Department of Music

Ensembles

Symphony Orchestra

The Towson University Symphony Orchestra is comprised of talented, enthusiastic and dedicated students from the university. Most of its members are Music Majors and are focusing their academic work on Music Education, Performance or Composition. A few positions, usually in the string section, are held by non-majors. All members join the orchestra through an audition process.

The orchestra performs one major on-campus concert per semester, as well as additional special performances both on campus and in the greater community. We frequently collaborate with guest artists such as Phil Munds (Prin. French Horn in the Baltimore Symphony), faculty soloists, the Towson University Chamber Singers, and the Towson University Jazz Orchestra to name a few. Highlights of concerts in the community include a performance at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC and a tour to New York City!

Audition Information for Spring 2013

Who Should Audition

All new coming string players and any string players who wish to sit in the front desk (first two chairs) of each section must audition. Also, all wind, brass, and percussion players must audition.

When Are Auditions

Auditions will be held on February 3, 2012. A sign-up form will be posted on Professor Mills's office door (Center for the Arts 2108) during the first week of the semester where you can sign up for auditions.

What Should I Prepare for Auditions

Please be prepared to play all major scales, ascending and descending. You should also prepare the following excerpts given for your instrument. All of the music for the following excerpts may be found online under the following links (then click on "parts" listed in the scores section, if you have any trouble finding your part, please send an email at lmills@towson.edu)

Beethoven Symphony No. 1
http://imslp.org/wiki/Symphony_No.1,_Op.21_%28Beethoven,_Ludwig_van%29

Beethoven Symphony No. 3
http://imslp.org/wiki/Symphony_No.3,_Op.55_%28Beethoven,_Ludwig_van%29

Violin
Beethoven Symphony No. 1, Mvt. IV, meas. 6-46
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, Mvt II, meas 1-27

Viola
Beethoven Symphony No. 1, Mvt II, meas 7-26
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, Mvt I, meas. 1-83

Cello
Beethoven Symphony No. 1, Mvt I, meas. 77-100
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, Mvt II meas. 69 (Maggiore) - 105 (Minore)

Bass
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, Mvt II, meas. 1-27
Beethoven Symphony No. 1, Mvt IV, meas. 54-95 (first ending)

Flute
Beethoven Symphony No. 1, Mvt II, meas 13 (w/pickup) - 64
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, Mvt II, meas 116-180 (you can skip over long rests)

Oboe
Beethoven Symphony No. 1, Mvt III, meas. 44-103 (no repeat)
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, Mvt III, meas 7-28

Clarinet
Beethoven Symphony No. 1, Mvt I, meas. 1-13
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, Mvt I, meas. 13-60

Bassoon
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, Mvt I, meas. 294-333
Beethoven Symphony No. 1, Mvt II, meas. 10-53

Horn
Beethoven Symphony No. 1, Mvt. II, meas.146-170(both horn 1 and horn 3 part) Beethoven Symphony No. 3, Mvt I, meas. 217-239

Trumpet
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, Mvt I, meas. 430-450
Beethoven Symphony No. 1, Mvt IV, meas 29-54

Trombone
Ravel Bolero, three measures after [10] to [11] (please email me for part)

Bass Trombone
Please email me for excerpts - lmills@towson.edu

Timpani
Beethoven, Symphony No. 3, Mvt II, pick up to meas. 199-209, 223-end
Beethoven, Symphony No. 3, Mvt I, meas. 430-450

Highlights of Recent Performances

Symphonic Works

Dvorak Mendelssohn Beethoven Schubert  Haydn

Symphony No. 9 in e minor, op. 95 (From the New World) Symphony No. 4 in A Major, op. 90 (Italian) Symphony No. 5 in c minor, op. 67 Symphony No. 8 in b minor, D. 759 (Unfinished) Symphony No. 101 in D Major (The Clock)

Concerti

Mozart Beethoven Tchaikovsky David, F Vivaldi Chopin

Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat Major, K. 447 Triple Concerto in C Major, op. 56 Violin Concerto in D Major, op. 35 Concertino No. 4 in E-flat Major for Trombone, op. 4 Concerto in g minor for Two Cellos, RV 531 Concerto No 2 in f minor for Piano, op. 21

 

Overtures

Rossini Bernstein Mozart Rimsky-Korsakov Brahms Schubert Borodin Weber

William Tell Overture Candide Overture Overture to The Magic Flute, K. 620 Overture to The Czar’s Bride Academic Festival Overture Rosemunde Overture Prince Igor Overture Overture to Silvana

 

World Premiers

Nagle, Jody

A Ride Through the Nebula

 

Modern Premier

Mendez, Raphael

Romanza

 

Collaborations

Beethoven Ellington, Duke Schubert

Choral Fantasy, Op. 80 Night Creatures Mass in G

Additional Works

Bizet Copland Chabrier Sibelius Vaughan Williams

Carmen Suites 1 & 2 Four Dance Episodes Espana Karelia Suite Fantasia on Greensleeves

 

Department of Music
Center for the Arts, Room # 3095 (map)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Phone: 410-704-2839
Fax: 410-704-2841