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 Spring 2020 is below.
You are invited to join one of the first-rate choirs at Towson:
There is no need to be a music major or minor, to sing with us. You only need previous choral experience and a love for singing. The repertoire will be challenging, diverse and fun. Consider joining and participating this semester!
For more information, please contact Dr. Diana Sáez at .
Preparing for the auditions:
If you are a music major, prepare a song you know well that shows off your voice. Bring an extra copy for the accompanist. If not, choose something with which you feel comfortable (a hymn, a folk song or your voice part from a choral piece). Auditions take place in Dr. Sáez’s office (CA 2099).
Class Schedule:
University Chorale meets Tuesday and Thursday from 2-3:15pm. – MUSA 251/451/651.001
Women’s Chorus meets Monday and Wednesday from 2-3:15pm. – MUSA 252/452/652.001
Men’s Chorus (Stephen Holmes, director) meets Monday and Wednesday from 2:00-3:15 pm. – MUSA 252/452/652.002
Choral Society (non-auditioned) – Monday from 7-9:40pm – MUSA 151/351/651.101
All rehearsals are held in CA 3069. The final performance for the TU Chorale, Women’s and Men’s Choruses will be on Sunday, May 3rd at 3:00 pm. Other performances and commitments will be announced during the first rehearsal.
Choral Society
Faculty, Students and Staff are welcome to join Choral Society, a non-auditioned-community choir at Towson University, to perform one of the 20th century musical masterpieces, Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, in a version for two pianos and percussion ensemble.
Rehearsals:
Mondays 7-9:30pm
Room CA 3069
Performance: Saturday, May 9 at 7:00pm at Kaplan Auditorium
Don't miss this opportunity to sing with your university colleagues in a friendly and fun environment. For more information please contact Dr. Diana V. Sáez at dsaez AT_TOWSON.
1. Auditions for both ensembles will take place in Dr. Cicconi's, as usual, which is room CA 3089. You can sign up for a time on my door. The sheets will be there starting January 8th.
2. Auditions will take place on Monday January 27th, Tuesday January 28th, Wednesday January 29th, and Thursday, January 30th. The first rehearsals will take place the second week of classes, the week of February 3rd.
3. Symphonic Band meets MW 3:30pm - 5:20pm and Symphony Orchestra meets TTh 3:30pm - 5:20pm (which is the same time as last semester for orchestra, band is different).
4. During the audition process you will be asked to play the attached excepts in the dropbox link below. Please find your particular instrument, download the file, and prepare the selection. You only need to prepare the selections that are within the brackets. Please note, your excerpts may be over a span of 1-4 pages, be sure to download them all. The AUDITION MUSIC is taken from a few pieces. The pieces are 4 Scottish Dances by Malcolm Arnold (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Tenor and Bari Saxophone, Euphonium, Tuba), Liturgical Fanfares by Tomasi (Trumpet, Hown, Trombone), The Universal Judgement by De Nardis (Euphonium, Tuba), Symphony No. 1 by Gustav Mahler (Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass), and various percussion excerpts as provided by Dr. Humphreys.
5. If you are interested in playing for the opera “Pirates of Penzance”, this audition for band/orchestra will also act as your audition for the pit of that opera (I will be conducting this as well).
6. Please sign up for the class, band and/or orchestra as soon as possible.
The repertoire for this semester is some of the best yet, so, please consider playing again. It is going to be AWESOME. I can tell you BOTH ensembles will be doing a major symphony written for their genre, but, for the first time, the full list of repertoire will be announced after the break.
Both groups have numbers 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, as always, to be your director!
Dropbox Link to Audition Music
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.