Thank you for your interest in the Middle East Music Ensemble for the 2025-2026 concert season! All new instrumentalists and vocalists will be required to audition in person with Wanees Zarour, the director of the Middle East Music Ensemble. However, the director may waive the audition requirement if he is sufficiently familiar with your work.
Returning members need to fill out this registration form to confirm participation in the Ensemble but will not need to audition. The director may request a check-in to be scheduled for some of the returning members, no preparation needed.
Auditions/check-ins will be held on Thursday, October 2 from 5:00 - 9:00 PM at the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 East 60th St., Room 803. New members, please prepare two contrasting pieces or movements in the Western Classical, Jazz or Middle Eastern genres.
- Middle East Music Ensemble audition dates: Thursday, October 2
- Deadline to register for a MEME audition: October 1
- Audition location: Logan 803
MEME Audition Requirements
- MEME auditions will last approximately 7 minutes for each applicant.
- Instrumentalists are asked to prepare two contrasting pieces or movements in either the Classical or Middle Eastern genres.
Results & First Rehearsal
- Rosters for the ensemble will be emailed to auditionees.
- All musicians accepted for membership are expected to attend the organization’s first rehearsal as announced on the posted list
Tips for in-person auditions
- Please arrive early! Each director has a very large number of auditions to hear and needs to keep on schedule.
- All auditionees should warm up thoroughly before the audition. Practice rooms on the lower level of the Logan Center for the Arts (915 E. 60th Street) will be available for this purpose on the audition day.
- Remember that the goal of these auditions is to involve you in our Department of Music Performance Program and to foster your musical growth while you are at the University of Chicago. The audition is not about playing perfectly, but honestly demonstrating your present capacity (strengths and limitations) as a musician and improviser so that the Director may develop a program for everyone’s improvement, growth, and enjoyment.