Auditions

MUSIC AUDITIONS FOR LESSONS & ENSEMBLES

PREPARING FOR AUDITIONS

Auditions for private instruction take several different forms. Classical voice, classical strings, and classical piano auditions are held during Orientation Week or during the first week of classes. Additionally during Orientation week, students who are interested in performing and/or studying Jazz and World Music should plan to attend the BlueJazz Audition. All other instrumental auditions occur during a "first meeting" with the instructor.

If you have not already auditioned, please look for the instrument you are interested in and contact the instructor to set up an audition time. Listed below are requirements for some instruments/voice. Remember - auditions are a way for the faculty to get to know your style, and are meant to be relaxed and pleasant!

Students who have a desire to take private or group lessons on an instrument not listed below should contact Eliko Akahori, Director of the Music Performance Program at eakahori@wellesley.edu during Orientation Week or the first week of classes.                                                                                 

CLASSICAL AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Classical voice, strings, and piano have scheduled auditions during Orientation Week, or during the first week of classes. All other Classical instrument auditions occur during "first meeting" with the instructor. 

Acoustic Guitar: Please prepare something from your repertoire, and prepare to talk about your short- and long-term goals in playing classical and/or acoustic guitar styles. Contact Steve Kirby at skirby@wellesley.edu with any questions. 

Bass: Please prepare a scale and a set of arpeggios, plus two contrasting pieces (one fast and one slow). Contact Mark Henry at mhenry@wellesley.edu with any questions.

Bassoon: Please prepare two contrasting movements (time periods and styles) and bring a list of completed repertoire and etudes/studies. Contact Tracy McGinnis at tmcginni@wellesley.edu with any questions.

Cello: Please contact David Russell at drussell@wellesley.edu with any questions.

Clarinet: Please contact Katherine Matasy at kmatasy@wellesley.edu with any questions.

Flute: Please prepare two contrasting movements (time periods and styles) and bring a list of completed repertoire and etudes/studies. Contact Kathy Boyd at kboyd@wellesley.edu with any questions.

Guzheng: Please contact Hui Weng hw105@wellesley.edu with any questions. 

Harp: Please contact Franziska Huhn at fhuhn@wellesley.edu with any questions.

Harpsichord and Organ: Please contact Erica Johnson at ej100@wellesley.edu with any questions.

Lute: Please contact Catherine Liddell at cl117@wellesley.edu with any questions.

Oboe: Please contact Kyoko Hida-Battaglia at kh100@wellesley.edu with any questions. 

Piano: Please use this google form to sign up for an audition. Please prepare to play one or two pieces. Contact Randall Hodgkinson at rhodgkin@wellesley.edu with any questions.

Trombone: Please contact Mark Hamilton at mhamilt3@wellesley.edu with any questions.

Trumpet: Please prepare something from your repertoire and be prepared to talk about your short- and long-term goals in playing the trumpet. Contact Tom Duprey at tduprey@wellesley.edu with any questions.

Viola da Gamba: Please contact Laura Jeppesen at ljeppese@wellesley.edu with any questions.

Violin and Viola: Please use this google form to sign up for an audition time. Please prepare a piece that showcases your best playing, or something that you love. For beginners who have nothing prepared, please sign up for an audition to introduce yourself and express your wishes. Instruction on baroque violin/viola is also available. Contact Jane Starkman at jstarkma@wellesley.edu with any questions.

Voice: The Wellesley voice department welcomes all levels of singers and all styles. To audition, please see this form. Please warm up before you audition (practice rooms are downstairs in Jewett) and bring one or two contrasting songs that you enjoy singing. There may just be time to hear one, or short excerpts of both. A pianist will be present to accompany, if desired. Please bring one copy of your music for them (and yourself, if needed). You may also opt to use a karaoke track or sing unaccompanied. Should you not have any music prepared, do come and sing for us anyway! Even "Happy Birthday" would be just fine. Contact Sonja Tengblad at stengbla@wellesley.edu with any questions. 

JAZZ AND WORLD MUSIC (JWM) AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

All students who are interested in performing and/or studying Jazz and World Music should plan to attend the BlueJazz Audition on Thursday, Aug. 31 during Orientation Week. See this google doc for Audition requirements, and please fill out this questionnaire to sign up for your audition timeslot. Additionally, please contact the private Jazz and World Music Instructor with whom you are interested in studying. 

JWM Bass (Electric and String): Please contact Mark Henry at mhenry@wellesley.edu with any questions.

JWM Caribbean and West African Drumming: Please contact Kera Washington at kwashing@wellesley.edu with any questions. 

JWM Drumset and Percussion: Please contact Steve Langone at slangone@wellesley.edu with any questions. 

JWM Flute: Please contact Cercie Miller at cmiller@wellesley.edu with any questions.

JWM Guitar: Please prepare something from your repertoire, and prepare to talk about your short- and long-term goals in playing Jazz/Popular/World guitar styles. Contact Steve Kirby at skirby@wellesley.edu with any questions. 

JWM Piano: Please contact Russell Hoffmann at rhoffman@wellesley.edu with any questions. 

JWM Saxophone: Please prepare any piece you are comfortable with, with a preference for Jazz/Popular/Blues genres. If possible, please play several scales from memory (1-2 majors, any other) and a Blues scale if you know one. If you have experience with improvisation/soloing, that would be great to hear but not necessary. Contact Cercie Miller at cmiller@wellesley.edu with any questions. 

JWM Trombone and Low Brass: Please prepare any piece you are comfortable with, with a preference for Jazz/Popular/Blues genres. Additionally, please prepare any scale you can play well as fast as you can up and down the instrument. If you have experience with improvisation/soloing, we would love to hear you, but it's not necessary as we'll teach you! Contact Mark Hamilton at mhamilt3@wellesley.edu with any questions.

JWM Trumpet: Please prepare something from your repertoire, and be prepared to talk about your short- and long-term goals in playing the trumpet. Contact Tom Duprey at tduprey@wellesley.edu with any questions. 

JWM Vibraphone: Please contact Rich Greenblatt at rgreenbla@wellesley.edu with any quesitons. 

JWM Violin and Viola: Please prepare a scale and a piece in any style (classical, fiddle, rock, world, etc.) that you know well. Students with improvisation experience may play a blue or jazz standard or their choice. Improvisation experience is welcome but not necessary! Contact Paula Zeitlin at pzeitlin@wellesley.edu with any questions. 

JWM Voice: Please prepare to perform something you enjoy singing and know well. Should you not have music prepared, do come and sing anyway! "Happy Birthday" or a song you can sing unaccompanied is just fine. Contact Kris Adams at kadams@wellesley.edu with any questions.

AUDITIONS FOR ENSEMBLES 

All auditions with specific dates and times require sign-up, which will be available online. See specific Ensemble listings for more information.

Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra: Auditions will be held September 3rd & 5th. Please visit the BWO website to sign up for an audition. Contact Neal Hampton at nhampton@wellesley.edu for more information. 

Chamber Music Society: Auditions for incoming students will be held September 3rd, and auditions for returning students new to CMS will be held September 11th. Please read our Welcome Letter, and fill out the CMS Questionnaire prior to auditioning. Contact David Russell at drussell@wellesley.edu or Jenny Tang at jtang@wellesley.edu for more information. 

Choir and Chamber Singers: Auditions will be held Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Orientation weekend. Please fill out the Interest Form to sign up for an audition!  Updates will be posted on our Facebook page. Contact Lisa Graham at lgraham1@wellesley.edu for more information. 

Collegium Musicum: Students should attend the first meeting of the group if they are interested. Contact Laura Jeppesen at ljeppese@wellesley.edu for more information. 

Guild of Carillonneurs: Applications for membership in the Guild are available the first week of classes. Contact Margaret Angelini at mangelin@wellesley.edu for more information. 

Organ Club: Contact Erica Johnson at ej100@wellesley.edu for more information. 

Wellesley BlueJazz Ensemble Program: Please plan to attend the BlueJazz Audition during Orientation Week, and come to the BlueJazz Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Please fill out the BlueJazz questionnaire before attending the Audition and/or Open House. Contact Cercie Miller at cmiller@wellesley.edu for more information.

Yanvalou Drum & Dance Ensemble: Yanvalou does not hold auditions but would like to meet you! Please attend our Open Meeting on Thursday, Sept. 8th in Jewett Arts Center Auditorium. Contact Kera Washington at kwashing@wellesley.edu for more information. 

For further information regarding specific ensembles, please visit the Ensembles web page.