Auditions — Concert Bands and Symphony Orchestra Winds for Spring 2025

Spring Semester 2025 

All students must audition for bands (and symphony orchestra winds) each semester. Instructions and excerpt packets are toward the bottom of this page.

A note about Symphony Orchestra auditions...

Brass and woodwind auditions for the Symphony Orchestra are conducted by the studio faculty in coordination with auditions for the Ohio State bands. Students playing these instruments will use the same audition resources as for bands (below).

String players who wish to join the Symphony Orchestra for the first time in Spring semester should contact Miriam Burns (burns.1165@osu.edu). 

Learn about the Ohio State Orchestras.

General Band Membership Information

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

Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra (winds), Collegiate Winds — by audition

  • Music Majors: All woodwind, brass and percussion students majoring in music are expected to prepare audition materials for Symphonic Band and/or Symphony Orchestra. Music majors may not audition for Collegiate Winds as their primary ensemble.
     
  • Non-Majors may choose to prepare an audition for ALL bands listed above or may elect to prepare only the audition for Collegiate Winds. 

NOTE — The Ohio State Wind Symphony will embark on a tour to Japan in May 2025, therefore spring auditions for this ensemble will not be held this academic year. 

University Band — audition not required

  • Register for the course. Undergraduate: Music 2204.04 | Graduate: Music 7204.04.
  • Placement auditions to seat the band occur at the beginning of the semester.
  • Questions? Email Graduate Teaching Associate Shawn Davern (davern.5@osu.edu) or Paul Bissler (bissler.8@osu.edu).

Learn about the Bands

Course times for Spring 2025

All ensembles at Ohio State 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.

  • Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band — Monday/Wednesday 1:50–3:55 p.m. and Friday 1:50–2:45 p.m.
  • Symphony Orchestra (winds) — Tuesday/Thursday 1:50–3:55 p.m.
  • Collegiate Winds — Tuesday/Thursday 7–8:30 p.m.
  • University Band — Tuesday/Thursday 7–8:30 p.m.

Please consult Class Search to confirm course meeting times and locations.

Audition Procedures

All auditionees must first complete the online Instrumental Ensemble Audition form prior to audition week.

Auditions will be held in person. Select the link for your instrument to schedule your audition time via SignUpGenius. No video auditions will be held.

Sunday, January 5

Monday, January 6

Questions may be directed to Christopher Dent. 

Percussion — Non-majors auditioning for Collegiate Winds, contact Susan Powell for percussion information. 

Required Musical Excerpts and Instructions

Note that excerpt packets change each semester. Spring packets are below.

All students majoring in music, as well as non-majors wishing to audition for all ensembles, are expected to prepare audition materials for spring 2025 Symphonic Band and/or Symphony Orchestra. It is not permissible for a music major to prepare only an audition for Collegiate Winds.

Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra (winds), Collegiate Winds (music majors)

From the audition packet for your instrument, find the excerpts indicated for the above ensembles. Prepare and perform the excerpts in the order in which they appear in the packet.

Collegiate Winds

for NON-majors who wish to be considered for Collegiate Winds ONLY

From the packet for your instrument, find excerpts indicated for this ensemble. Prepare and perform the excerpts in the order in which they appear in the packet.

Audition Results

All students who complete an audition will receive an email notification by Tuesday, January 7, 2025 (before the start of spring semester classes). 
 

Questions? 

If you have questions about the audition process, trouble downloading the musical excerpts, or do not receive an email with the results, email Christopher Dent at dent.50@osu.edu. Mr. Dent responds to email between 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri.