Fall Ensemble Auditions take place the week before classes begin, usually during Welcome Week, starting the last week of August and into the first week of September. Please review the audition requirements and the ensembles list below, before signing up to audition: Online audition sign-up IS HERE

STEINHARDT CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE MAJORS
All Steinhardt Classical Instrumental Music Performance Majors must audition for placement in either the NYU Symphony Orchestra or the NYU Philharmonia. Piano performance majors need not audition; pianists will be assigned based on need. Chamber Ensemble assignments for Steinhardt Classical Instrumental Music Performance Majors is based on these orchestra auditions.

Please note that the class meetings (rehearsals and concert dates listed here) of the orchestras are a priority for Classical Instrumental Music Performance Majors.  All other classes and performance activities must be scheduled around and not interfere with the orchestra schedule.

All Classical String, Brass, Percussion Performance Majors must register for one of the orchestras based on audition placement.  Orchestral assignments for woodwind majors will be posted following auditions. Woodwind students should register for orchestras and ensembles accordingly and by advisement.
Classical Piano Performance majors are placed in Chamber Ensembles as a result of  auditions made by appointment only with Dr. Marilyn Nonken. Opportunities for orchestral pianists, which are not needed for each concert, are reserved for piano performance majors and those pianists studying with NYU Steinhardt Artist Faculty.

STEINHARDT MUSIC MAJORS WHO ARE NOT PERFORMANCE MAJORS
All Steinhardt Music Majors who are NOT Music Performance Majors (such as majors in Music Education, Music Technology, Music Business etc.) have the option of auditioning for The NYU Symphony and NYU Philharmonia and/or the NYU Community Orchestra, along with Choirs, Concert Band and Jazz ensembles. Please use the online form to schedule an audition and see requirements listed below. 

ALL NYU STUDENTS NOT MAJORING IN MUSIC IN THE STEINHARDT SCHOOL  are invited to audition for The NYU Symphony, NYU Philharmonia and Community Orchestras, Choirs, Jazz ensembles, Concert Band etc. 

The NYU Symphony Orchestra is the university's premier orchestra requiring the highest level of performance skills.  It meets every fall and spring. Rehearsals of the NYU Symphony are held on Mondays 12:30-3pm and Fridays 11am-1:30pm in the Palladium Auxiliary Gymnasium located on 13^th Street between 3^rd and 4^th Avenues.

The NYU Philharmoniais the university's second orchestra primarily comprised of music majors. It meets twice weekly during the fall semester only.  Based on their performance in the fall semester, non-music majors may be invited to participate in the NYU Symphony, opera or music theater productions in the spring semester. Rehearsals of the NYU Philharmonia are held on Mondays 5-7:30 pm and Fridays 2:30-5pm in the Palladium Auxiliary Gymnasium located on 13^th Street between 3^rd and 4^th Avenues.

The NYU Community Orchestraprovides an opportunity for members of the university community to play with a full symphony orchestra while committing to only one rehearsal per week.  While the orchestra is comprised primarily of non music majors, auditions are competitive.  If accepted, students will register for NYU Community Orchestra for 0-3 credits. An access code will be emailed to all students admitted following auditions. Rehearsals of the Community Orchestra are held on Wednesdays: 7- 9pm; 9-9:30pm sectionals, in room 303 of the Steinhardt Education Building located at 35 West 4^th Street.

Acceptance into one of the orchestras requires attendance at all class (rehearsal) meetings and concerts.

Audition Requirements: Online audition sign-up IS HERE

Brass (for NYU Symphony and NYU Philharmonia and chamber ensembles): Two contrasting solo works of different style periods, orchestra excerpts may also be included at the player's discretion (Auditions to be at 10 minute intervals)

Piano: Prepare two contrasting selections. By appointment only with Dr. Marilyn Nonken

Strings (for NYU Symphony and NYU Philharmonia and chamber ensembles):  Required Excerpts here (excerpt PDFs also provided in confirmation email after scheduling an audition time) (Auditions will be at 7 minute intervals)

Winds (for NYU Symphony and NYU Philharmonia and chamber ensembles): Music Majors and Non Music Majors: Two complete, contrasting works from different style periods (Auditions will be at 5 minute intervals)

Choirs: Prepare one song. There will be some sight-reading and pitch-matching. And improvisation for those auditioning for jazz choir. The Men's Glee Club does not require auditions, but please sign-up to audition if you wish to meet the director, or audition for more than one choir.

Jazz Ensembles: Students will be required to prepare two jazz standards with contrasting tempos and styles demonstrating improvisation and interactive skills within a live trio setting. Student auditions will be supplied with a live rhythm section. Please bring three copies of your lead sheets to the audition

NYU Concert Band and Music Education Jazz Ensemble: Two contrasting pieces and sight-reading

Percussion (for NYU Symphony and NYU Philharmonia and Percussion Ensembles including Percussion, Marimba, Steel Pan, African and Contemporary Ensembles): Classical percussion lessons for non-percussion performance majors requires successful completion of an audition and placement in the percussion ensemble as well as possible participation with the symphony or repertory orchestras. (Auditions to be at 15 minute intervals)

Snare drum: one Delecluse or Cirone snare drum solo and excerpt from LT Kije (standard passage)
Keyboards: one 4-mallet solo and Porgy and Bess xylophone excerpt (standard passage)
Timpani: one Goodman, Hochrainer, Firth or Carter timpani solo and Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 exceprt - 1st mvt. (standard passage)

NYU Community Orchestra Only : Prepare two short, contrasting pieces, approx. 1/2 page each in length, and sight-reading (Auditions to be at 5 minute intervals) 

Ensembles: Rehearsal, Performance Schedules & Contact Information

ORCHESTRAL

NYU Symphony Orchestra: Prof. Joseph Bongiorno, jbongi@nyu.edu

NYU Philharmonia: Prof. Joseph Bongiorno, jbongi@nyu.edu

NYU Community Orchestra: Prof. Joseph Bongiorno, jbongi@nyu.edu

Brass Ensembles: Dr. Sean Scot Reed, ssr7@nyu.edu

Percussion Studio Ensemble: Prof. Jonathan Haas, jonathan.haas@nyu.edu

String Ensembles: Prof. Stephanie Baer, stephanie.baer@nyu.edu

Woodwind Ensembles: Dr. Esther Lamneck, esther.lamneck@nyu.edu, skenriquez@nyu.edu

CHOIRS

Children's Chorus: Prof. Elaine Gates, elgates@yahoo.com

NYU Chorale: Prof. Ira Shankman, is37@nyu.edu

Jazz Choir: Prof. Ira Shankman, is37@nyu.edu

Madrigal Singers: Prof. Nancy Shankman, nancy.shankman@nyu.edu

University Singers: Prof. Ira Shankman, is37@nyu.edu

Women's Choir: Prof. Ira Shankman, is37@nyu.edu

JAZZ

Jazz Ensembles: Prof. David Pietro, dap224@nyu.edu

BANDS

NYU Concert Band & Music Education Jazz Ensemble: Prof. Michael Breaux, michael.breaux@nyu.edu

PERCUSSION

NYU Steel: Prof. Jonathan Haas, jonathan.haas@nyu.edu
Also contact Professor Haas about NYU Percussion Ensemble, NYU Marimba Ensemble, NYU African Percussion Ensemble, and the NYU Contemporary Ensemble

World Percussion Ensemble: Prof. John Hadfield, johnperc@hotmail.com

DANCE

Kaleidoscope Dancers: Prof. Deborah Damast, deborah.damast@nyu.edu

NEW MUSIC

New Music and Dance Ensemble: Prof. Esther Lamneck, esther.lamneck@nyu.edu

PIPES

Pipes and Drums, Brian Meagher and John Henderson

Student-Run Music Organizations

Ensembles - Department of Music, Faculty of Arts and Sciences