Instrumental Ensemble Auditions
Instrumental Ensemble Auditions
Instrumental Ensemble Auditions
Join one of Rowan University's Instrumental Ensembles -- open to all majors!
PLEASE NOTE: Instrumental Ensemble Auditions are for placement into the following ensembles/orchestras:
- String Ensemble
- Symphony Orchestra
- Wind Ensemble
- Concert Band
- Jazz Band (separate audition)
*We do also have several ensembles that do not require an audition (if you a non-music major). For a full list of performance opportunities, click here.
TO REGISTER FOR AUDITIONS: Please click on the following links to register for an audition.
REMINDER: All music majors are required to audition on their primary instrument unless told otherwise.**
- Clarinets, Oboes, Flutes, Bassoons, Saxophones & Percussion - SIGN UP HERE
- Trumpets, Horns, Trombones, Euphoniums & Tubas - SIGN UP HERE
- Strings - SIGN UP HERE
- Jazz Band - SIGN UP HERE
**Keyboard Students: If you are a piano or organ major, then you are not required to complete an ensemble audition on your primary instrument; however, you may still choose to participate. To perform on a secondary non-keyboard instrument, please sign up for the appropriate audition below. To perform on piano/celeste/organ with the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra or Concert Band, please contact Dr. Higgins for more information (higgins@rowan.edu).
AUDITION SCHEUDLE:
Sunday, August 30, 2026 (Wilson Hall)
- 10am-4pm - JAZZ BAND (Rm 135)
- 9:30-11am CLARINETS (Rm 156)
- 11-11:30am OBOES (Rm 156)
- 11:30am-12:45pm FLUTES (Rm 156)
- 12:45-1:15pm BASSOONS (Rm 156)
- 1:45-3:45pm SAXOPHONES (Rm 156)
- 4-6:30pm PERCUSSION (Rm 156)
Monday, August 31, 2026 (Wilson Hall)
- 10am-4pm - JAZZ BAND (Rm 135)
- 9:00-11:30am TRUMPETS (Rm 156)
- 11:45am-1pm HORNS (Rm 156)
- 1pm-1:45pm TROMBONES (Rm 156)
- 1:45-2:15pm EUPHONIUMS (Rm 156)
- 2:15-2:45pm TUBAS (Rm 156)
- 2-6pm STRINGS (Rm 153)
Auditions Requirements
Jazz Band
2026 Auditions for the Jazz Band will take place on Sunday, August 30 and Monday, August 31 from 10am-4PM in Wilson 135.
For Horns, piano, bass, and guitar:
1) Play melody to Charlie Parker’s Confirmation (Medium tempo swing - 125 mm)
2) Solo using a backing track to four choruses of F Blues , medium tempo
3) In addition...
---Bass: Walk the changes to Confirmation for two choruses same tempo.
---Piano and guitar: Comp the changes to Confirmation for two choruses tempo.
4) Sight-reading
Drums
1) Articulate the melody to Charlie Parker’s Billies Bounce two choruses 12 bars of swing feel (Alternate 4’s solo swing, solo, swing, solo, swing)
2) Play a samba beat 30 for seconds.
3) Play a 4/4 swing beat with brushes for 30 seconds.
4) Play a bossa nova beat for 30 seconds.
5) Play a 3/4 swing beat for 30 seconds.
6) Play along softly to Count Basie’s Corner Pocket (Use the track on YouTube).
7) Sight-reading
Percussion
PDF to audition requirements are linked below.
PERCUSSION: Excerpts (Please prepare all excerpts: snare drum, xylophone, vibraphone, timpani, and crash cymbals)
Strings
Audition for String Ensemble is not mandatory.
Violin: ORCH & STRING ENS
Viola: ORCH & STRING ENS
Cello: ORCH & STRING ENS
Double Bass: ORCH & STRING ENS
Woodwind
PDF to audition requirements are linked below.
Flute: Excerpts
Oboe: Excerpts
Bassoon: Excerpts
Clarinet: Excerpts (All clarinet majors should plan to audition on b-flat clarinet only.)
Bass Clarinet: Excerpts (All clarinet majors should plan to audition on b-flat clarinet only.)
Saxophone: Excerpts (You may perform on any saxophone but should play these "alto sax" part excerpts.)