Belmont University School of Music
Fall 2009 Large Instrumental Ensemble Auditions
(Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, and Concert Band)
Auditions for Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Concert Band*
All Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion students must audition for placement in the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. Please download audition materials below. Most students participate for the requirements of a degree or scholarship; however, many students from other majors also perform in each ensemble. Students must be willing to perform in one or both ensembles as assigned. Following the auditions, some schedule changes may be necessary. For 2009-2010, students selected for both Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra may register for either or both courses. We recommend that you alternate your registration between groups each semester so that your transcript reflects your participation in both ensembles. Students selected only for Wind Ensemble or Concert Band must register for the appropriate ensemble. Download the PDF (portable document format) file below containing an instructional letter and the excerpts for your instrument. You will need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the file. If you are unable to access the file, please contact Dr. Kraus (barry.kraus@belmont.edu) and request that the excerpts be mailed to you. Auditions for Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra will take place on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 in the Sanctuary of Belmont Heights Baptist Church during the following times:
11:00 AM Saxophone (download excerpts)
12:00 PM Break
12:30 PM Flute (download excerpts)
1:15 PM Percussion (download excerpts)
2:45 PM Oboe (download excerpts)
3:00 PM Bassoon (download excerpts)
3:20 PM Clarinet and Bass Clarinet (download excerpts)
4:00 PM Trumpet (download excerpts)
5:00 PM Break
6:30 PM Trombone (download excerpts)
7:00 PM Horn (download excerpts)
7:45 PM Euphonium/Tuba (download excerpts)
Each audition will last approximately five minutes. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the ensemble bulletin board in the main hallway outside the Belmont Heights Sanctuary on Monday, August 24. Please sign up for one of the five-minute slots within the allotted time for your instrument. If you are unable to audition during one of the posted times for your instrument, please sign up under another instrument listed. If none of the scheduled times work for you, please contact either Dr. Barry Kraus (barry.kraus@belmont.edu) or Dr. Robert Gregg (robert.gregg@belmont.edu) to schedule an alternate audition time.
All String Students (Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass) must audition for placement in the Symphony Orchestra. Audition excerpts are not available for strings. For the audition, students must play a prepared piece of choice (a solo or etude that demonstrates ability) and one or two short sight reading excerpts. Each audition will last approximately 3-5 minutes. For more information on string auditions, please contact Dr. Robert Gregg (robert.gregg@belmont.edu). String auditions will take place on Thursday, August 27 from 5:30 until 9:00 PM in the Massey Performing Arts Center according to the following schedule:
5:30 Violin
7:45 Viola
8:15 Cello
9:00 Bass
*Concert Band enrollment is open to all students on campus. If you wish to play only in Concert Band, you are not required to play a formal audition and do not need to download and prepare the excerpts. Please contact Dr. Barry Kraus via email (barry.kraus@belmont.edu) to indicate your interest in performing in the Concert Band, and you may register when you see your advisor. A part-placement audition will take place during the first rehearsal on Monday, August 31 from 3:00-5:00 PM. The placement audition will consist of two major scales and a short sight-reading excerpt.
Auditions for Jazz Ensemble
Auditions for Jazz Ensemble I, Jazz Ensemble II, and Jazz Small Group will take place on Wednesday, August 26 from 4:00 until 7:00 PM in the following locations:
Trumpets: Massey Performing Arts Center, Room 15 (lower level)
Trombones: Massey Performing Arts Center, Room 17 (lower level)
Saxophones: Dynamo Room (behind Belmont Heights Baptist Church)
Rhythm Section: see information below regarding rhythm section auditions.
Students will be placed in either Jazz Ensemble I or II. For more information, please contact Dr. Jeff Kirk (jeff.kirk@belmont.edu).
Auditions for Pep Band
As Belmont's premiere athletic pep band, Bruin Blast performs at all home basketball games and travels to NCAA tournaments. Bruin Blast will hold auditions for piccolo, flute, clarinet, alto/tenor saxophone, trumpet, mellophone, trombone, baritone, tuba, bass guitar, and drumset on Friday, September 4 from 3:00-6:00 PM in the Massey Performing Arts Center, Room 15 (lower level). Each audition will consist of two major scales of choice, a two-octave chromatic scale, and a short sight reading excerpt. Rehearsals will take place once per month in September, October, and November until the start of the basketball season. Course credit is not available. Students receive a stipend for participation.
Rehearsal Times/Locations/Registration
Symphony Orchestra (Course Number: MUN 4930)Tuesday/Thursday, 5:30-7:00 PM, Belmont Heights Sanctuary
Wind Ensemble (Course Number: MUN 4900)
Tuesday/Thursday, 3:00-5:00 PM, Belmont Heights Sanctuary
Concert Band (MUN 3991-02: SpStuEns-Concert Band)
Monday/Wednesday, 3:00-4:20 PM, Belmont Heights Sanctuary
Jazz Ensemble I (Course Number: MUN 4910)
Monday/Wednesday, 4:00-5:30 PM, Dynamo Room (BHBC)
Jazz Ensemble II (Course Number: MUN 4915)
Monday/Wednesday, 5:30-7:15, Dynamo Room (BHBC)
Auditions for Other Ensembles at Belmont
Rhythm Section auditions (drums, keyboard, bass, guitar) will take place on Monday, August 24 and Tuesday, August 25. Rhythm section auditions are used to place students in Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Small Group, Rock Ensemble, and bands that accompany various commercial vocal ensembles such as Southbound, Jazzmin, and Phoenix. All rhythm section players must attend the audition to be considered for placement in one of the commercial ensembles. More information and a specific schedule may be obtained by contacting Dr. Anthony Belfiglio (anthony.belfiglio@belmont.edu).For information on other small instrumental wind, percussion, and string ensembles available to students, visit the School of Music instrumental ensemble page. Additional ensembles include Rock Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Bass Ensemble, World Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Small Group, Brass Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, String Quartet, Jazz String Quartet, and Bluegrass Ensemble.
Vocal ensemble auditions take place during the first week of school. For a listing of ensembles, visit the School of Music vocal ensemble page. For more information, contact the Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Jeffery Ames (jeffery.ames@belmont.edu).
