Auditions | Academic Year 2011-2012

Jazz X-tet

A saxophonist takes a solo during a Jazz X-tet rehearsal.

Photo: Daniel Collins

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Performance Program! Auditions for all ensembles and activities in the Department of Music Performance Program are held during Orientation Week and into the first days of the autumn quarter.

Audition sign-ups begin on Monday, September 19. Sign up in person by coming to the Music Department building – Goodspeed Hall, 1010 E. 59th Street, 4th floor lobby – during the following times:

Tuesday, Sept. 20 11 am-4 pm
Wednesday, Sept. 21 11 am-5 pm
Thursday, Sept. 22 11 am-5 pm
Friday, Sept. 23 11 am-4 pm
Saturday, Sept. 24-Sunday, Sept. 25 12-2 pm
Monday, Sept. 26 11 am-4 pm
Tuesday, Sept. 27, 11 am-4 pm

Audition Requirements:

Auditions will last approximately 10 minutes each.

For instrumental auditions, you should prepare 6-7 minutes of music to play. Contrasting excerpts from the solo or ensemble literature are best: something fast and flashy, and something slow and lyrical. Excerpts do not need to be memorized. You will also be asked to sightread several passages, and to demonstrate proficiency in transposition (for brass players) and in improvisation (for jazz auditions).

For vocal auditions, you do not need to prepare any excerpts. You will be asked to vocalize across your range, to match specific pitches and vowels, and to sightread several short phrases. Experienced singers with prior vocal training are encouraged to sing a short selection (16-32 measures) from the solo repertoire as well.

You may indicate your preference for a particular ensemble at the time of your audition, but you will be placed in an ensemble in accordance with the directors' evaluation of your audition.

Some Notes:

Auditions are designed to measure the skill, experience, and potential of all interested musicians, and to place them in an appropriate ensemble. Several sets of auditions are held to accommodate the various ensembles. Please email musicdept@uchicago.edu with any questions.

Music at the University of Chicago is inclusive above all. The Performance Program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, post-docs, faculty and staff members, spouses, alumni, and community members. In organizations with membership or section limitations, preference is given to qualified students.

Auditions are competitive, but most student musicians are successfully placed in an ensemble. Returning musicians are required to audition every year, both for membership and for placement in the performance ensembles.

It is best to audition at the beginning of the academic year: ensemble membership is established after the fall auditions, and remains set throughout the remainder of the year. Occasional openings may occur during the concert season, and are filled by special auditions, but such opportunities are rare.

Audition tips:

Sign up for an audition appointment in Goodspeed Hall during orientation week.

Read the audition requirements that apply to Instrumental, Vocal, Jazz X-tet, and Piano (You can procure the requirements at audition sign-ups).


Incoming freshmen should consult their O-book for Orientation events and required meetings before scheduling an audition time.

Practice rooms in Goodspeed Hall are open for the duration of auditions.


Bring your instrument (except pianists, percussionists) and musical excerpts. 


And, of course, practice!