Audition Information

Audition for Admission

If you wish to be a music major or minor, or take private lessons in your performing area, you must first audition for acceptance into the Music program. This audition is also used as a basis for awarding music scholarships.

Auditions at CWU are designed to enable the faculty to ascertain your potential for success as a music major in your intended degree area.   Do not think of it as a concert performance, but instead as an opportunity to demonstrate your skill level and musicianship.   Of course, you should show to your best advantage, so it is recommended that you prepare for your audition under the guidance of your current music teacher. Below is a link to a .pdf file that contains audition information for each performing area.

Please download and complete the "Pre-Audition Form" , located below. Bring the completed form with you to your audition and give to the professor.

Audition Times for Fall 2008 Admission

Admission Auditions have been set for Thursday and Friday, January 17-18, 2008. Email the Music Department Office at music@cwu.edu to set an audition time. If you do not have access to email, you may call the office at (509) 963-1216 (email is preferred). Auditions normally take 15 minutes. Please email the department of your intention to audition.   As soon as a day has been set, you will be emailed that information. In any case, you are strongly urged to apply for admission to the University immediately.   Only those students who have applied by February 1 will be considered for University-administered academic scholarships. Don't miss this application date!  

Please be aware that the music major student population is currently at capacity and some studio areas have very few spaces for entering students in 2008.   The earlier we know of your intention and talent, the more likely your acceptance.

Audition For Ensembles

Any student, music major or not, can participate in any music department ensemble. If you wish to perform in a music ensemble you must audition for that group. The ensemble auditions are separate from acceptance auditions and occur during the first week of classes each quarter. Below is a list of CWU music ensembles; contact the ensemble director for audition information.

Choral/Vocal: Vocal groups include the CWU Chorale (open to all); Chamber Choir (by audition only); and Men's Choir. For these groups, contact Gary Weidenaar for audition information. Also. CLICK HERE for 2007 Chamber Choir Audition Music

CWU Music also offers three Vocal Jazz groups, VJ1, VJ2, and VJ3. For audition information about these groups, please contact Vijay Singh.

Instrumental Jazz: CWU has four full jazz bands with aproximately 18 positions in each band. Positions in each group are acquired by competition for a specific slot (such as Bari Sax, or Trumpet 4), where the student must outperform the other people auditioning for that slot. Auditions include jazz sight-reading and improvisation. Jazz Band I is the most competitive of the groups, with the easiest being Jazz Band IV. For information on auditioning for a jazz ensemble, contact Director of Jazz Studies, Chris Bruya.

Jazz Band Auditions - 2007
Rhythm Section: Wed, Thurs, Fri (September 19-21) Noon-1pm
Trombones: Wednesday, September 19, 7-9pm
Trumpets: Thursday, September 20, 6-8pm
Saxes: Thursday, September 20, 8-10pm

Jazz instrumental audition materials. Click Here for Jazz Band general audition materials, or for Vocal Jazz rhythm section audition materials. Also, there are MP3 audio files available to download for the two pieces of music that will be used in auditions. Click on the links that follow for Warm Breeze, and Just Friends.

Vocal Jazz: CWU has three Vocal Jazz groups, VJ1, VJ2, and VJ3. For audition information about these groups, please contact Vijay Singh. Vocal Jazz rhythm section auditions are at the same dates/times as Jazz Band rhythm section auditions: Sept 19-21, Noon-1pm.

Orchestral: CWU has two orchestras: The CWU Symphony Orchestra and the CWU Chamber Orchestra. Both groups are under the direction of Director of Orchestral Activites, Nikolas Caoile . Please use the link below for orchestral audition materials.

Bands: CWU has a nationally recognized Symphonic Wind Ensemble, as well as a Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Chamber Wind Ensemble. For more information about these groups, please contact the Director of Bands, Larry Gookin.

Other Ensembles and Directors to Contact:

Brass Choir: Jeffrey Snedeker

Trombone Choir: Mark Babbitt

Trumpet Choir: John Harbaugh

Tuba Choir: Curt Peacock

Flute Choir: Hal Ott

Jazz Combos: Chris Bruya

Opera Productions: Linda Marra

String Chamber Groups: John Michel