Auditions for Chamber Choir, University Chorale, and Conductors' Chorus
(No auditions required for new All-Campus Choir)
Please see the Choral Activities website for ensemble descriptions;
Choral Auditions page for details & to sign up.
Also see the 2026–2027 Choral calendar. Auditions: Sept. 8-14, 2026.
University Chorale: Questions, email Stephen Paparo at @email.
Chamber Choir: Questions, email Lindsay Pope at @email.
Conductors’ Chorus: Questions, email Lindsay Pope at @email.
All-Campus Choir: No audition necessary, but you can email Ben Coakley for more information or sign up on Spire. @email
Join us for a COMMUNITY SING led by Ben Coakley. All new, returning, and choir-curious singers are welcome! Tuesday, Sept. 8, 6-7pm in Room 44 (lower level of Bromery Center, east side) (How to find Rm. 44)
Auditions for Wind/Brass/Percussion players are held during the first week of classes for Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band and Symphony Orchestra. (See section below for Minuteman Marching Band and Concert Band.)
Fall '26 W/B/P Audition Schedule & Excerpts
Fall '26 Audition information form (REQUIRED for all auditioning students)
Fall '26 Sign up for an Audition time (Make sure to click on the correct tab for your instrument at the bottom of the form)
If you have questions about any of these excerpts or instructions, please contact the studio teacher.
Interested students who are not taking applied lessons here in the Music Program at UMass should sign up for a slot during the Friday 9/11, 1-4pm time.
String Player Auditions for UMass Orchestras
All-University Orchestra, primarily for non-majors & recreational players
UMass Symphony Orchestra, primarily for music majors/minors, grad students, advanced players
FALL 2026 STRING PLACEMENT AUDITION INFO & EXCERPTS
For UMass Symphony Orchestra (UMASO) and All-University Orchestra (AUO)
Room 259 of the Bromery Center (Prof. Hidalgo Ardila's office)
Tues. Sept. 8: Violins, 3-7pm
Wed. Sept. 9: Violas, 10am-12pm
Thurs. Sept. 10: Cellos/Basses, 2-5pm
AUDITION SIGN-UP FORM
Important note for Violinists: Please prepare the excerpts as listed on the information document, NOT what is notated in red in the Shostakovich pdfs.
Mahler 4th Symphony is available for free download on IMSLP.
AUDITION SURVEY FORM (Required for all auditioning string students)
Questions: please contact TA Elijah Zelaya, @email.
Instrumental Jazz Ensemble Auditions
For Jazz Ensemble I, Chapel Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Ensemble & Chamber Jazz groups (Instrumental) will be held on Tues/Wed/Thurs. Sept. 8/9/10 in Room 155 of the Bromery Center.
Tues. Sept. 8, 1-5pm
Wed. Sept. 9, 1:30-5pm
Thurs. Sept. 10, 1-5pm with drummer priority 2:30-4:20pm
Jazz Ensemble audition info sheet, add'l instructions & instrumental music
Parts are from "Esprit." Be sure to read the Additional Instructions file for details about the audition music. "Esprit" on YouTube
SIGN UP for an instrumental jazz ensemble audition time.
Questions: please contact Jazz TAs Aidan Higgins/Fletcher Clark at @email. You may also contact Prof. Holmes with any questions about auditions.
Vocal Jazz Ensemble auditions:
Info sheet and audition music here
New VJE director: Atla DeChamplain
Auditions will take place Wednesday, Sept 9th, 10:10-12:05 in BCA 44
- Please sign-up for your audition HERE
- You will receive an email letting you know what hour you'll be heard (10-11am, or 11am-12pm).
- Students will be called in to audition individually.
- Further audition details & sheet music (L'il Darlin') HERE
Reference recordings: YouTube playlist
Backing Track (correct key, 4 measure intro)
Minuteman Marching Band: All are welcome; please see the Band website for details. Band Camp 2026 for all takes place from Sunday, August 30 to Friday, September 4, with some members arriving on 8/28 or 8/29. Click on the Join menu button for more information.
Concert Band: All are welcome; auditions are for chair placement only. Details coming soon!