Auditions

Auditions for dance companies and most music ensembles take place during the first two weeks of classes. Virtual auditions for the marching band and the wind ensemble are held over the summer.

For more details and dates, click on your company or ensemble of interest below.

Find Your Audition

Choir
Dance
Jazz
Marching Band
Orchestra
Symphonic Band
Varsity Pep Band
Wind Ensemble

Choir

When and Where

• January 8-10, 2024 │ Sign up for an audition time below.
• Dr. Leaf’s studio │ Price Music Center, Room 214
  • View on campus map

Expectations

Please complete this audition form (fillable PDF) and either email it to Dr. Leaf at njleaf@ncsu.edu the day prior to your audition or print it out and bring it with you to your audition.

Each audition is about ten minutes long and consists of vocalizing, singing a familiar song, music reading, and other basic choral skill evaluation. Those auditioning do not need to prepare a song in advance.

Course Enrollment

Questions

Please email Dr. Leaf at njleaf@ncsu.edu with any questions about choir auditions or if there are no audition times available on the calendar.

Dance

Whether you’re auditioning for the Panoramic Dance Project or the State Dance Company, here’s what to expect and how to prepare.

When and Where

Find the audition time and location for your company of interest below. You may audition for both companies or only one.

Expectations

You do not need to pre-register, just show up on time and ready to move. You may wear any clothing that you are comfortable moving in, and please be sure to bring water.

Welcome Week Master Class

For those interested in learning more about the companies and auditions, we encourage you to join us for our Welcome Week Master Class, led by the directors of the Panoramic Dance Project and the State Dance Company.

• August 24, 2023 │ 5:30-6:45 p.m.
• Carmichael Gymnasium, Dance Studio 2307
  • View on campus map

Please Note: This class is part of our Master Class Series. You must register online to participate in this master class. Registration is free.

Questions

Please email Tara Mullins at tzmullin@ncsu.edu with any questions about dance company auditions.

Jazz

When and Where

• August 22-25 and 28, 2023 │ Sign up for an audition time below.
• Dr. Parker’s office │ Price Music Center, Room 210
  • View on campus map

Expectations

You will find the requirements specific to your instrument at the top of each PDF linked below. Please review these carefully and don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Parker if you have any questions.

The included MP3 audio files are the backing tracks for the prepared pieces (Examples #1 and #2), and you will play along with those during your audition. You can also use either of those tracks for the improvised portion of your audition if you prefer, but basic blues or rhythm changes will suffice as well (those tracks will be provided at the audition).

Jazz Ensembles Audition Clinic/Jam Session

This audition clinic/jam session will be an opportunity for any student interested in jazz to bring their instrument and gain a better understanding of what the audition process is like. We will spend time going over the audition music, and will then have an open jazz jam session open to anyone wanting to play.

• Friday, August 18, 2023 │ 4:30-6 p.m.
• Price Music Center, Room 101
  • View on campus map

Questions

Have questions about our jazz ensembles or upcoming jazz auditions? We encourage you to review the NC State Jazz Ensembles FAQ sheet.

Please contact Dr. Wes Parker at jwparker@ncsu.edu with any additional questions about jazz ensemble auditions.

Marching Band

All Prospective Members of The Band

All students who are planning to audition for the marching band should complete the following:

1. Fill out this prospective member audition form.
2. Enroll in MUS 131 to establish the space in your schedule.
   • MUS 131 meets MWF │ 3:35-5:25 p.m.
   • Learn how to enroll
3. Find details and expectations for your specific audition below.

Questions

Please email Dr. Paul Garcia at pdgarcia@ncsu.edu with any general questions about marching band auditions. We look forward to meeting you!

Orchestra

When and Where

• August 21 and 23, 2023
• Price Music Center
  • More details on the audition location will be available closer to the term.
  • View on campus map

When signing up for an audition time, please include in the description what instrument you will be auditioning on.

If there are no available audition spots or you are a community player who does not have a Google calendar, please email Dr. Peter Askim at paaskim@ncsu.edu.

Expectations

• Prepare a solo or orchestral excerpt of your choice; generally about five minutes or less of music. Solos could be pieces studied in private lessons, an all-state solo or standard repertoire for your instrument. The piece or excerpt should show your playing at its best. No accompaniment is needed.
• Scales: two scales of your choice, three octaves if possible. String players should play one scale with spiccato bowing.

Questions

Please email Dr. Peter Askim at paaskim@ncsu.edu with any questions about orchestra auditions.

Symphonic Band

Welcome

If you’ve played your instrument for at least one year, welcome to the symphonic band! There is no audition required for you to join.

Course Enrollment

Be sure to register for MUS 135.

• MUS 135 meets TTH │ 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Learn how to enroll

We look forward to meeting you on the first day of class!

Questions

Please email Mr. Chris Branam at csbranam@ncsu.edu with any questions about the symphonic band.

Varsity Pep Band

When and Where

• The first week of the spring semester
  • By appointment only. Email Dr. Garcia at pdgarcia@ncsu.edu to schedule your audition appointment.
• Dr. Paul Garcia’s office │ Price Music Center, Room 215
  • View on campus map

Expectations

Brass and woodwind auditions will involve all major scales and arpeggios, as well as sight reading. Interested drum set players should contact Dr. Garcia for details.

Questions

Please email Dr. Garcia at pdgarcia@ncsu.edu with any questions about varsity pep band auditions or to schedule your audition appointment.

Wind Ensemble

When and Where

• Video Submission Deadline: July 28, 2023
  • Video submission requirements and instructions are listed below.

It is preferred that all prospective members audition by submitting a video. However, a live option is available for any students who don’t have access to an instrument, at this time.

• The live auditions will take place upon your arrival on campus.
  • Please email Dr. Garcia at pdgarcia@ncsu.edu to set up your live audition if necessary.

Adjustments to the overall results will be made, as needed, once the live auditions are complete.

Course Enrollment

All students planning to audition for the wind ensemble should enroll in MUS 134 to establish the space in their schedule.

• MUS 134 meets MWF │ 12:50-1:40 p.m.
• Learn how to enroll

Expectations

Please submit the following on your audition video:

• Chromatic scale: play from your lowest comfortable note to your highest comfortable note and back down, to demonstrate range. Please slur up and tongue down.
• Major scales with arpeggios: play all 12 major scales with arpeggios. You may use the format that is most familiar to you. Please play two or three octaves when possible.
• Up to four minutes of prepared music: please prepare a solo, etude, or excerpts that best display your tone quality, technical ability, and overall playing level.
• Percussion: play a solo or etude on snare drum or keyboard (xylo or marimba) that best displays your playing ability. Please make this video no more than five minutes long.

Please follow these steps to submit your video:

• The video should be a single, unedited take; no clips or fades, no audio enhancement or filtering.
• You must be visible and seen playing your instrument.
• For best results, make sure you are not too close to the microphone. Brass, please do not face directly at the mic.
• Please share the video in this Google Drive folder. This is the preferred method of delivery.
  • Please include your name and instrument in the title of the video.

If you have issues uploading your video to the folder, you can upload it to YouTube as an unlisted video.

• Please make sure to have the appropriate privacy settings so we can access it.
• Please include your name and instrument in the title of the video and send the link to Dr. Garcia at pdgarcia@ncsu.edu.

Questions

Email Dr. Garcia at pdgarcia@ncsu.edu with any questions about wind ensemble auditions.

Reminder, students who would prefer a live audition or don’t have access to an instrument until the spring, can schedule an in-person audition by contacting Dr. Garcia.