Department of Music

Information and sign-up forms for the Cavalier Marching Band can be found on their website.   

Horn Ensemble
All UVA horn players are welcome to participate in the Horn Ensemble. Interested students should contact Katy Ambrose. The group receives weekly instruction and performs at least once each semester. Students explore a variety of music genres and work to improve both ensemble and personal performance skills. for copies of the Horn excerpt music please contact Katy Ambrose at mka2j@virginia.edu.  For more information about this ensemble click here

Trombone Ensemble
Interested students should contact Nathaniel Lee. The Trombone Ensemble is comprised of talented musicians from all schools within the University of Virginia. The group meets once a week and performs original works, popular transcriptions, arrangements and student compositions. The Trombone Ensemble will perform one concert per semester and will hold additional optional performances throughout the UVa and Charlottesville community. For more information about this ensemble click here

Trumpet Ensemble
The UVA Trumpet Ensemble, led by Arthur Zanin, welcomes students of all levels from all areas of study at the university. The group meets for weekly coaching sessions with Professor Zanin and presents a performance by the end of each semester. To participate please contact  Arthur Zanin for more information. For more information about the ensemble click here.

Please contact Prof. David Sariti at djs6k@virginia.edu with any questions.. Students should prepare 5 minutes of a solo piece of their choosing that best demonstrates their abilities and e-mail it to chamberstringsauditions@collab.its.virginia.edu. Videos should be submitted by 5:00 on Thursday, August 27. Students who have played in chamber groups in past semesters may not need to re-audition, but should contact Prof. Sariti with their intention to enroll. Specific requests for groups or coaches can be made, but can't be guaranteed.  Students should wait for placement information before registering under the coach's section. For more information about this ensemble click here

Note on size of audition submissions:  Collab limits e-mail attachments to 250mg or less. If your audition excerpt is 250mg or larger, you can upload your audition to youtube, set the viewing permissions so we will be able to view your piece, and send that link to chamberstringsauditions@collab.its.virginia.edu.

Bassoon Ensemble
The Bassoon Ensemble explores, rehearses, and performs woodwind chamber music, including both standard and more obscure works. Focus is placed on developing chamber music playing skills, learning the tendencies of the bassoon, developing musicianship, and enjoying making and sharing music! For the 2020-2021 academic year, enrolled members will work with the instructor to design appropriate projects.  Possibilities include: recording chamber music works to share with schools and/or retirement homes; score study and listening; developing ear training and musicianship skills as they relate to ensemble playing; and offering virtual programs for area students who play bassoon and are enrolled in band programs.  Musicians who are interested in bassoon ensemble are expected to select and prepare two minutes of music that best represents their abilities.  Audition dates for the 2020-2021 school year will be arranged individually and will occur virtually.  Interested students should contact Elizabeth Roberts .

Clarinet Ensemble
The Clarinet Ensemble is open to all UVA students. The ensemble rehearses once a week, led by Dr. Jiyeon Choi, and performs at least once a semester. The ensemble studies various repertoire such as original composition for the clarinet ensemble, transcriptions from the orchestra/wind band/jazz literature. To audition, students should prepare 3 minutes of solo piece of their choosing that best demonstrates their abilities and e-mail to clarinetauditions@collab.its.virginia.edu. Students who have previous participated in the ensemble do not need to audition.  Students who have questions please contact Dr. Choi (jc8cg@virginia.edu) . Note on size of audition submissions:  Collab limits e-mail attachments to 250mg or less. If your audition excerpt is 250mg or larger, you can upload your audition to youtube, set the viewing permissions so we will be able to view your piece, and send that link to clarinetauditions@collab.its.virginia.edu. 

Double Reed Ensemble
Double Reed Ensemble provides an opportunity to read and rehearse a variety of double reed chamber pieces. At least one work is selected for in-depth study and performance. The group meets for weekly coaching sessions led by Kelly Peral. Interested students should contact Kelly Peral for further information, including specific audition requirements.

Flute Ensemble
The UVA Flute Ensemble is composed of talented student musicians from all areas of study. The group rehearses weekly to present a full recital at the end of each semester; these performances include music from all eras and styles in both larger flute ensemble and smaller chamber ensemble formats. To audition for the group, students are expected to prepare two minutes of music on repertoire of their choice, best representing their ability. Interested students should contact Kelly Sulick with any questions and to set up an audition time. Students who have previous participated in the ensemble do not need to audition. Audition dates for the 2020-2021 school year will be arranged individually.  For more information about the Flute Ensemble click here.

Mixed Woodwind Chamber Ensemble
The Mixed Woodwind Chamber Ensemble (e.g., trio, quartet, or quintet, based on student interest and availability) explores, rehearses, and performs woodwind chamber music, including both standard and more obscure works. Focus is placed on developing chamber music playing skills, learning the tendencies of the instruments, developing musicianship, and enjoying making and sharing music! For the 2020-2021 academic year, enrolled members will work with the instructor to design appropriate projects.  Possibilities include: recording chamber music works to share with schools and/or retirement homes; score study and listening; developing ear training and musicianship skills as they relate to ensemble playing; and offering virtual programs for area students who are enrolled in band programs.  Musicians who are interested in the mixed woodwind chamber ensemble are expected to select and prepare two minutes of music that best represents their abilities.  Audition dates for the 2020-2021 school year will be arranged individually and will occur virtually.  Interested students should contact Elizabeth Roberts.

Fall 2020 Auditions take place Aug. 23-29 in an online format
Audition for UVA's chamber chorus, performing a cappella and accompanied music. The group performs a wide range of repertoire from the Renaissance to George Gershwin, Ben Folds, and Eric Whitacre, and has sung for Philip Glass and the Tallis Scholars. Fill out this interest form to receive audition updates, and sign-ups are available online at: 10to8.com/book/usingers/  (Those interested in Chamber Singers should sign up to audition for The University Singers – see also the University Singers audition listing.) Special opportunities/plans will be in place for the Fall 2020 semester.

For more information, visit our Website and Facebook for updates.

If you are interested in auditioning for the Charlottesville Symphony, please fill out the audition interest form to receive more information and how to submit your video auditions. For more information about this ensemble click here.

For audition guidelines please click here.

To download audition excerpts click on your instrument.
 

Instrumental and Vocal Auditions for Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos - Fall, 2020

The UVA Jazz Ensemble and the Jazz Chamber Groups will hold individual auditions, over ZOOM or FaceTime, for all students interested in performing in a jazz group at UVA in the Fall of 2020.   (returning members should contact their ensemble director from last semester about whether they need to re-audition before signing up for an audition time)

A Sign Up Genius account will offer audition slots starting on August 20, the Thursday before classes begin.  When you sign up, send an email to John D’earth, jed6p@virginia.edu, stating the time you chose and what your instrument/interest will be.  If you wish to audition early contact John D’earth or Mike Rosensky, mlr5q@virginia.edu to set up a meeting.  

Here is the link to sign up for an audition via Sign Up Genius

These auditions are geared toward discovering your strengths as a player.  Rusty chops or lack of experience in jazz, or lack of confidence in improvising (each possibly exacerbated by an unprecedented health crisis) are familiar to us all.  We, who lead the jazz performance program at UVA, want the jazz audition to be an opportunity to grow further as a musician, and not necessarily to prove prowess.  The more advanced jazz students, those already here and those about to make themselves known to us, form the core of our jazz leadership.  We are all learning together and learning from each other.  If you are interested, take the audition.  We have room for many voices.  (Go to the music dept. website for information about the jazz projects planned for the fall.) 

Audition Guidelines:

Inclusion of Non-Musicians in Jazz Ensemble for Fall, 2020 – The Jazz Ensemble is embarking on a multi-track recording project in lieu of our Fall Concert because there is no safe way to meet, in real time, as a band in Old Cabell Hall (unventilated).  This project envisions participation from the entire performance program at UVA, including orchestral players, marching band musicians, and excellent players of any stripe.  

We also intend to interview prospective members of a student advisory panel, “thought partners,” to guide the project onto social media platforms, market it to our audience, create visual and verbal content for our on-line offering, and co-ordinate co-lateral collaborations with other departments: dance, visual arts, arts administration, etc..

Spring Semester - Students interested in joining a group in the spring can contact John D'earth, to let the faculty know of their interest and see if there are any slots open.

Please see Jazz Ensemble listing.  If you have questions please write the jazz performance faculty at jazzfaculty@virginia.edu. Participation is by instructor permission for all Jazz groups. For more information about the Jazz Ensemble click here.

Spring Semester - Students interested in joining a group in the spring can contact John D'earth, to let the faculty know of their interest and see if there are any slots open.

Admission is by instructor permission. Due to Covid-19, auditions for Fall 2020 will be held online. Please submit an audio or video recording of up to 5 minutes in length (any style that you feel represents you best) by Wednesday, August 26, 2020 to klezmerauditions@collab.its.virginia.edu or arrange for an in person Zoom audition with joelerubin@virginia.edu.

This music was passed on orally from generation to generation, and many of the ornaments and other aspects of phrasing which are so integral to the klezmer sound can only be approximated by Western staff notation – not to mention the patterns of improvised variation which are the cornerstone of the style. There will therefore be an emphasis on learning by ear as much as possible. Sheet music with basic melodies and harmonies for each piece will be provided.

The following instruments are sought: violin, viola, cello, bass, clarinet, flute, saxophone (tenor, alto), trumpet, trombone, tuba (and other low brass), percussion (drum set, xylophone), piano, and accordion, although others will also be considered.

No previous knowledge of or experience with klezmer music is required! Instrumentalists of intermediate to advanced level should consider trying this ensemble. You do not have to have previously learned or worked by ear. Students can audition with any manner of piece to show their ability.

Please contact Joel Rubin with any questions: joelerubin@virginia.edu.

For more information about this ensemble click here

Students interested in the Mobile Interactive Computer Ensemble (MICE) should enroll in the course, MUSI 4600. For more information about this ensemble click here

No preparation required, simply show up to the first class meeting with an open mind, some knowledge of modern composers, and the ability to play an instrument or sing. Contact I-Jen Fang with any questions. For more information about this ensemble click here

Contact I-Jen Fang before the first class meeting to schedule an audition. The nature of the audition, types of music to be prepared, time, date, etc. will be discussed via e-mail. For more information about this ensemble click here

Private Lesson registration Information.  Private Lesson Faculty. 
Instructors may require auditions.  All students taking lessons through the Music Department for the first time must enroll for 2000-level lessons, a credit/no-credit (pass/fail) class that carries either 0.5 or 1 credit. Only students who have successfully auditioned for the 3000-level will be allowed to register for 3000-level study, which is a graded course (2.0 credits). If you have taken at least one semester of lessons with the Music Department and wish to audition for the 3000-level, inform your instructor as soon as possible so that an audition can be arranged before the registration period ends.​

Jazz and Non-Classical Piano: For Jazz and non-classical piano lessons please contact Butch Taylor at butchtaylormusic@gmail.com or John D’earth jed6p@virginia.edu.

Classical / Musical Theatre Voice: Placement Interviews for study with members of the Classical/Music Theater Voice Faculty will be held on Monday, Aug, 24 beginning at 11:00 am via Zoom. If you are interested, contact Vocal Coordinator, Pamela Beasley at pbb2c@virginia.edu in order to be assigned a time slot. You will then receive a form to complete and return via email by Aug. 23.  You should prepare a selection to sing for the voice faculty. The selection can be an art song, aria, musical theater selection, folk song, hymn or anything else you are comfortable singing. You may choose to sing with an accompaniment track or acapella.  If for any reason you are unable to join us on August 24 but are interested in private lesson study, you may submit a video performance to the Vocal Coordinator for consideration by the voice faculty anytime between July 13 and August 24. You are welcome to request a particular teacher (space provided on your completed form) and we will do our best to honor all such requests. Biographical listings for all voice faculty can be found at http://music.virginia.edu/faculty/lessons.

Jazz or primarily Non-Classical Voice: No audition is required - contact Stephanie Nakasian at nakasian@virginia.edu to schedule a mutually convienient timeslot for your virtual lessons. Vocalists will use the text "You already know how to sing: Voice lessons - Life lessons" (available at the UVA Bookstore or from Stephanie Nakasian's website).  Once a student has selected their songs for their lessons, they have the choice to accompany themselves on guitar or piano, purchase a commercial track,  or ask Ms. Nakasian to prepare tracks to accompany you. Ms. Nakasian intends to have a virtual voice recital at the end of the semester.  For all details please see Stephanie Nakasian's Fall Voice Lessons.

Fall 2020 Auditions take place Aug. 23-29 in an online format
Audition for UVA's flagship chorus! No prepared piece is required. Auditions are used to determine vocal range and quality, as well as sight-singing ability. Recent highlights include a performance with the Charlottesville Symphony in front of 20,000 at the UVA Bicentennial Arts Gala, a 2015 international concert tour to Europe, a 2017 performance for the creators of Les Misérables, and more than half a million views online. Fill out this interest form to receive audition updates, and sign-ups are available online at: 10to8.com/book/usingers/  

You can also connect with us at: Website / Listen / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram 

Contact Bands@virginia.edu to schedule an audition time. Woodwind and brass players should prepare no more than 4 minutes of material that showcases both technical and lyrical ability. A sightreading segment will also be provided. Percussion players should prepare a solo or excerpt for snare drum and/or mallet percussion. A sightreading segment will be given at the audition. Students may choose to audition on both snare and mallets but are not required to do so and may choose to audition on only one instrument. The Wind Ensemble performs one concert each semester in Charlottesville, with literature ranging from pops to contemporary to traditional band masterworks. The group also tours the mid-Atlantic every spring. For more information about this ensemble click here

Oratorio Society of Virginia