Schedule your 2025-2026 audition

Welcome!

2025-2026 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 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 upcoming concert dates, repertoire, and Fall 2025 highlights!

Wind Symphony and Orchestra auditions are held concurrently. Following are instructions, signup forms, and required musical excerpts.

  • Please don’t worry about playing “perfectly”! Simply do your best.

  • Dress informally and comfortably.

  • Prepare by listening to at least one quality recording of the audition 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 also has openings for double bass, piano and harp.

We strive to make auditions simple, straightforward, and, hopefully, fun!

If you have any questions, contact Professor James Spinazzola, jms862@cornell.edu.

All auditions will be held in Lincoln Hall B20.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

James Spinazzola, DMA
Director of Winds
Barbara & Richard T. Silver Associate Professor of Music
jms862@cornell.edu

1) Complete the following information form

2) Find your audition group

Thursday, August 21

4:00-5:30pm - Piano and Harp

Friday, August 22

10:00am-12:00pm - Low Brass (trombones, euphoniums, tubas)
1:00-3:00pm - Trumpets
3:00-5:00pm - Horns
5:30-7:30pm - Percussion

Saturday, August 23

9:30-11:30am - Saxophones
12:00-3:00pm - Flutes & piccolo
3:30-7:00pm - Clarinets (including bass)
7:30-9:00pm - Oboes and bassoons

Sunday, August 24

12:00-3:30pm - Conflicts and overflow (winds & percussion)
Audition results will be posted on this page and via email no later than 6pm.

Monday, August 25

4:45-6:25pm - First rehearsal! (Lincoln Hall B20)

Friday, August 29

5:00pm - Welcome picnic on the Arts Quad

3) Schedule your audition

Click the following button to book your audition.

Please make every effort to sign up in your instrument group. If you are unable to do so, book a “conflict and overflow” time.

Click to View Volunteer Opportunities on SignUp

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

COMING SOON!

We strongly encourage you to listen to at least one quality recording before practicing the excerpts.