How to Audition for GC Music Ensembles — NEW for Spring 2023!
Ensemble Audition Information
Information updated Thurs. January 5, 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.
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 25, 2022
ARE YOU JOINING CHOIR FOR SPRING 2023? — Full information and virtual audition sign-up form
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 “If ye love me” by Thomas Tallis (sing up to the word “comforter”… we’ll have a copy of the score at the audition for you). Scott will be playing the accompaniment as you sing your part. Please note: Chamber Choir will be touring over spring break!
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.
Auditions will take place in Rieth Recital Hall in the Goshen College Music Center on Wednesday, January 11 (the first day of classes)
IMPORTANT: If you are unable to attend your audition in person because of being in quarantine or isolation, please contact Scott Hochstetler at scottmh@goshen.edu and use the following Zoom link (provided you are well enough to sing): https://zoom.us/j/93152328516
Audition Procedure
- Please sign up for one (1) time slot here.
- 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 |
| Tuesday 4-5 pm and Wednesday 4-5:30 pm | Tuesday 5-6 pm and Friday 4-5:30 pm |
Symphony Orchestra
Victoria Petrak, conductor
Updated: Thurs. January 4, 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 MC 205 – Brian Mast’s studio, Music Center 2nd floor (Wednesday 8.31, Thursday, 9.1). 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 Brian 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
To sign up for an audition, please email director Victoria Petrak — tori.petrak@gmail.com
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 Tues. August 23, 2022
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 on Monday, August 29 and Tuesday, August 30. 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
Rehearses Tuesdays, 12:30-1:45 pm, MC150
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 12:30-1:45.
Want to try it out? Come to our first class on 8/30/22 at 12:30 in MC 150, no need to enroll first! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at mjdetweiler@goshen.edu