Audition Updates

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.

Notice: The Glee Club and Chorus will not hold auditions in Spring 2025 to accept new singers. Only the Chorale will be holding auditions on January 31 and February 1, 2025, in Lincoln 129.

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/ or contact Gabriela Gómez Estévez, Director of Orchestras (gsg65@cornell.edu).

Wind Symphony

For information, contact James Spinazzola, Director of Winds (jms862@cornell.edu).

Jazz:

For information, please visit http://jazz.arts.cornell.edu/ or contact Paul Merrill, Director of Jazz (pm75@cornell.edu).

Chamber Flute Ensemble:

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

Chamber Music Ensembles: 

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 January 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: Coming Soon!

Early Music Lab welcomes students and community members. String players should prepare one solo piece, preferably Baroque but not required. Players new to period instruments should audition on modern instruments. You may choose to play at A=415 or A=440 pitch level, whichever is more comfortable. Harpsichordists should prepare a short solo piece or a movement of a longer work and will sight-read a short continuo excerpt. Auditions 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: Not offer in Spring 2025

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:

For 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 3 pm on Monday, January 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: For Fall 2025

If you are auditioning for the Cornell Orchestras, this audition will also serve as your studio placement audition.  Please be sure to notify Dr. Gomez (gsg65@cornell.edu) of your intention at the start of your audition, which will take place in late August 2025.  For more information on this, see the Cornell Orchestra audition details above.

Voice auditions are held at the beginning of each semester. Please fill this form to add your name to the contact list for the next round of auditions.  Visit https://blogs.cornell.edu/voice/ or more information about the Cornell Voice Program. 

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.