Wind Symphony Auditions - Fall 2025

Auditions will include the excerpts linked below, two major scales (one selected by the panel, one by the auditioner), and sight-reading.

Interested students must be registered for and attend Wind Symphony course meeting times, Tuesday/Thursday, 12:30-1:50. Exceptions may be granted on a limited basis for students who have an unavoidable class conflict (a required course that cannot be taken at another time) one day per week. If you are aware of a class conflict in your schedule, please indicate it on the form linked above.

Students selected as members of the Wind Symphony must also take part in four sectional rehearsals per concert cycle, to be scheduled outside of class time. These will be led by faculty or qualified section members. Scheduling will be based on member availability.

Auditioners will be required to perform:

1. The excerpts linked below that are assigned to your instrument.
2. One major scale, chosen by the audition panel, and one of your choosing.
3. A short sight-reading excerpt.

Please note that performance example links (audio or video samples) are provided for some of the instruments below. Auditioners are strongly encouraged to listen to the examples and refer to them as a model of successful performance of the selected materials. All materials/excerpts included with each instrument are required.

• Flute/Piccolo  – audition links provided are for flute only. If you wish to audition for piccolo, you must do so ALONG WITH an audition for flute. Piccolos will be available to check out via Dr. Holloman after August 1 — please email her directly at sholloman@nwmissouri.edu to coordinate a pickup time.
  
  Piccolo auditions will consist of a scale of your choice, a full range chromatic scale, and sight reading. All students hoping to audition into Wind Symphony are highly encouraged to audition for piccolo.

• • Listen to the full Carmen recording
  • Excerpt starting near T

• All reeds (oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, and all saxophones)  – all reed instrument excerpts are bundled together on the linked PDF, which also contains all needed instructions and links to performance samples. Contra clarinet will be assigned, as needed, based on the bass clarinet audition.

• Trumpet – take note that the 1^st etude must be double-tongued at quarter note = 132-144.

• • Excerpt 1 (1:05-end)
  • Excerpt 2

• Horn  – Take note of tempo markings for both excerpts.

• • Excerpt 1 (Sixty Selected Studies for Horn, Kopprasch No. 17)
  • Excerpt 2 (28 Etudes Oskar Franz No. 10 )

• Low Brass – all low brass excerpts are included on the same PDF. Please be sure to prepare the correct required materials for your chosen instrument. If you would like to be considered for more than one instrument, prepare auditions for each and register for each. There are no audio samples provided for low brass excerpts.

Percussionists will be required to prepare short excerpts on snare drum, timpani, glockenspiel (bells), and cymbals. You will be required to tune the timpani prior to playing and must have your own mallets for each instrument. Northwest will provide all instruments. Links to sample performances of the materials are easily found on YouTube, and auditioners are strongly encouraged to seek them out to assist with preparation. 

Audition Materials

The principal percussionist will be responsible for assigning parts within the ensemble, in collaboration with Dr. Strickland. 

Auditions will be held in the Fine Arts building, with locations to be shared via email to those who complete the registration form linked above. Dr. Strickland, Director of the Wind Symphony, will screen auditions along with available additional music faculty.

A sign-up sheet for audition times will be available outside room 116 in the Fine Arts building the week before classes begin.

Questions about Wind Symphony Auditions? Message Dr. Katy Strickland at kstrick@nwmissouri.edu