Audition Information
Audition information for Fall 2026 will be updated over the Summer.
If you are an incoming or returning student interested in learning more about the major, ensembles, private lessons or academic classes please fill out our interest form.
Select the ensemble you are interested in joining.
Baroque Orchestra
Fall 2026: The Baroque Orchestra has openings for all stringed instruments and keyboards. Auditions will be 5:30-7:00 on Thursday, August 27th, 2026 in Room 113. Students should be prepared to play c. 5 minutes of music that best displays their ability level, preferably written before 1750. A modest amount of sight-reading may be requested. A sign-up link is coming soon! For more information about this ensemble visit the Baroque Orchestra ensemble page, or for questions, contact David Sariti at djs6k@virginia.edu.
There will be an informational meeting to learn about the Baroque orchestra at 7pm on Thursday, 8/27 in room 113 Old Cabell Hall (after auditions). Interested students can hear the instruments played, learn more, and give them a try.
Bluegrass Band & Bluegrass Workshop
Fall 2026: Bluegrass Band helps experienced players develop skills for being in a band, including playing, singing, arranging, improvising, recording, and more. Following discussion of the course members’ interests and abilities, we will set specific goals for learning repertoire, exploring string band culture, and practicing the tasks of running a gigging band. Students should have facility on a bluegrass instrument as well as basic knowledge of the genre. The group meets from 6:00-7:00pm on Tuesday evenings. Enrollment requires instructor permission. Interested students should contact Liza Flood at ejs6yc@virginia.edu.
Fall 2026: Bluegrass Workshop explores the performance of North American string band music, including bluegrass, old-time, and more. We cover playing, singing, improvising, jamming, and songwriting/arrangement. Students should have basic facility on a string instrument. No other experience is required. The group meets from 7:00-8:00pm on Tuesday evenings. Those interested in enrolling should contact Liza Flood at ejs6yc@virginia.edu.
Cavalier Marching Band
Fall 2026: The Cavalier Marching Band welcomes students from ALL majors to audition. Auditions for the CMB are open now and due by July 31st, 2026. All CMB audition information, including audition requirements and upload instructions, is available on the Cavalier Marching Band audition webpage, where you can scroll to find the instructions in your instrument’s drop-down menu. First-year CMB members must complete a virtual audition by July 31, 2026. Email bands@virginia.edu with any questions.
Chamber Ensembles - Brass
Trombone Ensemble
Fall 2026: Interested students should contact Nathaniel Lee at nxl4e@virginia.edu. 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.
Fall 2026: The UVA Trumpet Ensemble, directed by Dr. Chenguang “Edmond” Wang, is open to students of all majors and playing backgrounds who are committed to weekly rehearsals and active ensemble participation throughout the academic year.
Students interested in joining the ensemble must contact Dr. Wang directly to sign up for an audition. A short list of required audition materials and preparation instructions will be provided upon request. Because ensemble space is limited, early communication is encouraged.
For more information or to request audition materials, please contact Dr. Wang at vwk9rz@virginia.edu.
Chamber Ensembles - Strings & Piano
Fall 2026: String Chamber Ensembles
Returning students who wish to participate in a chamber ensemble should contact Professor David Sariti (djs6k@virginia.edu) by midnight on Wednesday, August 26th, 2026. Late requests may not be accommodated!
New students who have not participated in a chamber group at UVA in the past must audition on Thursday, August 27th, 2026 from 5:00-7:00pm in room 107 of Old Cabell Hall. Please prepare a solo of about 5 minutes in length that you feel best displays your abilities. A sign-up link will be here soon!
Spring 2027: String Chamber Ensembles
Returning students who wish to participate in a chamber ensemble for Spring 2027 should contact Professor Daniel Sender (dls8kb@virginia.edu) - check this page again closer to Spring Semester for more information.
Chamber Ensembles - Woodwind
Bassoon Ensemble
Fall 2025: The Rotunda Bassoon Ensemble performs at UVA each year on events such as Making Noise in the Library and Tea Time Recitals. Additionally, the group performs regularly at places in the community, such as the Crozet Mudhouse, and in area nursing homes through the "Nursing Homes Swing" organization. This 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 woodwind instruments, developing musicianship, and enjoying both making and sharing music! To audition, students are expected to prepare two minutes of music on repertoire of their choice, best representing their abilities. Past participants do not need to reaudition. Interested students should contact Elizabeth Roberts at ear4x@virginia.edu Senior Lecturer in Bassoon at UVA and Principal Bassoon of the Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia.
Chamber Flute Ensemble
Chamber Flute Ensemble will be offered again in the Spring 2027 semester. Students interested in the UVA Flute Ensemble for Fall 2026 should visit the Flute Ensemble page. Students who have previously participated in UVA flute ensembles do not need to audition. To schedule an audition, contact Kelly Sulick at kas6am@virginia.edu.
Clarinet Ensemble
Fall 2026: The Clarinet Ensemble is open to all UVA students. The ensemble rehearses once a week 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. Students who have previous participated in the ensemble do not need to audition. Interested students should contact Jiyeon Choi at jc8cg@virginia.edu to set up an audition time.
Double Reed Ensemble
Fall 2026: The Double Reed Ensemble provides an opportunity to read and rehearse a variety of double reed chamber pieces. At least one work is selected each semester for in-depth study and performance. The group meets for weekly coaching sessions led by Kelly Peral. To audition, please choose and prepare two minutes of repertoire to best represent your playing. Interested students should contact Kelly Peral at kpp7g@virginia.edu for further information and to set up an audition time. Past participants do not need to reaudition.
Saxaphone Ensemble
Spring 2026: Interested students should contact Colin Killalea at qkr2ax@virginia.edu.
Mixed Woodwind Chamber Ensemble
Spring 2026: Interested students should contact Jeremy Ulm at psv4ht@virginia.edu.
Chamber Singers
Auditions for the UVA University Singers & Chamber Singers: Fill out this interest form to receive audition and ensemble updates
Fall 2026: Auditions will be announced soon
- For more info visit: https://music.virginia.edu/chamber-singers
- You can also connect with us at: Website / Listen / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
- For additional information on choral auditions, contact Mary McCoy at prk2ak@virginia.edu
Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia
Fall 2026: Excerpt requirements, audition times and sign-up sheets will be available on this page as they become available. Sign up for Symphony audition information updates here
All auditions will take place in Old Cabell Hall.
| INSTRUMENT | DAY | DATE | TIMES | ROOM | SIGN-UP |
| Violin | Tue | 8/25 | |||
| Violin | Wed | 8/26 | |||
| Viola | Mon | 8/24 | |||
| Cello | Mon | 8/24 | |||
| Bass | Mon | 8/24 | |||
| Flute | Mon | 8/24 | |||
| Oboe & English Horn | Mon | 8/24 | |||
| Clarinet | Mon | 8/24 | |||
| Bassoon | Mon | 8/24 | |||
| Horn | Wed | 8/26 | |||
| Trumpet | Wed | 8/26 | |||
| Trombone | Wed | 8/26 | |||
| Percussion | Wed | 8/26 |
*Additional audition times may be arranged in case of overflow or unavoidable conflicts.
If you are interested in auditioning for the Charlottesville Symphony in the future, please fill out the audition interest form to receive more information. Visit the Charlottesville Symphony ensemble page to learn more.
UVA Music Concerto Competition: The Charlottesville Symphony and the UVA Department of Music are pleased to announce the third student Concerto Competition, the winner of which will perform with the Symphony on the February 13th and 14th, 2027 concerts.
Eligibility: Current UVA students who are taking for-credit private lessons with an instructor in the UVA Music Department and are participating in the symphony. Pianists, non-orchestral instruments, and vocalists are exempt from the latter. Past winners are not eligible.
Complete information and the application form will be available soon.
Concert Band
Enrollment in the Concert Band is open to students of all majors and academic levels. Concert Band meets in the Spring Semester only and performs one concert at the end of the term. An audition is not required for enrollment and directors may hold chair placement hearings to determine appropriate part assignments.
The Concert Band’s membership is composed of students from every division and department within the University. Students appreciate the opportunity to practice and perform repertoire from a variety of genres and time periods as an outlet for creativity and expression. Past music selections have included standard band literature, pop music, and concertos with special guest artists.
For more information on the Concert Band, please contact director Andrew Koch via email at akoch@virginia.edu.
Flute Ensemble
Fall 2026: Students who have previously participated in the ensemble do not need to audition. To schedule an audition, contact Kelly Sulick at kas6am@virginia.edu. More about the Flute Ensemble.
Jazz Ensemble
Fall 2026: Auditions for both the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Chamber Ensembles will be submitted through a video submission process, with materials due by August 25, 2026. Selected students will be invited to live callbacks as needed on Monday, August 31, 2026 and can apply here:
Whether you’re looking to perform in a large ensemble or collaborate in an intimate small-group setting, these ensembles offer an exciting opportunity to grow as a musician, perform outstanding repertoire, and become part of UVA’s dynamic jazz community.
For audition details, please see the Jazz Ensemble listing or contact:
- Jazz Ensemble: Sharel Cassity — scassity@virginia.edu
- Jazz Chamber Ensembles: Mike Rosensky — mlr5q@virginia.edu
Jazz Chamber Ensembles
Fall 2026: Auditions for both the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Chamber Ensembles will be submitted through a video submission process, with materials due by August 25, 2026. Selected students will be invited to live callbacks as needed on Monday, August 31, 2026 and can apply here:
Whether you’re looking to perform in a large ensemble or collaborate in an intimate small-group setting, these ensembles offer an exciting opportunity to grow as a musician, perform outstanding repertoire, and become part of UVA’s dynamic jazz community.
For audition details, please see the Jazz Ensemble listing or contact:
- Jazz Ensemble: Sharel Cassity — scassity@virginia.edu
- Jazz Chamber Ensembles: Mike Rosensky — mlr5q@virginia.edu
Jazz Improvisation
Fall 2026: The Jazz Improvisation Workshop (MUSI 2600) meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-5:00pm and requires instructor permission. Request the class on SIS.
Percussion Ensemble
Fall 2026 & Spring 2027: Contact I-Jen Fang at if4n@virginia.edu 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. Visit the Percussion Ensemble page to learn more.
Private Lesson Auditions - All Instruments EXCEPT Piano & Voice
Fall 2025: 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.
Private Lesson registration Information / Private Lesson Faculty
Private Lesson Auditions - PIANO
Classical Piano
Fall 2025: Classical piano lessons are offered by audition on a space-available basis. Auditions are normally held at the beginning of each semester. For more detailed information and to express your interest in auditioning, please follow this link: https://bit.ly/uva-piano
Jazz and Non-Classical Piano
Fall 2025: In Jazz and Nonclassical Piano, we will: study the masters; learn standard jazz repertoire; learn to play songs by ear; learn about improvisation; and get ideas for playing in group settings. If you have questions or want more information about Jazz and non-classical piano lessons, please contact Calvin Brown at calvinebrown@gmail.com.
Private Lesson Auditions - VOICE
Classical / Musical Theatre Voice
Fall 2025: Friday, August 29, 1:00-3:00 - B012 Old Cabell Hall
The University of Virginia Department of Music holds placement auditions for study with members of the Classical / Music Theater Voice faculty. Students may request a specific teacher in the space provided on the audition form. Although we do our best to place as many students as possible, an audition does not guarantee placement into private lessons. Biographical listings for all voice faculty can be found here.
Contact Vocal Coordinator, Pamela Beasley at pbb2c@virginia.edu to secure an audition time. If you are unable to audition on the specified date, a video submission is allowed. Those video recordings will be accepted August 22-28, 2025. Please e-mail the link to your recent video audition to the address: pbb2c@virginia.edu.
What to sing at auditions: You should prepare a selection: an art song, aria, music theater selection, folk song, hymn or anything else you are comfortable singing. A pianist will be available for the auditions. Students who wish to use the audition pianist should bring proper printed sheet music to their auditions. If you have any questions, please contact Pamela Beasley at pbb2c@virginia.edu
Jazz / Popular Voice
Fall 2025: No audition is required - contact Stephanie Nakasian at nakasian@virginia.edu to schedule a mutually convenient timeslot for your live in-person lessons.
Students learn safe vocal technique to open up a natural, powerful voice and to increase breath, range and flexibility from a teacher with 40 years of touring and recording experience all over the world. 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 them.
Students learn how to go from practice to learning a song to performance. There is an optional voice recital at the end of the semester.
University Singers
Auditions for the UVA University Singers & Chamber Singers: Fill out this interest form to receive audition and ensemble updates
Fall 2026: Auditions will be announced soon
- You can also connect with us at: Website / Listen / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
- For additional information on choral auditions, contact Mary McCoy at prk2ak@virginia.edu
- For more info, you can also visit our new expanded website: https://usingers.virginia.edu/
Wind Ensemble
Fall 2026: The Wind Ensemble is open to all UVA students through an audition process.
New in Fall 2025, students interested in auditioning for Wind Ensemble and Charlottesville Symphony Orchestra will follow their instrument’s CSO audition requirements and schedule. They will be asked to play one band excerpt as part of their audition, as outlined in the CSO audition packet. Please see the Charlottesville Symphony audition information to view the excerpts and sign up for an audition time. Students only interested in auditioning for Wind Ensemble will use the audition excerpts below and electronically submit their auditions.
Audition Excerpts for Wind Ensemble (excerpts coming soon)
- Flute and Piccolo (note: you are not required to audition on piccolo)
- Oboe
- Clarinet (Bb)
- Bb Bass Clarinet
- Bassoon
- Alto Saxophone
- Tenor Saxophone
- Trumpet (Bb)
- French Horn
- Tenor Trombone
- Bass Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Percussion
Electronic auditions may be submitted using the Wind Ensemble Audition Submission Form (link and dates coming soon)
Wind Ensemble audition excerpts are selected from upcoming repertoire. Auditionees are encouraged to utilize recordings available on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, etc. to gain a deeper understanding of each excerpt. Email the Director of Bands, Elliott Tackitt (etackitt@virginia.edu), with any questions you may have about the audition process.
Merit-based Scholarships are available!
A limited amount of merit-based scholarship funding is available. Students who would like to be considered for a Wind Ensemble scholarship will record a solo excerpt from the excerpts below. Scholarship funds are released at the conclusion of each semester. Email bands@virginia.edu for more information.
For more information about this ensemble, click here.
Affiliated Groups
Virginia Glee Club — Fall 2025
Auditions will be held in Old Cabell Hall August 28, 29, & September 2, 2025.
Looking for a place to sing and meet friends on Grounds? Interested in singing under the direction of a Grammy Award-winning conductor? Look no further! The Virginia Glee Club is looking for tenor and bass singers to join us in our 155th season of Harmony, Love, Brotherhood at the University of Virginia. All levels of musical experience are welcome to audition. Rehearsals are Tuesday and Thursday nights in Old Cabell Hall with Fall performances during Family Weekend and our Christmas Concert, Saturday, December 6, 2025. Other events include a rehearsal weekend, dinner in the Rotunda with our Alumni and Friends Association, social events, and club dinners with our conductor, Frank Albinder!
The Virginia Glee Club welcomes auditions of undergraduate students, graduate & Ph.D. students, alumni, and community members. We look forward to hearing you sing!
Questions? Manager@virginiagleeclub.org
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Virginia Women's Chorus — Fall 2025
Auditions: Monday, September 1st — Sunday, September 7th, 2025
Are you looking for a community of musically-minded singers and a new group of friends? Auditions for the Virginia Women's Chorus are right around the corner!
VWC is a talented and well-known ensemble that just celebrated its 50th year of music and sisterhood. We welcome treble singers of all gender identities and expressions, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive and affirming space where every voice is celebrated. The Chorus’s performances, drawing hundreds of attendees, include the annual Candlelight Concerts, Women Against Violence a cappella benefit concert, annual Spring Concert, Rotunda Sing, and several gigs throughout the year. Members also have fun at a variety of social events every month!
Auditions will be held in classrooms in Old Cabell Hall from September 1-7. Please prepare a short selection of your choosing. Any genre or style is welcome—something that shows off your voice! Auditions will include sight-singing, but your sight-reading skills will not make or break an audition. Voice quality, intonation, and a good ear are important. Please sign up for a specific audition time slot, which will be available on the Virginia Women’s Chorus's website, www.virginiawomenschorus.org. For more information, please visit our website, Instagram page @vawomenschorus, or email Vice President Brasley Zanaty at vwcvicepresident@gmail.com. We can’t wait to hear you sing!
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The Oratorio Society of Virginia* — Fall 2025
When: Late August and early September TBD – join subscriber list to receive email notification: https://www.oratoriosociety.org/singers
Where: Municipal Arts Center, 1119 5th St SW, Charlottesville
When you join The Oratorio Society, you are welcomed as a member of a close-knit, dedicated chorus that has delivered the highest caliber of performances to our community for over 50 years.
Auditions last roughly 10 minutes, and consist of the following, with an accompanist present:
Vocalizing to determine range and voice part
A brief rhythmic sight-singing excerpt
A brief melodic sight-singing excerpt
Singing a prepared piece of your choosing, or a familiar song suggested by the director
If you have any questions, concerns, or anxieties about the audition process, please reach out to our Chorus Chair at TOSVAchoruschair@gmail.com. More details are on our website https://www.oratoriosociety.org/ Audition information: https://www.oratoriosociety.org/singers Sign up to Audition Download Oratorio Society Audition Form
*A Community Affiliated Group (not a student group)