How to Audition for GC Music Ensembles — NEW for Fall 2023-24!

Ensemble Audition Information

Information updated Tues. August 22, 2023

Goshen College music ensembles (Choirs, Symphony Orchestra, Lavender Jazz) are open by audition to any GC student, regardless of major.  Auditions will be held in person in the GC Music Center — Please sign up for an audition time online by following the links in the appropriate ensemble section. See QR code in MC lobby or below. 

Below are listed requirements and procedures to audition for each music ensemble. Additional information will be added as it is made available.

FIRST YEAR STUDENTS will have their own choral/orchestral audition dates/times on Wed. Aug. 23 and Fri. Aug. 25. See Welcome Week schedule for more information.


QUICK LINKS (click to jump)

Choirs | Symphony Orchestra | Lavender Jazz | Steel Drum Ensemble


Choirs (Chamber Choir, Vox Profundi, Voices of the Earth)

Profs. Scott Hochstetler and Roz Woll
Updated: Thurs. August 17, 2023

Auditions will take place in RIETH RECITAL HALL in the Goshen College Music Center during the first week of classes (Mon. August 28 – Fri. September 1)

Do you love to sing? Join the Goshen College Choirs! We are interested in expanding the choirs, welcoming singers with varied musical backgrounds and strengths, and fostering musical community through group singing. We have three choirs: Voices of the Earth focuses on SSAA songs from world music traditions, Vox Profundi focuses on sacred a cappella TTBB songs, and the Chamber Choir focuses on SATB music from throughout history. All members of the Chamber Choir also sing in either Voices of the Earth or Vox Profundi. All three choirs sing a wide variety of music from many cultures and styles, and this breadth of music is one of the hallmarks of the GC choral program.

To join Voices of the Earth or Vox Profundi, make an appointment below to audition with both directors (Scott Hochstetler and H. Roz Woll) so we can get to know you and your voice! Bring any song you enjoy singing! We mean, ANY: rock song, lullaby, Broadway song, classical song, hymn, worship song, pop song, any song from voice lessons, Happy Birthday, really….ANYTHING!). You may choose to sing it a cappella, or with an accompaniment (if using accompaniment, please bring recording or sheet music). So that we can place you in the most comfortable section, we’ll also check your range, have you sing back some patterns that we play on the piano, and have you do a little sight-reading. It’s painless. PAINLESS. And everyone leaves smiling! For realz. Come get your music fix!

To also join Chamber Choir, in addition to the above, please prepare your part for the first page of “Os Justi” by Anton Bruckner. If you are unsure of which part to sing, just pick whatever feels best in your voice. The score is here (we’ll have a copy at the audition for you). Scott will be playing the accompaniment as you sing your part. A pronunciation recording of the Latin is here. This is the college’s premier mixed-voice choir and includes high-level choral students from all majors. Students need to be enrolled in either the treble choir (Voices of the Earth) or low voice choir (Vox Profundi) in order to participate in chamber choir. If you are interested in auditioning, sign up for a slot below.

Those auditioning for both Voices or Vox Profundi AND Chamber Choir only need to sign up for one slot.

Music Scholarship/Ensemble Grant Note

Anyone on a music scholarship or ensemble grant for voice MUST audition for Voices/Vox AND Chamber Choir, and, if selected, must participate. Anyone on a piano scholarship is required to be in an ensemble (Voices/Vox, orchestra or jazz band) and strongly encouraged to audition for Chamber Choir if auditioning for Voices/Vox.

Audition Procedure

  1. Please sign up for one (1) time slot here. 
  2. Please fill out this Google Form PRIOR to your audition:  Choir Info Form (Do this right away so you don’t forget, like RIGHT NOW)

Rehearsals (note the new days/times!)

Vox Profundi & Voices of the Earth Chamber Choir
Mondays 4-5 p.m. & Wednesdays 4-5:30 p.m. Mondays 5-6 p.m. & Fridays 4-5:30 p.m.

 


Symphony Orchestra

Richard Brunson, conductor
Updated: Wed. August 16, 2023

The main purpose of individual auditions  for the GC Symphony Orchestra is to give the conductor a chance to meet with each individual for the following purposes:

  • To learn more about each musician’s (new and returning) interests and goals for their participation in the orchestra, i.e. are you a Music Major planning on further musical study or you have another major and you participate because you enjoy collective music making. (Both great reasons to be a part of the orchestra!)
  • To learn what each musician’s musical background is, i.e. how many years have you played, have you taken private lessons, what other instruments do you play etc.
  • To hear each musician play their instrument to understand where they might best contribute to the ensemble.

Procedure

Auditions will be held in Professor Brunson’s studio, Music Center 218.  Please sign up for a slot on the Google sheet shared here and in the announcement.  If there are no slots available that fit your schedule, please email Richard to arrange another time.  Please arrive promptly for your audition and have your instrument unpacked and ready to play as there are only 10 minute per slot.  Feel free to tune and warm up in a practice room and then bring your instrument and music over at your audition time

Requirements

I would like to hear each musician play the following:

  • 2-3 octave scale of your choice.  I may ask for several different rhythmic patterns, articulations,  or tempos, i.e  quarter, 2 eighths, triplets etc.
  • A short solo of your choice.  This could be something that you have prepared for a recital or played in church, or it could be a hymn or other orchestral part you have played.
  • Some basic sight reading from music that we will perform this fall.

This is not meant to be a stressful audition.  The goal is to find a place for everyone to contribute to the ensemble as we all work toward a common goal.


Lavender Jazz

Greg Smucker, director
Updated August 22, 2023

Auditions are open to saxophone, trombone, trumpet, piano, guitar, drum set and vibes. Other instrumentalists with experience in jazz and/or improvisation are welcome to audition. In-person, socially-distant auditions will take place in Music Center 150 Wednesday-Friday Aug. 23-25, Monday, Aug. 28, and Tuesday, Aug. 29.. If you are not able to audition in one of the listed time slots, email Greg Smucker to arrange an audition time.

Click here to sign up for an audition time slot!

Audition requirements

Winds

  • Two octave scale – your choice of key (demonstrate range and tone)
  • Two – three minute selection of your choice – jazz tune, hymn, or melodic etude
  • Sight reading

Bass, guitar, vibes and piano

  • Two octave scale – your choice of key
  • Two – three minute selection of your choice – jazz tune or hymn
  • Sight reading – both note reading and chord progression

Drum Set

  • Demonstrate swing pattern
    • Various tempos slow, medium, fast
    • with brushes
  • Demonstrate Bossa Nova pattern
  • Demonstrate Rock pattern
  • Solo demonstration i.e. swing pattern for 4 bars
  • Sight reading

Steel Drum Ensemble

Micah Detweiler, director
Info updated Thurs. August 17, 2023

The Goshen College Steel Drum Ensemble is an opportunity for students to play one of the most unique musical instruments in the world, with no experience required!

The steel pan is an instrument from Trinidad and Tobago with an incredible sound and a fascinating history. You can learn about it and how to play it in Steel Band!

Steel Band (MUS 259) is open to all students and can be taken for 1 or 0 credits. The class meets on Tuesdays from 2:00-3:15 p.m.

Want to try it out? Come to our first class on 8/29/23 at 2:00 pm in MC 150, no need to enroll first! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at mjdetweiler@goshen.edu