*Please note that this page is for semesterly ensemble auditions. If you are looking for School of Music admission auditions, please visit this webpage.*


young man playing soprano saxophone

Audition Information

Auditions for Spring 2025 will be an online audition format*. Please read below for instructions.

Audition Preparation:

  1. Access your audition excerpts (located above). You will record them in the same order as in the audition packet.
  2. You will be making a VIDEO recording—please consider using the video/audio device and location/environment that will provide the best possibly quality. 
  3. When making your recording, make sure the video captures your instrument and face. Your audition video will be converted to an audio-only file so ajudication will be "blind."
  4. In order to simulate the in-person audition process, excerpts should be performed in the order assigned and performed/recorded IN A SINGLE TAKE (no stopping the video between excerpts).

Submitting your recording:

  1. After you have copleted your video recording, upload it to YouTube and create an UNLISTED video. For more information about posting an unlisted YouTube video, click here.
  2. Create an UNLISTED link for your video.
  3. You will submit your video by copying/pasting the UNLISTED YouTube link when prompted in the Audition Registration Form (available above).

REMINDER: Your audition video will be converted to an audio-only file that will be distributed to ensemble and applied faculty. All auditions will be "blind"—identities will not be known during the review process.

Audition Timeline:

  1. All audition videos must be submitted by 11:59pm EST on MONDAY, January 13th, 2025.
  2. Your audition video will be converted to an audio-only file so your audition will be "blind."
  3. Ensemble directors and your applied studio professor(s) will review the audition recordings.
  4. Results: Ensemble Placements will be posted on Wednesday, January 22nd in the morning.
  5. Rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, January 22nd in the afternoon.

Questions?

If you have questions about the AUDITION EXCERPTS, please contact your studio professor, Dr. Cicconi (cicco2cm@jmu.edu), or Dr. Omelchenko (omelchkl@jmu.edu). If you have questions about this FORM/SUBMITTING YOUR VIDEO, please contact Dr. Birdsong (birdsoae@jmu.edu).

*full-time music majors taking applied lessons are required to participate in these auditions (both BM & BA students who are taking MUAP 300 level lessons). Non-music majors are welcome to audition as well. 

Spring 2025 Band & Orchestra Ensemble Information

Spring 2025 Wind Ensembles

Concert Band (MUAP 238/538): The Concert Band is the band program’s largest concert ensemble with an average of 70-95 players. With a performance schedule of one to two concerts per semester, the Concert Band performs a wide variety of wind band repertoire. Membership is open to all JMU students without audition. Interested individuals should register for MUAP 238. For additional information, please contact Dr. Birdsong (fall semester) at birdsoae@jmu.edu or Mr. Rikkers (spring semester) at rikkesd@jmu.edu.

Meeting Times:

Tuesday/Thursday, 2:20-3:35pm

Music Building Room 108

Concert Band Spring Concert Dates*:

  • March 30, 7:30pm
  • May 1, 7:30pm

*please review your syllabus for dress rehearsal dates for these concerts.


Symphonic Band (MUAP 239): The Symphonic Band is an ensemble of 50-60 select woodwind, brass and percussion players. The ensemble performs two to three concerts per semester with music ranging from the best of the core repertoire to the latest in contemporary composition. Along with the Wind Symphony, the Symphonic Band hosts a guest composer residency each spring semester. Membership is open to all JMU students and is determined by auditions at the beginning of each semester. For additional information and to request audition materials, please email Dr. Cicconi at cicco2cm@jmu.edu.

Meeting Times:

Tuesday/Thursday, 12:45-2:00pm

Forbes 1115

Symphonic Band Spring Concert Dates*:

  • February 27, 7:30pm
  • April 9, 7:30pm
  • May 1, 7:30pm

*please review your syllabus for dress rehearsal dates for these concerts.


Wind Symphony (MUAP 346/546/646):

The Wind Symphony is the premier woodwind, brass, and percussion ensemble at James Madison University. With an active performance schedule, the Wind Symphony is committed to performing the great works of the wind band’s core repertoire while also exploring the best of contemporary composition. The ensemble has hosted on-campus residencies with composers David Maslanka, John Mackey, Michael Daugherty, Joel Puckett, Steven Bryant, Donald Grantham and JMU alumnus Brian Balmages. The ensemble has also presented premieres of faculty composers Jason Haney (Jetpack) and Eric Guinivan (Vicious Cycle), and consortium premiers of Maslanka’s Symphony No. 8, Puckett’s The Shadows of Sirius, Grantham’s Tuba Concerto, Turrin’s The Sounding of the Call, Stamp’s Divertimento, Plog’s Concerto 2010, and Balmages’ Portraits in Bluestone. As part of JMU’s annual Contemporary Music Festival, students have also had the opportunity to work with composers such as Karel Husa, Joseph Schwanter, Don Freund, Donald Erb, John Harbison, Francis McBeth, Mark Camphouse and Samuel Adler. 

In addition to on-campus concerts the Wind Symphony recently performed for the 2015 National Conference of the College Band Directors Association (CBDNA) in Nashville, TN, and the VMEA In-Service Conferences in 2015 and 2011. Prior to that the Wind Symphony has performed at CBDNA regional conventions in New Orleans, Charlotte, Williamsburg, and Greensboro, plus numerous performances for the VMEA State Conference. They have also performed at the Kennedy Center in 1987 and 2007.  Graduates of the Wind Symphony hold positions in several of the Washington-based military bands, military post bands and symphony orchestras throughout the world, and numerous graduates are serving as noted educators and conductors throughout the country. Membership is open to all JMU students and is determined by auditions at the beginning of each semester. For additional information and to request audition materials, please email Dr. Cicconi at cicco2cm@jmu.edu.

Meeting Times:

Monday - 4:10-5:00pm

Wednesday - 4:10-5:25pm

Thursday - 5:30-6:45pm

Wind Symphony Spring Concert Dates*:

  • February 22, 1:00pm
  • April 9, 7:30pm
  • May 8, 7:30pm

*please review your syllabus for dress rehearsal dates for these concerts.

Spring 2025 Orchestral Ensembles

Symphony Orchestra (MUAP 345/545/645): The Symphony Orchestra is the premiere performing group of the orchestral area with a wide and diverse repertoire and up to 5 concerts performances per semester. Entrance into this group is via audition regardless of major. For more information on Symphony Orchestra, please contact Dr. Omelchenko (omelchkl@jmu.edu).

Meeting Times:

Monday, 3:00-3:50pm

Tuesday/Thursday, 2:20-3:35pm

Forbes 1115 and Forbes Concert Hall

Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert Dates*:

  • February 21 (Discovery Concert), 10:00am & 12:00pm
  • March 9, 2:00pm
  • April 27 (Honors Concert), 2:00pm

*please review your syllabus for dress rehearsal dates for these concerts.


Chamber Orchestra (MUAP 344/544): The JMU Chamber Orchestra is comprised of string, wind, brass, & percussion musicians, and presents up to 4 performances each year. Membership is open, through the audition process, to all students regardless of major looking for an opportunity to continue playing at JMU. They perform two concerts a semester. Works programmed include compositions from the Baroque, Classical, early 19th century, as well as chamber works of the 20th century. For more information on Chamber Orchestra, please contact Dr. Omelchenko (omelchkl@jmu.edu). 

Meeting Times:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 11:30am-12:20pm

Forbes 1115 and Forbes Recital Hall

Chamber Orchestra Spring Concert Dates*:

  • March 4, 7:00pm
  • April 22, 7:00pm

*please review your syllabus for dress rehearsal dates for these concerts.

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