Complete Audition List

Symphony Orchestra | Axiom Chamber 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. 

New member Fall auditions will be in-person in Dr. Boyles’ office (W18-3312) on the following days and times:

Tuesday September 3, 3-10pm

Thursday September 5, 5:30-10pm (may also consist of callbacks, if needed)

 

FOR NEW MEMBERS, the audition consists of 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. 

 

FOR RETURNING MEMBERS, the audition consists of the following:

- The entirety of the audition is to be a video submission done in one take. Please state your name at the beginning.

- Perform a brief solo of your choice, no longer than 1 minute, then play the entirety of Variation 11 and the Finale from Elgar’s Variations on an Original Theme, ‘Enigma’ (parts can be found here). If there are multiple choices, play the 1st part. Account for bars of rest when there are only a few, but skip long ones. I will assume your research will lead you to generally-accepted tempi.

- Please post video privately online no later than Monday September 2, 11:59pm. Email me the link directly at akboyles@mit.edu.

 

First MITSO rehearsal is Tuesday, September 10, Kresge Auditorium, 7:30-10pm.

 

Winds/Strings Players: Register for a MITSO Audition Here

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.

AXIOM CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Axiom is a project-based musical entity dedicated to the study and performance of compositions that, for a variety of reasons, do not fit into the typical large-ensemble setting nor chamber music setting.  Over the course of a quarter, Axiom will study and rehearse a work(s) of this type culminating in a public performance.

The first work to be studied and performed this semester is Appalachian Spring (complete ballet, original instrumentation) of Aaron Copland. The instrumentation involved is the following:
1 Flute
1 Clarinet
1 Bassoon
1 Piano
4 violins
2 violas
2 celli
1 bass
 
Auditions will take place on September 5 from 3:30-5pm (during regular class time). There will be a brief meeting, then auditions will commence.
 
The audition will consist of:
 
- A brief (2 minutes MAX) solo of your choice. Anything is fair game, the point is for Dr. Boyles to get to know your playing.
 
- Sight reading and coaching of an excerpts/excerpts.
 
Callbacks, if necessary, will be done Tuesday September 10 during class time.
 
The first formal meeting of Axiom is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday September 10.
 
Please email Dr. Boyles (akboyles@mit.edu) for further questions.
 

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 or MIT CMS Jazz Combos Page for complete audition information.

 

MIT CONCERT CHOIR

Ryan Turner, Director (rlturner@mit.edu)

Interested singers should attend the first rehearsal on Wednesday, September 4; 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 should attend, only NEW SINGERS need to audition). 

Register for Audition Here

 

MIT CHAMBER CHORUS

Ryan Turner, Director (rlturner@mit.edu)

Solo auditions will be held on Tuesday, February 6 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.

Register to Audition Here

 

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 9, 2024, from 7-8:30pm in W18-1202.

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 Thursday September, 5th from 3:30 to 5pm. Classes are held in W18-1202 Music and Culture Space.

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

Mi-Eun Kim (mieunkim@mit.edu), Natalie Lin Douglas (lindoug@mit.edu) (on leave Fall 2024), Jean Rife (jeanrife@mit.edu), Marcus Thompson, (bratsche@mit.edu), Li-Mei Liang, (limeiviolin@gmail.com) (Fall 2024 only) Coordinators & Coaches.

  • A required meeting for new and returning students will take place on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 5:00pm in Killian Hall. 

  • The deadline to sign up is Thursday, August 29th at 11:59pm. Please note that audition slots for new members are on a first come, first serve basis.

  • 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 slot.

    • 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.

    • New Members Sign-Up Here

  • 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. 

    • Returning Members Sign-Up Here

    • Note: if you are a returning member but have not participated in CMS for three or more semesters, we recommend that you re-audition as a new member.

  • The CMS audition will also count for all new pianists, instrumentalists and non-E/HP singers interested in joining Collaborative Piano (21M.451).

  • Interested applicants who miss the deadline may be added to a waitlist. To inquire, email Riley Vogel (vogel503@mit.edu).

For new members who are unable to audition in person, it is possible to submit a recorded audition, prior to the live audition date. The above audition requirements still apply, and a prepared excerpt will be sent to you a day before you submit your recordings. To arrange a date to send your recorded audition, please email Riley Vogel (vogel503@mit.edu). Please also make sure you still submit the New Member Sign-Up form (after your name, write “RECORDED AUDITION”), and select the latest available audition time.

 

MIT VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Laura Grill Jaye, Director (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 must re-audition with one jazz standard of their choice. They do not need to sing "Smile". 

Auditions will be held on Tuesday, September 3rd between 2-8pm in room W18-4309.

Register to Audition for MIT Vocal Jazz Ensemble

 

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 Wednesday, September 4th from 7-10pm 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.