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 each semester. Marching band auditions are held over the summer.
For more details and dates, click on your company or ensemble of interest below.
When and Where
- August 21-25, 2023
- 10 a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m.
- 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 New Choir Students
- All new choir students should register for MUS 111 University Singers and sign up for an audition.
- MUS 111 meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 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.
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
- Carmichael Gymnasium, Dance Studio 2307
Find the audition time for your company of interest below. You may audition for both companies or only one.
Panoramic Dance Project
- August 28
- 6:30-8 p.m.
State Dance Company
- August 29
- 6:30-8 p.m.
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. Please be sure to bring water and stay healthy.
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.
- Thursday, August 24, 2023
- 5:30-6:45 p.m.
- Please Note: You must register online to participate in this master class. Registration information will be available soon.
Questions
Please email Tara Mullins at tzmullin@ncsu.edu with any questions about dance company auditions.
PLEASE NOTE: Information for Fall 2023 Jazz Auditions will be available soon.
When and Where
- Time: TBD
- Location: Price Music Center, Room TBD
Expectations
TBD
Questions
Please email Dr. Wes Parker at jwparker@ncsu.edu with any questions about jazz ensemble auditions.
All Prospective Members of The Band
All students who are planning to audition for the marching band should complete the following:
- Fill out this prospective member audition form.
- Enroll in MUS 131 to establish the space in your schedule.
- MUS 131 meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 3:35-5:25 p.m.
- Learn how to enroll
- Find details and expectations for your specific marching band audition.
Questions
Please email Dr. Paul Garcia at pdgarcia@ncsu.edu with any general questions about marching band auditions. We look forward to meeting you!
Brass and Woodwind Auditions
When and Where
- Video Submission Deadline: Friday, July 14, 2023
It is preferred that all prospective brass and woodwind players 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.
- Email Dr. Paul Garcia at pdgarcia@ncsu.edu to schedule a live audition if necessary.
Expectations
Please submit the following on your audition video:
- Chromatic scale of at least two octaves: play from your lowest comfortable note to your highest comfortable note to demonstrate range.
- Up to two minutes of prepared music: please prepare a solo, etude, or excerpts that best display your tone quality and technical ability.
- Major scales with arpeggios: please prepare two major scales with arpeggios. Play these in the format that is most familiar to you.
Please follow these steps to submit your video audition:
- 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 in the video.
- Please share the video by uploading it to this Google Drive folder.
- Please include your name and instrument in the title of the video. This is the preferred method of delivery.
- 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 video title and send the link to Dr. Garcia at pdgarcia@ncsu.edu.
Questions
Please email Dr. Paul Garcia at pdgarcia@ncsu.edu with any questions about brass and woodwind auditions.
Drumline Auditions
When and Where
- Video Submission Deadline: Sunday, June 11, 2023
Expectations
Review the audition information in the drumline audition packet. A link for video submissions can be found within the packet, as well as all of the basic exercises and required excerpts for prospective members.
Questions
Please email Forrest Budway at zfbudway@ncsu.edu with any questions about drumline auditions.
Color Guard Auditions
When and Where
- August 14 and 15, 2023
Expectations
Auditions will take place in-person during band camp. We will help arrange for you to move in early. When completing the required prospective member audition form, please indicate that you are interested in color guard.
Color guard auditions consist of learning a series of across-the-floor phrases, pieces of a pregame routine, a dance piece and a flag piece, which will be showcased on the evening of August 15.
Questions
Please email Madison Joyce at mvjoyce@ncsu.edu with any questions about color guard auditions.
When and Where
- August 21 and 23, 2023
- Price Music Center
- More details on the audition location will be available closer to the term.
- Get Directions
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.
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 Tuesdays and Thursdays, 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.
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.
When and Where
- Video Submission Deadline: Friday, 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 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 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.