Welcome!
Do you want to join our ensembles? Important information and steps to follow:
1Audition Form
If you wish to join Cornell Ensembles (CCO | CSO | Wind Symphony) complete an audition form (below) and register for either 3621 or 4621 for CCO & CSO. Be sure to enter your email address correctly on your Audition Registration Form.
2Schedule your Audition
Auditions for the 2021-2022 Season will be held in Lincoln Hall August 23-29.
3Excerpts
Orchestral excerpts and information are posted below.
Covid Guidelines
We are committed to a safe, in-person semester.
We will hold in-person auditions for wind and percussion instruments. Please prepare to adhere to the following guidelines, and don't hesitate to reply to this email if you have any questions or concerns.
1. All auditions will be held in Lincoln Hall B20. It is a large rehearsal room, and there will be ample distance between players and panelists.
2. String players and percussionists should mask normally.
3. Wind instrumentalists should wear a musician mask while playing indoors, unless in an individual practice room or other private space. You may either buy a mask in advance or purchase one from audition monitors before your audition. Masks cost $20 for flutists and $15 for all others; we will accept cash or checks addressed to Cornell University. Consider purchasing a mask in advance to become comfortable with it. (Flute masks are particularly challenging.) Please purchase a mask at least 20 minutes before your audition time.
4. All wind instrumentalists must also use an instrument bell cover. These will be provided by audition monitors before your audition. Please arrive 10 minutes before your audition for a fitting. If you audition into one of the ensembles, a bell cover will be provided for you at no cost.
5. Following are links to suitable masks.
FLUTE/PICCOLO
WOODWIND/BRASS
Keep scrolling for audition info!
Audition Information
Wind Symphony and Orchestra auditions will be held concurrently. Following are instructions, signup forms, and required musical excerpts.
If you wish to be considered only for the Orchestra, prepare the excerpts posted below.
If you wish to be considered only for the Wind Symphony, prepare the excerpts on their website.
If you wish to be considered for either or both ensembles, choose two excerpts from the Orchestra list and two from the Wind Symphony list.
For students who will need accommodation or if there is an extenuating circumstance please contact Dr. Michelle Di Russo (md796@cornell.edu).
Check out the FAQ section!
2) Complete the 2021 - 2022 audition form
3) Schedule your audition
Make every effort to sign up in your instrument group. If you are unable to do so, book a “conflict and overflow” time.
Auditions will be held at the following times in Lincoln Hall.
Tuesday, August 24 (B20)
9:00-1:00pm - Viola
2:00-6:00pm - Cello
6:00-7:00pm - Conflicts, overflow Strings
Wednesday, August 25 (at B20 except Violin)
9:00-1:00pm - Violin (B21)
1:30-3:30pm - Trumpets
3:40-6:30pm - Low brass (trombones, euphoniums, tubas)
6:30-8:00pm - Piano, double bass
8:00-9:00pm - Conflicts, overflowThursday, August 26 (B20)
4:00-4:30pm- Conflicts, overflow
4:30-8:30pm- Violin
Friday, August 27 (B20)
3:30-6:00pm - Horns
6:00-8:00pm - PercussionSaturday, August 28 (B20)
9:30-11:00am - Saxophones
11:00am-3:00pm - Flutes
3:00-3:20pm - BREAK
3:20-6:20pm - Clarinets (includes bass)
6:30-8:00pm - Oboes and bassoons
8:00-9:00pm - Conflicts and overflowSunday, August 29 (B20)
1:00-3:00pm - Conflicts and overflow
3:30 pm - Welcome Picnic
Audition results posted via email .Last update: 8/19/2021
4) Prepare your excerpts
For your audition you are expected to prepare the following:
3-octave scale of your choice [winds and brass 2-octave scale of your choice]
Excerpt from solo repertoire of your instrument (sonata or concerto) - Be prepared to play no longer than 5' of your solo (no accompaniment).
Required Excerpts: Prepare Excerpt 1. If you wish to be considered for principal positions, in addition to Excerpt 1, prepare Excerpt 2 or Excerpt 3 (if there is one).
If you DON'T have a solo ready for the audition, be prepared to play: Excerpt 1, Excerpt 2 or 3 (if there is one). If you want to be considered for a principal position and DON't have a solo play: Excerpt 1, 2 & 3. If there is no Excerpt 3 pick two excerpts from THIS LIST.
Please remember, auditions are a way for us to get to know you! Be prepared but don't stress about it. We want you to do the best you can, to be successful in our program and have fun. Don't wait till last minute and happy practicing!
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Horns
Prepare Excerpt 1 and from Excerpt 2 (A & E). In addition, to be considered for principal, prepare the rest of Excerpt 2.
Percussion
Cornell percussion instruments will be available beginning with the first day of new student orientation. Please email Dr. Michelle Di Russo (md796@cornell.edu) to sign up.
Besides your solo, prepare one of the Timpani excerpts and the Snare Drum Excerpt.
Notes
Excerpts are taken from the 2021/2022 Season [Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 ; Dvorak Symphony No. 9]. Make sure to listen to quality recordings and performances of the excerpts (pay attention to different tempi).
Orchestral Excerpts
Audition Guide
ORCHESTRA AUDITION FAQ
WHAT WILL CU Orchestras BE JUDGING IN MY AUDITION?
Judges WILL consider:
Rhythmic accuracy
Rhythmic stability (steady tempo)
Intonation (playing in-tune with yourself)
Tone quality
Dynamic contrast
Instrument-specific technique
Musicality, expression, and phrasing
Appropriateness of repertoire for your technical level
Ability to recover if you make a mistake
Careful preparation of all audition music
Judges WILL NOT consider:
Race/Ethnicity
Gender/Gender presentation
If you have a private teacher or who your teacher is
Other auditions you've taken or groups you've played with
How fancy/expensive your instrument is
WHO WILL BE JUDGING MY AUDITION?
ORCHESTRA
Michelle Di Russo
Faculty Member*
WIND SYMPHONY
James Spinazzola
Faculty Member*
IN CASE OF AUDITIONING FOR BOTH ENSEMBLES
Michelle Di Russo
James SpinazzolaFaculty Member **The Faculty Member will be the instructor of the instrument you are auditioning for.FAQ
SHOULD I MEMORIZE THE MUSIC?
Memorization is not required. If you would like to memorize your solos, you are welcome to do so.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Wear nice dress clothes that are comfortable for you to perform in. Remember that this is the first impression you will make on those who will evaluate you. It is also a good idea to practice in the clothes you are planning to wear at least once before your audition.
WHEN WILL I FIND OUT IF I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED?
All audition results will be announced by via email and will be posted in this website. All auditioning students will be contacted regardless of the outcome.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP?
Cornell affiliation and a love of music are all that is required. All students, staff, and faculty are welcome to our community of music makers.
WHERE CAN I WARM UP / PRACTICE?
B21 in Lincoln Hall has historically been offered as an audition warm up room. You can also use any of the practice rooms available in Lincoln Hall, first come first serve. You can find maps of the practice rooms inside Lincoln Hall.ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
If you have other questions not covered here, please email Michelle Di Russo at md796@cornell.edu.
© 2021 CUOrchestras