Auditions

2020 SPRING AUDITION SCHEDULE

PIANO — Michael Salmirs and Jinah Lee (FOR NEW STUDENTS ONLY)

  • New students must sign up for an audition.
  • All Students must turn in their schedule at the audition

Auditions:

  • Monday, January 27, 2020 | 3:00 – 5:00 pm | FA 176

The sign-up sheet is posted on the door of FA 176 where auditions are held. Be prepared to perform two pieces of contrasting styles (1-2 pages of each selection), a prepared scale and arpeggio, and sight-reading. If unable to schedule an audition at the time above, please email Michael Salmirs at msalmirs@binghamton.edu.

ORGAN — William Lawson

If you wish to take lessons, please contact the instructor at wlawson@binghamton.edu

ORCHESTRA — Paul McShee

Auditions: Please email pmcshee@binghamton.edu to schedule an audition.

WIND SYMPHONY — Daniel Fabricius

Auditions:

  • Wednesday, January 22, 2020 | 1:00 – 4:00 pm | FA 111

Sign-up sheet is posted outside FA 111. Prepare scales and 2-3 minutes of a solo, etude or other printed work that shows off your technical ability and phrasing (i.e.; some faster passages and slower lyrical passages). We will ask for a brief bit of sight-reading.

*If you are unable to make the audition date/time, please email to make other arrangements at dfabrici@binghamton.edu

VOICE — Mary Burgess and Thomas Goodheart (TA Graduate Voice Lesson Auditions)

*Auditions are for students who did not study last semester or that wish to change teachers.

Auditions:

  • Thursday, January 23, 2020 | 11:30 – 1:00 pm | Casadesus Recital Hall
  • Friday, January 24, 2020 | 3:00 – 5:00 pm | Casadesus Recital Hall

Sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board next to Music Office (163)

*Private Voice lessons meet 1/2 hour per week with a Graduate Assistant Voice Major. Students taking lessons are required to sing in a vocal ensemble

Requirements: Sing one song of your choice from memory (a pianist is provided, please bring a copy of the music). The Star Spangled Banner may be sung in place of a song. Please contact Professor Thomas Goodheart tgoodheart@binghamton.edu or the Music department with any questions.

CHORUS — William Culverhouse (HARPUR CHORALE and TREBLE CHORUS)

Additions: Please email wculverh@binghamton.edu to schedule an audition.

No prior preparation is required for the audition. We'll sing some scales to determine your comfortable range, do some echo patterns to assess your ear, and do a little sight-singing. Returning singers (including singers who auditioned in the fall or earlier but did not sing in a fall choir): no re-audition is necessary for the spring. Please check the email you received from Prof. Culverhouse.

CLASSICAL GUITAR — Paul Sweeny

Auditions:  Thursday, January 23, 2020 | 4:30 – 6:00 pm | FA107

Sign-up sheet posted on FA107.

JAZZ IMPROVISATION  — Michael Carbone

Auditions:  Thursday, January 23, 2020 | 4:30 pm | FA 24

This is the first class and sign up and all interest levels must attend. The class will be divided into two classes from this session. Entry level and experienced classes will meeting on two different days.

  • Bring your instrument to this sign up.
  • Drum set, vibraphone, acoustic and electric piano, and amplification will be provided.
  • Guitar and bass players must bring their own cables.

HARPUR JAZZ ENSEMBLE — Michael Carbone

Auditions: Tuesday, January 28, 2020 | 7:00 – 10:00 pm | FA 24

  • All players must be present for the entire time frame (see above)
  • Bring your instrument.  You will be sight reading a big band chart(s.)
  • Any vocalists auditioning must bring 5 copies of a “lead sheet” for the “jazz standard tune” you choose to audition on. 
  • No piano scores accepted.
  • No pop tunes accepted for this audition.
  • Drum set, vibraphone, acoustic bass and electric piano, and amplification will be provided
  • Guitar and electric bass players must bring their own instrument and instrument cable. 

HARPUR STUDIO JAZZ BAND – Laurence Elder

Auditions: Wednesday, January 29th |  7:00 pm | FA 24

All students should bring instruments, with the exception of drums, piano, and vibraphone. A drum set, congas and percussion, vibraphone, acoustic and electric piano and all amplification is provided. Guitar and bass players must bring their own instrument cables.

The audition process will involve sight-reading from a selection of jazz combo charts, as well the as the opportunity to improvise on simple chord changes, such as a blues or “rhythm changes.”

*Vocalists interested in auditioning for the band should plan to bring 4 copies of a lead sheet for a jazz standard or a popular song in their preferred key. Lead sheet should include chord changes.

 “Studio Jazz Band” is a 10-12 piece ensemble with an emphasis on post-bop repertoire, including Funk, Fusion, Latin Jazz and Contemporary genres. Rehearsals will take place once weekly on Wednesdays from 7-10pm, and the group will do several public performances during the semester, including a formal concert on campus. Feel free to contact Prof. Elder regarding any specific questions, at lelder@binghamton.edu.

 Auditioning Requirements

  • Requirements
    For Ensemble, Studio Lessons & Chamber Music

    MUS courses are open to all students without audition. All MUSP (performance) courses require an audition prior to being admitted for registration. MUSP auditions take place during the first week of Fall and Spring terms. They 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. Information on auditions is posted in the Fine Arts Building opposite Room 165. At the conclusion of the audition week (but prior to registration) students are informed by email about their placement into major ensembles, studio lessons and/or chamber music. Registration for all MUSP courses takes place during the second week of classes. Pre-registration is not possible for MUSP courses. Students in ensembles will register in rehearsal; students in lessons and chamber music will register with their instructor.

    INSTRUMENTAL

    REQUIREMENTS: For Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Small Ensembles, Chamber Music and Studio Lessons

    1. Scales and rudiments;

    2. 2—3 minutes of a prepared published solo or etude chosen by the student to demonstrate their technique, tone and musicianship (no accompanist), and

    3. A brief sight-reading except.

    INSTRUMENTAL AUDITION SCHEDULE:
    Sign Up Sheet on bulletin board next to FA111

    For: Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra,
    Wind Symphony, Small Ensembles,
    Chamber Music and Studio Lessons

    Sign Up Sheet on bulletin board next to FA111

    CHORAL GROUPS

    REQUIREMENTS: For Harpur Chorale, Treble Chorus, Chamber Singers and University Chorus

    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. A prepared song, additional more advanced sight-singing, and a group callback are required for Chamber Singers auditions.

    CHORAL GROUPS AUDITION SCHEDULE:
    In August of every year, there is a choral audition sign-up sheet on the bulletin board next to Fine Arts room 163A. At other times of year, auditions are held by appointment at the beginning and end of every semester. Please email William Culverhouse at wculverh@binghamton.edu to schedule an audition.

    Note: Chamber Singers auditions are held towards the end of each spring semester for the following academic year.

    VOICE

    REQUIREMENTS: For Voice Lessons

    Prepared solo from classical or Broadway repertoire: standard art song literature, musicals, theater music of a lyric nature. Bring music. An accompanist is provided. No recorded accompaniments, self-accompanying or original compositions allowed.

    MM & BMUS VOICE AUDITION SCHEDULE:
    Sign Up Sheet on the bulletin board next to FA163A

    VOICE (NEW & RETURNING UNDERGRADS)
    Sign Up Sheet on the bulletin board next to FA163A

    PIANO

    REQUIREMENTS: For Piano Ensemble & Piano Lessons

    Prepare two pieces of contrasting styles demonstrating technique and musicianship. Students should have a minimum of 3 years of piano study.

    PIANO AUDITION SCHEDULE:
    Sign up sheet posted on FA 176 for NEW and RETURNING Students

    Organ/Harpsichord

    REQUIREMENTS: For Organ & Harpsichord Lessons

    Previous keyboard experience necessary. Prepare to play one work on either piano or organ for the audition.

    ORGAN/HARPSICHORD AUDITION SCHEDULE:
    Sign up sheet posted on FA 28, or contact wlawson@binghamton.edu for appointment

    JAZZ

    REQUIREMENTS: FOR HARPUR JAZZ ENSEMBLE - FA24
    Students audition while sitting in with the Jazz Ensemble.

    JAZZ IMPROVISATION - FA24
    Auditions are held in FA 24 the first Tuesday evening of the semester. Students should bring instruments except keyboard, bass and drums.

    NUKPORFE AFRICAN DANCE AND DRUMMING ENSEMBLE

    NUKPORFE AUDITION SCHEDULE:
    TBA

    DZIDEFO AFRICA CHOIR

    AUDITION SCHEDULE:
    TBA