Performance is a fundamental part of Cornell’s cultural life. The Department of Music encourages music-making through a wide array of chamber and large ensembles, as well as its offerings in private lessons and directed coaching by members of the music faculty. Master classes, degree and non-degree recitals, contemporary music concerts, and an annual concerto competition supplement the music department’s concert offerings.

^{Fall 2017 Audition Information}

Choral Ensembles:

The choirs have been lending their voices and bringing spirit to occasions at Cornell since the beginning of the university's history. The student-led choral programs at Cornell offer truly unique experiences for members--perks which bring us together and motivate our members to lead and inspire. The four department choral ensembles (Chorus, Glee Club, Chamber Singers, and Chorale) hold joint auditions. Auditions will be held in Lincoln Hall beginning August 20th.

Please explore singatcornell.com for a comprehensive overview of all the choral ensembles at Cornell and for more audition information. Also, visit the websites for the individual ensembles to learn more about unique experiences each one has to offer: cornellchorale.com, cuchorus.com, and gleeclub.com.

Cornell Orchestras:

Students MUST sign-up for an audition online. Once you complete the form, Professor Chris Kim will assign an audition time for you via email. For information, go to http://cuorchestra.org or contact Chris Kim (cyk8@cornell.edu).

Sunday, August 20 at Lincoln B20
330-5 pm Percussion with Michael Sparhuber
5-630 pm Keyboards and harp with Barry Sharp
630-9 pm Day one conflicts and overflow

Monday, August 21 at Lincoln B20
1030-1230 pm Flutes with Elizabeth Shuhan and Juliana Pepinsky
1230-230 pm oboes and bassoons with Emily DiAngelo and Daniel Hane
3-4 pm Trumpets with Jeff Stockham
4-6 pm Horns with Ilze Brink-Button
630-730 pm Low Brass: trombones, tuba with Melissa Gardiner
730-9 pm Clarinets with Lenora Schneller
9-1030 pm Day two conflicts and overflow

Tuesday, August 22
9 am Audition results for winds, brass and percussion posted on CU Orchestra board
10 – 12 pm bass auditions with Desmond Bratton at Lincoln 332
2-5 pm viola auditions with TBA at Lincoln 332

Wednesday, August 23
10-12 pm cello auditions with John Haines-Eitzen at Lincoln B21
1-3 pm cello auditions with John Haines-Eitzen at Lincoln B20

Thursday, August 24 at Lincoln B20
1-4 pm violin auditions part 1 with TBA

Friday, August 25 at Lincoln B20
9 am-1 pm violin auditions part 2 with TBA

Saturday, August 26
10 am CSO , CCO audition results posted online

Sunday, August 27
2 pm Orchestra picnic
picnic in B20 in case of rain (2-330 pm)

Monday, August 27
445 pm in B20 first rehearsal for CSO

Tuesday, August 28
445 pm in Barnes Hall first rehearsal for CCO

CU Winds:

Please visit www.cuwinds.com and click the Auditions link for instructions and procedures, musical excerpts, and audition times. Direct questions to James Spinazzola (jms862@cornell.edu).

Jazz Ensembles:

All auditions take place in B20 and B21 Lincoln Hall. Students should read through the CU Jazz Program Packet online at http://jazz.arts.cornell.edu/forstudents.html . For more information, please contact Paul Merrill (pm75@cornell.edu) and visit http://jazz.arts.cornell.edu/.

Chamber Music Ensembles:

Auditions for Chamber Music for the Fall will be held on Saturday, August 26 from 1 to 4 pm, and on Sunday, August 27 from 3 to 5 pm. Interested students should sign up for a 10 minute audition slot using the form on the door to Lincoln Hall 231. Cornell faculty meet with groups individually each week for an hour, in addition to a bi-monthly chamber music class, in which student play for each other and receive feedback from students and faculty alike. Groups will be expected to rehearse on their own at least once a week. All students will perform in a Student Chamber Music Recital near the end of the semester. Contact Miri Yampolsky (my86@cornell.edu) for more information.

Chamber Flute Ensemble:

For information, please contact Juliana Pepinsky (jm857@cornell.edu) .

Cornell Baroque Orchestra: Coming soon!

One prepared piece, preferably composed before 1800 (e.g. J.S. Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Corelli, etc.). By appointment. Please contact Matthew Hall (mh968@cornell.edu).

Deixa Sambar (Brazilian Ensemble):

Deixa Sambar performs several styles of samba, Brazil’s national music. Members need not have prior background in music-making, but a good sense of rhythm is desirable. Members include students as well as Ithaca community members, “brasileiros” as well as newcomers to Brazilian culture. No audition necessary. For more information, contact Professor Steven Pond (sfp8@cornell.edu).

Gamelan Ensemble:

The Gamelan Ensemble is open to the Cornell community by permission of the instructor. For information, please contact Christopher Miller (cjm299@cornell.edu).

Improvisation Ensemble:

Auditions take place during the first class meeting in B20 Lincoln Hall from 7:00pm to 9:30pm on Wednesday, August 23, 2017. For more information, please contact Annie Lewandowski (APL72@cornell.edu).

Steel Band:

For information, please contact Christopher Miller (cjm299@cornell.edu).

Cornell Percussion Group:

For information, please contact Mike Sparhuber (mas847@cornell.edu).

Violin Lessons: If you wish to participate in the Cornell Orchestras, register for an orchestra audition online, which are scheduled to take place on August 24th & 25th from 1-5pm; this will also serve as your studio placement audition. If you are interested in taking lessons but not participating in orchestra, please contact Dr. Ariana Kim at arianakim@cornell.edu .

Individual Lesson Auditions

Piano Lessons:

Auditions schedule: Saturday, August 26 from 1 to 4 pm, Sunday, August 27 from 3 to 5 pm. A sign up sheet will be posted on the door of 331 Lincoln. Students are asked to prepare two contrasting pieces for their ten-minute audition, and they will be asked to sight read a short selection. Those who are accepted to lessons must sign up for the course, and those receiving more than 1 credit hour must take a history or theory course concurrently (please see course catalog). Contact Professor Xak Bjerken (xb10@cornell.edu) for more information.

Violin Lessons: See ‘Violin Auditions’

Voice Lessos:

Schedule: Saturday, August 26 from 2 to 4 pm, Sunday, August 28 from 4 to 6 pm. A sign up sheet will be posted on the door of 342 Lincoln. Auditions should bring one or two pieces that best demonstrate their current level, both musical and vocal. Placement options are sometimes available for beginners without repertory. Those students will be asked to vocalize for range identification and musical skill. Please contact Patrice Pastore (pep58@cornell.edu) for more information.

Students interested in taking lessons for the first time on any other instrument should audition during the instrument’s scheduled ensemble audition time. Students do not need to re-audition if they have taken lessons in the past, unless they are taking lessons on a different instrument for the first time. Contact the Faculty Sponsor for your instrument (a list of these sponsors can be found at music.cornell.edu/performing/private-lessons/)

Featured Ensemble Performance: Symphony Orchestra with Glee Club and Chorus, 5/6/17

Cornell Symphony Orchestra (CSO), led by conductor Chris Younghoon Kim, with the Cornell University Chorus and Glee Club, directed by Stephen Spinelli. Features Sibelius Symphony No. 7 and Lili Boulanger’s Psalm 130 (Du fond de l’abîme).