Complete Audition List
Symphony Orchestra | Wind Ensemble | Jazz Ensembles | Concert Choir | Chamber Chorus | RAMBAX | Gamelan Galak Tika | Chamber Music Society | Vocal Jazz Ensemble | Laptop Ensemble | Emerson/Harris Program for Private Study
MIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Adam Boyles, Director (akboyles@mit.edu)
The MIT Symphony Orchestra holds auditions in both fall and spring. MIT and Wellesley students may take MITSO for 6 units of credit, but one need not take MITSO for credit to fully participate. All local students, MIT community members, and non-MIT community members are welcome to audition.
Spring auditions will be in-person in Professor Boyles' office (10-265) on February 6th from 5-7pm. You will be asked the following:
- A solo of your choosing (concerto, etude, etc.) to be no longer than 1 minute (yes, only 1 minute). Pick the spot which shows off your fundamental skills the best.
- 4-5 scales of the MD's choosing (to be chosen from all major, harmonic minor, natural minor, melodic minor, chromatic). You can perform them at your own pace, articulation, bowing, etc. provided it remains steady in tempo. Do not schedule an audition if you don’t know your scales - I take these very seriously.
- Short sight reading(s), mostly focusing on rhythm.
The whole audition is approximately 10 minutes.
First MITSO rehearsal is Tuesday, February 6th, 7:30pm, Kresge Auditorium.
Harpists: Please contact Dr. Boyles directly (akboyles@mit.edu) to arrange an audition time.
Percussionists: Please contact Dr. Boyles directly (akboyles@mit.edu) to arrange an audition time.
MIT WIND ENSEMBLE
Dr. Frederick Harris, Music Director (fharris@mit.edu)
Please see the MITWE Page for complete audition information.
MIT FESTIVAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE & CMS JAZZ COMBOS
Dr. Frederick Harris, Music Director, MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble, MIT Jazz Performance Coordinator, and Emerson/Harris Jazz Advisor, (fharris@mit.edu)
Please see the MIT FJE Page for complete audition information.
MIT CONCERT CHOIR
Ryan Turner, Director (rlturner@mit.edu)
Interested singers should attend the first rehearsal on Wednesday, September 6th & Monday, September 11th; 7-10 pm in 4-270. During the first 45 minutes of this meeting we will all learn an excerpt from the choral music we’ll be performing. This excerpt will be used as the music for a low-key audition and you will be asked to sing it in a small group. Please register by using the link below (ALL SINGERS, both new and returning Choir members need to audition and should plan to attend the class).
MIT CHAMBER CHORUS
Ryan Turner, Director (rlturner@mit.edu)
Solo auditions will be held on Thursday, September 7th from 9:30 - 11:00 am in Killian Hall.
Audition Requirements: One solo art song, folk song, or musical theater piece with piano accompaniment. (Pianist is provided). You will also be asked to sight read.
All interested singers (including returning Chamber Chorus members) must register for a 6-minute audition time slot using the link below:
RAMBAX MIT, SENEGALESE DRUM ENSEMBLE
Directed by Lamine Touré (lamine@mit.edu) with faculty advisor, Patricia Tang(pjtang@mit.edu). Drums provided; no previous drumming experience necessary.
New members should register for 21M.460 and attend the first beginner class meeting on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 7pm in N52-199.
Questions please email - pjtang@mit.edu.
GAMELAN GALAK TIKA
There is no formal audition or music experience required for the Balinese Gamelan class; only an interest in learning to play any of these instruments. MIT students wanting to take the class should register for 21M.450 and attend the first class meeting on Tuesday February 6, 2024, 3:30 to 5pm. Anyone wishing to participate in Gamelan Galak Tika should reach out to Gusti Komin (komin@mit.edu) directly.
Instruments provided; no previous experience necessary.
MIT CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
Marcus Thompson, Director (bratsche@mit.edu), Natalie Lin Douglas (lindoug@mit.edu), Co-Director
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A required meeting for new and returning students will take place on Monday, January 29th 2024 at 5:00pm in Killian Hall.
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New members: Auditions for new members will begin immediately after the meeting (5:30pm), also in Killian Hall. Please use the New Members sign-up below to reserve a time.
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Audition Requirements: Two solo pieces of contrasting styles and a prepared excerpt that will be provided a day before the audition. Each audition will last approximately 6 minutes.
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Returning members: Students who participated in previous semesters need not audition, but are still required to attend the 5:00 pm meeting with the CMS faculty to discuss group assignments, repertoire preferences, etc. All returning members must each fill out the form below.
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The CMS audition will also count for all new pianists, instrumentalists and non-E/HP singers interested in joining the Collaborative Piano course (See 21M.451)
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CMS registrations will close on Sunday, January 28th, 2024 at 11:59pm. Please use the links below to sign up before then.
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Applications received after the deadline may be added to a waitlist. To inquire about being added to the waitlist, email Riley Vogel (vogel503@mit.edu). If we are able to accommodate your request, you will be contacted prior to the audition date with an appointment.
MIT VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Laura Grill-Jaye, Coach (lauragrilljaye@gmail.com)
Students are expected to prepare two songs of contrasting styles. One song must be "Smile" by Chaplin/Parsons/Turner to be sung a cappella. Many people have recorded this song, but Nat King Cole's version is easy to find online if you're learning by ear. The second song can be from any genre and should showcase your voice. It is fine to use accompaniment for the second song.
**Returning students should re-audition with one jazz standard of their choice. They do not need to sing "Smile".
Please contact Laura directly to schedule an audition or with any questions (ljaye@mit.edu)
MIT LAPTOP ENSEMBLE
Ian Hattwick, Director (hattwick@mit.edu)
Admission to the ensemble is by approval of the director following the first day of class, no audition required. The first day of class is Tuesday, February 6th from 3:30-5pm in the Voxel Lab (E38 3rd Floor).
EMERSON/HARRIS PROGRAM FOR PRIVATE STUDY
Please see the Emerson/Harris Program page for complete audition information.
*Please note that auditions for Emerson/Harris are only available in the fall.
Note: If the form says there are no available dates, try clicking on "Choose Appointment" at the top of the page.
Auditions are now closed
- A required meeting for new and returning students will take place on Monday, January 29th 2024 at 5:00pm in Killian Hall.
- New members: Auditions for new members will begin immediately after the meeting (5:30pm), also in Killian Hall. Please use the New Members sign-up below to reserve a time.
-
- Audition Requirements: Two solo pieces of contrasting styles and a prepared excerpt that will be provided a day before the audition. Each audition will last approximately 6 minutes.
- Returning members: Students who participated in previous semesters need not audition, but are still required to attend the 5:00 pm meeting with the CMS faculty to discuss group assignments, repertoire preferences, etc. All returning members must each fill out the form below.
- The CMS audition will also count for all new pianists, instrumentalists and non-E/HP singers interested in joining the Collaborative Piano course (See 21M.451)
- CMS registrations will close on Sunday, January 28th, 2024 at 11:59pm. Please use the links below to sign up before then.
- Applications received after the deadline may be added to a waitlist. To inquire about being added to the waitlist, email Riley Vogel (vogel503@mit.edu). If we are able to accommodate your request, you will be contacted prior to the audition date with an appointment.