Concert Bands and Symphony Orchestra Winds Auditions — Autumn

How do I join the Ohio State Concert Bands or Symphony Orchestra?

Auditions are open to ALL woodwind, brass and percussion students enrolled at Ohio State, regardless of major.

This page contains instructions, excerpts to prepare, the audition schedule and a link to sign up for your preferred audition time.

Learn about our bands.

Learn about our orchestras.

Ensembles

Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Collegiate Winds — by audition

Music Majors: All woodwind, brass and percussion students majoring in music are expected to prepare audition materials for Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band and/or Symphony Orchestra. Music majors may not audition for Collegiate Winds as their primary ensemble.

Wind Symphony — Special Notice for 2024–2025
The Ohio State Wind Symphony will embark on a tour to Japan in May 2025. As a result, auditions for Wind Symphony will ONLY be held in autumn semester with the majority of the roster continuing into spring semester. Please indicate on the information form whether you are auditioning for autumn semester only or for the full academic year. Musicians who commit to the full year will be responsible for a portion of the tour fee ($650) which will need to be paid in full by November 1, 2024.

University Band — audition not required

Register for the course. Undergraduate: Music 2204.04 | Graduate: Music 7204.04.
Placement auditions to seat the band occurs at the beginning of the semester.

Symphony Orchestra — by audition

Brass, woodwind and percussion auditions for the Symphony Orchestra are conducted by the respective studio teachers in coordination with auditions for Ohio State bands. Students playing these instruments will use the same audition resources as for bands.

There will be an Orchestra Meeting on the first day of classes, Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 1:50–2:45 p.m. in Weigel Auditorium for all members — including returning and prospective winds and brass, even if their auditions are not yet complete and assignments may not yet have been made. We will discuss the syllabus, programming, all protocols and other important information. No instruments needed.

The first full orchestra rehearsal will be Thursday, Aug. 22 at 1:50–3:55 p.m.

Course times for Autumn 2024

Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band
Monday/Wednesday 1:50–3:55 p.m.
and Friday 1:50–2:45 p.m.

Collegiate Winds and University Band
Tuesday/Thursday 7–8:30 p.m.

Symphony Orchestra
Tuesday/Thursday 1:50–3:55 p.m. (Wed. 5:20–6:15 p.m. — strings only)

All ensembles are credit-bearing courses. Most ensembles have variable credit hours between 0.5 and 2, which allows you to participate without exceeding 18 hours per semester.

How to Sign Up for Your Audition

STEP 1:

Sign up for an audition time via SignUpGenius using an alias name. Reference the schedule shown below.

IMPORTANT — These are blind auditions. Therefore we ask that you enter an alias in the SignUpGenius form — DO NOT use your given name. The audition proctor will ask for your given name when you arrive for your audition.

If you are unable to audition during the scheduled audition window for your instrument, email Christopher Dent to request an alternate time. We try to accommodate requests but cannot guarantee that you will be granted your requested time.

In order to protect the anonymity of the blind audition, DO NOT contact the ensemble conductor or your studio instructor to request an alternate time.

STEP 2:

Complete the Instrumental Ensemble Audition Information Form BEFORE you arrive for your audition.

For THIS form, use your given name — not the alias you used in SignUpGenius. The directors will not see the Audition Information Form, so this will not disrupt the blind audition process.

STEP 3:

Music Majors are required to prepare repertoire for Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band and Orchestra. Excerpts below.

STEP 4:

Non-Music Majors may choose to audition for all ensembles, or for Collegiate Winds only. Excerpts below.

Audition Times

The following times are available (first-come, first-served) in SignUpGenius.

All auditions take place in Weigel Auditorium, in the Timashev Family Music Building, WITH THE EXCEPTION of Saxophone. See below.

SUNDAY, AUG. 18

Flute • 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Euphonium/Tuba • 2–4:30 p.m.
Clarinet • 6–9:30 p.m.

MONDAY, AUG. 19

Horn • 3–5 p.m.
Trumpet 6:30–9:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUG. 20

Saxophone • 1:50–3:55 p.m. in Weigel Hall, room 174
Percussion • 6:30–9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 21

Trombone • 1:50–3:55 p.m.
Bassoon • 6:30–7:45 p.m.
Oboe • 8–9:15 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUG. 22

Piano • 6:30–8 p.m.

The Audition Process — How do blind auditions work?

To maintain the integrity and anonymity of the blind auditions, any communication prior to your audition must be directed to Christopher Dent. Communication at your audition must be directed to the audition proctor. DO NOT contact ensemble conductors or studio instructors at any time.

These auditions are conducted behind a screen. You may not speak or communicate with those behind the screen. If you have a question or misunderstand directions, motion to the proctor sitting nearby who will relay your requests and/or questions to the committee. If the committee asks a question or has a request, you must NOT answer. All verbal communication will be through the proctor.

The Audition Committee may stop you at any point in the audition, once they feel they have heard enough to make an appropriate ensemble placement. Please do not be offended. This simply streamlines the process and helps to remain on schedule.

Required Musical Excerpts and Instructions

The required excerpts for all woodwind, brass and percussion instruments are available below.

Should you encounter issues with downloading the materials, email Christopher Dent, ensembles administrator. Mr. Dent responds to email between 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and/or Symphony Orchestra

From the audition packet, prepare and perform the following items:

All repertoire excerpts and etudes in the order in which they appear in the document
Music Majors (and non-majors who wish to be considered for placement in all ensembles) do NOT need to prepare the Compulsories and/or Lyrical Etude.