Orchestra Placement Auditions

AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS

All students in the School of Music are required to participate in a major performance ensemble each semester. For string students, violin, viola, cello, double bass (classical) and harp this means that you are required to perform an instrumental ensemble placement audition for the CSUF Symphony Orchestra and also register for the Symphony Orchestra course MUS406A. Students who play woodwind, brass and percussion instruments as well as non-major string players are welcome to audition for placement in the orchestra. Wind and percussion players may use their required ensemble placement audition for the wind bands to serve as an audition for the University Orchestra as well. Please indicate your interest in participating in the Symphony Orchestra on the online form for consideration.

 

Who Must Audition

All string music majors and anyone else wishing to participate in the CSUF Symphony Orchestra 406A.

Pianists:  If you would like to participate in the Symphony Orchestra program, please contact Prof. Furumoto directly at: kfurumoto@fullerton.edu

String Bassists:  If you would like to participate in the band program, please contact Dr. Barr directly at dbarr@fullerton.edu

 

 

Video Auditions

In order to expedite ensemble placement, we have adopted a video audition format for most instruments.  Please follow the instructions below and submit your videos by 11:59pm on Sunday, August 14, 2022.  

Wind and percussion players please use the Wind Band audition submission process and click on “yes” for University Orchestra question.

1. 1.  Video record your audition.
      • You may use a camcorder, smartphone, webcam or any other means to create your videos.  A high-quality microphone is encouraged whenever possible, but most contemporary cells phones still do a decent job of audio recording these days. Please use what you have available. 
      • You may submit one long video for your entire audition or you may include each portion of the audition as a separate video.  Individual excerpts should be done in one take. 
        
   2. Upload your videos to a file sharing program (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) or to a video hosting website (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.).
      • Every CSUF student is given both a Dropbox and Google Drive account. Either can be used for this purpose. Please see your student portal and look for “Titan Apps.”
        
   3. Submit your video
      • You will be able to supply internet links (URLs) to your uploaded videos.
      • It is your responsibility to ensure that your videos can be viewed by anyone with the link. Please check this before submitting!
        • CSUF Google Drive users—When getting a shareable link you must go into “sharing settings” and make sure “anyone with the link can view.” Do not select “Anyone at CSUF with the link can view” or we may not be able to view your files.
        • CSUF Dropbox users—after creating a sharable link, go to “link settings” and double check that anyone with the link can access the file. Do not select “team members” or we may not be able to view your files.
        • YouTube users—we strongly suggest that you make your videos “Unlisted.” This means that only those with the link can view them. Do not select “Private,” or we will not be able to view your videos.
      • Audition videos are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, August 14, 2022.
      • CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR AUDITION VIDEOS

  

Zoom Callback Auditions

Some students may be required to play a callback audition over Zoom. Prof. Furumoto will reach out to you via email to schedule this audition if needed.

   

Audition Materials

1. 1. A solo or etude of your choice; approximately 2-2.5 minutes in length. You may perform any portion of the solo or etude.
   2. Excerpts (available below)
      You must prepare all excerpts unless they are marked optional.
      Listening to multiple recordings of the excerpts is an expected part of any audition process.
   3. Sight reading may be required at Zoom Callback Auditions.

  

Results

An email will be sent with audition results as soon as they are available but no later than Sunday, August 21 (the day before classes begin).

 

 

AUDITION EXCERPTS (BY INSTRUMENT)

Winds, Brass, and Percussion

Wind and percussion players please use the Wind Band audition submission process  and click on “yes” for University Orchestra question.

Strings

• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Double Bass -  If you would like to participate in the band program, please contact Dr. Barr directly at dbarr@fullerton.edu
• Piano and Harp – email Prof. Furumoto for details