Auditions
The Brandeis University Music Ensembles
Placement Auditions • Spring 2012
Placement auditions for the Brandeis Music Ensembles are listed below. All students must sign-up for placement auditions. Sign-up sheets for all ensembles and private lessons are posted in Slosberg Music Center, on the audition bulletin board just inside the main entrance.
The Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra Location: Slosberg 235
Contact Neil Hampton
University Chorus, Chamber Choir Location: Slosberg 210
Contact James Olesen
Private Voice Lessons, MUS 112 Location: Slosberg 234
Contact Professor Mary Ruth Ray
The Brandeis Wind Ensemble Location: Slosberg Recital Hall
Contact Tom Souza
The Brandeis Jazz Ensemble Location: Slosberg 235
Contact Bob Nieske
Early Music Ensemble (EME) Location: Slosberg Lobby
Contact Sarah Mead
The Brandeis Improv Collective Location: Slosberg 212
Contact Tom Hall
Chamber Music
Students interested in Chamber Music should sign their name and contact information on
the sign-up sheet in Slosberg or contact the director, Professor Judith Eissenberg:
eissenberg@brandeis.edu.
Private Instruction: Instrumental MUS111
Violin: Contact Professor Dan Stepner
Cello: Contact Professor Joshua Gordon
Piano: Contact Evan Hirsch
All Other Instrumentalists: Register for MUS111a, section 1 (for credit) and contact Professor Mary Ruth Ray
Ensembles are open to all members of the Brandeis community, not just non-music major/minors! For more information on the ensembles, visit their pages
The Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra
Neal Hampton, conductor
Brandeis University Chorus & Chamber Choir
James Olesen, director
The Brandeis Wind Ensemble
Thomas Souza, director
The Brandeis Jazz Ensemble
Bob Nieske, director
Brandeis Early Music Ensemble
Sarah Mead, director
The Brandeis Improv Collective
Tom Hall, director
Chamber Music, MUS116
Students interested in Chamber Music may write their name and contact information on the sign-up sheet in Slosberg or contact the director, Professor Judith Eissenberg.
Private Lessons: Instrumental MUS111
Violin: Contact Professor Dan Stepner
Cello: Contact Professor Joshua Gordon
Piano: Contact Evan Hirsch
All Other Instrumentalists: Register on SAGE for MUS111a, section 1 (for credit)
Private Lessons: Voice MUS112
If scheduled auditions are over, contact the director of the ensemble you are interested in to inquire about the possibility of joining the group immediately or at the beginning of the next semester.
What to Prepare
In general, you should prepare a brief selection of a piece that demonstrates your musical and technical ability. You may also improvise if auditioning for Jazz Ensemble, but improvising is not a requirement of that group.
It is good to include a selection from a first movement of a classical sonata or concerto, or any medium to fast tempo piece that shows your ability to play in a steady tempo. If you arrive without music, prepare a scale of your choice in as many octaves as your technique permits you to play steadily and in tune.
What to Bring to Campus
Visit the Web pages of the ensembles you plan to participate in for details about concert attire. In the orchestra (for example), men perform in tuxedos and women in black concert dress.
If you plan to take lessons or to participate in an instrumental ensemble, bring a metronome.
Wind players participating in orchestra must own an electronic tuner such as the Korg CA-30, or one that produces musical tones in addition to indicating the pitch of the note you are playing. They can be ordered by online or by calling (800) 348-5003.