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PASSPORT Music Auditions

Welcome to the Department of Music at Calvin and PASSPORT music auditions. If you are an incoming student (first-year or transfer student) and are interested in performing with one of Calvin's ten music ensembles, you will want to make sure to register for a music audition during your PASSPORT orientation session this summer.

When you arrive on campus for PASSPORT 2012, you will receive a schedule, including the exact date, time, and place of your audition. 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 when you registered for PASSPORT, or if you can't remember if you did, please contact the Music Office to be sure that you're on the list.

You will receive correspondence from the music department regarding your PASSPORT audition before you arrive on campus so make sure you check you check your mailbox and email often.

Auditions

Choirs at Calvin

To audition for Campus Choir, Capella, Oratorio Society, or Womens' Chorale please prepare a verse (melody line) from one of the following hymns:

Please bring two copies of the hymn along to your audition (one for you and one for the professor).

The audition will consist of:

Vocalizations
Sight reading
Tonal memory
Prepared hymn verse

Please note the following:

You will not need an accompanist.
If you have indicated an interest in voice lessons, this audition will also serve as your placement for a voice teacher.
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.
Chorale Audition Forms will be available when you check-in for your audition. If you would like to complete your form prior to your arrival on campus, please download the attached Choral Audition Form and bring it with you.

Bands at Calvin

To audition for Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band:

Prepared piece: solo (sonata, concerto, etc.) and/or etudes. Must reflect contrasting musical styles. Recommended length is 4-6 minutes.
Sight-reading

Please note:

Bring your own instrument unless you have made arrangements to borrow one of our department instruments.
You will not need an accompanist.
Band Audition Forms will be available when you check-in for your audition. If you would like to complete your form prior to your arrival on campus, please download the attached Band Audition Form and bring it with you.
Audition Procedures: Please read the band audition procedure and contact conductor Dr. Tiffany Engle if you have any questions.

Orchestra at Calvin

To audition for the Calvin Orchestra:

Please have excerpts from two contrasting pieces prepared to play.
Scale and sight-reading.

Please note:

Bring your own instrument unless you have made arrangements to borrow one of our department instruments.
You will not need an accompanist.
Orchestra Audition Forms will be available when you check-in for your audition. If you would like to complete your form prior to your arrival on campus, please download the attached Orchestra Audition Form and bring it with you.
Audition Procedures: Please read the attached Calvin Orchestra Audition Procedure and contact Professor Nordling if you have any questions.

FAQ

Which Ensemble Should I Choose?

Calvin has ten different student ensembles: two concert bands, 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 recreative (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.

Do I have to audition for admission to the music program?

The Music Department does not require a music major audition prior to admission to Calvin. Permission to major in music is granted usually at the end of the first year based on a list of requirements.

What music degrees do you offer?

Calvin offers two music degree programs - Bachelor of Arts (BA) with concentrations in Performance, History, Theory & Composition, or Music in Worship or a Bachelor of Music Education degree (BMEd) with a vocal or instrumental concentration.

Can I participate in ensembles without being a music major?

Whether you plan to major in music or biochemistry, Calvin offers plenty of opportunities to sing or play together with other musicians. All Calvin students may participate in an ensemble or take private lessons.

What can I do with a music major from Calvin?

Alumni of the Calvin Music Department have gone on to do a variety of things in music including further study in graduate school, teaching music, playing in the Grand Rapids Symphony, playing in a bluegrass band, and much more!

Where do music majors go for graduate school?

Calvin Music Department alumni have gone on to study in prestigious music schools such as the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Westminster Choir College, Western Michigan University, and Yale.

Do you offer music scholarships?

Calvin offers scholarships for piano, organ, strings, voice, winds, and percussion. There are also many scholarships available (for returning students) in music in worship, composition, music theater, and education. Auditions for first-year scholarships are held in February.

What kind of music facilities does Calvin have?

Calvin's Fine Arts Center houses well-equiped music classrooms, rehearsal halls (instrumental and choral), teaching studios, practice rooms, a state-of-the-art music theory computer lab and the acoustically outstanding auditorium. Available to students and faculty are one Bosendorfer and five Steinway grand pianos, approximately 20 practice rooms, two harpsichords, six pipe organs, and a valuable collection of string, wind, percussion, and early music instruments. In addition, Calvin's large chamber music library and the Hekman Library, with its large music divisions of the Hekman Library and the Cayvan Recorded Media Center, provide valuable resources for both students and faculty.

Do you have chamber music opportunities?

Calvin has a variety of chamber music opportunities for string, piano, wind, and vocal students. These include string quartets, Collegium Musicum (early music ensemble), Chamber Winds, and more.

What musical opportunities are there in Grand Rapids?

There are a variety of musical opportunities in the Grand Rapids area. Calvin students are involved in worship services at area churches, they teach private lessons, and perform for weddings or special events. In addition, West Michigan has a vital musical community with organizations such as the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Opera Grand Rapids, Bach Chorale, West Shore Symphony Orchestra, and the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band.

May I take trial lessons from faculty members?

We would be happy to set up a trial lesson for you with one of our applied music faculty. Please contact the Music Department to schedule a lesson.

When I come to visit Calvin, may I observe music classes and ensembles?

As part of the Friday's at Calvin program, you will have the opportunity to visit a variety of different classes as well as some of the music ensembles. Observations can also be arranged at other times. Please contact the Music Department or the Admissions Office for more information.