School of Music

Auditioning for UQ ensembles

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/files/51447/double-bass.pdfThe School of Music recognises the importance of ensemble training for music students and encourages vigorous and enthusiastic participation. Any UQ student can audition for a place in:

Semester One 2024 Auditions

Students who successfully audition must either:

  • enrol in an Ensemble Studies course appropriate to their program
  • take part for enjoyment, personal development, or as an extension activity.

If your audition is unsuccessful and you have already enrolled in an Ensembles Studies course, please drop your enrolment in that course and choose another course before the final date for addition of courses.

Both ensembles work towards developing excellence in rhythmic accuracy, pitch discrimination, acquiring a full dynamic range, and developing musical style and vitality. The ensemble directors choose repertoire and devise a rehearsal schedule and roster, taking into account the skills of the ensemble members and the performance venue, orchestration and concert format. There may be additional rehearsals during the semester, including sectional rehearsals, depending on performance commitments.

Semester One 2024 Auditions

UQ Wind Symphony

To audition for UQ Wind Symphony:

All students must audition for entry into the UQ Wind Symphony (UQWS). Only students who have achieved an approximate equivalent level of AMEB grade 8, or higher, are eligible to audition for UQWS. Late applications may be considered but not after the auditions have taken place, except in special circumstances.

EOI form

The application process is as follows:

  1. fill out the expression of Interest form by Friday of Orientation Week (16 February 2024) to indicate your interest in joining the ensemble.
  2. download the audition excerpts relevant to your instrument at the bottom of this page and prepare for your audition. These excerpts are the only repertoire permitted for the audition and must be prepared in full.
  3. attend your audition at the time you are advised to attend. Auditions will be open, and not screened.
    • brass and percussion auditions are scheduled from 6 to 10 pm on Tuesday of Week 1 (20 February 2024) in the Nickson Room (413 in building 51)
    • Wind auditions are scheduled from 6 to 10 pm on Tuesday of Week 1 (20 February 2024) in the GHD Auditorium (200 in Building 49)
  4. audition outcomes will be announced on Monday of Week 2 (31 July 2023). If you are unsuccessful in your application and have enrolled in an Ensemble Studies course, please drop your enrolment in that course.

Audition Excerpts

The excerpts are able to be downloaded from the following links.

Winds

Brass

Percussion

UQ Chamber Singers

 Chamber Singers is available to the following singers: 

  1. students enrolled in an Ensemble Studies Course  
  2. any student of the university who wishes to sing regardless of program and without enrolling in a course. 

There is no individual audition for UQCS but everyone who wishes to sing (i.e. whether you have already enrolled in a course or you will participate as an unenrolled singer) this semester must complete the form by 11:59pm, 19 July  (Friday of Orientation Week). You must then attend the first rehearsal at our Nickson Room at 4pm, Tuesday 23 July. 
 
For the first half of the semester the rehearsals will focus on preparation for a performance of Mozart’s Requiem to be performed at QPAC.

Register

Semester Two 2024 Auditions

    UQ Symphony Orchestra

    To audition for UQ Symphony Orchestra:

    All students must audition for entry into the UQ Symphony Orchestra (UQSO), including those who played in UQSO in previous semesters. Only students who have achieved an approximate equivalent level of AMEB grade 8, or higher, are eligible to audition for UQSO. Late applications may be considered but not after the auditions have taken place, except in special circumstances. The application process is as follows:

    1. Fill out the Expression of Interest below form.
    2. Download the audition excerpts relevant to your instrument at the bottom of this page and prepare for your audition. These excerpts are the only repertoire permitted for the audition and must be prepared in full.
    3. Attend your audition at the time you are advised to attend. Auditions will be open, and not screened.
    4. Audition outcomes will be announced at a date to be decided. If you are unsuccessful in your application and have enrolled in an Ensemble Studies course, please drop your enrolment in that course.

    EOI's will close on Wednesday, 24 July 2024.

    EOI form

    Audition times

    InstrumentDay and timeRooms
    Strings and PercussionMonday 29 July, 18:30–21:30Nickson room, 458 and 459
    Brass Tuesday 30 July, 18:30-21:30AEB GHD Auditorium (49-200)
    Wind AuditionsTuesday 30 July, 18:30-21:30Nickson Room

    Audition excerpts

    Please download all parts related to your instrument (certain sections include excerpts from both Prokofiev and Mozart that students will be required to learn).

    Prokofiev
    1. Bass trombone
    2. Bassoon
    3. Cello
    4. Clarinet 
    5. Flute and piccolo 
    6. French horn
    7. Percussion (non-timpani)*
    8. Tenor trombone
    9. Timpani*
    10. Viola
    11. Violin
    12. Oboe
    Mozart 
    1. Alto trombone
    2. Bass trombone
    3. Cello
    4. Double bass
    5. Tenor trombone
    6. Timpani*
    7. Trumpet
    8. Viola
    9. Violin

    *Percussionists should prepare both timpani parts (Mozart and Prokofiev) and the percussion (non-timpani) parts (Prokofiev).