Current Student Auditions & Ensembles

Spring 2010 auditions are for Choirs only. Use this Online Sign-Up Form to schedule your choral audition. Call Ira Shankman, choral coordinator, at 212 998 5244 with any questions.
Prepare one song. There will be some sight reading and pitch matching, and improvisation for those auditioning for jazz choir.

Fall Ensemble Audition Information:

STEINHARDT CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE MAJORS
All Steinhardt Classical Instrumental Music Performance Majors must audition for placement in either the NYU Symphony or Repertory Orchestras. (This does not include Classical Piano Performance Majors.)

Chamber Ensemble assignments for Steinhardt Classical Instrumental Music Performance Majors is based on these orchestra auditions.

Please note that the class meetings (rehearsals and concerts) 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. Woodwind Performance Majors must discuss orchestra registration with Dr. Esther Lamneck subsequent to having taken the audition.

Classical Piano Performance majors are placed in Chamber Ensembles as a result of auditions made by appointment only with Dr. Marilyn Nonken

STEINHARDT MUSIC MAJORS WHO ARE NOT MUSIC 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 Orchestra, The NYU Repertory Orchestra and/or the NYU Community Orchestra. Please use the online form above to schedule an audition and see requirements listed below.

Steinhardt Music Majors who are NOT music Performance Majors may opt to audition only for the NYU Community Orchestra when using the online audition sign-up form.

NON MUSIC MAJORS - ALL NYU STUDENTS NOT MAJORING IN MUSIC IN THE STEINHARDT SCHOOL are invited to audition for The NYU Symphony, Repertory and Community Orchestras, Choirs and Jazz ensembles.. Non music majors may select the option of auditioning for only the Community Orchestra when signing up using the online form.

The NYU Symphony Orchestra is the university's premier orchestra requiring the highest level of performance skills. It meets every fall and spring.

The NYU Repertory Orchestra is a high level orchestra that meets each fall. For the spring semester, based on the performance level and audition results in the fall semester, students from the Repertory Orchestra can register for a "second section" of NYU Symphony Orchestra. These students will be added to the NYU Symphony Orchestra for a large spring semester concert in the Skirball Theatre and/or be placed in the pit orchestra for a major spring semester opera or musical theatre production often conducted by guest Broadway and Opera conductors.

The NYU Community Orchestra provides an opportunity for members of the university community to play great orchestral repertoire with a full symphony orchestra. While the audition level is not as high as the Symphony or Repertory Orchestras, admission to The Community Orchestra is competitive. Pending Audition results, students can register for
E85.1087.001/NYU COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA for 0-3 credits. An access code will be emailed to all students admitted following auditions.

Please visit the orchestra pages for rehearsal times and performance schedules before signing up for an audition. Acceptance into one of the orchestras requires attendance at all class (rehearsal) meetings and concerts.

Fall Audition Requirements:

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

Choirs: Prepare one song. There will be some sight reading and pitch matching. And improvisation for those auditioning for jazz choir

Instrumentalists for Community Orchestra Only: Prepare two short, contrasting (i.e. different tempos) selections that demonstrate technical and musical ability

Jazz Ensembles: Students will be required to prepare three 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

Percussion (for NYU Symphony and Repertory Orchestras and Percussion 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 one of the symphony orchestras:

One Delecluse or Cirone snare drum solo, one 4 mallet marimba solo of auditonees choosing, one Goodman, Hochrainer or Firth timpani solo. Gerswhin Porgy and Bess on xylophone (standard passage)
Lt. Kijie, Snare drum excerpt (standard passage)
Tchaikovsky 4th symphony timpani excerpt, 1st movement. (standard passage) (15 minute intervals)

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

Strings (for NYU Symphony and Repertory Orchestras and chamber ensembles): Short solo of student choice and excerpts (excerpt PDFs provided in confirmation email after scheduling an audition time) (10 minute intervals)

Winds (for NYU Symphony and Repertory Orchestras and chamber ensembles): Music Majors and Non Music Majors: Two works from different style periods (5 minute intervals)