Auditions
Join your Pack! Review the audition requirements for each of our performance groups below and be sure to save room in your course schedule for dance or music.
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
When and Where
- January 8-10, 2024 │ Sign up for an audition time below.
- Dr. Leaf’s studio │ Price Music Center, Room 214
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
ALL PROSPECTIVE CHOIR STUDENTS
- All prospective choir students should register for MUS 111 University Singers and sign up for an audition.
- MUS 111 meets TTH │ 3-4:15 p.m.
- Learn how to enroll
- Singers interested in being considered for Chamber Singers should let Dr. Leaf know at their audition.
- Any needed schedule adjustments based on the audition results will be addressed when the auditions are complete.
ALL RETURNING CHOIR STUDENTS
- All returning choir members must re-audition every fall semester for voice placement but do not need to re-audition in the spring.
- Returning members of University Singers can register for MUS 111.
- Returning members of State Chorale can put MUS 115 in their shopping cart.
- Singers interested in being considered for Chamber Singers should let Dr. Leaf know at their audition.
- Any needed schedule adjustments based on the audition results will be addressed when the auditions are complete.
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, the State Dance Company or Terrain Dance Project, here’s what to expect and how to prepare.
When and Where
- PANORAMIC DANCE PROJECT
- Wednesday, March 27, 2024 │ 6 p.m.-7:20 pm.
- Carmichael Gymnasium, Dance Studio 2307
- STATE DANCE COMPANY
- The State Dance Company is NOT holding auditions in the spring. More details regarding future auditions will be available at a later date.
- TERRAIN DANCE PROJECT
- Terrain Dance Project is NOT holding auditions in the spring. More details regarding future auditions will be available at a later date.
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.
Questions
Have questions about auditions for your company of interest? Please contact the respective faculty member with any additional questions you have.
Jazz
When and Where
- January 8-10, 2024 │ Sign up for an audition time below.
- Dr. Parker’s office │ Price Music Center, Room 210
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).
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.
Orchestra
When and Where
- The evening of January 10, 2024 │ Sign up for an audition time below.
- Price Music Center, Room 120
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
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.