ARTS & SCIENCE STUDENTS

MUS 120Y1 & MUS 220Y1: Classical and Jazz Instrumental and Vocal Ensembles I and II

If you are looking for information on completing a Major or Specialist in Music please check here.

Auditions will take place, in-person, September 3-6, 2024.

2024/2025 Major Ensembles:

  • UT Symphony Orchestra: Mon, Wed & Fri 3:00-5:00pm Uri Mayer
  • Wind Ensemble: Mon, Wed & Thurs 3:00-5:00pm Gillian MacKay
  • Wind Symphony: Tues, Thurs & Fri 3:00-5:00pm Pratik Gandhi
  • Contemporary Music Ensemble: Tues & Thurs 3:00-5:00pm Wallace Halladay
  • MacMillan Singers: Tues & Thurs 3:00-5:00pm Jamie Hillman
  • Chamber Choir: Mon & Wed 3:00-5:00pm TBA
  • Soprano/Alto Chorus: Mon & Wed 3:00-5:00pm TBA
  • Tenor/Bass Chorus: Tues & Thurs 3:00-5:00pm Thomas Burton
  • Guitar Orchestra: Wed & Fri 3:00-6:00pm Rob MacDonald
  • Jazz Orchestra (12tet): Mon & Wed 11:00am-1:00pm Jim Lewis
  • Jazz Orchestra: Tues & Thurs 10:00am-12:00pm Shirantha Beddage
  • Hybrid Ensemble: Tues & Thurs 10:00am-12:00pm Andrew Downing

*rehearsal times are subject to change

All major ensembles at the Faculty of Music require a minimum of 4-6 hours of rehearsal per week not including dress rehearsals and performances. Students must keep their academic schedules free during ensemble rehearsal and performance hours.

MUS120/220 Audition Schedule:

  • Tuesday, September 3 – CLASSICAL Flute*, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon*
  • Tuesday, September 3 – JAZZ Instrumental
  • Wednesday, September 4 – CLASSICAL Percussion*, Violin, Viola, Cello*, Double Bass, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Voice
  • Wednesday, September 4 – JAZZ Instrumental
  • Thursday, September 5 – CLASSICAL Saxophone*
  • TBA – CLASSICAL Guitar, Harp
Notes:
  • * We have extremely limited positions for CLASSICAL Flute, Bassoon, Saxophone, Percussion and Cello this year, and will only consider auditions on these instruments from those applying for the Arts & Science Major/Specialist programs with the ensemble option.
  • We have no availability on JAZZ Drums, Piano or Voice.
  • We especially need :

    • CLASSICAL Clarinet, Horn, Viola, Double Bass, Harp and Guitar
    • CLASSICAL Tenor and Bass Voices
    • JAZZ Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Double Bass

What you must do before the audition:

  • Complete and submit the MUS120Y220Y application form by Thursday, August 1, 2024, 11:59pm. You will be notified of your audition time by e-mail on August 19, 2024.
  • Obtain the relevant information/excerpts for your audition, below.
  • Rehearse!
  • If you have any questions about these auditions please contact us at performance.music@utoronto.ca.

2024 Classical Instrumental Ensemble Audition:

All classical Wind, Brass and Percussion instrumental auditions will be screened. The audition panel will sit behind a screen and will not be able to see candidates as they audition. Adjudicators will only be able to identify you by a candidate number.
Advice for taking screened audition
General Guidelines for Preparing Audition Material

Prepare the following excerpts (to come) for the instrument you will be auditioning on:

Flute*, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon*, Saxophone*
French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
Percussion*

* We have extremely limited positions for Classical Flute, Bassoon, Saxophone, Percussion and Cello this year, and will only consider auditions on these instruments from those applying for the Arts & Science Major/Specialist programs with the ensemble option.

2024 Classical String (Violin, Viola, Cello*, Double Bass) Audition (not screened):

  • Prepare 2 contrasting works, minimum grade 10 level RCM

2024 Classical Acoustic Guitar Audition (not screened):

  • Prepare 2 contrasting pieces, minimum grade 6-7 level RCM
  • There will also be a sight reading assessment

2024 Classical Harp Audition (not screened):

  • Prepare 3 orchestral excerpts, minimum grade 10 level RCM, or equivalent
  • Prepare 1 harp solo, minimum grade 10 level RCM, or equivalent

2024 Classical Choir Ensemble Audition:

*We especially need Tenor and Bass voices

  1. Prepare and sing Ae Fond Kiss
    • Please sing two verses (different text) of your choosing in any key
    • You will be accompanied by a pianist, an accompanist will be provided
    • You are not required to memorize the piece
  2. Aural skills test: two short sing-backs on a vowel/neutral syllable
  3. Sight-sing a short melody on a vowel/neutral syllable or on solfège (your choice)
  4. Range check – One of the choral conductors will lead you through simple exercises to get a better sense of your range
  5. Choir Information Form, complete the form and bring a copy with you to your audition

2024 Jazz Instrumental Ensemble Audition:

  • Group auditions for Jazz Instrumentalists will take place at 90 Wellesley St.
  • Research and learn the melody and harmony for two pieces:
    1. Alone Together – Arthur Schwartz (D minor 130 – 150 bpm)
    2. Groovin’ High – Dizzy Gillespie (Eb Major 160 – 180 bpm)
  • Be prepared to improvise (no reading music)
  • Arts & Science students will be added to existing audition groups
  • We have no availability for Jazz Drums, Piano or Voice this year

What you must do after the audition:

  • A list of successful applicants will be posted across from the Performance Office (rm 107 in the Edward Johnson Building) on Friday, September 6, 2024 for Instrumental Ensembles, and Monday, September 9, 2024 for Choral Ensembles.
  • If you are successful, you must pick up a permission form from the Faculty of Music Registrar’s Office (rm 145, EJB) and take it to your own College Registrar’s Office to be enrolled in MUS 120 or 220 by your own department.

If you have any questions about these auditions please contact us at performance.music@utoronto.ca