Ensemble & Production Auditions

Woodwinds, Brass & Percussion

The Large Ensemble Placement Auditions for all winds and percussion will take place in Armstrong Concert Hall on Friday, Aug. 29, and Saturday, Aug. 30, starting at 9 a.m. During Welcome Week (beginning Monday, Aug. 25), 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!

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 for Woodwinds, Brass & Percussion

View Winds & Percussion Full Instructions

Please be sure to contact your studio teacher or Dr. Emanuele Andrizzi (emanuele.andrizzi@su.edu) with questions!

Schedule

Schedule subject to change.

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. 28. During Welcome Week (starting Monday, Aug. 25), you’ll 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 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

• Tchaikovsky: Waltz of the Flowers cadenza
• Britten: Young Person’s Guide (pg. 5)
• Handel: Harp Concerto (mvt. 1)
• Mahler: Excepts from Symphony No. 5 (Adagietto)

View Harp Excerpts

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

Viola

Cello

Double Bass

Audition Blocks Schedule* for Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025

4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Harps
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Violas
5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. – Cellos
7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Violins
8:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. – Double Basses

*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. Shaun Evans (Director of the Symphonic Band) at shaun.evans@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. 28, 2025, in Armstrong Concert Hall and Armstrong Hall, Room 39. Sign up for a time by adding your first and last name on the Jazz Auditions Google Spreadsheet. If you have an unavoidable conflict, make-up auditions can be scheduled on Friday, Aug. 29, 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 Improvisation Folder (Optional)

1. Select one Blues and play two choruses of improvisation
2. Select one tune and play the melody with two choruses of improvisation

From the Prepared Music (Prepare what best represents your ability)

Saxophones

1. “Mambo Inn” – Beginning to E, BPM=230 (Latin)
2. “Rapid Transit” – Measures 9–41, BPM=200+ (up-tempo swing)
3. “All of Me” – Beginning to I, part of your choice, BPM=120+ (medium swing)
4. “Soul with a Capitol S” – Prepare entire chart (no baritone saxophone)
5. Baritone Saxophone: “Soul Finger” – BPM=117 (soul)

Trumpets

1. “Mambo Inn” – J to the end, part of your choice, BPM=230 (Latin)
2. “All of Me” – Beginning to I, part of your choice, BPM=120+ (medium swing)
3. “Soul Finger” – Prepare entire chart, BPM=117 (soul)
4. Lead Players: “Soul with a Capitol S” – Prepare entire chart

Trombones

1. “Mambo Inn” – J to the end, part of your choice, BPM=230 (Latin)
2. “All of Me” – Beginning to I, part of your choice, BPM=120+ (medium swing)
3. “Soul With A Capitol S” – Prepare entire chart
4. Lead Players: “Soul Finger” – Prepare entire chart, BPM=117 (soul)
5. Bass Trombone: “Saturday Night” – BPM=138+ (medium swing)

Jazz & Commercial Rhythm Players

From the Improvisation Folder (Optional) – No drums on this event

1. Select one Blues and play two choruses of improvisation
2. Select one tune and play the melody with two choruses of improvisation

For All Rhythm

1. Grooves: Play short samples of swing, salsa, funk, and straight 8th on any chord, progression or tune of your choice.

For All Rhythm

Prepared Music (Guitar/Vibes: select piano or actual part)

1. “Mambo Inn” – Prepare entire chart, BPM=230 (Latin)
2. “All of Me” – Prepare entire chart, BPM=120+ (medium swing)
3. “Rapid Transit” – Prepare entire chart, BPM=200+ (up-tempo swing)
4. “Soul with a Capitol S” – Prepare entire chart
5. Vibes: “Metroliner” and “Sing Sang Sung”

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. 29, 2025. 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. 29, 2025. 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.

Guitar Audition 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. 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, Dr. Jeffrey Marlatt (Director of Shenandoah Voices) at jmarlatt@su.edu or Dr. Richard Robbins (Director of Choral Activities/Conservatory Choir) at richard.robbins@su.edu.

Opera auditions for the fall opera production are closed.

Opera auditions for Shenandoah Conservatory’s Main Stage Opera production of Humperdink’s “Hansel and Gretel” will be held in early September. If you would like to register interest in auditioning, email Director of Opera and Associate Professor Ella Marchment at emarchme@su.edu.

Questions?

Additional questions regarding opera auditions should be directed to Director of Opera and Associate Professor Ella Marchment at emarchme@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. 29, 2025. Auditions are available for drum set, piano/keyboard, and background vocalists. Applicants are assessed on technique, interpretation, intonation, feel, rhythm, and personal style.

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 Director and Assistant Professor of Contemporary Music Rod Vester at rvester@su.edu.

  The Music Theory Placement Exam will be held on Friday of Welcome Week for students taking and retaking the exam. Students will be contacted over the summer with more information about the exam. A study guide and list of resources is available here.

View Music Theory Placement Exam Study Guide

  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. 18, 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. 18, 2025. 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. 18, 2025.

Piano Proficiency Form

The Applied Musicianship Proficiency Exam will be held on Friday of Welcome Week. Students in Musical Theatre, Collaborative & Audio Arts, Contemporary Musicianship & Entrepreneurial Development and Theatre Design & Production – Sound Reinforcement have the option to take the Applied Musicianship Proficiency Exam if they have a background in basic music theory, keyboard and singing skills. Students will be contacted over the summer with more information about the exam. Students should be prepared to transcribe a brief rhythmic example which includes syncopations; identify ascending major and perfect intervals; sight read a brief melodic example using solfege, numbers or a neutral syllable; notate a major scale; and play a major scale at the piano. MusicTheory.net and Sight Reading Factory are available resources to polish listening and reading skills.