Student Ensemble Auditions
The School of Music offers a wide variety of ensembles for both major and non-major students. Some ensembles require auditions in order to participate. Auditions are held each year prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Aug. 19, 2021- Callbacks Aug. 22
The University of Memphis choral program is comprised of five ensemble opportunities for both music majors and non-music majors.
- University Singers
- Chamber Choir
- Soprano/Alto Choir
- Tenor/Bass Choir
- Voices of Inspiration Gospel Choir (auditions not required)
Auditions will be held in person on Thursday, Aug. 19 from 1-6:30 PM. at the Music
Building. Check-in at MU 113 at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled audition
time.
The second portion of your audition will take place in the Choir Room (G8).
Students required to audition:
If one of these statements applies to you, you are required to complete the Choral Audition process:
- students wishing to sing in University Singers or Chamber Choir;
- music majors with voice as their primary instrument at University of Memphis;
- students currently holding a Voice Scholarship;
- students wishing to earn a Choral Scholarship.
Auditions are not required if you wish to sing in:
- the new Soprano/Alto Choir - MUAP 4264 or
- the new Tenor/Bass Choir - MUAP 4265 or
- Voices of Inspiration Gospel Choir - MUAP 4266.
Simply register for the class, and you are all set! (No need to continue below.)
Choral Ensembles and Rehearsal Times
|
Choir |
Rehearsal Time |
Location |
Conductor |
| University Singers | M, W, F 1:45-3:15 PM | Choir Room (MU G8) | Dr. Cathlina |
| Chamber Choir | T,R 1-2:25 PM | Psych Auditorium | Dr. Fisher |
| Soprano/Alto Choir | T,R 11:20-12:45 PM | Psych Auditorium | Dr. Cathlina |
| Tenor/Bass Choir | T,R 11:20-12:45 PM | Choir Room (MU G8) | Dr. Frizzell |
| Voices of Inspiration | M 6-8:45 PM | Choir Room (MU G8) | professor Robinson |
Read more about our Choral Ensembles.
Choral Scholarships Available
Choral Scholarships of up to $1,000 will be given primarily to music minors or non-music
majors wishing to sing in an auditioned choral ensemble!
To earn one of these prestigious scholarships, simply complete the Choral Audition.
Scholarships are awarded based on the strength of your audition.
Choral Audition Form
To secure your choral ensemble audition, complete the Choral Audition Form. In the form, you will be directed to the SignUpGenius page to select your audition time.
Audition Components
Your audition will consist of:
- Sight Reading - in MU 113 after Check-In
- You will be asked to sight-read 3 examples of increasing difficulty.
- You may use any method of sight-reading you choose (solfege, numbers, neutral syllable).
- To begin your 30-second practice time, you will be given the tonic chord and the starting note of the exercise. If you do not require all 30 seconds to practice, inform the adjudicator that you will begin your performance.
- Sing the exercise at a consistent tempo of your choice.
- If the exercise proves too difficult, no problem! Simply stop and inform the adjudicator that you are unable to continue.
- You will then proceed to the Choir Room (G8) for your final portion of the audition.
- Vocalizations
- This may consist of ascending and descending scalar passages or arpeggiations.
- A prepared solo piece
- Select 1 ½ -2 minutes of a solo piece that best represents your vocal ability.
- If your piece is longer, simply choose an excerpt.
- The Choral Faculty may stop you before the end of your excerpt to ensure that we stay on track with the schedule.
- You must bring a copy of your music for your collaborative pianist (provided for you).
- If you do not have a prepared solo, you can sing My Country ‘Tis of Thee unaccompanied in any key of your choice to demonstrate your vocal ability.
- Rhythm Reading
- You will be asked to read a single rhythmic line on the neutral syllable, “pah.”
- After turning over the paper, you will set a consistent tempo and read it at sight.
- A brief interview
- This will consist of a couple of questions for the Choral Faculty to get to know you.
Audition Procedure
- Arrive at MU 113 in the Music Building to check-in at least 10 minutes before your scheduled audition time to ensure you’ve filled out the necessary Choral Audition Form (see above) and to complete your Sight-Reading portion.
- Proceed to the Choir Room (G8) and do not enter since someone may be completing their audition. Wait to be called in.
- Complete the rest of your audition process with the Choral Faculty, and you are all done!
- Monitor your email for a callback email.
Callbacks
Students selected for callbacks for University Singers and Chamber Choir will be notified via their UofM email address by Friday evening. Callbacks will take place Sunday, Aug. 22 from 1-4 PM in the Choir Room (G8). Students are expected to keep their schedules clear during this time to prevent conflicts.
If selected for a callback, you will receive a packet of musical excerpts via email. You are encouraged to practice and learn your vocal line prior to arriving at callbacks.Upon arrival, you will be placed into octets to sing through the packet unaccompanied. Dr. Cathlina may work briefly with each octet.
At the end of this process, students will be placed into the ensemble best suited for their growth. Results will be emailed by Sunday evening.
Students selected for University Singers should immediately add the course MUAP 3006 to their schedule.
- University Singers will meet on the first day of school at their regularly scheduled rehearsal time on MWF from 1:45-3:15 PM in the Choir Room (G8).
Students selected for Chamber Choir should immediately add the course MUAP 3601 to their schedule.
- Chamber Choir will meet on the first Tuesday at the regularly scheduled rehearsal time on TR from 1:00-2:25 PM in the Psych Auditorium.
What course should I register for in the meantime?
ALL VOICE MAJORS should register for University Singers (MUAP 3006) AND the Soprano/Alto ensemble (MUAP 4264) or the Tenor/Bass ensemble (MUAP 4265). **Note: registration does not mean that you will automatically be selected for the ensemble. An invitation into this ensemble is earned through a formidable audition.**
All students on a Voice Scholarship should register for University Singers (MUAP 3006) AND the SSAA ensemble (MUAP 4264) or the TTBB ensemble (MUAP 4265) and hold the Tuesday/Thursday 1:00-2:25 pm time slot in the event that they are selected for Chamber Choir.
All non-music majors should register for University Singers (MUAP 3006). Registration does not mean that you will automatically be selected for the ensemble. An invitation into this ensemble is earned through a formidable audition.
If you are interested in singing in our new SSAA or TTBB ensembles as a second ensemble, register for them as well:
- SSAA choir - MUAP 4264
- TTBB choir - MUAP 4265
If you have additional questions not listed here, email Dr. Cathlina.
Jan. 14-16, 2022
- The University of Memphis Symphony Orchestra
- The University of Memphis Wind Ensemble
- The University of Memphis Symphonic Band
- Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra
Friday, Jan. 14, 2022
- Oboe: 9 - 10:04 AM
- Bassoon: 10:30 - 11:34 AM
- Flute: 12 - 2 PM
- Violins: TBA
- Saxophones: 2:30 - 4:30 PM
- Horns: 5 - 7:16 PM
Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022
- Percussion: 9 - 11:30 AM
- Trombones: 12 - 1:20 PM
- Euphonium: 2 - 3:04 PM
- Tuba: 3:30 - 4:34 PM
Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022
- Clarinet: 12 - 2 PM
- Trumpet: 2:30 - 4:30 PM
Audition Procedure
- Audition Excerpts will be posted within the first week of July for the Fall Ensembles Audition and within the first week of December for the Spring Ensemble Auditions
- Students are responsible for visiting the “Student Resources” page on the School of Music website to download their excerpts and to register for their audition time.
- On the day of the audition, students should arrive early to warm up and to check in with the audition proctor. To maintain the students’ anonymity, all auditions will take place behind a screen. Communication to the audition panel must be done only through the proctor.
- Each audition is scheduled to last approximately seven minutes.
- Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion students will be asked to perform the following:
- Scales
- All or a portion of their prepared material
- Sightreading
- Saxophone, Trumpet, and Trombone students may be asked to improvise over chord changes
- String students will be asked to perform the pre-determined excerpts and 3 to 4 minutes of a selection of their choice.
- Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion auditions will take place in CFA 137
- String Auditions will take place in Harris Auditorium
- Students will be asked to perform
- The posted excerpt
- A selection of their choice by J. S. Bach
- Students will be asked to perform
Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Panel
- Director of Bands Associate
- Director of Bands
- Director of Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra
- The instrument’s applied instructor
Strings Audition Panel
- Director of Orchestral Activities
- The instrument’s applied instructor or instructors
All students at the University of Memphis are invited to audition for The University of Memphis Marching Band, the Mighty Sound of the South. The Mighty Sound is one of the largest student organizations on campus, and includes students with a diverse range of interests, enrolled in programs of study that span every college at the University of Memphis. We also welcome students who are enrolled in local community colleges to audition.
As a student in the Mighty Sound of the South, you will gain access to scholarships and out-of-state tuition waivers, travel to exciting locations in support of our athletic teams, be part of a rich university and band tradition, engage in meaningful music making, and regularly perform for audiences in the tens of thousands. All of this, while forging relationships that will last a lifetime.
Joining the band is simple, and is laid out in a few simple steps below. For more information, please contact our band office at (901) 678-BAND, or mightysound@memphis.edu.
1 – Fill out an Interest Form
The first step in joining the Mighty Sound of the South is to fill out the interest form. This form tells tell us some basic facts about you, including your contact information, which will allow us to keep you updated on important dates and information.
2 – Apply to the University of Memphis
Incoming freshmen and transfer students should apply for admission to the University using the appropriate application on the UofM Admissions page.
If you are attending a local community college and are interested in being in the University of Memphis Marching Band, there is a simple way for you to do this. Please contact the band office for more information (901) 678-2263, mightysound@memphis.edu.
3 – Audition
Each student in the Mighty Sound of the South must complete an audition by video submission, or by scheduling a video conference. The content of the audition is different for each section of the band. Please see below for more detail.
Winds - DATES COMING SOON!
Auditions for woodwinds and brass are held throughout the spring and into the summer. We recommend you schedule an in-person video conference so that we can get to know you, but we do accept recorded video submissions if this better suits your circumstances. If you are auditioning by recorded video, please upload the file and email it to mightysound@memphis.edu. To schedule an in-person video conference, email mightysound@memphis.edu.
However you choose to complete it, the audition should include:
- A-Flat Major scale (all scales in concert pitch)
- F Major scale
- D Major scale
- A brief musical selection of your choosing, no more than three minutes. (You choose what to play. We just want to hear you at your best!)
Drumline - AUDITION BY MAY 1
Students auditioning for the 2022 drumline are required to submit a recorded video audition by May 1, 2022, which should be uploaded and emailed to mightysound@memphis.edu. It is preferred that students play on marching drums, but drum pads are also acceptable. All material needed for the audition can be obtained by emailing mightysound@memphis.edu.
Students will be accepted to the drumline based on their audition video. In some cases that acceptance will come with an assignment to a specific drum, and in other cases the specific drum will be finalized once we all get to band camp.
Throughout Spring 2022, our staff is holding open drum sessions on campus. These sessions are a great way for interested high school students to develop their skills, meet current drumline members, and prepare for their audition. Sessions will be every Monday night beginning January 24, from 7-9 PM in the Communication and Fine Arts building room 137. Email mightysoud@memphis.edu for more info!
Colorguard - AUDITION BY MAY 1
Students auditioning for the 2022 colorguard should submit a recorded video audition before May 1, 2022, which should be uploaded and emailed to uofmguard@gmail.com. All material needed for the audition can be obtained by emailing uofmguard@gmail.com. Based on the video students may be accepted, or asked to complete a callback audition.
In addition to the fall semester, the University of Memphis Colorguard is also active in the spring, as a competitive winter guard. For more information, please email uofmguard@gmail.com.
Tigerettes - AUDITION BY APRIL 1
The University of Memphis Tigerettes are looking for talented twirlers with the ability to entertain large crowds using charisma and personality. In addition to being a vital part of Mighty Sound of the South performances, Tigerettes are considered ambassadors for our university, and our members must embody the pride and tradition of our institution. If you have what it takes to be a Tigerette, please email the Tigerettes director, Suzanne Jackson, at srhjackson@comcast.net before April 1, 2022.
For the audition, the dance twirl routine should be between two and three minutes in length, and include a 2 spin, toss leap, layback, and toss illusion. You must incorporate at least one baton and two baton in your routine. If auditioning for Feature Twirler, you must have a 3 spin, toss cartwheel, toss leap, layback, high toss bow, and toss illusion in your routine. A high toss front walkover and creative toss leaps are strongly encouraged. You must include one baton, two baton, and three baton (at least 3 tricks). A Downfield Strut routine is also required where the athlete must travel from one side of the floor and back. As much as possible, audition routines should reflect the style of the University of Memphis Tigerettes. This style is a combination of twirling and dancing. All candidates will be judged on technique, showmanship, skill, endurance, coordination, appearance, creativity, and crowd appeal.
The University of Memphis offers partial scholarships to the Tigerettes, with the amount to be determined by the Mighty Sound of the South directors. For more information about auditions, please contact the UofM Band Office at (901) 678-2263 or email the Tigerettes director, Suzanne Jackson, at srhjackson@comcast.net.
4 – Register for the course
All students in the Mighty Sound of the South are required to register for the course, Marching Band – MUAP 2002, which you will be able to do once you have been admitted to the University. Marching Band is a two-credit course, and rehearsals are held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 3:30-5:30 PM. Be sure to register as soon as you are able, to help avoid scheduling conflicts.
Auditions 2022
Sound Fuzion is a contemporary student music ensemble from the University of Memphis whose mission is to entertain, educate, inspire, and inform. Our repertoire includes all forms of contemporary music including current and classic pop, rock, country, and R&B.
Sound Fuzion is made up of nine singers, a five-piece rhythm section, two audio engineers, and a performance and marketing/media coordinator. Our creative team of students is directed by faculty members, Lawrence Edwards and Jon Frazer, who guide the group on its musical journey.
Sound Fuzion tours throughout the mid-south, performing for corporate events, schools, universities, and city functions. Being in Sound Fuzion offers its members a one-of-a-kind opportunity to create music, learn the ins-and-outs of performing / touring, all while pursuing a degree of choice with a full-tuition scholarship at the U of M.
Sound Fuzion offers $5000 annual scholarships to members! The Sound Fuzion Scholarship Contract is a full one-year commitment. Contact Information: Michael Parsons, soundfuzion@memphis.edu
Virtual Preliminary Auditions - April 9, 2022
- Film yourself performing the material that is indicated. Make sure that you / your instrument are visible.
- Upload your video(s) to YouTube and submit an unlisted YouTube link to mlparson@memphis.edu no later than noon on April 9, 2022.
LIVE Call Back Auditions - Saturday, April 16
- Musicians invited to Call Back Auditions will receive instructions by Sunday, April 10
- Final decisions will be communicated via email by Monday, April 18
Musicians who are accepted into Sound Fuzion will be required to attend a two-weekend
“band camp” to be held on Aug. 12-14 and Aug. 20-21, along with weekly rehearsals
on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6:30 PM.
Vocalists
We are looking for singers who possess great lead vocal abilities, tremendous performance energy and the ability to harmonize within a vocal section. You will sing two songs for your preliminary audition:
- Choose two songs of contrasting styles that best features your vocal abilities.
- Please use an accompaniment track or live accompanist for both songs.
Upload your video to YouTube and submit an unlisted link of both songs to soundfuzion@memphis.edu
Rhythm Section (drums, guitar, bass, keys)
Perform the following songs:
- “Virtual Insanity”by Jamiroquai (perform with accompaniment track)
- Any song of your choice. Choose a song that best features your skills.
Upload your video to YouTube and submit an unlisted link of both songs to soundfuzion@memphis.edu