions | Sunday, August 17 | 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Music, West 136 and West 137 | see below |
| General auditions | Monday, August 18 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Music, West 136 and West 137 | see below |
| General auditions | Tuesday, August 19 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Music, West 136 and West 137 | see below |
| General auditions | Thursday, August 21 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Music, West 136 and West 137 | see below |
| General auditions | Friday, August 22 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Music, West 136 and West 137 | see below |
| Mill Avenue Jazz (Vocal Jazz Ensemble) auditions NOTE: Mill Ave Jazz is a club and cannot be taken for academic credit. | Tuesday, August 19 | 3 - 4:30 p.m. | Room to be announced | see below |
| Gospel Choir auditions | Thursday, August 21 | 6 - 7:15 p.m. | Gammage 301 | see below |
Audition process
The links to register for an audition and complete the form will be available soon.
Sign up for an audition time here.
Before the audition, please fill out this form.
Choirs audition protocol
Auditions Phase I: 7-8 minutes
Introductions, One minute: This is a time for the singer and panel to introduce each other and take a moment to feel comfortable. The singer will be asked a question about their choral journey and development and will also have the time to ask any questions they may have for the faculty.
Solo, 30 seconds a cappella: The singer will be asked to sing a short (up to 30 seconds) solo that features the tone and range of the voice. The singer may share a piece or cut of any genre and/or tradition and may self-accompany on an instrument of their choice or sing a cappella. Note: no collaborative pianist will be provided.
Vocal Exercises, Three minutes: The singer will be asked to sing a series of vocal exercises that assess range, tone, timbre, agility, and dynamic and articulatory ability.
Auditions Phase II: 3-5 minutes (in a separate room)
Sight Singing, One minute: The singer will also be asked to sight read a voice part from a choral octavo, single line sight singing example, or hymn and may utilize solfège, number systems, a neutral syllable, or text while singing. They will be assessed on rhythmic and intervallic accuracy.
Tonal Memory, One minute: The singer will hear a series of pitches on the piano and be asked to sing them back on a neutral syllable of their choice.
Mill Ave Jazz (Vocal Jazz Ensemble) Auditions:
1. Prepare a 30-45 second solo performed a cappella that showcases what you love best about your voice (preferably a jazz standard or pop song).
2. Improvise on a 12-bar medium swing scat section. (Check out Youtube videos around 120-140 bpm for practice)
3. Learn your preferred voice part ahead of time with a provided vocal jazz excerpt. Sing in small groups at the audition. Music will be posted in a folder by the door of W140 starting Monday, August 19 at 8am.
Questions or time conflicts? Email director Christina Hall at [email protected]
Choir audition sign-ups, procedures and results
For all ASU Choirs, please do the following:
- Please fill out this form prior to the audition.
- Sign up for an audition time using this link.
Assignments
Upon completion of all auditions, the faculty will confer and make ensemble assignments for the Fall 2024 term. All musicians who auditioned will be contacted through the ASU email address given on the audition sign-up form and informed of their ensemble(s) placement.
Music Theatre and Opera
Auditions for Music Theatre and Opera pit orchestras are handled through the major ensemble auditions. There is a place for you to indicate your interest in our orchestras on the audition form.
Audition dates for singers, actors and dancers interested in auditioning for on-stage roles in Music Theatre and Opera productions are Aug. 21-23. Contact Linda Bennett at [email protected] for on-stage auditions.
Meet your ensemble faculty
We are excited to begin making music and learning with you this fall semester!
We look forward to seeing you very soon. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Robert Bode, Interim Director of Choral Activities
[email protected]
Jason Caslor, Director of Bands
[email protected]
Brian DeMaris, Artistic Director, Music Theatre and Opera
[email protected]
Julie Desbordes, Music Director, ASU Philharmonia
[email protected]
Jamal Duncan, Associate Director of Bands
[email protected]
Alejandro Gómez Guillén, Director of Orchestras
Alejandro Gómez Guillén
Joshua Palkki, Associate Director of Choral Activities
[email protected]
James Hudson, Director of Athletic Bands, Conductor, Maroon and Gold Band
[email protected]