Auditions

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.

Three ensembles do not require an audition: the Afro-Cuban Folkloric Ensemble, the Early Music Ensemble, and the South Asian 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, alumni, and interested community members are welcome to audition for the Department ensembles and are invited to participate as space permits.

Auditions for the 2025-26 academic year will be held in September and October 2025, during orientation week and the first week of autumn quarter. Auditions are held in person or via pre-recorded video, depending on the ensemble or program.

Sign up for our  email list to receive news and announcements about 2025 auditions. 

Performance Program Director Barbara Schubert will host an interactive virtual Q&A to discuss performance opportunities, dates, and requirements for 2025 auditions on Wednesday, August 27 at 7:00 PM CT. The event will be recorded and made available following the session. Click here to register for the virtual Q&A.

View audition requirements below, and read audition tips from recent graduates here.

2025 Instrumental Auditions

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.

• Instrumental audition dates: Wednesday, September 24 – Tuesday, September 30 (Sunday, September 28 for percussion)
• Audition location: Logan 703 (Percussion auditions take place in Logan 901)

2025 Choral Auditions

Choral auditions will be held live and via pre-recorded video, depending on the ensemble. For the Motet Choir and Rockefeller Chapel Choir, all new and returning singers are required to audition live. For the University Chorus and Women's Ensemble, new singers must submit a pre-recorded video audition. Singers returning to UChorus or Women's Ensemble will not be required to audition or submit a video, but they MUST complete the online registration form. Learn more about Choral Audition requirements. 

• Choral audition dates: Virtual submissions begin September 15, live auditions are held Sunday, September 28 – Tuesday, September 30
• Deadline to register for a choral audition: September 28
• Deadline to submit a virtual audition: September 30
• Live audition location: Fulton Recital Hall

2025 Jazz Auditions

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.  

• Jazz audition dates: Monday, September 29, and Tuesday, September 30
• Deadline to register for a jazz audition: September 29
• Audition location: Logan 502

2025 Middle East Music Ensemble Auditions

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. Learn more about Middle East Music Ensemble audition requirements. 

• Middle East Music Ensemble audition dates: Thursday, October 2
• Deadline to register for a MEME audition: October 1
• Audition location: Logan 803
   

2025 Chamber Music Program Auditions

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 MUST confirm their interest in participating in the Chamber Music Program by registering through the online form. All members of the established group must register. Learn more about Chamber Music Program Audition requirements. 

• Chamber Music Program audition dates: Saturday, October 4
• Audition location: Fulton Recital Hall

2025 Vocal Studies Program Auditions

Auditions for the Vocal Studies Program will occur the first week of October, after the appointment of a new Director of Vocal Studies. If you are interested in participating in masterclasses, workshops, concerts, and other opportunities for vocalists offered by the Department of Music, you should plan to sign up for a Vocal Studies Program audition. More details will be announced by mid-September. Learn more about the Vocal Studies Audition requirements. 

• Vocal Studies Program audition dates: Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5
• Audition location: Logan 803
   

2025 Piano Program Auditions

All new pianists interested in participating in the Piano Program must attend a live audition. Piano program participants who were active during the 2024-2025 season do not need to re-audition but MUST complete the online registration form. Learn more about the Piano Program Audition requirements.

• Piano Program audition dates: Saturday, October 4 and Monday, October 6
• Audition location: Logan 405

• Afro-Cuban Folkloric Ensemble: Monday, September 29, 6:30-8:00 PM. Goodspeed Hall Room 402.
• South Asian Music Ensemble: Monday, October 6, 5:00-7:00 PM. Logan Center Room 703.
• Early Music Ensemble: Monday, October 6, 7:00 – 9:00 PM. Logan Center Room 802.