Wind Studies

Auditions

University of North Texas
Orchestral Studies and Wind Studies Auditions
Fall 2009

To download this information in a PDF file, select this link: Audition Procedure. Links to music are listed below.

Audition Process:
Everyone plays two auditions: one round for your studio teachers and one for the Wind Studies, Orchestral Studies, and studio faculty. Marching band members will be excused from rehearsal for their auditions.

What to Play:
Prescribed/required audition material for ALL instruments can be downloaded from the Wind Studies website. No material will be mailed. If not otherwise specified, prepare all pieces presented for your instrument. Audition materials will be the same for both rounds.

Round One Auditions:
Beginning Monday, August 3rd, you can email the Wind Studies office at windstudies@unt.edu to make an appointment for a round one audition time with your studio faculty. In your email, include your name, instrument and phone number. Appointments will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Do not call or come to the Wind Studies office for an appointment.

All round one auditions will be held Monday, August 24 in the College of Music (CoM) building. The studio faculty will administer the first round. Wind Studies will provide each studio faculty member with a copy of their round one audition appointments prior to the announced audition time. If you have any questions concerning round one, please contact your studio teacher.

Bassoon – Kathleen Reynolds (940-565-3832)
Clarinet – James Gillespie (940-565-4096), John Scott (940-369-8388)
Euphonium – Brian Bowman (940-369-7937)
Flute – Mary Karen Clardy (940-565-3722), Terri Sundberg (940-565-3756)
Horn – Bill Scharnberg (940-565-4826)
Oboe – Charles Veazey (940-565-3718)
Percussion – Christopher Deane (940-565-3714), Mark Ford (940-369-7974)
Saxophone – Eric Nestler (940-565-3754)
Trombone – Tony Baker (940-565-3711), Vern Kagarice (940-565-3764)
Trumpet – John Holt (940-565-3719), Keith Johnson (940-565-3740)
Tuba – Don Little (940-565-3741)

Round Two Auditions:
Studio faculty will forward two lists to the Wind Studies office. One list recommends students for an audition for Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band and Orchestra. The other list will recommend students for an audition for Concert Band and Brass Band. These lists will determine your round two audition.

Round two will be held from Tuesday, August 25 to Friday, August 28. To find out when your round two audition will be, check the callboard in the CoM across from room 260 (the undergraduate advising office) or the front windows of the Performing Arts Center (PAC) Annex. Do not call the Wind Studies office for your placement.

All round two auditions will be held in the Murchison Performing Arts Center in either Winspear Hall or the Instrument Rehearsal Room and will occur in like-instrument groups. Dr. Itkin, Mr. Corporon, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Couturiaux and the studio faculty will jury the Wind Symphony/Symphonic Band/Orchestra auditions. Orchestra placement will be determined by the studio faculty and orchestral studies faculty. Mr. Williams and the Wind Studies Teaching Fellows will jury the Concert Band/Brass Band auditions.

Final Placement:
Ensemble assignments normally are posted on the CoM Wind Studies callboard and in the PAC Annex windows after the completion of each round two audition, but no later than Monday, August 31. Do not call the Wind Studies office for your results.

First rehearsal:
Concert Band – Monday, August 31 at 1:15 in the Murchison Performing Arts Center (MPAC) Instrument Rehearsal Room (IRR)
Brass Band –Monday, August 31 at 2:15 in CoM 232
Symphonic Band – Tuesday, September 1at 1:15 in the MPAC IRR
Wind Symphony – Tuesday, September 1 at 1:15 in MPAC Winspear Performance Hall (WPH)
Concert Orchestra – Wednesday, September 2 at 12:15 MPAC WPH
Symphony Orchestra – Wednesday, September 2 at 2:15 in MPAC WPH

Audition Advice:
While these are very basic things, please keep in mind the following:

What to do:

  • Present a professional image (you get only one chance to make a first impression)
  • Take control of the situation (plan what you are going to play and do)
  • Dress for the occasion
  • Be on time and warmed up
  • Make sure your instrument and reeds are working properly
  • Leave your case outside the room
  • Have your instrument out and ready
  • Introduce yourself and your repertoire
  • Get the committee’s attention
  • Speak clearly
  • Look people in the eye
  • Know correct pronunciations of composers and compositions
  • Demonstrate your ability, facility and sensitivity
  • Communicate if you have a legitimate problem (long before the audition)

What Not to Do:

  • Do not wear shorts, jeans, hats, etc.
  • Do not make excuses or apologies (for anything)
  • Do not draw attention to problems (the committee may not notice)

What Not to Say:

  • I haven’t warmed up.
  • I haven’t had a chance to practice.
  • I didn’t know . . .
  • I just got this horn.
  • What should I play?
  • What would you like to hear?
  • I didn’t have my instrument/sticks/etc...
  • I didn’t bring any music.
  • Nobody told me . . .

Audition Execution:

  • Give yourself plenty of time to do everything (i.e. get up early, have a leisurely meal, arrive early to the audition
  • Avoid overpracticing, which may cause nerve problems and fatigue
  • Warm up well and practice audition material under tempo
  • At the site, warm up alone and don’t listen to other players
  • Play to your own standards; don’t try to guess how the committee would like something performed
  • Take some risks; communicate the music’s message
  • Maintain a positive appearance even if you do not think you played well
  • Evaluate the audition experience

Audition Music: