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Auditioning for Orchestra and Chorale

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The School of Music recognises the importance of ensemble training for music students and encourages vigorous and enthusiastic participation. Any UQ student can audition every semester in Orientation Week for:

  • UQ Symphony Orchestra
  • UQ Chorale

Experience gained through participation in ensemble rehearsals and performances is a required part of the weekly learning program of all Bachelor of Music (Honours) students:

  • All students enrolled in MUSC1250 and MUSC1260 (Performance Studies 1 and 2) or any Ensemble Studies course are guaranteed a position in the Chorale.
  • All Bachelor of Music (Honours) string players enrolled in a Ensemble Studies course are guaranteed a position in the Symphony Orchestra, but must still audition to determine your seat allocation (Violin I, Violin II, and so on).

Other students who successfully audition must either:

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 2020 Auditions

Please email the UQSO ensemble coordinators Jemima Drews and Katya Willett by Monday 24 February 2020 if you intend to audition this semester. In your email, please include your full name, student number, and instrument .

Chorale auditions - you do not have to audition for Chorale this semester. Please direct any further enquiries to Graeme Morton or Dominic Retschlag.

UQ Symphony Orchestra auditions - Week 4, Wednesday 6:30-9:30pm 

Orchestral auditions will take place in the School of Music. Students must attend 15 minutes before the start time for their allocated audition time which will be advised by the end of week 3. You will be shown to a practice room for your warm-up period by the UQSO administration team.

Excerpts

Audition excerpts for string, woodwind, trumpet, and french horn are all drawn from Symphony No. 7 in A, Opus 92 by Beethoven.

Download your relevant part and cross reference from the list below. Scroll down and click on the “Parts” tab, use the first set of parts available (Breitkopf und Hartel edition), download the relevant part and cross reference accordingly.

Please prepare all excerpts appropriate to your instrument, and be aware of any transposition details pertaining to that part. String players should select the highest divisi line (if required). You are strongly advised to fully research the excerpts from which these are drawn: please pay attention to tempo selection, rhythm, dynamics, and style.

 

Orchestral parts for auditions
 

Flute: 1st flute part

  1. 1st movement – bars 41 to 47
  2. 1st movement – bars 63 to 84
  3. 2nd movement – bars 150 to 183

Oboe: 1st oboe part

  1. 1st movement – bars 1 to 10
  2. 1st movement – bars 300 (after the pause) to 310
  3. 2nd movement – bars 150 to 183

Clarinet: 1st clarinet part

  1. 2nd movement – bars 224 to 248
  2. 3rd movement – bars 150 to 179
  3. 1st movement – bars 164 to 178

Bassoon: 1st bassoon part

  1. 1st movement – bars 63 to 88
  2. 2nd movement – bars 150 to 183
  3. 3rd movement – bars 1 to 24

Trumpet: 1st trumpet part

  1. 1st movement – bars 254 to 264
  2. 4th movement – bars 1 to 36

French Horn – 1st and 2nd horn parts

  1. 1st movement – bars 89 to 110 (1st horn  part)
  2. 1st movement – bars 438 to the end of the movement (1st horn part)
  3. 2nd movement – bars 119 to 129 (2nd horn part)

Violin – 1st violin part

  1. 1st movement – bars 88 to 116
  2. 3rd movement – bars 1 to 24
  3. 4th movement – bars 1 to 20 (including all repeats)

Viola

  1. 1st movement – bars 190 to 211
  2. 1st movement – bars 319 to 336
  3. 3rd movement – bars 1 to 24

Cello

  1. 1st movement – bars 190 to 211
  2. 1st movement – bars 358 to 386
  3. 2nd movement – bars 27 to 50

Double Bass

  1. 1st movement – bars 190 to 211
  2. 1st movement – bars 358 to 386
  3. 1st movement – bars 401 to the end of the movement

Trombone and Tuba

Please select three advanced and contrasting orchestral excerpts that best show off your playing. Please give details of your choices to the UQSO administration team prior to the audition day.

Percussion and Timpani

Please select one advanced orchestral excerpt that best show off your playing for each of the following disciplines:

  1. Side drum
  2. Marimba
  3. Glockenspiel
  4. Timpani

Please give details of your choices to the UQSO administration team prior to the audition day.

*UQSO auditions will not take place in O'Week as with previous years.