Choral Ensembles Auditions

Date, Time + Location

Vocal Auditions will be held in-person at the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center on:

• Wednesday, August 21, 9 AM - 4:30 PM
• Thursday, August 22, 9 AM - 4:30 PM
• Friday, August 23, 11 AM - 4 PM

Check-in at Dr. Cathlina’s office (SFPAC 2133) on the second floor 10 minutes before your time. 

Students Required to Audition

• All students studying voice in the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music (classical, commercial, jazz, etc.) are required to audition.
• Students wishing to be placed into one of the audition ensembles below will need to audition:
  • University Singers
  • Mazi
  • Tigerchor
  • Jazz Singers
• Auditions are not required to sing in Collegiate Choir (MUAP 2007). Simply register, and you’re in!

Choral Ensembles and Rehearsal Times

Choir	Course	Rehearsal Time	Location	Conductor
Jazz Singers		T, R: 3:30-5:30	SFPAC 1204	Dr. Cooper
University Singers	MUAP 3006	M, W: 1:45-3:15 PM, F: 1:45-2:45 PM	SFPAC 2113	Dr. Cathlina
Mazi: Soprano/Alto Choir	MUAP 2005	T. R: 1-2:45 PM	SFPAC 2113	Terry Walker
Tigerchor: Tenor/Bass Choir	MUAP 2006	T, R: 1-2:45 PM	SFPAC 2113	Dr. Frizzell
Collegiate Choir	MUAP 2007	M,W, F: 3:45-4:45 PM	SFPAC 2113	Joseph Powell

If you have additional questions not listed here, email Dr. Cathlina.

August 23-25, 2024

Three days before the beginning of each semester, the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music will hold auditions for students who wish to be placed into the school’s instrumental ensembles.

• The University of Memphis Symphony Orchestra
• The University of Memphis Wind Ensemble
• The University of Memphis Symphonic Band
• Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra

Please read sections below for specific audition information.

CALENDAR

Friday, August 23, 2024
9 am - 11:15 am Saxophones, SFPAC 1215
12 pm - 1 pm Oboes, SFPAC 1215
1:30 pm - 2:15 pm Bassoons, SFPAC 1215
2:30 pm - 4:38 pm Flutes, SFPAC 1215

Saturday, August 24, 2024
9 am -11 am Horns, SFPAC 1215
9 am - 1 pm Violins, Harris Concert Hall
11:30 am - 1:30 pm Trombones, SFPAC 1215
2 - 3:30 pm Violas, Harris Concert Hall
2 pm - 4 pm Clarinets, SFPAC 1215
4:30 - 5:26 pm Euphoniums, SFPAC 1215
5:34 - 6:38 pm Tuba, SFPAC 1215

Sunday, August 25, 2024
12 - 2 pm Cellos, Harris Concert Hall
12 - 2:30 pm Percussion, SFPAC 1215
2 - 3 pm Basses, Harris Concert Hall
3 - 5 pm Trumpets, SFPAC 1215

Audition Procedure

• Audition Excerpts will be posted in July for the fall ensemble audition and December for the spring ensemble auditions.
• Students are responsible for visiting the “Student Resources” page on the School of Music website to download their excerpts and to register for their audition time.
• On the audition day, students should arrive early to warm up and check in with the audition proctor. All auditions will occur behind a screen to maintain the students' anonymity. Communication with the audition panel must be done only through the proctor.
• Each audition is scheduled to last approximately seven minutes.

Audition Panel: The audition panel for the large ensemble auditions will include the ensemble conductors and the applied professors.

---

Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion

Students will be asked to perform the following:

• Scales
• All or a portion of their prepared material
• Sightreading
• Saxophone, Trumpet, and Trombone students may be asked to improvise over chord changes.
• String students will be asked to perform the pre-determined excerpts and 3 to 4 minutes of a selection of their choice.

Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Panel:

• Director of Bands Associate
• Director of Bands
• Director of Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra
• The instrument’s applied instructor

 

---

Strings

Saturday, August 24, 2024

• 9 am – 1 pm      Violins              24 slots
• 2 – 3:30 pm     Violas               9 slots

Sunday, August 25, 2024

• 12 – 2 pm    Cellos               12 slots
• 2 – 3 pm      Basses             6 slots

 

 

Strings Panel:

• Director of Orchestral Activities
• The instrument’s applied instructor or instructors

 

All students at the University of Memphis are invited to audition for The University of Memphis Marching Band, the Mighty Sound of the South.

Drumline

Monday Night Drumline Class:

In preparation for drumline auditions, we offer a free class every Monday night during the spring semester, from 7:30 to 9 PM, in the Communication and Fine Arts Building (CFA), Room 137. The classes are not mandatory to become a drumline member but are highly encouraged, as we will work on the 2025 exercises and audition pieces. We only have a limited number of drums and want everyone that comes to be able to play the entire time, so we ask that you bring your instrument if you are able. Free parking will be available in the lot on Central Avenue. You can view the location of the building and the parking lot on the campus map https://umwa.memphis.edu/campusmap/index.php. For more information or a digital copy of the music, contact Michael Todd at michael.a.l.todd@gmail.com.

Audition:

Auditions for the drumline will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2024 from 9 AM to 5 PM in the Communication and Fine Arts building, room 137, on the University of Memphis campus. The audition will consist of playing in a complete battery setting during the morning, with individual auditions conducted in the afternoon. All material needed for the audition is compiled in a packet, which can be obtained by emailing Michael Todd at michael.a.l.todd@gmail.com. You should be prepared to mark time with all exercises.

If you cannot attend the audition day, you may submit a video audition. The video should include all audition material, must be played on a drum with a metronome, and must be able to see your feet, hands, and face. A link to your video audition should be sent to Michael Todd before 5 PM on April 29 - michael.a.l.todd@gmail.com.

For an electronic copy of the audition packet and answers to any questions regarding the drumline and/or drumline auditions, please contact Michael Todd at michael.a.l.todd@gmail.com.

Colorguard

Auditions for the Colorguard will be held on Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Elma Roane Field House on the University of Memphis campus. To sign up for the audition and for additional information, please email uofmguard@gmail.com. If you cannot attend the audition on April 29, a video audition may be accepted.

In addition to the fall semester, the University of Memphis Colorguard is also active in the spring as a competitive winter guard. For more information, please email uofmguard@gmail.com.

Tigerettes

The University of Memphis Tigerettes are looking for talented twirlers who can entertain large crowds using charisma and personality. In addition to being a vital part of Mighty Sound of the South performances, Tigerettes are considered ambassadors for our university, and our members must embody the pride and tradition of our institution. If you have what it takes to be a Tigerette, please email the Tigerettes director, Suzanne Jackson, at srhjackson@comcast.net before April 1, 2024.

Visit this website for more information. 

Auditions 2024

Sound Fuzion is the University of Memphis’ premier popular music ensemble. Founded on Rock, Blues and Popular Music rooted in the rich musical culture of Memphis, Tennessee, Sound Fuzion is distinctly cutting-edge in its content and approach. Sound Fuzion performs a variety of musical styles, utilizes relevant technologies, and exposes its members to professional opportunities open to today's musicians. Members are awarded a $5,000 scholarship upon acceptance into the ensemble. 

Email mlparson@memphis.edu for audition details.

Preliminary Auditions - Friday, March 8

• We would like to hear you sing/perform two songs of contrasting styles that you feel best to represent your unique abilities/personality. 
• Film yourself performing your two songs. Make sure that you are visible in the shot. 
• Upload your video(s) to YouTube and submit an unlisted YouTube link to mlparson@memphis.edu no later than Noon on April 1  

Live Call Back Auditions - Saturday, March 16

• Select musicians will be invited to attend our live call-back audition on campus in the Scheidt Family Center SFZ Rehearsal Room.  
• Musicians who are accepted into SFZ will be required to attend a two-weekend “band camp” to be held on August. 12-14 and August 20-21
• Maintain rehearsal availability on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 PM.