Ensemble Auditions
Department of Music ensembles are open to all UCI students. Auditions are required for all except Concert Choir. Some ensembles require appointments.
Music 160: SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Auditions for the UCI Symphony Orchestra take place during Welcome Week, each year.
Please see https://music.arts.uci.edu/symphony/audition-repertoire for repertoire and signup information.
Symphony Orchestra meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00pm - 9:50pm.
Contact Dr. Geoffrey Pope at geoffrey.pope@uci.edu with questions.
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Music 161: WIND ENSEMBLE
Submit an audition video via this Google form by Monday, September 26th. Submit Here
Attend the first class session (check the Schedule of Classes for day, time, and location). The first half of the class will be a rehearsal for those who submitted video auditions. The second half of the class will be open auditions for anyone who did not submit an audition video.
Repertoire:
- The following concert major scales: Bb, Eb, C, F
- A short prepared piece or etude.
There is no accompaniment for Wind Ensemble auditions.
Wind Ensemble meets on Mondays from 7:00pm - 9:50pm.
Contact Professor Kevin McKeown with questions.
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Music 162: CONCERT CHOIR
No audition required. Open to all UCI students.
Concert Choir meets on Tuesdays from 7:00pm - 9:50pm.
Contact Professor Irene Messoloras with questions or visit the UCI Concert Choir webpage. .
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Music 164: OPERA
Opera auditions are held during Week 1, each year.
- Auditions will be held on Friday, September 30th from 4:00 - 7:00pm, in Winifred Smith Hall (WSH 180)
- Signup at the 1st floor bulletin board in the Music & Media Bldg, across from MM 111
This year's opera is Gianni Schicchi, by Puccini.
Accompaniment is provided.
Repertoire:
You should be prepared to sing three contrasting songs or arias, as follows:
- Three of the four following style periods should be represented: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th and 21st century.
- At least one piece, but no more than two pieces, should be sung in English.
- At least one piece should be sung in one of the following foreign languages: Italian, French, German, or Spanish.
Opera Workshop meets on Fridays from 4:00pm - 6:50pm.
Contact Professor Darryl Taylor with questions.
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Music 171: CHAMBER SINGERS
Appointments Required. Signup Here
Auditions take place throughout Welcome Week and Week 1. Check our Welcome Week Schedule for days, times, and locations.
Repertoire:
- Choose a style that features you best. A cappella singing is fine. Choosing a song that demonstrates your range is highly recommended.
- Be sure to warm up prior to your audition. Strive for warm resonant sound in your vocal tone.
- Warm Up Exercises: The first few warm ups will focus on your upper register.
- Warm Up #1: on the vowel “NEE”- five note descending pattern.
- Warm Up #2: on the vowel “NAH”- three note ascending, hold on top, and same notes on the descent.
- Warm Up #3: on the vowel “NAH”- five note descending pattern focusing on the lower register
- Warm Up #5: on the vowel “ NEE- EH- AH” (Notes 1-2 sing Nee, notes 3-4 sing EH, notes 5 and down- the vowel AH)
Warm Up materials are available at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1eD0XC1iqe29u53EpyIXPZHlTt2-RugD3
Singers should be prepared to sight read for Dr. Messoloras.
There is no accompaniment for Chamber Singers auditions.
Chamber Singers meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30pm - 5:20pm.
Contact Professor Irene Messoloras with questions.
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Music 176: Jazz Ensemble
Open auditions are held at the first class session. No appointments necessary. Check the Schedule of Classes for day, time and location.
Repertoire:
- Students should have knowledge of Jazz and standard Jazz repertoire, and must be able to read music.
There is no accompaniment for Jazz Orchestra auditions.
Jazz Small Groups meet at various times throughout the week (check the Schedule of Classes).
Contact Professor Michael Dessen with questions.
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Music 178: JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Open auditions are held at the first class session. No appointments necessary. Check the Schedule of Classes for day, time and location.
Repertoire:
- Students should have knowledge of Jazz and standard Jazz repertoire, and must be able to read music.
There is no accompaniment for Jazz Orchestra auditions.
Jazz Orchestra meets on Wednesdays from 7:00pm - 9:50pm.
Contact Professor Michael Dessen with questions.
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Music 182: Advanced Jazz Combo
Open auditions are held at the first class session. No appointments necessary. Check the Schedule of Classes for day, time and location.
Repertoire:
- Students should have knowledge of Jazz and standard Jazz repertoire, and must be able to read music.
There is no accompaniment for Jazz Orchestra auditions.
Advanced Jazz Combo meets on Tuesdays from 5:30pm - 7:20pm
Contact Professor Michael Dessen with questions.
