Auditions

For information related to jazz ensemble auditions, please contact Coordinator of Jazz Studies, Professor Marc Stasio: marc.stasio@rutgers.edu

Percussionists, please contact Area Head of Percussion, Joe Tompkins: jhsticks@aol.com

Who is eligible to participate in Music Department bands and orchestras?

Any Rutgers University student can audition for the Music Department Large Ensembles.

Music Majors: All woodwind, brass and string majors are required to audition for placement in one of the large-ensembles. Wind, brass and percussion majors audition for placement at the beginning of each semester. String majors audition for placement at the beginning of fall semester only.

Non- Music Majors: If you are a non-music major, you may audition for placement in any Music Department ensemble. Non-music majors who aren’t interested in auditioning for Rutgers Symphony Orchestra, Rutgers Wind Ensemble or Chamber Music, please see the “Non-Music Majors” page for alternate audition requirements & procedures. Non-music majors who are interested in auditioning for Rutgers Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble or Chamber Music, please follow the audition procedures for Music Majors.

When do large-ensemble band and orchestra auditions take place?

Music Department Large-Ensemble auditions take place twice an academic year, the first week of both fall and spring semester.  Auditions are held during normally scheduled ensemble rehearsal times.

* String auditions take place once an academic year, fall semester. 

What happens in my audition?

All large-ensemble auditions are “blind,” meaning they will be held behind a screen so that auditionees remain anonymous to the adjudicating panel. The adjudicating panel is made up of Music Department performance faculty and conducting faculty.

Auditions time slots are 8 minutes in length and the auditionee will be asked to play approximately 6-8 minutes of music.

Auditions are held in 2 rounds. Round 1 audition results determine if a student receives a “call back” for Round 2 auditions. Round 1 auditions determine which ensemble students have been assigned. Round 2 auditions determine rotating part assignments for the semester for Rutgers Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, and principal seat assignments for all other large-ensembles.

Round 1 audition will require the auditionee to play through a selection of the required prepared excerpts and 1 sight-reading excerpt. These selections will be determined by the determined by the adjudication panel and posted the day-of the audition.

Round 2 auditions will require the auditionee to play through a selection of the required prepared excerpts. These selections will be determined by the determined by the adjudication panel and posted the day-of the audition.

The audition committee may stop you at any point or move you on to a different excerpt. Audition
comments will be available upon request after the auditions for your benefit.