Passport Music Auditions
Incoming students (first-year and transfer students) should audition for a Calvin ensemble during your Passport orientation session in the summer. Please indicate on your Passport registration form which ensembles you are interested in auditioning for. When you arrive on campus for Passport, you will receive a schedule, including the exact date, time, and place of your audition in the Fine Arts Center. Ensemble auditions are not demanding, but will help the ensemble conductors determine which ensemble will be the best fit for you. If you didn't indicate that you'd like an audition, or if you can't remember if you did, please contact the Music office to be sure that you're on the list.
Which Ensemble Should I Choose?
Calvin has eleven different student ensembles: two concert bands, one jazz band, a symphony orchestra, five choirs, a flute choir, and a handbell ensemble. Please check out the ensembles webpage for more information about participation in each of these groups.
Can I participate in more than one ensemble?
Many Calvin students participate in two or more ensembles a semester and, in spite of the time requirement, consider ensemble participation re-creative (and a good stress-reliever!) and not a burden to their other coursework. However, please think carefully about how much time you would like to dedicate to ensemble rehearsals each week and plan your schedule accordingly. If you have questions or need advice on picking an ensemble, please contact the Music Office.
Auditioning for a Calvin Ensemble
Choirs at Calvin
To audition for Campus Choir, Capella, Oratorio Society, or Women's Chorale:
- Please prepare a verse (melody line) from one of the following hymns:
- All Creatures of Our God and King (LASST UNS ERFREUEN)
- I Will Exalt My God and King (JERUSALEM)
- O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High (DEO GRACIAS)Please bring two copies of the hymn along to your audition (one for you and one for the professor) If you need a copy of one of these hymns, please email the Music Office.
- You will not need an accompanist.
- The audition will consist of vocalizations, sight reading, tonal memory, and the prepared hymn verse.
- If you have indicated an interest in voice lessons, this audition will also serve as your placement for a voice teacher.
Please note: The Calvin Gospel Choir does not require an audition. If you are interested in participating in this group, please add Musc 182 to your class schedule when you meet with your Passport advisor.
Bands at Calvin
To audition for Calvin Band or Knollcrest Band:
- Prepared piece: solo (sonata, concerto, etc.) and/or etudes. Must reflect contrasting musical styles. Recommended length is 4-6 minutes.
- Sight-reading
- Bring your own instrument unless you have made arrangements to borrow one of our department instruments
- You will not need an accompanist for your audition.
Audition Procedures: Please read the Band audition procedure and contact conductor Dr. Tiffany Engle if you have any questions.
Jazz at Calvin
To audition for the Calvin Jazz Band
Auditions for the Jazz Band take place in the fall, right before the start of the fall semester. When you register at your Passport orientation session, be sure to keep room in your schedule for the Jazz Band rehearsals which are on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 pm. For the audition, you should:
- prepare scales up to 4 flats and 2 sharps
- sight read a piece
- play a blues solo in the key of either F of Bb concert
Please watch for emails and signs when you arrive this fall about the exact days and times for auditions. If you would like more information about the Jazz Band, please check out the Jazz Band website.
Orchestra at Calvin
To audition for the Calvin Orchestra:
- Please have excerpts from two contrasting pieces prepared to play.
- Scale and sight-reading
- Bring your own instrument unless you have made arrangements to borrow one of our department instruments.
- You will not need an accompanist.
Audition Procedures: Please read the Calvin Orchestra Audition Procedure and contact Professor Nordling if you have any questions.
Music Theory Placement Test
Students who are planning to major or minor in music will be scheduled to take a Music Theory Placement Test during their Passport orientation. This test will cover music knowledge and skills that you are expected to have before taking Music Theory I (MUSC 108), a course needed by all music majors and minors. Any students who do not pass this entrance exam will be asked to take the Music Theory Fundamentals (MUSC 100, a 2-credit course) during the fall semester to prepare them for MUSC 108. Click here for a list of skills covered on this placement test. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Benita Wolters-Fredlund.