Ensemble Auditions
Ensemble Auditions
Ensembles are the public face of Miami's Department of Music. In a given semester more than 10% of all Miami students participate in a music ensemble or performing group. Student ensembles frequently travel and have been received warmly from the halls of Europe to Carnegie Hall.
Miami University music ensembles are open to all Miami students regardless of major. The directors of the ensembles welcome all students interested in auditioning and try to make the auditions a comfortable experience. If you have additional questions, please email or call the director of the ensemble.
Vocal Ensembles
Contact Director of Choral Activities Jeremy D. Jones, D.M.A. for more information about Miami's choral ensembles.
Chamber Singers (MUS 100Q)
The ensemble performs a wide range of choral repertoire from the Renaissance era to the contemporary. In addition to their performances on campus, the Chamber Singers have compiled a distinguished record of invited performances at state, divisional, and national conferences of MENC and divisional conferences of ACDA and have toured throughout the Midwest where they have established a reputation of excellence in performance.
Director: Reina Dickey
Mixed choir; 40 members
Rehearsals are 4:25-5:45 p.m. Mondays; 1:15-2:35 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
Choraliers (MUS 100D)
The Choraliers is Miami University’s treble choir. Established in 1908, the ensemble has grown from an informal 25-member society into a premier chorus composed of singers representing majors from every division in the university.
Director: Jeremy Jones
Treble choir; approx. 60 members
Rehearsals are 6:15-7:35 p.m. Mondays; 2:50-4:10 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
Men’s Glee Club (MUS 100B)
Founded in 1907 by Raymond Burke, the composer of Miami's Fight Song and Alma Mater, the Miami Men's Glee Club has maintained a tradition of excellence for over a century. The ensemble is comprised of nearly 100 singers, selected by audition from the Miami University community, open to all majors. The Club is among the oldest and largest groups of its kind in the nation. The Glee Club's repertoire encompasses everything from Gregorian Chant and Renaissance motets to modern popular music, folk songs, and spirituals.
Director: Jeremy Jones
Male choir; approx. 100 members
Rehearsals are 6:15-7:35 p.m. Mondays; 2:50-4:10 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
Opera (MUS 426)
Undergraduate and graduate students have the opportunity to assume mentored leadership positions in directing, conducting, marketing, and producing. Auditions are open to all Miami students and occur in the spring semester of each academic year.
Director: Benjamin Smolder
Students may register for a choral ensemble during orientation for scheduling purposes; however, a choral audition is required for admittance. Audition signups for Miami’s choral ensembles are in the Armstrong Student Center during the first week of the fall semester. No prepared solo is required. Also watch for additional information on the Department of Music website.
Instrumental Ensembles
Jazz Ensemble (MUS 100K)
MUJE is the premiere big band at Miami and performs in a wide variety of styles with a focus on the enduring music made famous by the orchestras of Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, and Count Basie, and composers such as Duke Ellington, Thad Jones, and Charles Mingus. Auditions are held during the first week of class each semester.
Rehearsals: TR 1:15 p.m.–2:35 p.m.
Director: Jeremy Long, 513-529-1576
Auditions: Students interested in Jazz Ensemble should complete the Student Info Form and enroll in MUS 100K. Auditions will be held during the first two class meetings. Schedule an audition via the course calendar in Canvas (when available). Results will be published on Canvas by Friday.
Jazz Combo (MUS 100T)
Director: Jeremy Long, 513-529-1576
Please contact Professor Long for audition music. Combos rehearse once per week on a T, W, or R from 2:50-4:10 p.m. Only one audition is needed for those interested in both Jazz Ensemble and Combo.
Marching Band (MUS 100E)
The MUMB represents a diverse cross-section of the Miami community. Members of the MUMB come from every division and almost every major at the university. Music majors represent less than 25% of the group. Membership is for all woodwind, brass, battery percussion, sideline percussion, colorguard, twirlers, and dance team.
Open to all students, regardless of major, including students enrolled in any of the local regional campuses. The MUMB performs at all home football games and select away games along with special opportunities. The MUMB is comprised of 80% non-majors in music. Class conflicts with other courses may be accommodated.
Rehearsals: MWF 4:25 p.m. – 6:25 p.m.
Director: Ryan Yahl
Auditions: Auditions are submitted online in late spring/early summer. Please fill out this form to receive updates about auditions. Please contact Ryan Yahl with any questions.
Pep Band (MUS 100U)
Open to all students regardless of major, including students enrolled in any of the local regional campuses. The Pep Band performs both in the fall and spring and provides services for select women's volleyball games, men's and women's basketball, and men's ice hockey. No audition required.
Rehearsals: M 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Director: Ryan Yahl
Auditions: No audition is required. Please contact Ryan Yahl with any questions.
Percussion Ensemble (MUS 100M)
The Concert Percussion Ensemble first performed in 1974. The ensemble regularly performs on the Miami University campus and at professional conferences. Recent repertoire includes works by composers such as Ivan Trevino, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Bjork, Edgard Varese, Steven Snowden, Zivkovic, and Steve Reich. Please contact Professor LaMattina directly to inquire about becoming a member. No audition required.
Rehearsals: TR 2:50 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.
Director: Michael LaMattina, 513-529-3094
Auditions: No audition is required. Please contact Professor LaMattina for information.
Steel Band (MUS 100N)
The Steel Band comprises two sections, a preparatory, beginner section (section B) for those with no experience on steel pans, and an advanced section (section A). An information session for the beginners section is held each semester on the first Tuesday of classes at 6:30 P.M. in room PRS 007. Auditions are then held on the first Wednesday of classes at 7:00 P.M.
Rehearsals: TR 7:45 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. (Section A), TR 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Section B)
Director: Chris Tanner, 513-529-3014
Auditions: Held during the first week of classes. Please contact Professor Tanner for further information.
Symphony Band (MUS 100F, 1-2 credit hour)
SPRING SEMESTER ONLY
MUSB is offered every spring semester for students to study and perform the finest original and transcribed repertoire for wind band. The ensemble typically performs concerts twice a year for the Miami community. Comprised of approximately fifty-five performers, the Symphony Band consists of music majors and students across the entire university, providing a challenging rehearsal and performance experience for qualified students.
Rehearsals: MW 4:25-5:55, F 4:25-5:25.
Director: Ryan Yahl
Auditions: Woodwind and brass players wishing to perform in the Wind Ensemble or Symphony Orchestra take one audition to be considered for either or both ensembles. Audition music is student choice, representing their best attributes. Auditions are held in November for spring semester placement. Please email Ryan Yahl for access to an audition link.
Symphony Orchestra (MUS 100C)
The MUSO, with a history dating back to 1890, is dedicated to the quality performance of the orchestral repertoire from the Baroque era until our days, including world premieres by contemporary composers. The ensemble combines undergraduate and graduate students of all majors in pursuit of high artistic standards, as well as the professional and artistic growth of its members.
Rehearsals: MWF 2:50 p.m.–4:10 p.m.
Director: Ricardo Averbach, 513-529-8351
Auditions: An audition is required to enroll in Symphony Orchestra, and auditions occur during the first three days of class in a semester.
Strings: Students perform specific excerpts, available in advance online during the summer: Audition Excerpts
Woodwinds/brass: A single audition serves both the Symphony Orchestra and the Wind Ensemble. Please see the Wind Ensemble information (below) for details.
Percussion: Contact Michael LaMattina for information.
Wind Ensemble (MUS 100G)
The MUWE is comprised of the fifty finest wind and percussion performers on campus. Utilizing the player pool concept, the ensemble performs traditional wind band literature, chamber music, and new works entering the repertoire. True to the spirit of an outstanding liberal arts university, the ensemble is open to students of all disciplines by audition each semester.
Rehearsals: MWF 1:15 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.
Director: Daniel Farr, 513-529-3080
Auditions: Woodwind and brass players wishing to perform in the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, or Symphony Orchestra take one audition to be considered for either or both ensembles.