CHORAL ENSEMBLES

Adelphian Concert Choir, Voci d'Amici, and Puget Sound Singers
Contact: Dr. Steven Zopfi

You may sign up for Puget Sound Singers without a choral placement audition. Join their first rehearsal on Tuesday, Sept. 2nd from 5:00-6:20pm. Please email Dr. Steven Zopfi for more information.

All Choral Placement Auditions consist of:

• Singing a short song that best shows off your voice. There will be a pianist available if needed but you may sing unaccompanied if preferred. Familiar songs will be available if you do not have a prepared song.
• Tonal Memory patterns
• Short Sight-reading excerpts

Incoming Students:

Monday, August 24th, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.  in Music Building L6

Incoming Student Choral Placement Sign Ups

Returning Students:

Sunday, August 30 - 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. in Music Building L6
Monday, August 31 - 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. in Music Building Room 204

Returning Student Choral Placement Sign Ups

You may sign up for Puget Sound Singers without a choral placement. Please email Dr. Steven Zopfi for more information.
Returning Student Choral Placement Sign Ups

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INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES

Strings and Harp

Symphony Orchestra
Contacts: Dr. Anna Jensen, Double Bass and Director of Orchestra; Dr. Maria Sampen, Violin and Chair, String Department ; and Professor Alistair MacRae, Cello and Director of Chamber Music. 

Requirements:

• A scale of your choice showing off the range of your instrument
• A 3-5 minute solo (or excerpt of a solo) that best represents your current playing.
• Sight-reading

Incoming Students:

Monday, August 24th, 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. in Schneebeck Concert Hall and Music Building Room 110 

Incoming Student String Placement Sign Ups

Returning Students:

Tuesday, September 1st, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. in Schneebeck Concert Hall

Returning Student String Placement Sign Ups
 

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Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion

Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band
​Contacts: Dr. Rachel Zephir, Director of Bands.

You may sign up for Concert Band without completing an placement audition. Please email Dr. Rachel Zephir for more information.

Woodwinds & Brass –
The audition consists of two contrasting excerpts demonstrating both lyrical and technical ability, a chromatic scale (full range, slurred, ascending and descending), and sight-reading.

Percussion –
The audition process is twofold. First, incoming percussionists should sign up for a slot to interview on Monday, August 24th with our Director of Bands in the Music Building Room 220. During this interview we will discuss Percussion performing opportunities and auditions for ensembles. You will not be asked to perform at this interview. Second, all percussionists must attend a mandatory meeting on Monday, August 31st at 4pm in Music Building Room L1. Then, auditions for both new and returning percussionists will take place for 4:30 - 5:30pm in L1.

Incoming Students:

Monday, August 24th, 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.  in Schneebeck Concert Hall (12 mins)

Incoming Student Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion Sign Ups

Returning Students:

Monday, August 31st, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in Schneebeck Concert Hall

Returning Student Woodwinds and Brass Placement Sign Ups

For audition requirements or percussion studio information, email Professor Jeffery Lund.
 

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Jazz Orchestra

Contact: Jeff Chang, Director of Jazz Orchestra

Wind Instrumentalists:

• Prepared Repertoire: Perform one medium-tempo swing composition of your
  choosing that best represents your technical facility, tone production, and stylistic
  interpretation within the jazz idiom.
• Sight-Reading: A brief sight-reading excerpt in a medium swing style to assess
  reading fluency, rhythmic precision, and stylistic accuracy.
• Optional – Improvisation: You may choose to demonstrate jazz improvisation over a
  progression of your choice.

Piano and Guitar:

• Prepared Repertoire: Present a medium swing selection of your choice that
  demonstrates your comping ability, harmonic vocabulary, and rhythmic feel.
• Sight-Reading: Sight read a notated excerpt in a medium swing style showcasing
  competence in chordal interpretation, voice leading, and rhythmic accompaniment.
• Optional– Improvisation: You may choose to demonstrate jazz improvisation over a
  progression of your choice.

Bass (Upright and/or Electric):

• Prepared Repertoire: Perform a medium swing piece of your choice that highlights
  your time feel, articulation, and walking bass line construction.
• Sight-Reading Proficiency: Interpret a written excerpt in medium swing style,
  demonstrating fluency in reading notation, rhythmic accuracy, and harmonic clarity.
• Optional – Improvisation: You may choose to demonstrate jazz improvisation over a
  progression of your choice. 
• **Instrument Option:** Applicants may audition on either upright (double bass) or
  electric bass.

Drum Set:

• Style Proficiency Demonstration: Display proficiency in the following styles: medium-
  to-up-tempo swing, Bossa Nova, and Funk. Candidates should demonstrate groove
  consistency, stylistic nuance, and dynamic control.
• Sight-Reading Proficiency: Perform a sight-reading excerpt from a standard big band
  chart (medium swing tempo).
• Optional – Improvisation: Candidates may opt to exhibit soloing skills within a jazz
  context.

Additional Audition Details

• Duration: Each audition slot is limited to 10 minutes. Please ensure your instrument is
  fully set up and tuned prior to entry.
• Accompaniment: iReal Pro backing tracks will be available for improvisation.

Incoming Students:

Monday, August 24th, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. in Music Building L1

Incoming Student Jazz Orchestra Audition Sign Ups

Returning Students:

Monday, August 31st, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Music Building L1

Returning Student Jazz Orchestra Audition Sign Ups
 

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KEYBOARD

Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble

Keyboard students have their large ensemble assignments made in consultation with Dr. Ronaldo Rolim, Director of Keyboard Studies and the other ensemble directors, and should not complete a placement audition during Orientation week. Please contact him with any questions. Jazz pianists should sign up for a Jazz audition above.

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CHAMBER MUSIC

For information regarding membership in chamber music ensembles visit pugetsound.edu/chambermusic or contact Professor Alistair MacRae.

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OPERA THEATER

For general Opera Theater information, please contact Dr. Dawn Padula.