Instrumental Auditions

• Complete the Audition Information form at http://tx.ag/FTABAudition
• Find your audition music – https://musa.tamu.edu/aggie-band/audition-music/
• Practice!
• Schedule your audition:
  • Saturday, February 11, 2023
  • Saturday, April 1, 2023
  • Saturday, May 6, 2023
  • Or audition when you participate in a Spring Spend the Night with the Corps. (Register here.)
• Once we receive your information form, you will be contacted by one of the Aggie Band Directors who can answer any questions and set up your audition.

If you have questions, please email CPT. Tipton at rtipton@tamu.edu.

Membership in all the concert bands is based on a live audition with a band director.

• If you are an incoming student, your audition should be completed BEFORE your new student conference so you can register for the correct class. The afternoon prior to you conference often works best for students traveling to campus.
• If you are a current TAMU student, your audition should be completed BEFORE you register for classes so you can register for the correct class.

To Audition:

1. Fill in the appropriate audition form: Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, Concert Band

(or you can email Dr. Russell Tipton at rtipton@tamu.edu )

2. You will be contacted by the director of the ensemble to set up an audition time at the Music Activities Center.
3. For the audition, you will need to select and perform material that includes two contrasting excerpts which exhibit both technical facility and lyrical qualities. Students should prepare approximately two minutes of each style. You will also sight-read a selection.

You will be auditioning for multiple groups with one audition. Placement is based on openings in each group and audition performance.

To speak with a director by phone, please call our main number, 979.845.3529 and leave a message that includes your name, call back number, instrument played and what ensemble you are interested in. The appropriate director will call you back within 2 business days.

Membership in all the jazz ensembles is based on a live auditions with the director.

• If you are an incoming student, your audition should be completed BEFORE your new student conference so you can register for the correct class. The afternoon prior to you conference often works best for students traveling to campus.
• If you are a current TAMU student, your audition should be completed BEFORE you register for classes so you can register for the correct class.

1. Email the Director of Jazz Ensembles: Jazz Ensembles – chollar@tamu.edu

2. You will be contacted by the director of the ensemble to set up an audition time at the Music Activities Center.

For the audition:

• • Wind players should prepare 4 Major scales in concert Bb, F, Eb and Ab through the comfortable range of the instrument. Students should prepare one medium swing tempo or faster selection and one ballad or Latin style selection. Students may use region jazz etudes, melodies from standard jazz tunes, or transcribed jazz solos that demonstrate style, musicality and technique on the instrument. For lead player auditions, one piece may be performed to a play along accompaniment to include improvisation.
  • Guitar / Piano players should prepare major scales covering the range of the instrument and demonstrate 4 basic chord types: major, minor, augmented, and diminished. Students should prepare 2 jazz tunes demonstrating melody and comping techniques in 2 contrasting jazz styles. One or both pieces may be performed to a play along accompaniment to include improvisation.
  • Bass players must be proficient reading bass music and chord progressions. Bass players should prepare major scales through the range of the instrument. Students should also prepare two choruses of a blues selection or one chorus of a 32 bar jazz standard utilizing walking quarter note bass lines. The audition will also include sight-reading a quarter note bass line and a more rhythmically challenging funk bass line.
  • Drummers should have some previous fundamental drum set experience or training. Students should be prepared to demonstrate specific drumming abilities for playing time and improvising fills in various styles of jazz music including medium or up–tempo swing, basic Latin, and rock or funk. The audition will also include sight-reading a simple big band style kick chart.
  • You will also receive a sight-reading selection via email very shortly before your audition time.

To speak with a director by phone, please call our regular number, 979.845.3529 and leave a message that includes your name, call back number, instrument played and what ensemble you are interested in. The appropriate director will call you back within 2 business days.

Auditions for the University Orchestras are for string players only. Wind and Percussion players interested in playing in the full orchestra should schedule a band audition. Membership in the Texas A&M University Orchestras is based on a live audition.  Auditions are by appointment and take place in the Music Activities Center.

• If you are an incoming student, your audition should be completed BEFORE your new student conference so you can register for the correct class. The afternoon prior to you conference often works best for students traveling to campus.
• If you are a current TAMU student, your audition should be completed BEFORE you register for classes so you can register for the correct class.

To Audition:

1. Email the Director of Orchestras: orchestra@tamu.edu. You will be contacted by the director of the ensemble to set up an audition time at the Music Activities Center.

2. For the audition, there will be two prepared excerpts and sight-reading. Students should prepare two excerpts, each about two minutes in length. One excerpt should be fast and technical in nature and the other slow and lyrical. Students choose their own audition material with many students using past etudes or solos. Violinists wishing to play 1st part should demonstrate their ability to play in 4th position and higher. No scales are required. The sight-reading material will be taken from music the orchestra will be performing in the upcoming academic year.

To speak with a director by phone, please call our regular number, 979.845.3529 and leave a message that includes your name, call back number, instrument played and what ensemble you are interested in. The appropriate director will call you back within 2 business days.