Music Auditions

Wind Symphony Auditions

Wind Symphony is Concordia’s premiere instrumental ensemble; auditions are required. University Band and University Orchestra do not require an audition. Wind Symphony auditions will be held in the Borland Center the morning of Saturday, August 19. Students should arrive 5 minutes prior to their audition time to fill out an audition form. Wind Symphony auditions take approximately 10 minutes and include the following:

• A one-minute excerpt of a piece you play well that demonstrates your technical ability, range and tone.
• An 8-measure rhythm reading exercise for you to sight-read speaking on the neutral syllable “ta.”
• A selected scale in two octaves played on an assigned rhythmic figure.

Sign up for a Wind Symphony audition

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Robert Cody.

Choir Auditions

Concordia has three auditioned choirs: A Cappella, Cantamus Women’s Choir and Male Chorus. Mixed Chorus does not require an audition. Students should arrive 5 minutes prior to their audition time to fill out an audition form.

A Cappella 

A Cappella auditions will be held in the Borland Center the afternoon of Friday, August 18. Auditions take approximately 5 minutes and include the following:

• Singing scales that demonstrate your vocal range.
• An 8-measure rhythm to sight-read, speaking on the neutral syllable “ta.”
• An 8-measure melody to sight-read, singing on “la” (or solfege syllables, if you prefer).
• Singing the first stanza of Amazing Grace, My Country ‘Tis of Thee or Beautiful Savior (words provided).

Sign up for an A Cappella audition

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Kurt von Kampen.

Cantamus

Cantamus auditions will be held in the Borland Center the morning of Saturday, August 19. Auditions take approximately 5 minutes and include the following:

• Singing of the hymn “God Moves in A Mysterious Way” in various keys to determine vocal range.
• Repeating various vocalizations and patterns first played by the piano.
• Sight-reading a short rhythm on the neutral syllable “ta” (or using any other counting system you may know).
• Sight-sing a short melody on “la” (or solfege, if you prefer).

Sign up for a Cantamus audition

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Jeffrey Blersch. 

Male Chorus

Male Chorus auditions will be held in the Borland Center the morning of Saturday, August 19. Auditions take approximately 5 minutes and include the following:

• Matching pitches sung to you or played on the piano.
• Singing a stanza of a well-known song.

Sign up for a Male Chorus audition

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Paul Soulek.

Handbell Choir Auditions

Handbell Choir auditions will be held in the Borland Center the afternoon of Friday, August 18. Auditions will take approximately 10 minutes and will include the following:

• Complete a form that provides past ringing experience (if applicable).
• Brief review of proper ringing technique (if you are new to ringing or need a refresher).
• Ringing a handbell part in several short melodic exercises to demonstrate sight-reading and ringing ability.
• Clapping a rhythm to demonstrate rhythmic reading/counting ability.

Sign up for a Handbell Choir audition

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Jessica Kite.

Questions

Additional questions may be directed to Debbie Brutlag in the Music Office or the individual music directors.