Band and Orchestra Auditions

Choral Auditions

Auditions required for participation in Concert Band, Orchestra, or Wind Symphony.

All brass, percussion, string and woodwind students enrolled in applied music lessons are required to participate in Wind Symphony, Orchestra, or Concert Band (if available) except Bachelor of Arts majors who may elect other ensembles as indicated in the student handbook. Ensemble placement is by audition. 

If you are enrolled in a music major, music minor, or applied lessons, you MUST prepare ALL EXCERPTS! 

Course Conflict Policy

1. Students enrolled in applied lessons are placed in an ensemble on the basis of audition. We will accommodate required courses that are only available that term (for example, EDI 331, but others exist) as long as your audition level matches that of the other players in the ensemble. 
2. Conflicts that are not time-sensitive (you could take a substitute course or section) will not be considered over audition placement. 
3. If you are not enrolled in applied lessons - typically students who are not music majors or minors - we will honor any time conflict that does not bump someone who placed higher in auditions. The auditions must be fair and have meaning.
4. Please register ASAP. Rehearsal plans will be issued through the Blackboard course page.

Winter 2025 Audition Procedures

1. Students currently enrolled in a concert band will audition during the last week of classes in Fall 2024.
2. Students new to Wind Symphony, contact Professor Tutt [email protected]
3. String students who are new to orchestra this term, contact Professor Schut [email protected].
4. We will not be offering Concert Band in Winter 2025. 
5. Questions about Wind and Brass auditions, please contact Professor Tutt [email protected].

Fall 2025 Audition Procedures (tentative)

1. Students interested in auditioning must fill out the audition registration form at http://www.gvsu.edu/mtd/cms-form-edit.htm?formId=A4B1BD01-E6C3-257E-BFE22ECD0141E2B7
2. Audition Excerpts are available at  https://www.gvsu.edu/mtd/wind-symphony-and-orchestra-audition-materials-96.htm
3. Students may also sight-read an excerpt.
4. Questions regarding string auditions, please contact Professor Joel Schut [email protected].
5. Wind, Brass, and Percussion auditions, please contact Professor Tutt [email protected].

Friday, August 22 - PAC 1515

2:00 PM - Trumpets

3:30 pm - Saxophone

5:00 pm - Euphoniums, Tubas

Saturday, August 23 - PAC 1515

9:00 am - Bass Trombone, followed by tenor trombones

10:15 am - Clarinets

11:45 am - Flutes

1:30 pm - Horns

2:30 pm - Oboes

3:15 pm - Bassoons

4:00 pm - Percussion

Monday, August 25

12:00 - 1:00 pm Cellos and Basses in PAC 1525 (Note: 1515 Rehearsal Hall available for open warm up)

1:00 - 2:30 pm Violins, and Violas, in PAC 1525 (Note: 1515 Rehearsal Hall available for open warm up)

Anima Vocal Ensemble and Varsity Glee Club do not require auditions; please email Dr. Chuck Norris at [email protected] for enrollment.

Auditions for University Arts Chorale will take place on Thursday, August 22. Sign up for a time slot below:

Fall 2024 Choral Auditions