The Department of Music at Towson University has a variety of ensembles including a symphony orchestra, a symphonic band, several choirs, a “Music for the Stage” program, jazz ensembles, and small instrumental ensembles. Audition information for Fall 2021 is below.
Choral ensembles are in person and you are invited to join one of them. There is no need to be a music major or minor to sing with us. Each ensemble is comprised of an enthusiastic and passionate community of singers who appreciate the art of choral singing. The repertoire will be challenging, diverse and fun. We strongly encourage you to join and participate in one of the wonderful Towson University choirs.
If you are considering singing with us, please sign up for an audition time:
Preparing for the auditions: Choose something with which you feel comfortable singing. It can be a hymn, a folk song or your voice part from a choral piece. Please bring an extra copy of the music for the accompanist.
Class Schedule:
University Chorale meets Tuesday and Thursday from 2-3:15pm - MUSA 251/451/651
Women's Chorus meets Monday and Wednesday from 2-3:15pm - MUSA 252/452/652
Men's Chorus meets Monday and Wednesday from 2-3:15pm - MUSA 252/452/652. Please contact the director of Men's Chorus Prof. Stephen Holmes.
*Choral Society (non-auditioned) - Monday from 7-9:40pm - MUSA 151/351/651
If you are not a student and want to sing, consider joining Choral Society. There is no need to audition and everyone is welcome to participate. You will receive more information about repertoire and concert dates during audition week.
For more information, please contact Dr. Diana Sáez.
Auditions for both ensembles will take place in Dr. Cicconi's office, in person, which is room CA 3089. You can sign up for a time RIGHT NOW on this google sheet.
Auditions will take place on Monday January 31st, Tuesday, February 1st, Wednesday, February 2nd and Thursday, February 3rd. The first rehearsals will take place the second week of classes, the week of February 7th for Wind Ensemble, 8th for Symphony Orchestra, and 9th for Symphonic Band.
Wind Ensemble meets MW 3:30pm-5:20pm (different from fall), Symphony Orchestra meets TTh 3:30pm-5:20pm (same as fall), and Symphonic Band meets W 7:00pm-9:00pm (for now, all band students should register for the MW section of symphonic band, then change if necessary after auditions). Please be sure to SIGN UP and REGISTER for the ensembles. If you need authorizations still please let Dr. Cicconi know.
During the audition process (blind auditions) you will be asked to play the attached excerpts in the dropbox link below. Please find your particular instrument, download the file, and prepare the selection. You only need to prepare for selections that are within the brackets. Please note, your excerpts may be over a span of 1-3 pages (play at the most comfortable speed), be sure to download them all but only play the excerpts within the brackets. The AUDITION MUSIC is taken from TWO pieces. All of the WIND music (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba) will be taken from Symphony No. 3 by Kozhenvikov; all of the STRING music (Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass) will be taken from Symphony No. 2 by Beethoven; and various percussion excerpts will be provided by Dr. Humphreys. If you would like to listen to your excerpts, they can be found on this playlist.
Please sign up for the class, band and/or orchestra as soon as possible. If you need to be authorized, please let Dr. Cicconi know immediately.
STRING PLAYERS: All string players will be played in the symphony orchestra. The audition will simply help me to find your seating placements.
The repertoire for this semester is some of the very best yet, so, please consider playing again. It is going to be AWESOME.
All 3 groups have several exciting performances over the course of the semester and I cannot wait to work with you all again. I look forward to a terrific semester of music making and am proud and humbled, as always to be your director! DrC
Dropbox Link to Audition Music
Spotify Playlist of Audition Music
Concerts:
Wednesday, March 16th at 8:00pm, Mid-Semester Showcase (Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble,
and Orchestra)
Saturday, March 19th at 12:00pm, Music for All Showcase (Wind Ensemble)
March TBA Chamber Music Concert
Saturday, April 9th at 7:00pm, PRISM Concert (Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Orchestra)
Friday, April 29th at 3:30pm, Dress Rehearsal (Symphony Orchestra)
Saturday, April 30th at 5:00pm, Honor Orchestra Festival (Symphony Orchestra)
Sunday, May 1st at 3:00pm, Concert (Symphony Orchestra)
Wednesday, May 4th at 7:00pm, Dress Rehearsal (Wind Ensemble)
Thursday, May 5th at 8:00pm, Concert (Wind Ensemble)
April/May Symphonic Band TBA
Anyone interested in auditioning for the TU Jazz Orchestra, or who would like more information, please contact either Jim McFalls (mjim AT_TOWSON) or Dave Ballou (dballou AT_TOWSON) directly.
Non-Major?
Our large ensemble recruitment scholarship program is designed to recruit non-music majors to participate in Jazz Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra and the TU Choirs.