Ensemble & Production Auditions
Audition information is subject to change.
Music
Woodwinds, Brass & Percussion
The Large Ensemble Placement Auditions for all winds and percussion will take place in Armstrong Concert Hall on Friday, Aug. 28, and Saturday, Aug. 29, starting at 9 a.m. During Welcome Week (beginning Monday, Aug. 24), you will have an opportunity to sign up for a slot (available on a first-come, first-served basis). A sign-up link will be sent to your SU email that week. Please be active on email that email!
Registration sections are based on INSTRUMENT (not ensemble). ALL wind and percussion students register for “Large Instrumental Ensemble” MUEN 305 section 101 or MUEN 505 section 101. (Please note that section 102 is for STRINGS ONLY.) Please note that the online catalog from the registrar’s office shows all the possible rehearsal times for groups that meet under the umbrella of 305/505. Following these “ensemble auditions” part assignments will be determined and you will learn your specific rehearsal schedule(s) within all of the possible rehearsal times.
What to Prepare
The music selected for these auditions represents a variety of core repertoire excerpts important to your development. You will receive information about ensemble rehearsals (Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band) following these auditions.
- Please select yourself: One selection of your choice that best demonstrates your ability (60–90 seconds in duration)
- Then prepare: The “general” excerpt selected for your instrument
If you wish to be considered for principal parts, please ALSO prepare:
- The “principal” excerpt(s) selected for your instrument. Note: players preparing both general and principal will likely be asked to omit the selection of their own choice (option 1 above).
When you audition, please inform the monitor if you will be playing the excerpt intended for principal part consideration. The panel may request specific excerpts (and amounts of those excerpts) during your audition.
Large Instrumental Ensembles Audition Materials
Percussion
Audition Blocks Schedule* for Woodwinds, Brass & Percussion
Friday, Aug. 28, 2026
- 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. – Saxophone
- 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Clarinet
- 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. – Flute
- 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. – Lunch Break
- 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Oboe & Bassoon
- 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. – Horn
- 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Break
- 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Percussion
Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026
- 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. – Trumpet
- 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Trombone
- 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Tuba & Euphonium
- 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. – Lunch Break
Schedule subject to change.
Please be sure to contact your studio teacher or Dr. Tim Robblee (trobblee@su.edu) with questions.
Harps & Strings
The Large Ensemble Placement Auditions for all strings (including harp) will take place in Armstrong Hall, Room 39 and Armstrong Concert Hall starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27. During Welcome Week (starting Monday, Aug. 24), you will have an opportunity to sign up for a slot (available on a first-come, first-served basis). A sign-up link will be sent to your SU email that week. Please be on the lookout for that email.
Please note that registration sections are based on INSTRUMENT (not ensemble). ALL strings including harp register for “Large Instrumental Ensemble” MUEN 305 section 102 or MUEN 505 section 102. (Please note that section 101 is for WINDS ONLY.) Please note that the online catalog from the registrar’s office shows all the possible rehearsal times for groups that meet under the umbrella of 305/505. Following these “ensemble auditions” part assignments will be determined and you will learn your specific rehearsal schedule(s) within all of the possible rehearsal times.
What to Prepare
The music selected for these auditions represents a variety of core repertoire excerpts important to your development. You will receive information about ensemble rehearsals (Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band) following these auditions.
- Please select yourself: One selection of your choice that best demonstrates your ability (60–90 seconds in duration)
- Then prepare: The “general” excerpt selected for your instrument
If you wish to be considered for concertmaster/principal parts, please ALSO prepare:
- The “principal” excerpt(s) selected for your instrument. Note: players preparing both general and principal will likely be asked to omit the selection of their own choice (option 1 above).
When you audition, please inform the monitor if you will be playing the excerpt intended for principal part consideration. The panel may request specific excerpts (and amounts of those excerpts) during your audition.
Harp
General Audition
- Donizetti: “Lucia di Lammermoor” (No. 3 Scena e Cavatina: Beginning – Reh. 24, D major version)
- Ravel: “Introduction et allegro, M.46” (10 after Reh. 17 – 18 (Cadenza))
- Stravinsky: “Symphony in Three Movements” (Mvt. II: Beginning – 1 after Reh. 128; Mvt. III: one before Reh. 172 – 1 after 177; Reh. 191 – 194)
Principal Audition
Information coming soon…
NOTE: Harp excerpts for the large ensembles auditions will be communicated directly by Lynnelle Ediger to students. Students should coordinate with professor Ediger and announce their repertoire to the committee when they attend the audition.
Violin
General Audition
Please prepare the full Finale (IV movement) of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major (“Eroica”). Depending on whether you would like to be considered for 1st or 2nd violins, you can choose to prepare either the 1st or 2nd violins part; the tempo of the theme and main variations is around quarter-note=132, intro is quarter=152; please, listen to some of the famous recordings, easily available on various platforms, or live performances such as Mariss Jansons’ with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (BRSO) available on YouTube (finale starts at 37:00).
Concertmaster Audition
If you wish to be considered for concertmaster or section principal, also prepare the Scherzo (III movement) of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major (“Eroica”).
Viola
General Audition
Please prepare the full Finale (IV movement) of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major (“Eroica”). The tempo of the theme and main variations is around quarter-note=132, intro is quarter=152; please, listen to some of the famous recordings, easily available on various platforms, or live performances such as Mariss Jansons’ with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (BRSO) available on YouTube (finale starts at 37:00).
Principal Audition
If you wish to be considered for section principal, also prepare Movement 2 from measures 51–83 of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 in E-flat Major, WAB 104.
Cello
General Audition
Please prepare the full Finale (IV movement) of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major (“Eroica”). The tempo of the theme and main variations is around quarter-note=132, intro is quarter=152; please, listen to some of the famous recordings, easily available on various platforms, or live performances such as Mariss Jansons’ with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (BRSO) available on YouTube (finale starts at 37:00).
Principal Audition
If you wish to be considered for section principal, also prepare the Scherzo (III movement) of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major (“Eroica”).
Double Bass
General Audition
Please prepare the full Finale (IV movement) of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major (“Eroica”). The tempo of the theme and main variations is around quarter-note=132, intro is quarter=152; please, listen to some of the famous recordings, easily available on various platforms, or live performances such as Mariss Jansons’ with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (BRSO) available on YouTube (finale starts at 37:00).
Principal Audition
If you wish to be considered for section principal, also prepare the Scherzo (III movement) of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major (“Eroica”).
Audition Blocks Schedule* for Harps & Strings
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026
- 4 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. – Harps
- 4:20 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. – Violas
- 5:20 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. – Cellos
- 6:50 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. – First-Year Auditions for Harp, Viola and Cello
- 7:50 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Violins (All)
- 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. – Double Basses (All)
*Audition block times are approximate and subject to change
Questions?
Additional questions regarding large ensemble auditions should be directed to Dr. Emanuele Andrizzi (Director of the Symphony Orchestra) at emanuele.andrizzi@su.edu or Dr. Tim Robblee (Director of Bands) at trobblee@su.edu.
You must audition in person to be considered and placed in any Jazz & Commercial ensemble.
Auditions for the Shenandoah Conservatory Studio Big, Big Band Workshop, Commercial Rock Ensemble and all small groups will be conducted in person on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Vaden Campus Commons, 2nd Floor. Sign up for a time by adding your first and last name on the All Jazz & Commercial Music Auditions Google Spreadsheet. If you have an unavoidable conflict, make-up auditions can be scheduled on Friday, Aug. 28, using the same link as above. If you do not audition, you will not be placed in any jazz or commercial ensembles.
Vocalists interested in these ensembles must submit recordings in advance of the live audition to Matt Niess at mniess@su.edu.
Jazz & Commercial Wind Instruments
From the Prepared Music (prepare what best represents your ability)
Saxophones
- “Mambo Inn” – Beginning to E, BPM=230 (Latin)
- “Rapid Transit” – Measures 9–41, BPM=200+ (up-tempo swing)
- “All of Me” – Beginning to I, part of your choice, BPM=120+ (medium swing)
- “Soul with a Capitol S” – Prepare entire chart (no baritone saxophone)
- Baritone Saxophone: “Soul Finger” – BPM=117 (soul)
Trumpets
- “Mambo Inn” – J to the end, part of your choice, BPM=230 (Latin)
- “All of Me” – Beginning to I, part of your choice, BPM=120+ (medium swing)
- “Soul Finger” – Prepare entire chart, BPM=117 (soul)
- Lead Players: “Soul with a Capitol S” – Prepare entire chart
Trombones
- “Mambo Inn” – J to the end, part of your choice, BPM=230 (Latin)
- “All of Me” – Beginning to I, part of your choice, BPM=120+ (medium swing)
- “Soul With A Capitol S” – Prepare entire chart
- Lead Players: “Soul Finger” – Prepare entire chart, BPM=117 (soul)
- Bass Trombone: “Saturday Night” – BPM=138+ (medium swing)
From the Improvisation Folder (optional)
- Select one Blues and play two choruses of improvisation
- Select one tune and play the melody with two choruses of improvisation
Jazz & Commercial Rhythm Players
For All Rhythm
Grooves
- Grooves: Play short samples of swing, salsa, funk, and straight 8th on any chord, progression or tune of your choice.
Prepared Music (guitar/vibes: select piano or actual part)
- “Mambo Inn” – Prepare entire chart, BPM=230 (Latin)
- “All of Me” – Prepare entire chart, BPM=120+ (medium swing)
- “Rapid Transit” – Prepare entire chart, BPM=200+ (up-tempo swing)
- “Soul with a Capitol S” – Prepare entire chart
- Vibes: “Metroliner” and “Sing Sang Sung”
From the Improvisation Folder (Optional) – No drums on this event
- Select one Blues and play two choruses of improvisation
- Select one tune and play the melody with two choruses of improvisation
Questions?
Additional questions regarding the Studio Big Band, Commercial Rock Ensemble or Big Band Workshop should be directed to Dr. Matthew Niess (Director of Jazz & Commercial Music and Associate Professor of Trombone) via email at mniess@su.edu.
All new incoming undergraduate and graduate instrumental and piano performance students will audition in person for Chamber Ensembles with Professor Doris Lederer (Director of Chamber Music) on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. Audition requirements include two contrasting works of choice lasting no more than 5 minutes total. Returning instrumental and piano performance students will be placed at the discretion of the director of chamber music.
Questions?
Additional questions regarding chamber ensemble auditions should be directed to Professor Doris Lederer (Director of Chamber Music) at dlederer@su.edu.
All new incoming undergraduate instrumental and piano performance students will audition in person for Chamber Ensembles with Professor Doris Lederer (Director of Chamber Music) on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. Audition requirements include two contrasting works of choice lasting no more than 5 minutes total. Returning instrumental and piano performance students will be placed at the discretion of the director of chamber music.
Note for Non-Performance Piano Majors
Non-performance piano majors (composition, music education, music production & recording technology and music therapy, etc.) may audition for any of the established ensembles (Studio Big Band, choirs, chamber music, etc.). If you wish to audition for a jazz ensemble or chamber music, please prepare the materials as indicated on this page.
Guitar auditions will be held on the Friday of Welcome Week. From the 10 numbered excerpts, please choose the most advanced Guitar 1, Guitar 2, Guitar 3 and Guitar 4 part that you can play confidently and fluently. The individual Guitar 1, 2, 3 and 4 parts can be chosen from the different 10 numbered excerpts. This means you will be preparing 4 excerpts. Please check the Welcome Week schedule for the date, time and place of the guitar ensemble auditions.
Questions?
Contact Director of the Guitar Studio and Associate Professor of Guitar Colin Davin at colin.davin@su.edu.
The choral department welcomes students to sing with us. Choirs are open to all students at Shenandoah University, including music majors and non-majors.
To join, enroll in the choir that you are most interested in participating in. If you are placed in a different choir after your audition, we will adjust your enrollment at that time. It is possible to enroll in multiple choirs.
Non-Auditioned Choirs
No audition is required for the following choirs — simply register and join us:
- Shenandoah Chorus (soprano-alto singers), register for MUEN 313/513
- Shenandoah Voices (tenor-bass singers), register for MUEN 312/512
Conservatory Choir
An audition is required for all new and returning students who wish to join the following choir:
- Conservatory Choir (SATB singers), register for MUEN 311/511
Fall semester auditions are held in the Spring semester and during Welcome Week in August. Spring semester auditions are by appointment. Membership in Conservatory Choir is open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students; first-year students should enroll in Shenandoah Chorus or Shenandoah Voices.
If you are interested in auditioning for Conservatory Choir:
- First, register for Conservatory Choir. If you are placed in a different choir after your audition, we will adjust your enrollment at that time.
- Then, complete the Conservatory Choir Auditions Google Form by Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. Please submit this form prior to your audition/interview.
- Submit recordings of yourself singing (instructions found on the audition form). Please submit these recordings by the deadline listed on the audition form.
- Sign up for the live interview/sight-singing portion of the audition. Instructions and times for signing up are found on the audition form.
- Note: Students who are not accepted into Conservatory Choir will be asked to change their registration to Shenandoah Chorus or Shenandoah Voices.
Questions?
Additional questions about choral ensembles should be directed to Dr. Hillary Ridgley (Director of Shenandoah Chorus) at hridgley@su.edu or Dr. Jeffrey Marlatt (Director of Shenandoah Voices) at jmarlatt@su.edu. Contact Dr. Jeffrey Marlatt at jmarlatt@su.edu with questions regarding Conservatory Choir.
Opera Up Close
Opera auditions for the fall opera production are closed.
Main Stage Opera
Opera auditions for Shenandoah Conservatory’s Main Stage Opera production of “Suor Angelica” and “L’enfant et les sortilèges” will be held on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. If you would like to register interest in auditioning, email Professor of Voice Byron Jones at bjones@su.edu. More information will be provided during the voice/opera area meeting at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, in Ruebush Hall, Room 128.
Questions?
Questions regarding opera auditions should be directed to Professor of Voice Byron Jones at bjones@su.edu.
CONTEMPO Ensemble auditions for students not enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Musicianship & Entrepreneur Development program will be held on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. Auditions are available for drum set, piano/keyboard, and background vocalists. Applicants are assessed on technique, interpretation, intonation, feel, rhythm and personal style.
Electric Guitar
Two or three songs/pieces, each approximately 2 minutes in length, of contrasting styles and genres (pop, R&B, Latin, soul, country, etc.):
- One song/piece in a slower tempo to demonstrate your expressivity and touch on the instrument
- A second song/piece in a faster tempo to demonstrate technique and energy
- If desired, you may include a third original composition
At the audition, students will also complete a short diagnostic including the following:
- Reading a chord progression written using chord symbols
- Playing back short melodies and/or rhythms by ear
- Identifying intervals and chord qualities by ear
- Improvising over a common chord progression
Drum Set
Two songs/pieces, each approximately 2 minutes in length, of contrasting styles and genres (pop, R&B, Latin, soul, country, etc.) on drum set played along with recordings:
- One song/piece in a slower tempo to demonstrate your expressivity and touch on the instrument
- A second song/piece in a faster tempo to demonstrate technique and energy
- If desired, you may include a third original composition
At the audition, students will also complete a short diagnostic including the following:
- Reading short notated rhythms
- Singing back short rhythms by ear
- Improvising a one-minute drum solo
Piano/Keyboard
Two or three songs/pieces, each approximately 2 minutes in length, of contrasting styles and genres (pop, R&B, Latin, soul, country, etc.):
- One song/piece in a slower tempo to demonstrate your expressivity and touch on the instrument
- A second song/piece in a faster tempo to demonstrate technique and energy
- If desired, you may include a third original composition
At the audition, students will also complete a short diagnostic including the following:
- Reading a chord progression written using chord symbols
- Playing back short melodies and/or rhythms by ear
- Identifying intervals and chord qualities by ear
- Improvising over a common chord progression
Questions?
Additional questions regarding opera auditions should be directed to Interim Director of Contemporary Musicianship & Entrepreneur Development (CMED) and Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Jesse Terry at jesse.terry@su.edu.
Theatre
Fall 2026 Audition Information
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Theatre Division will present three productions during the Fall 2026 semester, including “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying” (Thursday, Oct. 8, through Sunday, Oct. 11), “American Psycho” (Wednesday, Oct. 28, through Sunday, Nov. 1) and “Shakespeare in Love” (Thursday, Nov. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 22).
General auditions and callbacks for all three theatre productions during the Fall 2026 semester will be held live and in-person on main campus toward the end of Shenandoah University’s Welcome Week. Auditions for the roles of Natasha, Pierre, Anatole and Sonya in “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812” (Thursday, Feb. 26, through Sunday, Feb. 28), will also be held during Welcome Week (auditions for the ensemble will occur sometime in November or early December).
More information about how to prepare for the musical theatre and play auditions will be released later this month.
Spring 2027 Audition Information
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Theatre Division will present three productions during the Spring 2027 semester, including “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812” (Thursday, Feb. 25, through Sunday, Feb. 28), “Machinal” (Thursday, April 8, through Sunday, April 11) and “Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches” (Thursday, April 22, through Sunday, April 25).
Audition information for the Spring 2027 musicals and plays will be posted later this fall.
Questions?
Questions regarding auditions for musicals should be directed to Director of Musical Theatre and Associate Professor of Music Theatre Kevin Covert a kcovert@su.edu or Music Director and Professor of Theatre Patrick Brady at pbrady@su.edu.
Questions regarding auditions for plays should be directed to Director of Acting and Associate Professor of Theatre Scott Hudson at shudson@su.edu.to view the scripts and scores for this season’s theatre productions.
To request access to view the scripts and scores for this season’s theatre productions, contact Associate Professor of Theatre & Production Management/Stage Management John Bonanni via email at john.bonanni@su.edu.
Dance
All new and returning dance students are invited to attend a Dance Area Meeting from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 in Ewing Dance Studio located in Shingleton Hall. Dance Ensemble auditions will take place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Ewing Dance Studio located in Shingleton Hall. Seniors and group composition students will meet at noon on Saturday, Aug. 29, in Ewing Dance Studio located in Shingleton Hall.
The Dance Division will provide further instructions through email. If you are a non-dance major and interested in auditioning for the dance ensembles, email Chair of Dance Division and Associate Professor of Dance Maurice Fraga at mfraga@su.edu.
Questions?
Additional questions regarding dance ensemble auditions should be directed to professor Maurice Fraga (Chair of Dance Division) at mfraga@su.edu.
Music Theory Placement, Piano Proficiency & Applied Musicianship Proficiency
As part of our undergraduate programs, all Bachelor of Music majors are required to complete courses in the Thinking in Key music theory sequence. The Music Theory Placement Exam will take place on Friday of Welcome Week for all students taking or retaking the test. You will receive an email over the summer with specific locations and times. To prepare, please review the official study guide and resource list available below. If you took the AP Music Theory exam and want to challenge MUTC-115, please contact Coordinator and Professor of Music Theory Keith Salley at ksalley@su.edu no later than Monday, Aug. 24, to discuss your options.
Shenandoah Conservatory will review video submissions to assess piano proficiency. Undergraduate first-year and transfer students must upload their video and complete the Piano Proficiency Form by 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, 2025. See additional details below regarding the submission process and guidelines for video auditions.
Video Audition Submission Process
- Follow the guidelines below to record your UNLISTED YouTube video.
- Label your YouTube video: [Name] – [Instrument]. Example: John Doe – Piano
- Complete and submit the Piano Proficiency Form by 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. This form will provide a place to add the web link to your YouTube audition video.
Special Guidelines for Instrumental Video Auditions
- All videos will be submitted as a link to an UNLISTED YouTube video. You must set up your video as UNLISTED to protect against licensing infringement.
- Professional recordings are not recommended nor required.
- Position the camera’s field-of-view so that both right and left arms are in clear view.
- Ensure that lighting and acoustics are adequate.
- State your name and the name of your selection.
- If you need to stop and start an excerpt again, do not pause, stop or restart video, simply begin again with the excerpt you were playing and continue.
- The entire audition should not exceed 10 minutes.
- Do not edit after the recording. Recordings that are not continuous or that are edited will be disqualified.
Submission Deadline: Submit your YouTube web link via the Piano Proficiency Form by 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026.
The Applied Musicianship Proficiency Exam will be offered during Welcome Week. New and returning students in musical theatre, theatre design and production – sound reinforcement, collaborative audio arts and contemporary musicianship and entrepreneurial development have the option to take the Applied Musicianship Proficiency Exam if they have a background in basic music theory, keyboard and singing skills.
The Applied Musicianship sequence is a two-semester course sequence designed to equip students with fundamental skills in listening (transcription), reading (sight-reading melodies and rhythms), written music theory, and piano keyboard fundamentals. The proficiency exam is designed to evaluate the strength of your musicianship skills and will determine:
- placement in the appropriate level of applied basic musicianship; or
- exemption from the course sequence.
Students who are exempt from APMU-105, Applied Basic Musicianship I and/or APMU-106, Applied Basic Musicianship II are required to complete the credits with open electives. Students with no prior background may forego the Applied Musicianship Proficiency Exam and remain enrolled in APMU-105, Applied Basic Musicianship I.
The Applied Basic Musicianship Exam assesses the following skills:
- Transcribe a two-measure rhythmic example and syncopations
- Aurally identify ascending melodic and perfect intervals
- Sight read a diatonic melody using solfege, numbers or a neutral syllable
- Write a requested major scale in treble or bass staff
- Play a requested major scale at the piano keyboard using the standard hand position
Placement Results
- Students who successfully pass the proficiency exam will be advised to drop APMU-105, Applied Basic Musicianship I and register for an alternate class if applicable.
- Students who successfully complete the proficiency exam will be offered the opportunity to take the APMU-106, Applied Basic Musicianship II proficiency exam at a later date.
- Students who do not meet the minimum standards for proficiency will remain registered for APMU-105, Applied Basic Musicianship I and will continue in the course sequence until curricular requirements have been met.
MusicTheory.net and Sight Reading Factory are excellent resources to polish listening and reading skills.
Students will be contacted over the summer with more information about the exam. Questions? Contact Coordinator and Adjunct Instructor of Applied Musicianship Shannan Schmidt at sschmidt132@su.edu for more information.