Participation in Department of Music ensembles and activities is, in most cases, by audition. Your audition helps the Performance Program directors get to know you and your musicianship, enabling them to match you with the performance opportunities best suited to you.
Four ensembles do not require an audition: the Afro-Cuban Folkloric Ensemble, the Early Music Ensemble, the South Asian Music Ensemble, and the Middle East Music Ensemble. These ensembles host open house rehearsals at the beginning of the Autumn Quarter that allow students to explore their performance opportunities.
In all cases, preference for membership in the Department of Music Performance ensembles is given to qualified University of Chicago students (both undergraduate and graduate). Faculty, staff, and interested community members are welcome to audition for the Department ensembles and are invited to participate as space permits.
2023-2024 Audition Information
Auditions for the 2023-24 academic year will be held in September 2023, during orientation week and the first week of autumn quarter. Details and additional information will be shared in August 2023.
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Audition Requirements
Auditions are held either in-person or via pre-recorded video, depending on the ensemble or program. Learn more about the 2022 audition requirements for instrumental ensembles, choral ensembles, jazz, chamber music, piano, and vocal studies below.
2022 Instrumental Audition Requirements
All new AND returning instrumentalists interested in participating in the University Symphony Orchestra, University Chamber Orchestra, University Wind Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble are required to audition in order to be considered for membership. Returning musicians, and others who are on campus early, are urged to sign up for an appointment as early in the audition period as possible. Learn more about Instrumental Audition requirements.
2022 Choral Audition Requirements
All new vocalists interested in participating in the University Chorus, Motet Choir, Rockefeller Chapel Choir, or Women's Ensemble are required to submit a pre-recorded audition video. Singers returning to the choral ensembles are required to submit the online form to confirm their interest in participating in the 2022-23 academic year. Returning singers do not need to re-audition. If you would like to participate in a group that is different from your 2021-22 ensemble, please submit a video audition. Learn more about Choral Audition requirements.
2022 Jazz Audition Requirements
All new and returning musicians who are interested in participating in the Jazz Ensemble must audition. Jazz auditions will be held in-person. Learn more about Jazz Audition requirements.
2022 Piano Program Audition Requirements
New individuals interested in participating in the Piano Program are required to audition. Returning Piano Program participants are NOT required to re-audition, but should register their interest in participating in the Piano Program during 2022-23 by filling out an online form. For the 2022-23 academic year, Piano Program auditions should be submitted online. Learn more about Piano Audition requirements.
2022 Chamber Music Program Audition Requirements
All new musicians interested in participating in the Chamber Music Program, as well as returning musicians who do not have an established chamber group, must play a short audition for placement in an appropriate ensemble. Returning musicians who have an established chamber group may confirm their interest in participating in the Chamber Music Program by registering through the online form for Chamber Music auditions. Learn more about Chamber Music Program Audition requirements.
2022 Vocal Studies Program Audition Requirements
Singers new to campus who are interested in participating in the Vocal Studies program, as well as returning singers who have not participated in Vocal Studies in prior years, are required to audition. Singers who did participate during the 2021-22 season are not required to re-audition, but should indicate their interest in participating this year by filling out the online form. Learn more about the Vocal Studies Audition requirements.
2022 Virtual Information Sessions
The Department offered several virtual information sessions in August 2022 and early September 2022 to provide more information about performance opportunities and auditions. Each of these sessions was recorded and is available to watch online.
- Performance Program Information Session
- Instrumental Ensembles and Programs Information Session
- Choral & Vocal Information Session