Auditions and Registration for Ensembles and Lessons
Auditions:
100-LEVEL MUS courses are open to all students without audition. All MUSP (performance) courses require an audition prior to registration for the course. MUSP auditions take place during the first week of each semester.
Auditions are open to students of any major and school, and are intended to admit as many qualified students as possible. Students are urged to sign up for an audition time as soon as possible. At the conclusion of auditions (but prior to registration), students are informed by email about their placement into major ensembles, studio lessons and/or chamber music.
Registration:
Registration for all MUSP courses takes place during the second week of classes after auditions have been completed. Pre-registration is not possible for MUSP courses. Students in ensembles and chamber music will register in rehearsal during the second week of classes; students in lessons will register with their instructor during the second week of classes.
2023 FALL AUDITION SCHEDULE
PIANO — Michael Salmirs & Jinah Lee (FOR NEW STUDENTS ONLY)
Auditions: Monday, August 28, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
1-2 Classical excerpts that demonstrate technique and sensitivity; a 4-octave scale and arpeggio of your choosing; a sight-reading excerpt is provided. Sign up for an audition outside room FA 176.
Please email msalmirs@binghamton.edu for further information.
ORGAN/HARPSICHORD — William Lawson
Previous keyboard experience necessary. Prepare to play one work on either piano or organ for the audition. For an appointment contact the instructor: wlawson@binghamton.edu
ORCHESTRA & WIND SYMPHONY — Paul McShee & Jennifer Greene
Auditions: Returning violins/violas Aug. 23; Woodwinds Aug. 24; New violins/violas Aug. 28; Cello/bass Aug. 28; Brass Aug. 28
Please sign up for an audition here! The audition consists of: a) Major scales/rudiments; b) 2 – 3 minutes of a prepared published solo or etude chosen by the student to demonstrate their technique, tone and musicianship (no accompanist); and c) a brief sight-reading excerpt. Email pmcshee@binghamton.edu for more information.
PERCUSSION — Joel Smales
Auditions: Monday, August 28, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., FA-111
There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside FA-111.
VOICE — Brenda Iglesias & Thomas Goodheart (TA Graduate Voice Lesson Auditions)
*Auditions are for students who did not study last semester or that wish to change teachers.
Auditions: Saturday, August 26, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m., FA-21
Please sign up for an audition here! The audition consists of vocal exercises to determine your comfortable range, some echo patterns to check your ear, and some sight-singing. You may optionally sing a prepared song (a classical song, musical theater song, or a ballad is preferable) after the initial range vocalises.If you have a prepared song, please bring copies of the sheet music for the accompanist. You can also sing "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," if you wish. Email tgoodheart@binghamton.edu for more information.
CHORUS — William Culverhouse (HARPUR CHORALE and CHAMBER SINGERS) & Megan Burrell (TREBLE CHORUS)
Auditions: Tuesday, August 22 through Sunday, August 27
Please sign up for an audition here! No prepared song is needed for the first round of auditions (for all choirs), which will include vocalizing, singing, simple patterns by ear and simple sight singing. Chamber Singers auditions occur at the end of each semester for the following semester. Email wculverh@binghamton.edu for more information.
GUITAR — Paul Sweeny (CLASSICAL) & Jim Wilding (JAZZ, BLUES, ROCK, ETC.)
The Music Department now has a Guitar Ensemble, as well as lessons in both acoustic guitar and electric (Jazz) guitar. Guitarists with previous experience and some familiarity with reading staff notation are welcome to audition. Students taking lessons must also enroll in the Guitar Ensemble and/or a jazz ensemble (by separate audition); but students may audition for the ensembles without taking lessons. For the auditions, please prepare one piece (any style, acoustic or electric) that demonstrates your level of proficiency, and one major or minor scale (in any key).
Auditions: Friday, August 25, 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m., Casadesus Recital Hall (FA 117)
Sign up for an audition outside room FA 165.
For Classical guitar and Guitar ensemble, please email Paul Sweeny - psweeny@binghamton.edu
For Jazz, Blues, Rock, etc. please email Jim Wilding- wildingj@binghamton.edu
JAZZ IMPROVISATION — Greg Evans
Auditions: Sign ups and registration for both entry level and experienced level improvisation classes will take place Thursday, August 24th in FA 24 at 4:30 p.m. Please email gevans1@binghamton.edu for more information.
HARPUR JAZZ ENSEMBLE — Greg Evans
Auditions: Students audition by sitting in with the Jazz Ensemble. Auditions are held in FA 24 on Tuesday, August 29th, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Students should bring instruments except for piano and drum set. Amplifiers provided. Please email gevans1@binghamton.edu for more information.
HARPUR STUDIO JAZZ BAND – Laurence Elder
Auditions: Students audition by sitting in with the Studio Jazz Band. Auditions are held in FA 24 on Wednesday, August 30th, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Students should bring instruments except for piano and drum set. Amplifiers provided. Please email lelder@binghamton.edu for more information.
NUKPORFE AFRICAN DRUMMING AND DANCE ENSEMBLE — James Burns
Auditions: Email James Burns at jburns@binghamton.edu to schedule an audition.
