Ensemble Audition Information
Spring 2026 Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band Auditions/Instructions:
VIDEO AUDITION FORMAT
Auditions will be in video format as it has been with previous auditions for Fall and Spring 2025. Please prepare the excerpts for your instrument and record yourself performing the etudes, the listed scales, and chromatic scale in ONE video file. Sight-reading WILL be included in this set of auditions. See instructions below for Sight-reading.
NOTE: You will need a phone or video recording device to record your auditions.
All woodwind, brass, and percussion music majors MUST complete an audition for the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band.
Sight-reading WILL be a part of the spring 2026 auditions. Students will sign up for time to perform and record the sightreading etude in the Band Library with a graduate assistant or band director.
Students will use THEIR phone to record the sight-reading portion of the audition and will include this video with the video performance of the required etude and scales.
Students will sign-up for a time to perform and record the sight-reading etude with a graduate assistant in the Band Library at their scheduled time. Students will have time to study the etude before performing. The graduate assistant will record the audition for you and will keep track of the timing.
Dates for recording the sight-reading portion of the audition are:
Monday, December 1, 11:30-5:30
Tuesday, December 2, 11:30-6:00
Wednesday, December 3, 11:30-4:00
A sign-up sheet isposted on the bulletin board in the Music Hall.
Additional information:
Scales should be performed in a consistent manner regarding articulation, rhythm and with a steady tempo. Play all scales two or more octaves if possible. This helps the faculty to assess your tone, pitch control, and technique in all registers.
Students wishing to play piccolo, tenor saxophone or baritone saxophone will have an opportunity to indicate their interest on the audition form completed online. All clarinets will audition on B-flat soprano clarinet and those wishing to also audition on bass clarinet may do so by including a video segment of them performing the bass clarinet etude. All saxophones will audition on alto saxophone. Assignments for piccolo, tenor and baritone saxophone will be made in consultation with Dr. Alvarez, Dr. Cipolla, the student, and the ensemble conductors.
All auditions will be evaluated by your studio teacher, Dr. Schallert, and Dr. McCurry using the following point scale:
Major Scale #1 - Listed on each instrument etude sheet (10 points)
Major Scale #2 - Listed on each instrument etude sheet (10 points)
Chromatic Scale - Two to Three octaves - you choose starting note (20 points)
Excerpt #1 (50 points)
Tone (10 points)
Dynamics (10 points)
Musicality (10 points)
Articulation (10 points)
Sight-Reading (20 points)
Total: 150 points
Audition Video Recording Guidelines
Required Video Components
- The audition video is to be performed like a live audition, in a single take with no editing or alterations. The order of the components of your audition video should be as follows:
- State your full name
- State your scale (s); example: “3 octave Concert F Major scale”.
- Perform your scale(s) – approximately one minute
- Perform the two major scales listed for each instrument plus the chromatic scale (your full range)
- Perform your prepared excerpt/etude – approximately two minutes
- Your audition components (scales and excerpts/etude) must be completed in one take so only one video is submitted.
- Memorization is not required and will not factor into your scoring.
- Include the video of your sight-reading with the video of your scales and etude.
- Your audition video should be around 5 minutes long.
Additional Questions? Contact Dr. Schallert at gary.schallert@wku.edu
Please submit your video by MIDNIGHT on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 at the following link:
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO
| Flute/Piccolo | Oboe | Bassoon | Clarinet |
| Bass Clarinet | Saxophone | Horn | Trumpet |
| Trombone | Bass-Trombone | Euphonium | Tuba |
| Percussion |
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AUDITION INFORMATION
Auditions: Auditions for the 2025-26 season will take place on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 -or- THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25.
Time: Auditions Begin at 6:00p and continue until there are no auditionees in line.
Location: WKU Music Hall (Meet in Upper Lobby)
Class: MUS 377 – SPRING 2026
You MUST register for the class in Spring 2025 to be eligible for pep band.
This is a bi-semester class beginning in October and continuing through March.
Audition Requirements
• Two Major Scales of Your Choice (memorized)
Choose from (concert pitch): Bb, Eb, Ab, F, or C
- Prepared Piece
Sign-up: First Come, First Serve in Audition Rooms, show up at 6:00p
PreparedPieces:
Prepared pieces can be found at the following link. CLICK HERE
*If you are auditioning for Trumpet/Trombone 1, you must audition on the Trumpet/Trombone
1 Part.
*All other parts will be assigned following auditions.
DRUMSET AUDITIONS – Please prepare the following:
- Fight Song
- Two in the Middle
- Examples of the following styles (listening examples in parenthesis):
• Latin Groove (Oye Como Va) - Hard / Fast Rock (The Pretender) (Land of 1000 Dances)
- Slow Rock (Bully)
- Swing/Shuffle (Sweet Caroline)
- Fast Rock – Halftime – Fast Rock Sequence
- Your best “rock-out” drum set feature that will show your ability to fill
Spirit Pep Band members will be compensated for each game played. Splitting of the Spirit Pep Band will be determined once auditions have been completed. Selected members will receive $30 per game in which they performed. Travel opportunities are unknown at this time; however, a point system will be in place to determine travel eligibility should we be given the opportunity. More information will be provided in the course syllabus.
Questions? Contact Dr. McCurry – matthew.mccurry@wku.edu
Please visit the DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC website for up-to-date information regarding audition days and requirements.
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.