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 Tuesday, January 31st. You will be asked the following:
- A solo of your choosing (concerto, etude, etc.) to be no longer than 2 minutes. 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 10-12 minutes.
First MITSO rehearsal is Tuesday, February 7th, 7:30pm, Kresge Auditorium.
Winds/Strings Players: Register for a MITSO Audition Here
Percussionists: Please reach out to Professor Boyles (akboyles@mit.edu) to schedule an audition time.
MIT WIND ENSEMBLE
Dr. Frederick Harris, Music Director (fharris@mit.edu)
Anyone interested in participation in the MIT Wind Ensemble for Spring 2023 semester, should contact Dr. Fred Harris (fharris@mit.edu) to set up an individual audition time a.s.a.p. and by Friday, February 3.
NOTE: Current MITWE do not need to re-audition for spring semester.
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)
Anyone interested in participation in the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble for Spring 2023 semester, should contact Dr. Fred Harris (fharris@mit.edu) to set up an individual audition time a.s.a.p. and by Friday, February 3.
NOTE: Current MIT FJE do not need to re-audition for spring semester.
MIT CONCERT CHOIR
Dr. Andrew Clark, Interim Director (andrewc@mit.edu)
Interested singers should attend the first rehearsal on Monday, February 6th from 7-9:30pm 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 (returning Choir members do not need to audition, but should still plan to attend the class).
MIT CHAMBER CHORUS
Dr. Andrew Clark, Interim Director (andrewc@mit.edu)
Solo auditions will be held on Tuesday, February 7th from 9:00am - 12:00pm 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, February 6th, 2023, at 7pm.
Questions please email - pjtang@mit.edu.
GAMELAN GALAK TIKA
There is no formal audition for Gamelan Galak Tika. For participation information, please reach out to Gusti Komin (komin@mit.edu) directly.
MIT CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
Marcus Thompson, Director (bratsche@mit.edu), Natalie Lin Douglas (lindoug@mit.edu), Co-Director
A required meeting for new and returning students will take place at 5:30pm on Monday, January 30th in Killian Hall. Auditions for NEW members will begin immediately after the meeting (6pm), also in Killian Hall. Students who participated in Fall 2022 need not audition, but are still required to attend the 5:30pm meeting with the CMS faculty to discuss pre-formed groups, repertoire preferences, etc. Returning members must also fill out the form below.
*For Collaborative Piano applicants: Starting in Spring 2023, all new pianists, instrumentalists and non-E/HP singers interested in joining the Collab piano course must audition at the CMS audition.*
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.
Audition registrations will close on Monday, January 30th at 9am. Please use the links below to sign up before then.
New Members: Please Sign Up Here
Returning Members: Please Sign Up Here
Read answers to MIT CMS FAQs Here
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".
MIT VJE will not hold auditions for new members in Spring 2023
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 Thursday, September 8th from 3:30-5pm in W16-RRA.
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.