Performance

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 2020 Audition Information}

Choral Ensembles:

Our choirs have been lending their voices and bringing spirit to occasions at Cornell since the beginning of the university's history. Touring, recording, and outreach 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.

Please explore singatcornell.com for a comprehensive overview of all the choral ensembles at Cornell.

Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra:

Orchestra audition information is on the audition website: https://www.cuorchestra.org/auditions. For more information, please contact Director Chris Kim, and for additional information, go to http://cuorchestra.org.

Wind Symphony:

Wind Symphony audition information is on the website: www.cuwinds.com. Please direct questions to James Spinazzola, Director of Winds (jms862@cornell.edu).

Jazz:

Jazz audition information is on Jazz Packet. For more information, please contact Paul Merrill (pm75@cornell.edu) and visit http://jazz.arts.cornell.edu/.

Chamber Flute Ensemble:

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

Chamber Music Ensembles:

To apply for chamber music, please fill out this form and include a link to a video audition. The video audition should consist of two short, contrasting selections. Excerpts of longer pieces are fine. Be sure the video is set to Unlisted. All materials are due by 11:59 pm on August 26. Students will be notified of groups and coaches during the first week of classes. For more information, please contact Juliana Pepinsky (jm857@cornell.edu).

Deixa Sambar (Brazilian Ensemble): No class for Fall 2020

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:

The Music Improvisation Ensemble provides students with the opportunity to explore the elements of music from an improviser's perspective. Fall 2020, we’ll meet the particular challenges of the pandemic through innovative and exciting programming. The first half of the semester, we’ll explore unique outdoor acoustic environments across campus in socially distant group improvisation. The second half of the semester, we’ll explore improvisation through text pieces. The semester will culminate in a virtual performance made available to the public on the internet. This ensemble is open to any level of musician. An audition is required at the beginning of the semester simply as a means of introduction. Please contact instructor Annie Lewandowski for more information: apl72@cornell.edu.

Steel Band:

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

Percussion Group:

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

Practice Room Information

Be sure to review our new practice room procedures.

Individual Lesson Auditions

Jazz Lessons:

Jazz audition information is on Jazz Packet. For more information, please contact Paul Merrill (pm75@cornell.edu) and visit http://jazz.arts.cornell.edu/.

Piano Lessons:

Students can sign up for in-person piano auditions on Aug 31 and Sept 1 from 12-3 pm on the homepage here: cupiano.org. The audition is 10 minutes long, and students should prepare two contrasting works of their choosing, and we will have you sight-read. Contact Professor Xak Bjerken (xb10@cornell.edu) for more information.

Violin Lessons:

For any violinists interested in private lessons - Fall 2020:

TO STUDY REMOTELY:
- If you are preparing an online audition tape for the Cornell Orchestra and would like to be considered for private lessons online, that tape can also be used for your Lessons Program audition; please submit that recording to arianakim@cornell.edu.

- If you would like to be considered for the Lessons Program for online instruction but will not be preparing a Cornell Orchestra audition tape, please send a YouTube video of two 3-octave scales plus two contrasting solo works to arianakim@cornell.edu.

All video submissions are due Friday, August 21st by 5pm EDT.

Notification of studio placement will be sent out by August 28th, 2020.

TO STUDY IN PERSON:

- Lessons Program auditions for in-person violin instruction will be held in Lincoln Hall B20 on Wednesday, August 26th. Please prepare two contrasting 3-octave scales (one major, one minor) and two contrasting solo works. Auditions will be held in 15-minute intervals with only one person plus two faculty members inside the room. There will be markers outside the room so that those waiting for their audition can properly socially distance, and masks must be worn at all times, including during the audition. Please arrive only 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time and not prior to ensure low traffic flow in the building. If you are interested in auditioning, please email Dr. Kim at arianakim@cornell.edu by Monday, August 10th to establish a time slot for the 26th.

*A note on in-person instruction: Violin lessons will be given in Lincoln Hall in offices or studios that have been approved for private lessons. However, given that we cannot guarantee all students can be placed with a teacher who can safely teach in person, there may be some students who will be asked to study remotely until it is safe for all to return to campus. Masks must be worn at all times inside the building and during the full duration of the lesson. 7.5 feet of distance between accompanists and instructors will also be mandatory, and all music stands and chairs used will be sanitized before and after each session. For those studying with Dr. Kim, a plexiglass divider will be installed in Lincoln 239 which will be sanitized in-between each session.

Notification of studio placement will be sent out by August 28th, 2020.

For any violists interested in private lessons - Fall 2020:

TO STUDY REMOTELY:
- If you are preparing an online audition tape for the Cornell Orchestra and would like to be considered for private lessons, that tape can also be used for your Lessons Program audition; please submit that recording to arianakim@cornell.edu.

- If you would like to be considered for the Lessons Program but will not be preparing a Cornell Orchestra audition tape, please send a YouTube video of two 3-octave scales plus two contrasting solo works to arianakim@cornell.edu.

All video submissions are due Friday, August 21st by 5pm EDT. Notification of studio placement will be sent out via email by August 28th, 2020.

*Special note: Dr. Schatz-Harris will only be offering online lessons during the Fall 2020 semester. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but this will be our best option for the coming term.

For any questions, please send an email to arianakim@cornell.edu

Voice Lessons:

Due to social distancing/public health requirements, in-person auditions will not happen in Fall 2020. Instead, students can submit an audition video via email to Lucy Fitz Gibbon by September 4th at 11:59 PM and schedule a zoom meeting on September 5th or 6th* to discuss their submission and speak about their interest in voice lessons. All students must fill out this form prior to their audition meeting; included in this form is a link to sign up for the audition meeting slot.

Prospective students should record two pieces that best demonstrate their current level, both musical and vocal. Videos can be submitted from past performances, as long as they demonstrate solo singing, or can be made for the purpose of this audition; in both cases, accompaniment is not necessary. Placement options are sometimes available for beginners without repertory; in this case, please write to Ms. Fitz Gibbon to inquire about this possibility.

For more information, please contact Lucy Fitz Gibbon (lhf33@cornell.edu).

*Students who are unavailable this weekend are welcome to schedule an earlier audition time.

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/)