Schedule your 2023-24 audition
Welcome!
2023-2024 Auditions
The Cornell Wind Symphony (Music 3631, 1 credit) is an auditioned ensemble open to all members of the Cornell campus community. The ensemble typically includes 60-65 members ranging from first-year to doctoral candidates, and most students have majors other than music.
The Wind Symphony rehearses on Monday (4:45-6:25pm) and Wednesday (4:45-6:45pm) in Lincoln Hall and performs two concerts each semester. Click the Performances tab to view concert dates, repertoire, and 2023-2024 highlights!
Wind Symphony and Orchestra auditions are held concurrently and use the same audition excerpts. Following are instructions, signup forms, and required musical excerpts.
If you wish to be considered only for either the Wind Symphony or the Orchestra (or both), register on this page or the orchestra website and prepare the following excerpts.
If you do not have an ensemble preference, register here, and we’ll take care of the rest.
The Wind Symphony will also have openings for double bass, piano and harp.
There is no dress code for auditions.
Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare, and please don’t stress about it. We strive to make auditions simple, straightforward, and, hopefully, fun! If you have any questions, please contact James Spinazzola, jms862@cornell.edu.
All auditions will be held in Lincoln Hall B20. It is a large rehearsal room, and there will be ample distance between players and panelists.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
James Spinazzola, DMA
Director of Winds
Barbara & Richard T. Silver '50, MD '53 Associate Professor of Music
1) Complete the following information form
2) Find your audition group
Thursday, August 17
4:00-5:30pm - Piano and Harp
Friday, August 18
10:00am-1:00pm - Low Brass (trombones, euphoniums, tubas)
1:30-3:30pm - Trumpets
3:30-6:00pm - Horns
6:30-8:30pm - Percussion
Saturday, August 19
9:30-11:30am - Saxophones
12:00-3:00pm - Flutes & piccolo
3:30-6:30pm - Clarinets (includes bass)
7:00-8:30pm - Oboes and bassoons
8:30-10:00pm - Conflicts and overflow (all instruments)
Sunday, August 20
12:00-3:30pm - Conflicts and overflow (all instruments)
Audition results posted on this page and via email no later than 6pm
Monday, August 21
4:45-6:25pm - First rehearsal! (Lincoln Hall B20)
Friday, August 25
4:30pm - Welcome picnic on the Arts Quad
3) Schedule your audition
Click the following button to book your audition.
Make every effort to sign up in your instrument group. If you are unable to do so, book a “conflict and overflow” time.
4) Prepare the required music
Woodwinds and Brass
Prepare the required excerpts and the following scales.
Woodwinds: A chromatic scale, slurred, through your full comfortable range; and three major scales of your choice in at least 2 octaves, 3 if possible. (Any tempo and style are fine.)
Flutes: If you wish to audition for both flute and piccolo, sign up for only one audition slot and bring both instruments.
Brass: Three major scales of your choice in at least 2 octaves, 3 if possible. (Any tempo and style are fine.)
Double Bass, Piano, & Harp
Prepare the required excerpts.
Piano: Prepare an additional selection of your choice (3 minutes or less).
Percussion
Cornell percussion instruments will be available for individual practice beginning with the first day of new student orientation. After signing up for your audition, you will receive an email with details. Please contact Dr. James Spinazzola (jms862@cornell.edu) if you have any questions.
If you wish to play percussion but are not comfortable with the required instruments (snare drum, xylophone, and timpani), simply write auxiliary on the “secondary instrument” line of the audition information form. You could potentially be assigned to important auxiliary parts, including bass drum, cymbals, triangle, etc.
Required Audition Excerpts
Flute, excerpt 1
Flute, excerpt 2
Flute, excerpt 3
Oboe, excerpt 1
Oboe, excerpt 2
Clarinet, excerpt 1
Clarinet, excerpt 2
Clarinet, excerpt 3
Bassoon, excerpt 1
Bassoon, excerpt 2
Saxophone, excerpt 1
Saxophone, excerpt 2
Horn, excerpt 1
Horn, excerpt 2
Horn, excerpts 3 & 4
Trumpet, excerpt 1 (George Gershwin: Cuban Overture)
Trumpet, excerpts 2 & 3
Trombone, excerpts 1-3
Trombone, excerpt 4
Euphonium, excerpt 1
Euphonium, excerpt 2
Tuba, excerpt 1
Tuba, excerpt 2
Double bass: Please download the excerpts from the orchestra website.
Piano, excerpts 1 & 2
Piano, excerpt 3
Harp, excerpt 1
Harp, excerpt 2
Harp, excerpt 3
Percussion excerpts (snare drum, xylophone, & timpani)
You are strongly encouraged to listen to at least one quality recording before practicing the excerpts.