Note: If you are planning on pursuing a music major or minor, you will also need to audition to be accepted into the degree program. This degree audition is separate from ensemble auditions. See the Auditions & Admissions page for more details. You do not need to be a music major or minor to participate in ensembles.
Large Ensemble Auditions
You do not need to be a music major or minor to participate in ensembles. Large ensemble placement is determined by auditions. Some ensembles audition each semester, and some audition once per academic year. See the information below for more details.
In order to fulfill enrollment requirements for degree plans, scholarships, and/or tuition waivers, students should enroll in the ensemble(s) that you anticipate being placed in. If you are not sure which ensemble(s) to enroll in, consult with your primary applied professor. If you end up being placed in a different ensemble, enrollment can be changed following the auditions (within the first two weeks of the semester).
Choral Ensembles
- A single audition is held to determine placement in large choral ensembles. While registering, students can indicate which ensembles they are interested in. Most auditions take place once per academic year, near the start of the Fall semester. Advance registration is required. Registration will be available in mid July for Fall auditions.
- Students wishing to join the ensembles in the Spring can also audition near the start of the spring semester for additional placement. Advance registration is required. Registration for Spring auditions will be available in early January.
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Concert Bands
- Auditions are held twice per academic year. Advance registration is required.
- For Fall semester ensemble placement, auditions will take place near the start of the Fall semester. Audition materials and registration will be available in early July.
- Auditions for Spring semester ensemble placement will take place near the end of the fall semester, typically the week after Thanksgiving. Audition materials and registration will be available approximately one month before the auditions take place.
- Winds and Percussion take one audition each semester that determines placement in all Concert Bands and Symphony Orchestra. Winds and Percussion should register via the Concert Band Auditions link.
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Jazz Bands
- Auditions are held once per academic year, near the start of the Fall semester. Advance registration is required.
- Spring auditions are held to fill vacancies only and are typically held in late November. Advance registration is required.
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Pride of Oklahoma
- Auditions are held each Spring for the upcoming Fall semester. Advance registration is required and audition videos are typically due May 1.
- Audition materials and registration are made available in early February.
- See the page linked below beginning in February for more details.
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Symphony Orchestra
- String auditions are held once per academic year, during the first three days of the fall semester. Sign-up sheets will be posted outside the orchestra room during the week before the semester begins. Audition materials for strings will be available mid July.
- String players entering the university in a Spring semester may contact Dr. Jonathan Shames at jshames@ou.edu to arrange an audition.
- Winds and Percussion take one audition each semester that determines placement in all Concert Bands and Symphony Orchestra. Winds and Percussion should register via the Concert Band Auditions link in the section above. Audition materials and registration for winds and percussion will be available in early July.
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