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Openings in all Wind Bands for Piccolo, Flute, all Clarinets, all Double Reeds, all Saxophones, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, and Percussion.
Students will prep their virtual audition and submit the audition form by July 1 for priority ensemble consideration. We will hold ongoing auditions throughout July – end of the first week of classes for any student who wishes to participate after the priority deadline.
AUDITION MATERIALS
AUDITION FORM
After completing this audition form, you may receive an email from a director to schedule an introductory virtual meeting sometime in the coming weeks, but this is not a requirement. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact Caitlin.
The Purdue Wind Ensemble will be traveling to Spain during Spring Break, 2026. Students who audition into Wind Ensemble (Band 350) for Fall of 2025 will be assigned to that ensemble for the entire academic year; the ensemble will not be reauditioned at the semester break. Conflicts/extenuating circumstances may be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Audition Requirements
ALL STUDENTS
• Students will play alone, without accompaniment.
WOODWIND/BRASS
• Students are required to play two etudes of their choice.
• Students interested in Wind Ensemble or Philharmonic Orchestra Winds must play Etudes 2 and 3.
• Please prepare the two scales specified on your audition sheet.
PERCUSSION
• Please prepare the snare and mallet requirements and etudes specified on the audition sheet.
• Students interested in Wind Ensemble or Philharmonic Orchestra should play the timpani audition, in addition to snare and mallet.
• Percussionists should prepare the two scales specified on your audition sheet and two rudiments, if applicable.
Recording Process
• You will not need anything more advanced than a video-enabled phone to record this audition.
• At the beginning of your video, state your first and last name and the instrument and part you are playing. Example: “Hi, I’m Matt Conaway, and I’m auditioning on Trombone.”
• Make sure your face and hands are visible as much as possible throughout your audition. If we can’t verify what the keys are doing, we may ask you to resubmit the video.
• You MAY record etudes and scales separately and splice together, but each song should itself be done in a single take. Do not add any special audio effects or on-screen text. Keep it as simple as possible. No autotune, no AI!
• We recommend you upload the audition as an UNLISTED (not private) YouTube file. NOTE: if you make it “public” that means you are sharing your audition with anyone and everyone. Alternatively, you may choose to upload to a file storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox that allows you to share a viewable link.
• If you are auditioning for more than one ensemble, such as jazz band and concert band, or another combination, please submit 2 separate audition forms.
• There will be no sight-reading component.
After Your Recording is Complete
• Navigate to the following link to submit your audition video: AUDITION FORM
Why Are We Doing It This Way?
• Allows you as many “takes” as you need before you have an audition you’re happy with.
• Allows you to do this completely on your schedule.
• Significantly better audio than a real-time internet connection.
Other Notes
• You may not see the video recognize a view – we tend to jump around a bit and may not have the video running until the very last recorded second. We will let you know if there’s an issue hearing your recording.
• As always, this is NOT a “make-or-break” audition! If there are major challenges, you will be given opportunities to retest, but this will help us with part assignments and other preparations.
• If you do not have access to an appropriate audition instrument or access to any device capable of recording video, please contact Caitlin for alternative audition instructions.
How do I enroll in a concert band or orchestra?
• Enroll with your academic advisor during your advising appointment. Upon placement into your official ensemble near the end of July, you may be asked to adjust your schedule.
Openings in all Orchestras for Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass.
Students will prep their virtual audition and submit the audition form by July 1 for priority ensemble consideration. We will hold ongoing auditions throughout July – end of the first week of classes for any student who wishes to participate after the priority deadline.
After completing this audition form, you may receive an email from a director to schedule an introductory virtual meeting sometime in the coming weeks, but this is not a requirement. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact Caitlin.
Audition Requirements
• One prepared solo or etude (2-3 minutes in length.)
• Students will play alone, without accompaniment.
• Please prepare two scales of your choosing (ascending and descending in three octaves.)
For Philharmonic consideration choose two from the following:
• Violin – A, C, E-flat major
• Viola/Cello – D, F, A major
• Bass – E, F, G major
Recording Process
• You will not need anything more advanced than a video-enabled phone to record this audition.
• At the beginning of your video, state your first and last name and the instrument you are playing. Example: “Hi, I’m Adam Bodony, and I’m auditioning on Violin.”
• Make sure your face and hands are visible as much as possible throughout your audition. If we can’t verify what you are doing, we may ask you to resubmit the video.
• You MAY record solo/etudes and scales separately and splice together, but each piece should itself be done in a single take. Do not add any special audio effects or on-screen text. Keep it as simple as possible. No autotune, no AI!
• We recommend you upload the audition as an UNLISTED (not private) YouTube file. NOTE: if you make it “public” that means you are sharing your audition with anyone and everyone. Alternatively, you may choose to upload to a file storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox that allows you to share a viewable link.
• If you are auditioning for more than one ensemble, such as jazz band and orchestra, or another combination, please submit 2 separate audition forms.
• There will be no sight-reading component.
After Your Recording is Complete
• Navigate to the following link to submit your audition video: AUDITION FORM
Why Are We Doing It This Way?
• Allows you as many “takes” as you need before you have an audition you’re happy with.
• Allows you to do this completely on your schedule.
• Significantly better audio than a real-time internet connection.
Other Notes
• You may not see the video recognize a view – we tend to jump around a bit and may not have the video running until the very last recorded second. We will let you know if there’s an issue hearing your recording.
• As always, this is NOT a “make-or-break” audition! If there are major challenges, you will be given opportunities to retest, but this will help us with part assignments and other preparations.
• If you do not have access to an appropriate audition instrument or access to any device capable of recording video, please contact Caitlin for alternative audition instructions.
How do I enroll in an orchestra?
• Enroll with your academic advisor during your advising appointment. Upon placement into your official ensemble near the end of July, you may be asked to adjust your schedule.
Openings in all Jazz Bands for Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, Tenor Trombone, Bass Trombone, Piano, Guitar, Vibraphone, Bass, Drum Set, and Vocals.
Students will prep their virtual audition and submit the audition form by July 1 for priority ensemble consideration. We will hold ongoing auditions throughout July – end of the first week of classes for any student who wishes to participate after the priority deadline.
AUDITION MATERIALS
AUDITION FORM
After completing this audition form, you may receive an email from a director to schedule an introductory virtual meeting sometime in the coming weeks, but this is not a requirement. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact Caitlin.
Audition Requirements
Saxes, Trumpets, and Trombones: Play the entire Swing etude with Horns Play Along, restart the etude and improvise over the form, if interested in the top 3 premiere ensembles( Purdue Jazz Band, American Music Repertory Ensemble (AMRE), or Purdue Tower of Power Band (TOP)) consideration. No improvisation is required for anyone else.
To be considered for a Lead Trumpet role: Complete the above AND take mm24 through the end up an octave.
Guitars, Vibes and Piano: Play the entire Swing etude with Swing Play Along, play G Blues etude with appropriate Blues Play Along, and improvise over the last 12 bars.
Bass: Play the entire Swing etude with Bass Play Along, play G Blues etude with Bass Play Along, and improvise over the last 12 bars. Bassists should walk the bass line wherever //// are written.
Drums: Play time and trade “4’s” with the Swing etude with Drum Set Play Along, play G Blues etude with Drum Set Play Along – G Blues.
Vocalists: Prepare two contrasting jazz pieces with a karaoke-style big band accompaniment (YouTube is preferred). Please decide on cuts, so that the two pieces combined are under four minutes.
Recording Process
• You will not need anything more advanced than a video-enabled phone to record this audition.
• At the beginning of your video, state your first and last name and the instrument you are playing. Example: “Hi, I’m Bethany Robinson, and I’m auditioning on bass.”
• Make sure your face and hands are visible as much as possible throughout your audition. If we can’t verify what the keys are doing, we may ask you to resubmit the video.
• You MAY record etudes and scales separately and splice together, but each piece should itself be done in a single take. Do not add any special audio effects or on-screen text. Keep it as simple as possible. No autotune, no AI!
• We recommend you upload the audition as an UNLISTED (not private) YouTube file. NOTE: if you make it “public” that means you are sharing your audition with anyone and everyone. Alternatively, you may choose to upload to a file storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox that allows you to share a viewable link.
• If you are auditioning for more than one ensemble, such as jazz band and concert band, or another combination, please submit 2 separate audition forms.
• There will be no sight-reading component.
After Your Recording is Complete
• Navigate to the following link to submit your audition video: AUDITION FORM
Why Are We Doing It This Way?
• Allows you as many “takes” as you need before you have an audition you’re happy with.
• Allows you to do this completely on your schedule.
• Significantly better audio than a real-time internet connection.
Other Notes
• You may not see the video recognize a view – we tend to jump around a bit and may not have the video running until the very last recorded second. We will let you know if there’s an issue hearing your recording.
• As always, this is NOT a “make-or-break” audition! If there are major challenges, you will be given opportunities to retest, but this will help us with part assignments and other preparations.
• If you do not have access to an appropriate audition instrument or access to any device capable of recording video, please contact Caitlin for alternative audition instructions.
How do I enroll in a jazz band?
• Enroll with your academic advisor during your advising appointment. Upon placement into your official ensemble near the end of July, you may be asked to adjust your schedule.