Auditions

FALL 2023 AUDITIONS
SEPTEMBER 5TH-8TH

2023/24 Auditions are now closed. If you have questions please contact the appropriate person below.


Questions about auditions?

MPP
email Beth Pratt, bp2413 [at] columbia.edu

 

Orchestra:
email Emma Braunberger (Orchestra Manager), eb3424 [at] barnard.edu


 

Admission to the MPP is based on the level of performance skill demonstrated in the audition, and the availability of openings in the various performing areas.

 

LESSONS AND ENSEMBLES

Requirements:

Classical (for those auditioning for lessons* and ensembles, including Master Class): two contrasting pieces 

CUO: one short solo work

Jazz: one jazz standard and sight reading

Vocal Jazz: one jazz standard and sight reading

Piano:

* Please visit 109/110 dodge Hall on Tuesday, Sept 5th or Wednesday, Sept 6th from 10am to 2pm to interview with instructors and set up your lesson time. This will serve as your audition, no online sign-up required.

 Gagaku Ensemble:

**For the Gagaku Ensemble Please contact Alicia "Lish" Lindsey, al4166 [at] columbia.edu

Meets on Thursdays in 112 Dodge Hall from 5:30-7pm

  HOGAKU Ensembles: 

**For Koto, please contact Yumi Kurosawa, yk2971 [at] columbia.edu

  Koto meets on Thursdays in 112 Dodge Hall from 4-5:30pm

**For Shakuhachi, please email Elizabeth Brown, eb3442 [at] columbia.edu

  Shakuhachi meets on Thursdays in 112 Dodge Hall from 2:30-4pm

  Klezmer Ensemble

Please reach out to Jeff Warschauer at jfw2102 [at] columbia.edu. The Klezmer Ensemble meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 in 405 Dodge Hall.

ARAB Music Ensemble:

Please email instructor, Taoufik Ben-Amor, tb46 [at] columbia.edu The group meets in 814 Dodge Hall on Thursdays from 5-7pm.

Bluegrass Ensemble:

Please email instructor James Kerr, jlk2001 [at] columbia.edu. Class meets in 112 Dodge Hall on Mondays from 4:15-5:45pm.

Afro-Cuban ENSEMBLE:

Please sign up for an audition for the jazz program if you are interested in joining the Afro-Cuban ensemble.

Collegium Musicum:

The 2023-2024 director of Collegium Musicum is Justin Gregg. Please contact him at jtg2141 [at] columbia.edu. 

 

 

Audition dates and times:

Barnard-Columbia Chorus and Chamber Singers

Tuesday, September 5, 2023.  6-9pm, 405 Milbank

Tuesday, September 12, 2023.  6-9pm 405 Milbank

You may sing a song of your choice, a pianist is provided.Please sign up for a time slot on the spreadsheets.

 

Solo Voice Lessons and Voice Classes

Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 6-10pm, 325 Milbank

Thursday, September 7, 2023, 6-10pm 405 Milbank

You may sing a song of your choice, a pianist is provided.Please sign up for a time slot on the spreadsheets and fill out and submit an audition form as directed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 THE DAY OF

  • Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time to fill out the audition form, tune, and organize your scores.

AUDITION REPERTOIRE

Classical private instruction: two contrasting pieces or movements from solo repertoire.

Jazz private instruction: 

  • Instrumentalists should prepare two jazz standards (a rhythm section will be provided to accompany auditions).
  • You will also be asked to demonstrate your sight reading and improvisational skills.
  • Vocalists should prepare two selections to show interpretative abilities (improvisation optional).
  • Please provide a clear lead sheet with chord changes for the accompanist (a pianist is provided).

NEXT STEPS

  • You will receive an email regarding placement, registration, and instructor information or if we are not able to place you with an instructor or ensemble, you will be notified and may be placed on the wait list.  
  • If you are placed with an instructor for lessons, you will need to contact your instructor and set up a mutually agreeable time to meet during the semester. Your instructor will help you choose repertoire and establish a daily practice routine.

Participation in the MPP is a year-long commitment. All students re-audition each Fall
(no auditions are held in the Spring semester).

FYI

  • Private instruction and ensembles require only one audition.  
  • Students interested in participating in both jazz and classical lessons/ensembles will need to audition for both separately.
  • Chamber ensembles receive 12 hours of coaching per semester.
  • Students receive one credit and a letter grade per semester.
  • Students who pass their audition will be placed in a group and expected to meet for rehearsals once a week outside of coachings.
  • An end-of-semester performance is required.
  • There are no additional fees for your participation in a chamber ensemble.
  • Multiple ensembles are possible if you are so interested - please note that on your audition form.

SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION

  • Auditions for the 2022-2023 year will be live in-person on Tuesday, September 6th from 2:00pm-7:00pm and Thursday September 8th from 10:00-7:00pm. *Please see specific tabs on Audition page to sign up. 
  • Online audition sign up will be available in late August.

 THE DAY OF

  • Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time to fill out the audition form, tune, and organize your scores.  
  • Sign up online in August for a slot. 

AUDITION REPERTOIRE

  • Please prepare two contrasting pieces or movements from solo repertoire.
  • You will also be asked to sight-read a short music selection.

NEXT STEPS

  • You will receive an email regarding placement, registration, and instructor information.  
  • If we are not able to place you with an instructor or ensemble, you will be notified and may be placed on the waitlist.  
  • You will need to contact your instructor and other members of the ensemble to set up a mutually agreeable time to meet during the semester.   

Participation in the MPP is a year-long commitment. All students must re-audition each Fall (no auditions are held in the Spring semester).

FYI

  • Private instruction and ensembles require only one audition.  
  • Students interested in participating in both jazz and classical lessons/ensembles will need to play in separate auditions to be considered for both.
  • Jazz Ensembles meet weekly for 90-minute coaching sessions.
  • Students receive one credit and a letter grade each semester.
  • Registration is required.
  • A final performance at the end of the semester is required.

SIGN-UP FOR AN AUDITION

  • Auditions are during the first week of classes.
  • Auditions for the 2022-2023 year will be live in-person. For instrumental jazz, they will be on Wednesday, September 6th from 11:00am-9:00pm. For vocal jazz, they will be on September 8th from 11:00am-3:00pm. *Please see specific tabs on Audition page to sign up.

THE DAY OF

  • Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time to fill out the audition form, tune, and organize your scores.
  • Instrumentalists should prepare two jazz standards (a rhythm section will be provided to accompany auditions).
  • You will also be asked to demonstrate your sight reading and improvisational skills.
  • Vocalists should prepare two selections to show interpretative abilities (improvisation optional).
  • Please provide a clear lead sheet with chord changes for the accompanist (a pianist is provided).

NEXT STEPS

  • You will receive an email regarding placement, registration, and instructor information. If we are not able to place you with an instructor or ensemble, you will be notified and may be placed on the waitlist.  
  • If you are placed with an instructor for lessons, you will need to set up a mutually agreeable time to meet during the semester. Your instructor will help you choose repertoire and establish a daily practice routine.

Participation in the MPP is a year-long commitment. All students re-audition each Fall
(no auditions are held in the Spring semester).

Auditions are required for placement in the Columbia University Orchestra (CUO).

Auditions for the 2022-2023 year will take place live in-person on Wednesday, September 7th from 12:00-8:00pm, Thursday, September 8th from 12:00-12:50 and 2:45-8:00pm, and Friday, September 9th from 12:00-8:00pm.

CUO Auditions information

  • Sign up online for an audition. You must audition separately for the CUO even if you are also auditioning for chamber music, lessons, or jazz ensembles.
  • Please prepare a short solo piece.

WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLES

To audition, please contact the specific instructor.

Japanese Early Modern Salon Music

Koto- Yumi Kurosawa at yk2971 [at] columbia.edu

Shakuhachi- Elizabeth Brown at eb3442 [at] columbia.edu

Gagauk-Lish Lindsey at al4166 [at] columbia.edu

Afro-Cuban Ensemble

must register for Jazz audition on Wed Sept 7th.

Arab Music Ensemble:

Taoufik Ben-Amor at tb46 [at] columbia.edu

Klezmer Ensemble:

Jeff Warschauer at jfw2102 [at] columbia.edu

Bluegrass Ensemble:

James Kerr at jlk2001 [at] columbia.edu

 

CLASSICAL PIANO LESSONS

Placement in piano lessons requires an interview.  

  • * To sign up for piano lessons for Fall 2023, please visit 109/110 Dodge Hall on Tuesday, September 5th and Wednesday, September 6th between 10:00AM-2:00PM
  • For piano chamber music, a separate audition is required. Please see CHAMBER ENSEMBLES for audition requirements and online sign up. 

ADDITIONAL AUDITIONS

If you play harp or organ  please contact the instructor directly to set up an audition during the first week of classes. (Audition IS required)

THE DOLAN SCHOLARSHIP

More information coming soon.