Ensemble Auditions

Choral Placement Assessments | Fall 2025

Who needs to have a placement audition in person?

• NEW music students (BA, BM, BME, MM, PBC, DMA) interested in any choir.
• Any student (returning or new graduate student) interested in Chamber Singers.

Who needs to submit a recorded placement audition?

All returning University Chorale and Coro students interested in only University Chorale or Coro

Who does not need to do a placement audition? 

• Any non-music student who is a tenor or bass and is interested in singing in University Chorale
• Any non-music student who is a soprano or alto and is interested in singing in Coro

In-Person Auditions for Chamber Singers

All returning students and new graduate students interested in audition for Chamber Singers must complete an in-person audition on Sunday, August 17 from 12:00–3:00 pm or Monday, August 18 from 9:00 am–12:00 pm. Freshman (first year undergraduates) may audition for Chamber Singers after the Fall 2025 semester if a space opens. Auditions will consist of: 

• Vocal range demonstration (please sing 1-3-5-3-1, ascending/descending, to your highest and lowest performance pitches)
• One phrase from any song which best demonstrates your singing.

Please sign up for a time at this link. (Slots will open June 1)

In-Person Placements for University Chorale and Coro for NEW STUDENTS

New music students must have an in person placement on August 18 (12:30–4:30 pm) or August 19 (9:00 am–2:00 pm). Your placement will consist of:

• Vocal range demonstration (please sing 1-3-5-3-1, ascending/descending, to your highest and lowest performance pitches)
• Sight reading (a Bach Chorale or similar) or pitch matching as provided. 

Please sign up for a time at this link. (Slots will open June 1)

Recorded Auditions for Returning Students ONLY

Returning music students only interested in University Chorale or Coro must submit a recorded audition by August 16, 2025.

Follow the instructions below to prepare and submit a recorded audition. Your recorded materials must include the following:

• Vocal range demonstration (please sing 1-3-5-3-1, ascending/descending, to your highest and lowest performance pitches)
• Sight reading (a Bach Chorale or similar) or pitch matching as provided. 

Please upload your recorded audition to this form.

A Note About Singing in Multiple Choirs

A student may sing in multiple choirs after consultation the conductor of the ensemble(s), the Director of Choral Activities, and the voice teacher (if applicable).

Registering for Credit

For now, don’t worry about whether you are properly registered for the Choral ensemble until after the audition results and assignments are posted. There will be time to complete an Add/Drop. In fact, you may have other schedule changes to make at that time.

Chamber Singers

Chamber Singers (ENS 388/688) is primarily made up of advanced undergraduate and graduate student singers. Undergraduate students are eligible for membership in Chamber Singers only after participating in one of the other UNCG choral ensembles for at least one semester and passing a through the audition process.  Because of its more rigorous schedule of rehearsals and performances both on and off-campus throughout the year, this ensemble requires students to make a full-year commitment, with exceptions made for music education students in their final semester for student teaching.

Carole Ott, conductor
ENS 388-01 | ENS 688-01 (1 credit)
MW (11:00 am– 12:50 pm)
Music 110
Membership by audition

Coro di Belle Voci/Treble Choir

UNCG Treble Choir (ENS 387/687) is an SSA(A) ensemble made up of music majors, minors, and singers from across campus. They rehearse T/Th 12:30-1:45 in Tew Recital Hall and perform under the direction of Prof. Lindsay Kesselman. This ensemble will appeal to those wanting to build knowledge and skill in the areas of musicianship, vocal development, and connective performance with audiences. Singers will explore historical and contemporary repertoire across a variety of genres/styles.

Lindsay Kesselman, conductor
ENS 388-01 | ENS 688-01 (1 credit)
TR (11:00 – 12:15 pm)
Tew Recital Hall
Music majors and minors must audition

University Chorale

The University Chorale is a mixed choir of 40 to 50 singers. The Chorale performs a full range of literature primarily representing the western choral tradition. In AY 2024–25, the University Chorale will be directed both by graduate student conductors as well as Dr. Carole Ott. The ensemble should appeal to those wanting to build knowledge and skill in the areas of sight-reading, conducting gesture, rehearsal techniques, choral repertoire, and free improvisation. University Chorale will perform programs of varied repertoire throughout the school year, spending 5-6 weeks on each program.

Carole Ott, conductor
ENS 382-01 | ENS 682-01 (1 credit)
TR (12:30 – 1:45 pm)
Music 110
Membership by audition

Membership

You must audition for membership in Jazz Ensemble I, Jazz Ensemble II, and the Small Jazz Combos. You do not have to be a music major.

Music Majors and Minors

All students majoring or minoring in music are required to audition for ensemble placement. Sometimes, freshmen or transfer music majors and minors do not understand that the “beginning of school” audition is expected of them. Plan to audition.

Requirements

A sign-up sheet will be posted on the door to Room 313 (Prof. Eby’s office) a week prior to the audition. Jazz Ensemble auditions will consist of the following:

• sight-reading of medium swing jazz piece and ballad
• scales and arpeggios to hear one’s sound and range
• bassists, pianists, and guitarists will be asked to do sight-reading accompanying
• improvisation on F blues (optional)

Instrument(s)	Contact Information	Audition Date, Time, and Location
All Instruments (except drums)	Prof. Steve Haines sjhaines@uncg.edu	Monday, August 18 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, Music 313
Drum Set	Prof. Steve Haines sjhaines@uncg.edu	Wednesday, August 20 11:00 am – 12:50 pm, Music 111

Jazz Ensemble I
Dr. Thomas Heflin, director
ENS 395-01 | ENS 695-01 (1 credit)
MWF (12:00 – 1:00 pm)
Music 111

Jazz Ensemble II
Prof. Chad Eby, director
ENS 396-01 | ENS 696-01 (1 credit)
MWF (11:00 – 11:50 am)
Music 111

Small Jazz Ensembles
Dr. Thomas Heflin, coach
ENS 348-02 | ENS 648-02 (1 credit)

Membership

All music majors and minors are required to audition, and placements in Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Sinfonia will be determined by the audition. These ensembles are open to all university students through the formal audition process. 

Students who are not music majors and wish to participate in the Concert Band should click here for more information.

Membership in Sinfonia does not require an audition for non-music majors.

Music Majors

Music majors studying privately for 2 or more credits and/or receiving a music scholarship are required to audition and participate. Music minors are also expected to audition as applicable. If you are a new student and have pre-registered for Concert Band, you should still plan to audition for placement.

Audition Schedule and Process

Auditions will take place in person prior to the start of fall classes, between August 15–17. Click Audition Schedule and Requirements to see the specific schedule for your instrument and access the PDF of audition requirements. When you are ready to sign up for your audition time, click Audition Information Form and Sign Up. Complete the online form and click “Next,” then follow the instructions to select your specific audition time. Once you are in the correct calendar, you will need to advance through it to find the day and block of times for your instrument—check it carefully. You must be logged into your iSpartan account to complete this process. Please sign up for the earliest available time slot.

Large Ensemble Preference

In the online form you will state your preferences for ensemble placement on the Information Form discussed above. Every attempt will be made to fairly consider student requests. Students receiving School of Music scholarships or graduate assistantships are occasionally required to participate in a particular ensemble as a part of that agreement. Final ensemble placements are determined through consultation between the performance faculty and conductors.

Registering for Credit

After the audition results and assignments are posted, make sure you are registered for the correct ensemble and course number (300 level for undergraduates, 600 level for graduates).

First Meetings of All Ensembles

Audition results will be posted at the beginning of the first week of classes. The first meetings of all UNCG bands and orchestras will occur during the week of classes. Look for more information from the conductor of the ensemble to which you are assigned.

Audition Advice

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

• There are two elements in music which are completely objective to the listener, namely rhythm and intonation. Good rhythm and intonation must be the foundation of your preparation. Subjective areas may include tone quality and color, interpretation, and articulation choices.
• Dynamics are vital elements of music but are subject to interpretation. The character of the music that you are portraying will dictate the proper volume and the direction of the phrases.
• As you make your choices for tempo and phrasing, use the metronome to help establish a desired tempo. Refer to recordings as possible and use a metronome creatively to help form an interpretation.
• Recording your audition materials is extremely helpful. The opportunity to objectively listen for rhythmic continuity, intonation, tempo choices, interpretation, and sound is extremely valuable in monitoring your progress.

Complete the Audition Information Form at the link below, submit, then follow the instructions to select your specific audition time. You will need to advance the calendar to your audition day to find the block of times for your instrument—check it carefully. Use your university (@uncg.edu) email address to complete the sign-up.

Please sign up for the earliest available time slot.

Band and Orchestra Ensemble Auditions | Fall 2025

You must complete the Instrumental Audition Form (see “Audition Form and Sign-Up”) to select an audition time.

Instrument	Contact Information	Audition Date, Time, and Location	Audition Materials
Flute	Dr. Erika Boysen elboysen@uncg.edu	Saturday, August 16 1:00–3:00 PM, Music 110	Flute Audition Packet (PDF)
Oboe	Dr. Courtney Miller ctmiller2@uncg.edu	Friday, August 15 1:00–2:30 PM, Music 111	Oboe Audition Packet (PDF)
Bassoon	Dr. Ryan Reynolds rrreynolds@uncg.edu ryan@akropolisquintet.org	Friday, August 15 2:45–3:30 PM, Music 111	Bassoon Audition Packet (PDF)
Clarinet	Dr. Anthony Taylor a_taylo2@uncg.edu Dr. Luke Ellard lmellard@uncg.edu	Friday, August 15 12:30–5:00 PM, Music 110	Clarinet Audition Packet (PDF)
Saxophone	Dr. Robert Young rcyoung2@uncg.edu	Sunday, August 17 3:30–6:30 PM, Music 111	Saxophone Audition Packet (PDF)
Horn	Dr. Abigail Pack alpack@uncg.edu	Friday, August 15 4:30–7:30 PM, Music 111	Horn Audition Packet (PDF)
Trumpet	Dr. Garrett Klein glklein@uncg.edu	Friday, August 15 1:00–4:00 PM, Organ Hall	Trumpet Audition Packet (PDF)
Trombone	Dr. Randy Kohlenberg rbkohlen@uncg.edu	Sunday, August 17 1:00–2:30 PM, Music 111	Trombone Audition Packet (PDF)
Euphonium and Tuba	Dr. Stephanie Ycaza saycaza@uncg.edu	Saturday, August 16 3:30–5:30 PM, Music 110	Euphonium Audition Packet (PDF) Tuba Audition Packet (PDF)
Percussion	Dr. Eric Willie ejwillie@uncg.edu	Saturday, August 16 9:00–11:00 AM, Music 146	Percussion Audition Packet (PDF)
Violin	Prof. Marjorie Bagley mhbagley@uncg.edu Dr. Fabián López f_lopez@uncg.edu	Saturday, August 16 1:00–3:00 PM, Music 111	Violin Audition Packet (PDF)
Viola	Dr. Scott Rawls viola_studio@uncg.edu	Saturday, August 16 3:30–5:00 PM, Music 111	Viola Audition Packet (PDF)
Cello	Dr. Alexander Ezerman abezerma@uncg.edu	Sunday, August 17 2:00–3:30 PM, Music 110	Cello Audition Packet (PDF)
Double Bass	Dr. Zachary Hobin zdhobin@uncg.edu	Sunday, August 17 1:00–1:45 PM, Music 110	Double Bass Audition Packet (PDF)

Wind Ensemble
Jonathan Caldwell, conductor
ENS 393-01 | ENS 693-01 (1 credit)
TR (12:30 – 2:10 pm)
Music 111
Membership by audition

Symphonic Band
Jonathan Caldwell, conductor
ENS 394-01 | ENS 694-01 (1 credit)
TR (2:30 – 4:10 pm)
Music 111
Membership by audition

Concert Band
Patty Saunders, conductor
ENS 392-01 | ENS 692-01 (1 credit)
TR (4:30 – 6:00 pm)
Music 111
Open to non-majors by brief seating audition

Symphony Orchestra
Jungho Kim, conductor
ENS 391-01 | ENS 691-01 (1 credit)
MW (2:00 – 3:40 pm)
Music 111
Membership by audition

Sinfonia
Scott Glasser, conductor
ENS 390-01 | ENS 690-01 (1 credit)
Fall Term: MW (5:00 – 6:30 pm)
Spring Term: MW (2:00 – 3:40 pm)
Music 111
Open to all students without audition