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Seating Auditions

This information is for:
Wind Symphony
Concert Band (spring only)
Symphony Orchestra

For Maverick Stampede marching band auditions, click here
For Maverick Sound auditions, click here
For Rowdy Brass Band auditions, click here
For auditions to pursue a music major or minor, click here

Ensembles at Colorado Mesa University are open to all students, regardless of major. Any student with experience in band or orchestra are encouraged to audition. All instrumental music majors and minors are required to audition. Pplacement in these ensembles is not based on major/minor.  

 

When: Auditions for these ensembles will take place during the 1st week of Fall term. 4 minute timeslots will be available on a first come, first served basis.  Please be ready at the beginning of your available window, and then be ready to enter your audition room and be ready to start performing quickly. 

  • Tuesday, Aug.20:
    • Percussion: 2-3pm
    • Woodwinds: 3-4:30pm (4:30-5pm, overflow as needed only)
  • Thursday, Aug.22:
    • Brass: 2-4:30pm (4:30-5pm, overflow as needed only)
    • Strings: 2-4:30pm (4:30-5pm, overflow as needed only)

 

Where: All wind and percussion auditions will take place in MPAC 133 (Dr. Hinkle’s office).  String auditions will take place in MPAC 111 (Prof. Krinke’s office). 

What to prepare:

Winds and Strings: 

  1. ~16-32 measures (60-90 seconds in duration) of an etude, solo, or melodic excerpt to demonstrate your best technical performanceproficiency - think faster tempo, varied articulations, and/or challenging intervals. Music Majors/Minors: Please check with your studio professor, as a specific excerpt may be assigned.

  2. ~8-16 measures (60-90 seconds in duration) of an etude, solo, or melodic excerpt to demonstrate your best lyrical performanceproficiency - think slower tempo, bigger phrases, and more slurred or smooth articulations.Music Majors/Minors: Please check with your studio professor, as a specific excerpt may be assigned.

  3. Chromatic Scale - both ascending and descending with altering articulations (ie. tongue-up & slur-down), demonstrating your entire playable range.

Percussion:

  1. ~16-32 measures (90-120 seconds in duration) of an excerpt for snare drum solo, etude, or exercise of your choosing, but one that best demonstrates your best ability to play with even/consistent in tempo, attention to rhythmic detail with varied rhythmic elements, and with your best technique.   A snare drum and stand will be provided and ready for you in Dr. Hinkle's office.  Bring sticks and music only.  Before you begin playing, you will be asked for the exact tempo that you plan to perform your excerpt.  A loud speaker attached to a metronome will then be used for you to play with.  You may also be asked to play the excerpt a second time without the use of this metronome.Music Majors/Minors: Please check with your studio professor, as a specific excerpt may be assigned.

  2. No other percussion audition material to prepare/perform (no mallets or timpani).