Audition Updates

See 'Communal Prep Room' list on the bottom of this page.

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 department choral ensembles (Chorus, Glee Club, and Chorale) hold joint auditions.

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

Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra

For information, please check the orchestra website https://www.cuorchestra.org/.

Wind Symphony

For information, please check the Wind Symphony website https://www.cuwinds.com/auditions or contact James Spinazzola, Director of Winds (jms862@cornell.edu).

Jazz:

Jazz auditions will be held for saxophones, trumpets, and trombones from 5:30 to 9 pm in LNCB20 on Sunday, August 20, and for Rhythm section instruments from 7 to 9:30 pm on Monday, August 21. Detailed information will be on  http://jazz.arts.cornell.edu/. For more information, please contact Paul Merrill (pm75@cornell.edu).

Chamber Flute Ensemble:

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

Chamber Music Ensembles:

For Fall 2023: All interested pianists should sign up for a live audition at cupiano.org. All other instruments please fill out the online application and submit a video audition as follows: To apply for chamber music ensembles, 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 students will need to submit the form and video, including returning students. All materials are due by 11:59 pm on August 20. Students will be notified of groups and coaches during the first week of classes. Please note that placement in a group is not guaranteed. For more information, please contact Juliana Pepinsky (jm857@cornell.edu).

Early Music Lab:

Early Music Lab welcomes students as well as Ithaca community members. String players should prepare one solo piece, preferably Baroque but not required. Players new to baroque instruments should play the audition on modern instruments. You may choose to play at A=415 or A=440 pitch, whichever is more comfortable. Note that the auditions will proceed without accompaniment, but you are welcome to play movements of what would normally be an accompanied work. Harpsichordists should prepare a short solo piece or a movement of a longer work and will sight-read a short continuo excerpt. Auditions on Wednesday, August 23, 7–9 pm, or by appointment. For more information, contact Addi Liu (al2255@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:

The Music Improvisation Ensemble provides students with the opportunity to explore the elements of music from an improviser's perspective. 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:

CUPG rehearses and performs a variety of styles of music. There is no formal audition, but members should have previous experience playing percussion instruments at an intermediate level or higher, be able to read pitched music notation at a level that you could learn a multi-page piece of music in a few weeks of practicing. We may also play graphic scores, text scores, read composers’ new pieces, so a curious mind and positive attitude are vital tools in this group. Email Mike Truesdell (mt665@cornell.edu) if you have any questions.

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 from 2 to 5 pm on August 19 and from 2:30 to 5 pm on August 20, 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 Xak Bjerken (xb10@cornell.edu) for more information.

Violin Lessons:

If you are planning to audition for the Cornell Orchestras, that audition will suffice as your studio placement audition as well. Studio assignments will be made shortly after orchestra auditions conclude and emails sent within the first three days of class. If you are wishing to audition for private lessons only, please contact Dr. Kim (arianakim@cornell.edu). She will hear lessons-only auditions via Zoom in early-mid August. Requirements for these auditions are two three-octave scales and two contrasting solo works.

Voice Lessons:

Voice lesson auditions for the Fall 2023 semester will be held in 231 Lincoln Hall August 20 to August 25. Please email Professor Jean Bernard Cerin (jc392@cornell.edu) to request an audition time or with any questions. Prospective students should prepare 1-2 pieces that reflect their musical interests. Placement options are sometimes available for singers without repertory. If you are interested in voice lessons, please don't hesitate to schedule an appointment.  Visit https://blogs.cornell.edu/voice/ for sign-ups and 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.

Communal Prep Room
If all practice rooms are taken, you can warm up for the audition in one of these rooms.

Friday, August 18
B21 9 am to 8 pm

Saturday, August 19
B21 9 am to 8 pm

Sunday, August 20
B21 9 am to 4 pm
124 3 to 9 pm

Monday, August 21
124 11:30 am to 2:30 pm