• Fall 2021 Audition Form

      If you are interested in auditioning for orchestra for the Spring 2020 season,

      please contact conductor Chris Kim cyk8@cornell.edu.

      Form and details will be updated in the Summer of 2020

    • Audition Guide

      Before Auditioning
      • Sign up for your audition time slot using the audition form Above.
      • In the audition form, indicate a preference for an ensemble. Although the slot is not guaranteed, the student's preference will be given much consideration.
      • Thoroughly prepare your audition repertoire.

      • Be sure to warm up before the audition. Practice rooms on the basement floor of Lincoln Hall will be available during the entire audition period.
      • Please Note: Due to a large number of violins auditioning, the audition format for violins will be as follows. Each person will have 5 minutes; 5 violinists will be scheduled every half hour for a total of 90 slots over the two days.

       

       

      During the Audition
      • Be on time for the appointment. If you are late, you will have a shortened audition.
      • Each audition will last 10 minutes (except for violins, see note in "Before Auditioning"
      • Prepare 6 to 7 minutes of music to play at the audition. Contrasting excerpts from solo or orchestra literature are recommended: for example, a fast and technically demanding excerpt accompanied with a slow and lyrical excerpt.
      • You will also be asked to prepare an excerpt from the standard orchestral repertoire and also to play a three-octave scale of your choice. Transposing instrumentalists may be asked to demonstrate faculty with transposition skills.
      • Hint: prepared excerpt will include passages from (with few exceptions) will be taken from Brahms Symphony No. 4 and Respighi Pines of Rome. Download the PDF's here: (these will be available on August 1). (does not apply for spring auditions)

       

      After the Audition
      • Results will be posted online at 3 pm on Saturday, August 31, 2019
      • All musicians accepted for membership are expected to attend the organization's first rehearsal, as announced on the posted lists. Be sure to check all of the acceptance lists carefully, as you may not be placed in your first-choice ensemble.
      • All orchestra members must be available for all rehearsals and concerts. Please check the schedule of rehearsals and concert dates posted online.

       
       

       

      ORCHESTRA AUDITION FAQ

      Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CU Orchestras has moved to video auditions for the 2020-2021 season. Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the CU Orchestra Video Audition process.

        • What will CU Orchestra be judging in my audition?
        • When is the due date for my video audition?
        • Where can I find instructions for submitting a video audition?
        • Can I edit my audition video?
        • What if I do not have access to an instrument at home?
        • Should I memorize music?
        • How long should my audition video be?
        • What should I wear?
        • When will I find out if I have been accepted?
        • When and where are rehearsals held?
        • What are the requirements for membership?

       

      WHAT WILL CU Orchestra BE JUDGING IN MY AUDITION?

      When reviewing your video audition, the 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

      When reviewing your video audition, the judges WILL NOT consider:

      • The audio quality of the device you used to record
      • The video quality of the device used to record
      • Where you recorded your video and what it looked like (bedroom, living room, bathroom, etc. However, acoustics can be an issue if, for example, you record in your bathroom, and the sound is unclear due to the echo. Wherever you record, make sure you can be clearly heard.)
      • 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

       

      WHEN IS THE DUE DATE FOR MY VIDEO AUDITION?

      Video audition submissions are due on June 30 at 11:59 pm.

      But please, by all means, submit your videos early so we can get to know you. We are planning many "Get-to-know-you" Zoom sessions over the summer so you can join our orchestra community at Cornell. So the sooner we know about you, the sooner we can get to know you.

      Prospective members may submit their audition video any time before the deadline. Potential members may register for an audition through our website.

      WHERE CAN I FIND INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING THE VIDEO?

      After you have submitted your online audition registration form, a CU Orchestra staff member will email you your video instructions!

      CAN I EDIT MY VIDEO?

      Absolutely no editing or sound enhancements of any kind are permitted. Your Audition video should be one continuous take. Audition videos that are suspected of having been edited or otherwise enhanced will be immediately disqualified.

      WHAT IF I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO AN INSTRUMENT AT HOME?

      If you do not have access to your instrument or have other challenges preventing you from submitting a video, please email Chris Kim at chriskim@cornell.edu. CU orchestra understands that percussionists, in particular, may not have access to timpani or a mallet instrument, and we have created separate pre-screening instructions for these students will receive after registering for their audition.

      SHOULD I MEMORIZE THE MUSIC?

      Memorization is not required. If you would like to memorize your solos, you are welcome to do so.

      HOW LONG SHOULD MY AUDITION VIDEO BE?

      Your audition video should be no longer than 8 minutes and should include 2-3 minutes of each of your two contrasting solos in addition to your audition excerpts.

      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 July via email. All auditioning students will be contacted regardless of the outcome. Be sure to enter your email address correctly on your Audition Registration Form. Email is CUorchestra's primary mode of communication with students.

      WHEN AND WHERE ARE REHEARSALS HELD?

      Though we are currently not meeting due to COVID-19, all orchestra rehearsals are held in Lincoln Hall B20 for CSO and Barnes Hall for CCO.

      2020-2021

      Orchestra Rehearsals for CSO – B20 of Lincoln Hall

      Mondays 4:45 - 6:25 pm

      Wednesdays 4:45 - 6:45 pm

      Orchestra Rehearsals CCO – Barnes Hall

      Tuesdays 4:45 - 6:15 pm

      Thursdays 4:45 - 6:45 pm

      During the concert weeks, there will be a dress rehearsal before the concert.

      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.

      If you have other questions not covered here, please email Chris Kim at chriskim@cornell.edu.

    • Audition Results

      Audition results can be found here for CSO and here for CCO.

    © 2019 CUOrchestras

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