UM Wind Band Auditions
The UM Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Concert Band are open to all students across campus regardless of their major. Placement into the Symphonic Wind Ensemble requires an audition (information below) while Concert Band does not. All music majors and minors who play woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments are required to take the audition just before the fall term. The auditions before the spring term are optional for students who were not in SWE in the previous fall term.The results of those auditions will determine in which ensemble you are placed. Both bands are MUSI 114a ( freshmen & sophomores) and MUSI 314 (juniors, seniors, grad students). SWE is section 01 and Concert Band is section 02. Registration can be changed after the auditions.
Fall Semester Rehearsal Times
Concert Band: Tue/Thu 5:00 pm–5:50 pm
Symphonic Winds: Tue/Thu 3:00 pm–4:40 pm
Spring Semester Rehearsal Times
Concert Band: Mon/Wed 4:00 pm–5:20 pm
Symphonic Winds: Tue/Thu 3:30 pm–5:20 pm
Spring 2025 Auditions
Where: MUSIC #112
When:
- The two days before the term starts (Spring 2025 auditions on 1/14, 1/15)
- No percussion auditions for Spring 2025
Complete Three Steps:
Step 1. Submit .
Step 2. Sign up for an .
Step 3. Download the audition excerpts (below).
Audition will include:
- Solo work(s) of your choice (2-3 minutes without accompanist)
- Reading rhythms - You will play two randomly chosen lines from these two pages.
- Metronome - quarter or dotted quarter = 60 BPM
- Choose any single pitch to play.
- Excerpts (below)
Audition Excerpts
Woodwinds
- Flute: Also play piccolo on specified excerpts if available.
- Clarinet: Play on Bb soprano.
- Bass Clarinet: Music majors must audition on Bb soprano. Non-majors can audition on bass clarinet.
- Saxophone: Alto saxophone is suggested. Email Dr. Smart (james.smart@umontana.edu) to play excerpts on tenor.
Suggestions for Success
- Print all excerpts and begin practicing. Planned preparation promotes positive performance.
- LISTEN like crazy to recordings of the excerpts and translate any foreign words. It will inform you, inspire you, and make you better!
- The audition is a performance; if something goes wrong, keep playing. Clean and accurate is always preferred to uncontrolled and fast. Rhythm, intonation, and tone are important in large ensembles.
- Take a moment to look at the sight-reading before starting.