Auditions for Fall 2022 will be held in-person from August 23-26, 2022, in Tharp Rehearsal Hall.

  • All auditionees must sign up for their audition via Emory’s online eAudition System.
  • All audition requirements may be found here.
  • Contact Dr. Bhasin with any questions regarding EWE activities this coming academic year.
  • Following the audition period, the Department of Music will notify and enroll successful auditionees in ensembles (students do not enroll themselves in performance courses or ensembles).

Students may sign up for their audition using the eAudition System; this will enable admitted and returning Emory students to schedule a time for Fall auditions. Students (particularly Freshmen) who may not yet know their class schedule should go ahead and schedule an audition regardless and adjust their time if necessary prior to the first week of classes. If you have any problems with the system,  please email Martha Shockey in the Music Department. Any general inquiries including questions concerning audition requirements or conflicts with available audition times can be directed to Dr. Bhasin (Director of Orchestral Studies) at 404.727.9451.

Not sure of your class schedule yet? Sign up for an audition and contact Dr. Bhasin to adjust your audition time if needed. All instrumentalists should prepare two (2) contrasting excerpts; a lyrical selection in a slow or moderate tempo, and a technical selection in a faster tempo, each around 2-3 minutes in length (a single piece with contrasting sections, between 3-5 minutes in length, is also acceptable). These selections can be from the standard solo or etude repertoire for your instrument. Memorization is not required. Excerpts from major works for wind ensemble or orchestra are also acceptable. Selected chromatic and major scales may be asked; a sight-reading excerpt will be provided at the audition.

Percussionists: visit the Emory Percussion page for audition information and CONTACT DR. BHASIN to arrange access to percussion instruments for pre-audition practice!  Instruments will be provided, but students should bring their own sticks and mallets. String Bassists, Harpists, and Pianists are also part of standard instrumentation in the Emory Wind Ensemble, and may audition using any of the standard solo or etude repertoire for your instrument. Selected chromatic and major scales may be asked; a sight-reading excerpt will be provided.

All students are evaluated on the basis of tone quality, intonation, technique, rhythmic precision, musicianship, expressiveness, and reading ability.

Audition for Membership in the Emory Instrumental Ensembles

Including: Emory Wind Ensemble, Emory University Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music

In these auditions instrumental musicians (woodwinds, brass, strings and percussion) will be considered for all ensemble opportunities at Emory University. These include the Emory University Symphony Orchestra, the Emory Wind Ensemble, the Chamber Music Program and if interested, individual lessons and the music major. Students accepted into the program traditionally enroll for the season, i.e. Fall and Spring semesters.

Students do not have to major or minor in music (though there are advantages to doing so) in order to participate in performing ensembles: All student-musicians are welcome to audition. Neither should you worry about being “out of shape” if you didn’t practice all summer. Everybody has a multitude of things to do before arriving on campus, and we understand that. The purpose of the audition is to assess your potential with the understanding that -as with any other Emory class- every student progresses. Help with audition preparation is always available — contact Dr. Bhasin with any questions.

IMPORTANT ADVICE ON NOT WAITING TO AUDITION

A number of students audition during their senior year of high school; the majority wait until they have arrived on campus. Sometimes students wait until the second semester of their freshmen year to try and audition; we would strongly recommend against this as a viable strategy. There are rarely vacancies in the middle of the season and ensemble members accepted in the Fall play for the entire season (Fall and Spring). Most ensemble students participate for all four years of their undergraduate career. Therefore, waiting until your sophomore year to audition is also highly inadvisable. You would be competing against all of the returning members as well as the incoming class of freshmen, in addition to having not performed regularly for an entire season.

Auditions for Scholarships/Music Major status

Auditions for entry into the Music Major take place during the first week of classes in August and can be scheduled via the eAudition system (see above).

Majoring in music carries some advantages. Firstly, it is one of the majors that can be declared immediately (there are some majors that you cannot declared until your sophomore or junior year. This means that your “major” will show as “Undeclared” during that time). It is just as easy to drop the music major as it is to add it, so when the time comes for you to declare the major you intend to pursue, you can easily switch. However, the majority of Emory music majors continue being a music major in addition to their other field of study, pursuing a double major. 

Additionally, being a music major allows us to subsidize a portion of your private lesson fee. Private lessons on your instrument are taught by Emory’s distinguished Artist Affiliates, and include members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, Atlanta Opera Orchestra, and other internationally-renowned artists. There are also scholarships available that can help defray the remaining cost of instrumental lessons.

Do I have to be a Music Major or Minor to participate in performance ensembles?

Absolutely not. Membership has always been drawn from the entire Emory University student body. Being a Music Major (or Minor) does have certain benefits, however:

  • It will allow you to declare a Major upon your arrival on campus. Many of Emory’s degrees do not allow you to declare a major until your Junior year.
  • It will afford you the opportunity to take private instrumental lessons with one of our wonderful Artist Affiliates for half the cost of a non-Major or a Minor. In some cases, even this small cost can be offset via one of our numerous Applied Lessons Scholarships.

Can I participate in ensembles considering my academic course load?

The Emory Wind Ensemble rehearses twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays, generally 4:30pm-6:30pm).

The Emory University Symphony Orchestra rehearses on Tuesdays (5:30-7:30pm, strings alone) and Thursdays (7-9pm, full orchestra).

Hundreds of former ensemble members have found the balance between a rigorous academic load and the musical rewards provided by performing in ensembles at Emory. In addition, weekly schedules are provided so that each student knows well in advance whether their presence is required in rehearsal or not (for instance, if there is a sectional planned, or if your section is excused from rehearsal on a particular day). This allows students to manage their time and myriad responsibilities effectively.

Chamber Music Opportunities?

Are there opportunities for Chamber Music at Emory?

In addition to small ensembles such as string quartets and quintets, Emory University sponsors mixed chamber ensembles, a Percussion Ensemble, and Chamber Winds.

Applied Study

Am I required to take Applied Music Lessons to participate?

Applied Music Lessons are only required of Music Majors and/or Minors. They are not specifically required for participation in the Wind Ensemble. However, most ensemble musicians take lessons as this is the best way to ensure a meaningful contribution in rehearsal and performance (considering the level of repertoire Emory ensembles perform). Scholarships are available.

What is the cost of Applied Music Lessons?

If you are a Music Major, you are required to complete four (4) semesters of MUS 320: Applied Music Lessons. The total cost to you for 12 lessons per semester is only $450, whether for majors, minors, double-majors, or non-majors, which is added to your bursar’s bill at the end of the Drop/Add period. 

Students may also take private lessons from an instructor in the Department of Music for no college credit. Non credit lessons are based on instructor availability. Lesson fees are paid directly to the instructor, based on the fee structure outlined above. Students commit to study for the entire semester and pay instructor fee in full at the first lesson.