Band Audition Information

Fall 2025 Concert Band Auditions

Woodwind auditions will take place on August 16, 2025
Brass auditions will take place on August 17, 2025


Special note for percussionists

Fall semester percussion student placement in the concert bands will be determined based on your audition for Percussion Ensembles. Check with Dr. Eldridge for those requirements and scheduling.

If you are not a music major, you may audition for placement in the Wind Symphony and Symphonic Winds or you may participate in the Symphonic Band without audition by registering for the class and completing this form: Non-Major Concert Band Interest Form

You can book your audition here: https://outlook.office.com/book/[email protected]/?ismsaljsauthenabled

Please read the following information carefully--

  • All scholarship recipients are required to audition for a concert band and enroll in the ensemble to which they are placed.
  • All music majors are required to audition for and enroll in a large ensemble every semester.
  • All students of all majors are welcome to audition. Anyone with previous band experience will be placed in an ensemble.
  • Students must be registered for their ensemble in order to participate.

All music majors must audition to play in a band.

You should keep the rehearsal times of all three bands open in your schedule until placements are made (see below). You may be required to adjust your class schedule in order to enroll in the ensemble in which you are placed.
  • Wind Symphony (MUSI 0102) meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1pm - 2:50pm.
  • Symphonic Winds (MUSI 0103) meets Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30pm - 2:20pm.
  • Symphonic Band (MUSI 0130) meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3pm - 3:50pm.

Learning to audition is an important part of the educational process for every music student. In order for you to maximize this opportunity, we expect you to prepare the audition material to the best of your ability.

August auditions will be used to determine your band placement assignment for both fall and spring semesters. Please be aware that specific ensemble and seating assignments for the entire school year will be based largely on these fall auditions. Most students participating in the fall will not need to re-audition for spring semester bands. However, in sections where fall auditions are extremely competitive or the student performance level is not satisfactory, a new audition for spring semester may be required.

Spring semester band auditions will be held later in the fall semester for students who did not play in a fall concert ensemble. These auditions are primarily to fill vacancies created by student teaching and graduation or to fill out sections of the Symphonic Winds and Symphonic Band.

Audition Requirements

Prepared Selections

Prepare approximately 2 minutes of music of your choice showing both technical and lyrical aspects of your playing. This can be various sections of a solo (no accompaniment needed), parts of etudes, etc. Pick the most challenging music that you can play well. Check the timing of your selections carefully and do not go over the 2-minute limit. Provide at least one copy for the judging panel.

Sight-Reading

Everyone will sight-read.

Scales for brass and woodwinds

Prepare any FOUR chromatically consecutive MAJOR scales. For example: “A—B-flat—B—C” or “E-flat—E—F—G-flat”

  • Woodwinds should play all scales the full range of their instrument. Woodwinds may also be asked to play a full-range chromatic scale.
  • Brass should play all scales in complete octaves (at least 2 octaves in most cases).

Music majors should play these scales from memory. Non-music majors may use a scale sheet.

Clarinets: You may audition on bass clarinet if this is your primary instrument.

Saxophones: Music majors are expected to audition on alto saxophone in most cases.

You do not have to major in music to play in band. Everyone who auditions is placed in a band, provided you have previous high school or college band experience. 

Instruments

UTA may be able provide instruments to students playing in band, depending on availability. There is a usage charge per semester. See Dr. Evans for more information.

Questions?

Dr. Chris Evans, D.M.A. University of Oklahoma

Department of Music

Associate Professor of Instruction, Associate Director of Bands, Director of the Maverick Marching Band

Area: Winds and Percussion

Chris Evans's Faculty Profile

Chris Evans Headshot

Email: [email protected]

Office: FA 314

Bio: Dr. Chris Evans is the Associate Director of Bands and Director of the Maverick Marching Band at UTA. In addition to the marching band, Dr. Evans teaches the Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, Marching Band Techniques, and Instrumental Methods and Materials. Previously, Dr. Evans was the Associate Director of Bands at Flower Mound High School. While at Flower Mound, he primarily taught the Concert Band and the JV marching band while assisting with all other aspects of the program. Dr. Evans also served as Assistant Director of Bands at Juan Seguin High School and was a graduate assistant at the University of Oklahoma. While at OU he assisted with the concert ensembles, the Pride of Oklahoma marching band, and conducted the women’s basketball band for 2 years. Before graduate school, he taught middle school in Georgia for three years. Dr. Evans, a native of Birmingham, Alabama earned his Bachelors of Music Education from Auburn University. He earned his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Oklahoma. His professional associations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (honorary), and Tau Beta Sigma (honorary).

How to Audition

  • Give yourself plenty of time to do everything (i.e. get up early, have a leisurely meal, arrive early)
  • Avoid over practicing, which may cause nerve problems and fatigue
  • Warm up well and practice audition material under tempo
  • At the site, warm up alone and don’t listen to other players
  • Play to your own standards; don’t try to guess how the committee would like something performed
  • Take some risks; communicate the music’s message
  • Maintain a positive appearance even if you do not think you played well
  • Evaluate the audition experience
  • Present a professional image (you get only one chance to make a first impression)
  • Take control of the situation (plan what you are going to play and do)
  • Dress for the occasion
  • Be on time and warmed up
  • Make sure your instrument and reeds are working properly
  • Leave your case outside the room
  • Have your instrument out and ready
  • Introduce yourself
  • Get the committee’s attention
  • Speak clearly
  • Look people in the eye
  • Know correct pronunciations of composers and compositions
  • Demonstrate your ability, facility and sensitivity
  • Communicate if you have a legitimate problem (long before the audition)
  • Do not wear shorts, jeans, hats, etc.
  • Do not make excuses or apologies (for anything)
  • Do not draw attention to problems (the committee may not notice)
  • I haven’t warmed up.
  • I haven’t had a chance to practice.
  • I didn’t know . . .
  • I just got this horn.
  • What should I play?
  • What would you like to hear?
  • I didn’t have my instrument/sticks/etc.
  • I didn’t bring any music.
  • Nobody told me . . .