Large Ensemble Audition
The Orchestral Large Ensemble Audition covers the following ensembles:
- McGill Symphony Orchestra
- CME (Contemporary Music Ensemble)
- McGill Wind Orchestra
- String Quartet Seminar
- Small Ensembles (Chamber Music)
Violin, Viola, Cello: The placement audition for large ensembles is mandatory for all new students (Undergraduate and Graduate, except D.Mus.), including former students who are returning for a new degree. All other violin, viola and cello students need to take the audition only if they want to be considered for principal positions.
Double Bass: The placement audition for large ensembles is mandatory for all double bass students, new and returning. (Undergraduate and Graduate, except D.Mus.).
Brass, Woodwinds and Percussion: : The placement audition for large ensembles is mandatory for all brass, woodwind and percussion students, new and returning. (Undergraduate and Graduate, except D.Mus.)
All music students will receive an email with instructions for accessing the audition excerpts in early to mid-June. If you are not a music student, or do not receive this email by June 25, please contact the Ensemble Resource Office to obtain the information.
Questions or concerns? Contact the ensembles.music [at] mcgill.ca (Ensemble Resource Office).
​Fall 2024 instrumental ensemble placement audition schedule*:
*Please complete the Large Ensemble Placement form:- This form is required for all students that plan to participate in a large ensemble fall and/or winter term, even if you are exempt from the audition. You will be assigned randomly to an approximate time slot prior to the audition (there is no in-person number draw), so it is imperative that you complete this form, no later than 12pm on Thursday, August 22nd.
• All auditions are blind auditions. Approximately 48 hours prior to your audition, you will receive an approximate audition time via email, as well as a time to check into the warmup room. This schedule will also be available in your warmup room on the day of your audition, as well as outside room E-202. Make sure you check your email regularly for more information.
*If you are not able to attend the live audition, please contact the ensemble office as soon as possible to receive instructions for recorded auditions. In order to submit a recorded audition, you must provide a valid reason for your absence and have it approved by your department.
| Instrument | Date | Audition Start Time | Audition Room | Warmup Room |
| Horn | Monday, Aug 26 | 10:00am | Tanna | C-204 |
| Oboe | Monday, Aug 26 | 10:30am | C310 | C-304 |
| Violin | Monday, Aug 26 | 11:00am | Clara | C-201 |
| Clarinet | Monday, Aug 26 | 12:30pm | C310 | C-304 |
| Trombone | Monday, Aug 26 | 1:00pm | Tanna | C-204 |
| Tuba/Euphonium | Monday, Aug 26 | 3:30pm | Tanna | C-204 |
| Viola | Tuesday, Aug 27 | 10:30am | Clara | C-201 |
| Flute | Tuesday, Aug 27 | 11:00am | C-310 | C-304 |
| Trumpet | Tuesday, Aug 27 | 12:00pm | Tanna | C-204 |
| Percussion | Tuesday, Aug 27 | 1:30pm | E-109 | None |
| Bassoon | Tuesday, Aug 27 | 2:00pm | Clara | C-201 |
| Saxophone | Tuesday, Aug 27 | 4:15pm | Clara | C-201 |
| Cello | Thursday, Aug 29 | 5:00pm | Clara | C-204 |
| Double Bass | Friday, Aug 30 | 10:00am | C-301 | C-302 |
Small Ensemble Audition
All orchestral instrumental students are required to do an assigned small ensemble (chamber music) in addition to a large ensemble. Degree requirements and assignment procedure vary for Strings/Woodwind/Brass Areas.
Policy:
Woodwind & Brass small-ensemble assignments are based on large-ensemble audition results. Strings Chamber Music has a separate coordination process (please read the Strings/Mixed Chamber Music Policy above). There will be more information given during student orientation. Procedures will be explained, questions answered and initiatives announced.
Small Ensembles (Chamber Music) Credits are restricted to students enrolled in performance programs in the Faculty of Music unless special permission has been granted by the relevant coordinator.
Coordinators:
- Strings/Mixed Chamber Music Coordinator: marina.thibeault [at] mcgill.ca (Prof. Marina Thibeault )
- Woodwind Chamber Music Coordinator: jacqueline.leclair [at] mcgill.ca (Prof. Jacqueline LeClair)
- Brass Chamber Music Coordinator: richard.stoelzel [at] mcgill.ca (Richard Stoelzel )
Early Music Ensemble Audition
This audition is for participation in:
Early Music Ensemble (EME)
Baroque Orchestra
- Baroque Orchestra: Early Music majors are expected to play in the group. Minors and non-majors should contact Professor Bandy (link to dorian.bandy [at] mcgill.ca) if they are interested in participating and arrange for an audition with him directly.
- Early Music Ensemble (Instrumental): All interested students are required to audition, even if they have participated in the ensembles before.
- All students must fill out the early music ensemble placement form, even if not required to audition.
Audition Material:
- Prepare one selection from the Baroque period or earlier.
- Please bring your own accompanist. Â Harpsichord and piano will be available.
- Sight reading may be given.
Audition Time/Date:
- Tuesday, August 27th, 10am-2pm in room C-413
- Arrive 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
- Sign up for
* Please note you will be able to register for MUEN 580 once you receive the CRN (Course Registration Number) for the small ensemble you have been assigned to. Once you receive your CRN, you will be able to find the correct small ensemble on Minerva so you can register. You must register for the right CRN for your small ensemble before the add/drop deadline.
Beethoven Orchestra
This audition is for participation in:
BEETHOVEN ORCHESTRA
This ensemble is open to Non-Music students.
Audition Instructions:
- Non- music students need to audition with the professor prior to the first class meeting.
- Music students do not need to play an audition.
Audition Material:
- A short piece demonstrating your abilities on your instrument
- Excerpts from Haydn Symphony No. 101 (Can be found on IMSLP)
- Sight reading of a short orchestral excerpt on your respective instrument
Audition Date/Time:
- Friday, September 6th in room C-302 between 2:00-4:00pm (email the Ensemble Office to confirm you will attend)
- Please come to this room during this time frame and Professor Hauser will hear students as they arrive.
Please direct questions regarding the Beethoven Orchestra auditions to the Ensemble Office:Â ensembles.music [at] mcgill.ca
Sonata Class Audition
This audition is for participation in:
Who is eligible to audition:
Non-pianists Performance Majors interested in taking the Sonata Class taught by Profs. Kyoko Hashimoto and Violaine Melançon, on Tuesdays 5pm-7pm in C-209 (Clara Hall). Note that only four non-pianists per term will be chosen to participate in the course.
Audition Instructions:
Please write to violaine.melancon [at] Mcgill.ca (Professor Melancon) to be given a 10-minute audition slot. This applies to ALL students interested, even those who have participated in the class previously. As only four non-pianists per term will be selected, please indicate if you have a preference for participation in the Fall or Winter term. The final audition schedule will be communicated after August 17th, one week prior to the audition.
Auditionees may make their own arrangements with a pianist of their choice, or contact Félix Marquis (contact violaine.melancon [at] mcgill.ca (Professor Melancon) to obtain his contact information) as soon as possible as a courtesy to them, and to set up a rehearsal and ensure that you are adequately prepared.
Audition Material
One piece or one movement of a piece for unaccompanied instrument (i.e. written without a piano part), and one movement of a sonata. No exceptions will be made.
Audition Date/Time:
Saturday August 24th, 2024, between 1 pm and approximately 6 pm in Clara Hall (C-209). Please indicate any schedule conflict you may have for the day of the audition in your initial email.
In the event your participation in the live auditions is absolutely physically impossible because of travel plans, you may send a link to a good-quality recorded video containing the required audition repertoire to violaine.melancon [at] mcgill.ca (Professor Melancon) by August 21st. Please note that live auditions are far preferable, as we evaluate not only your playing , but your interactive listening skills.
