2026-2027 Auditions
Welcome!
Percussionists from the Wind Symphony & National Concert Band of Cuba
2026-2027 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 Monday (4:45-6:30 p.m) and Wednesday (4:45-6:45 p.m.) in Lincoln Hall and performs two concerts each semester. Click the Performances tab to view upcoming concert dates, repertoire, and previous concert programs. In 2025-2026, the Wind Symphony performed with the world-class reed quintet Splinter Reeds (November) and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Michael Abels(March). Abels is perhaps best known for his soundtracks for the Jordan Peele films Get Out, Us, and Nope.
Our plans for 2026-2027 include an on-campus collaboration with seven-time Grammy-winning composer Maria Schneider and a tour of Spain (currently tentative).
To audition for the Wind Symphony, register on this page and prepare the following excerpts.
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.
In addition to wind and percussion instruments, the Wind Symphony has openings for double bass, piano, and harp.
We strive to make auditions simple, straightforward, and stress-free. If you have any questions, please 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
Friday, August 21 , 2026
Lincoln Hall B20
4:30-5:30 p.m. – Piano and harp
5:30-7:20 p.m. – Percussion
7:20-8:30 p.m. – Conflict and overflow
Saturday, August 22
Lincoln Hall B21
9:30-11:30 a.m. – Saxophones
12:00-3:00 p.m. – Flutes & piccolo
3:30-7:00 p.m. – Clarinets (including bass)
7:30-9:00 p.m. – Oboes and bassoons
Sunday, August 23
Lincoln Hall B20
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Low Brass (trombones, euphoniums, tubas)
1:00-2:30 p.m. – Trumpets
Lincoln Hall B21
2:30-4:30 p.m. – Horns
4:30-5:30 p.m. – Conflict and overflow
Audition results posted by 8 p.m.
Monday, August 24
First rehearsal!
3) Schedule your audition
Click the following button to book your audition.
Please make every effort to sign up for your instrument group. If you are unable to do so, book a “conflict and overflow” time.
4) Prepare the required music
Performing with Igor Corcuera Cáceres, principal conductor, National Orchestra of Cuba
Woodwinds and Brass
Prepare the required excerpts and the following scales.
Woodwinds: A chromatic scale, slurred, through your full comfortable range; and two 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: Two 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.
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) with any questions.
If you wish to play percussion but are unfamiliar with one or more of the required instruments, prepare those with which you are comfortable.
Required Audition Excerpts
Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
Clarinet
Bass clarinet
Saxophone (all)
Horn
Trumpet
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion
Harp
Piano
Double bass
The following are selected recordings of some of this year’s audition music:
J.S. Bach, trans. Knox - Toccata in C major, BWV 564
Michael Gandolfi - Vientos y Tangos
David Maslanka - Symphony No. 4