Auditions

At NC State, students of any major can participate in a performance group. 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
Athletic Bands
*Orchestra
Symphonic Band
Wind Ensemble
Student Organizations

* Indicates that audition information is up to date for Spring 2025

When and Where

• January 6-9, 2024 │ Sign up for an audition time below.
• Dr. Leaf’s studio │ Price Music Center, Room 214
  • View on campus map

Expectations

Choir auditions are open to all NC State students in any major. 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 Companies and DAN 305

When and Where

Join the academic dance company directors for a joint audition for all three of our dance companies—Terrain Dance Project, Panoramic Dance Project and State Dance Company—as well as the DAN 290 (DAN 305 Fall ‘24) Repertory course. Although you will participate in the whole audition, you will be able to indicate your preferred company or companies when you register for the audition.

• August 23, 2024 │ 3-6 p.m.
• Carmichael Gymnasium, Dance Studio 2307
  • View on campus map

Interested in performing student-choreographed works? We encourage you to attend the Student Choreographers Audition on August 26. No registration is required.

Expectations

You will learn phrases from the repertory of each dance company, and also participate in improvisation and dance-making. Please wear exercise clothing such as sweatpants, leggings, t-shirts, tank tops, etc.

If you wish to learn more about the companies and what to expect from the auditions, we invite you to register for our optional Welcome Week Dance Audition Orientation.

More Details and Contact Info

The following are the individual company schedules and director emails.

*Co-requisites for the dance companies: either DAN 285 Advanced Dance Techniques or a level II technique class.

Perform Student Choreography

Student Choreographers from the course DAN 428 are seeking dancers for their pieces. Choreographers will rehearse at different times throughout the week with their final pieces being performed in either the Department of Performing Arts and Technology’s Fall Concert in Stewart Theatre in November or a more informal concert in Thompson Hall in early December. Please wear exercise clothing such as sweatpants, leggings, t-shirts, tank tops, etc.

• August 26, 2024 │ 4:30-6 p.m.
• Carmichael Gymnasium, Dance Studio 2307
  • View on campus map
• No registration required.

If you have any questions, please reach out to either Amy Beasley at albeasle@ncsu.edu or Tara Mullins at tzmullin@ncsu.edu.

When and Where

• August 20-23 and 26, 2024 │ Sign up for an audition time below.
• Dr. Parker’s office │ Price Music Center, Room 210
  • View on campus map

Expectations and Audition Materials

Each audition will last approximately 10 minutes and will consist of sight reading, all major scales, basic improvisation over blues, rhythm changes (or tune of your choice) and one prepared etude (see below).

Backing tracks are provided for the prepared etude for both slower and faster tempos (either tempo is acceptable for your audition)

Please list your instrument when you sign up and bring audition music to your audition.

Open Jam/Audition Clinic

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

• Friday, August 16, 2024 │ 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.

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.

Varsity Pep Band auditions will take place in the first week of the spring semester by appointment only. Email Dr. Garcia at pdgarcia@ncsu.edu to schedule your audition appointment.

Questions

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

When and Where

• January 6 and 8, 2025
• Price Music Center, Room 120
  • 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.

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

When and Where

• Video Submission Deadline: Friday, July 26, 2024
  • 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.

Joining a student organization allows you to surround yourself with friends who share your love for dance or music. Below is the audition information for our a cappella groups.

Don’t see your organization or club of interest? Use the Get Involved search tool to look through NC State’s student-led organizations and be sure to follow them on social media to stay up-to-date and learn how to get involved.

Acappology, Ladies in Red, Grains of Time and Wolfgang

The members of Acappology, Ladies in Red, Grains of Time and Wolfgang are holding joint auditions. You may choose to audition in person or virtually.

• Virtual Audition Deadline: August 30

• In-Person Audition: September 7 │ 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Location TBD

The a cappella groups will share callback information via email in early September. Callbacks will be held in person on September 8.

Expectations

Singers planning to audition virtually must submit their audition videos by completing the virtual audition form.

Auditions will consist of range/pitch testing and singing a verse or chorus of any song that highlights your vocal range. Vocal percussionists will have the chance to showcase their skills as well.

Audition Resources

Looking for suggestions for your audition solo? The members of Acappology, Ladies in Red, Grains of Time and Wolfgang have put together a playlist of song suggestions for you.

Questions

If you have any questions about their auditions, direct message Acappology, Ladies in Red, Grains of Time or Wolfgang on Instagram.

Chordination

Chordination is accepting virtual audition submissions using an online audition form. Please fill out each question accurately and upload the applicable audition materials. You may audition as a singer and/or vocal percussionist. 

• Audition Submission Deadline: August 30

Current members of Chordination will review audition submissions at the beginning of the semester and notify you at the end of August if you have been selected for an in-person callback. Callbacks will take place on September 3 and 5 from 7-9 p.m. (locations listed below). September 3: location TBD September 5: Price Music Center, Room 110.

Expectations

Whether you are auditioning to be a singer, vocal percussionist or both, you will submit a set of videos that demonstrate your vocal range and techniques.

Questions

Please email chordinationncsu@gmail.com with any questions.