Band Placement Auditions

AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS

Students in the CSUF School of Music are required to participate in a major performing ensemble (MPE) each semester. Wind and percussion students are required to perform an ensemble placement audition and will be assigned to register for participation in one of the following three ensembles: Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, or University Band. This audition may also serve as your audition for the University Orchestra.

 

Who Must Audition

• Music Majors: All woodwind, brass, and percussion music majors and anyone else wishing to participate in our elite wind bands: Wind Symphony (406F) and Symphonic Winds (406C). 
• Pianists, Harpists, and String Bassists: If you would like to participate in one of the CSUF bands, please contact Dr. Barr.
• Non-music majors who elect to participate in University Band (406U) do not need to audition, but they should contact Dr. Barr to express their interest in joining the ensemble. Non-music majors who would like to participate in Symphonic Winds or Wind Symphony, must complete the same audition expected of music majors.
• CSUF Faculty and Staff – we welcome members of the broader campus community to join the CSUF University Band. No audition necessary to join the ensemble. Please contact Dr. Barr for information. 

 

 

Video Auditions

We use video auditions to expedite ensemble assignments so that students know what ensemble to enroll in by the first day of classes. Since not all students are present the week before the semester begins, video auditions allow us to assess everyone using the same format.

Videos are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, August 14, 2022. 

1. 1.  Video record your audition.
      • You may use a camcorder, smartphone, webcam or any other means to create your videos. Use of a high-quality microphone is encouraged, but most contemporary smartphones do a decent job of capturing audio and video. Please use what you have available.
        
        
   2. See the cover sheet on the excerpt packet for your instrument (below) for specific instructions on recording each excerpt.
      
      
   3. 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.”
        
        
   4. Submit your video
      • You will be able to supply internet links (URLs) to your uploaded video(s).
      • 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

 

Live Callback Auditions

Students whose video audition places them on the border between two ensembles may be required to play a live callback audition. One of our ensemble directors will reach out to you via email to schedule this audition.

 

Oboists

Oboe auditions will be live shortly before the start of the semester. You should have already received an email from Dr. Rong-Huey Liu with excerpts to prepare along with preliminary details. Please email her with any questions or concerns: ronghuey@gmail.com.

 

Percussionists

You will need access to snare drum, marimba, timpani, and crash cymbals to record your audition. We currently have three studio spaces set up for percussionists to practice. You can also record your audition in these spaces. The CSUF studio spaces must be reserved ahead of time due to continuing Covid-19 protocols. If you are an incoming percussion student and need help accessing a practice space and instruments, please contact both Professor Sycil Mathai, Coordinator of the Brass and Percussion Area, and Dr. Dustin Barr, Director of Bands.

  

 
Audition Materials

1. 1. 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.
   2. Sight reading may be required at Live Callback Auditions.

 

Placement 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).

Students may enroll in one of the bands prior to the publication of placement results. However, students will ultimately need to update their enrollment to their assigned ensemble after the results are published.

 

 

AUDITION EXCERPTS (BY INSTRUMENT)

• Flute  (piccolo excerpt should be prepared by all of those with access to an instrument)
• Oboe
• Bassoon
• Clarinet   (anyone wishing to audition specifically for bass clarinet or E-flat clarinet, please email Dr. Barr )
• Saxophone   (you may audition on alto, tenor or baritone saxophone. If you are proficient on all instruments, please audition on alto. Regardless of what instrument is used, please prepare the alto excerpts.  Email Dr. Barr  in advance if you’d like to be considered for a specific saxophone)
• Trumpet
• Horn
• Trombone
• Bass Trombone
• Euphonium
• Tuba
• Percussion
• Double Bass - email Dr. Barr for details
• Piano - email Dr. Barr for details
• Harp - email Dr. Barr for details