Auditions

AUDITIONS FOR THE 2018-2019 ACADEMIC YEAR WILL BE HELD FROM SEPTEMBER 4-8.

Chamber Ensembles & Lessons Auditions 
Jazz Auditions Orchestra Auditions

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.

  • Only one audition is needed for chamber ensembles and lessons.

  • Jazz Ensembles and Columbia University Orchestra (CUO) require a separate audition.

  • Registration for lessons and ensembles will be available only to students who have been admitted to MPP through a live audition, during the first week of classes.

  • If you are interested in taking music lessons for credit, joining an MPP classical or jazz ensemble, or joining CUO, you must (re)audition for placement.

  • NOTE: Please make sure you are under the credit limit when you are auditioning / registering. You won't be eligible to participate in the MPP otherwise.
  • Auditions are held only for enrolled undergraduates at Columbia University. Prospective students interested in applying to Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Barnard College, or the School of General Studies should visit our FAQ.

Lessons

ELIGIBLE INSTRUMENTS

  • All jazz instruments
  • Strings
  • Winds
  • Brass
  • Classical Percussion
  • Harp, organ, classical saxophone, harpsichord (please read ADDITIONAL AUDITIONS)

FYI

  • Private instruction and ensembles require only one audition.  
  • Students interested in both jazz and classical lessons/ensembles will need to audition for both separately.
  • Students taking private instruction receive six hours of lessons each semester.
  • Students must register and will receive one credit and a pass/fail grade each semester.
  • No end-of-semester performance is required.
  • Starting in Fall 2018, the lesson fee will be $300 per semester for all students - the second-lowest rate among our peer institutions. Each student will receive six (6) hours of lessons each semester.

SIGN-UP FOR AN AUDITION

  • Auditions are during the first week of classes.
  • Online audition sign-up will be available in late AUGUST, three weeks before auditions.

 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).

Chamber Ensembles

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 are during the first week of classes.
  • Online audition sign up will be available in AUGUST, three weeks before auditions.

 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

  • 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).

Jazz Ensembles

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.
  • Online audition sign-up will be available in AUGUST, three weeks before auditions: first Wednesday of the semester for instrumentalists and first Friday of the semester for vocalists.

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).

The Columbia University Orchestra (CUO)

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

Auditions will take place during the first week of classes.

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.
  • Sight reading may be asked from the upcoming season's repertoire.

World Music Ensembles

WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLES

To audition, please contact the specific instructor.

Hogaku (Japanese Early Modern Salon Music): medievaljapan [at] columbia.edu

Gagaku (Japanese Court and Sacred Music): medievaljapan [at] columbia.edu

Bluegrass Ensemble: James Kerr, jlk2001 [at] columbia.edu 

Klezmer Band: Jeff Warshauer, jfw2102 [at] columbia.edu

Arab Music Ensemble: Taoufik Ben-Amor, tb46 [at] columbia.edu

Classical Piano lessons (ALL LEVELS)

CLASSICAL PIANO LESSONS

Placement in piano lessons requires an interview.  

  • Please go to Dodge 109 or 110 on September 4 and 5 (Tues and Wed) between 11am-2pm to speak with Michael Skelly, Full-Time Piano Instructor. 
  • For piano chamber music, a separate audition is required. Please see CHAMBER ENSEMBLES for audition requirements and online sign up. 

Additional Auditions

ADDITIONAL AUDITIONS

If you play harp, organ, harpsichord, percussion, or classical saxophone please contact the instructor directly to set up an audition during the first week of classes.

The Dolan Prize

THE DOLAN PRIZE

This merit- and need-based scholarship award funds for students who wish to study an instrument that Columbia does not offer or with a teacher who is not a Columbia Music Associate. Auditions are required and take place during the first week of classes.  

These auditions can be used to place you in chamber music ensembles as well.

Audition Requirements:

  • Sealed letter of recommendation from your instructor with details of their lesson fee per hour due by the end of the change-of-program-period.
  • Prepare two contrasting pieces or movements to showcase your technical and musical abilities.
  • Priority is given to Columbia College students who wish to study an instrument not represented at the College.
  • You should already have studied with this teacher for 6 months prior to auditioning for the Dolan Prize.  
  • You must be a participant of the Music Performance Program (one year commitment) in order to receive funding.