The OU Bands department holds auditions for concert ensembles and jazz ensembles. When those auditions are approaching, additional information will be available below. For Pride of Oklahoma audition information, see the Pride of Oklahoma Auditions page.
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 School of Music's Auditions & Admissions page for more details. You do not need to be a music major or minor to participate in ensembles.
Spring auditions for jazz ensembles are held only to fill vacancies. See the registration section for more information on vacancies. Auditions will take place through a submitted video audition, which is due by November 21. Students MUST be registered to be considered for placement. Results will be posted on the jazz bulletin boards before the end of the Fall semester.
Note:
Spring 2027 Wind Symphony roster was set by fall auditions due to the National CBDNA tour in late February. These auditions are for the winds and percussion sections of symphony band and orchestra. If you are not placed in either of those ensembles, you may enroll in one of the two campus bands.
*A select few positions will be open in Wind Symphony, and these positions will be communicated on an individual basis following auditions. Studio members in Wind Symphony should check with their applied faculty about studio requirements regarding whether they need to audition or not.
All students auditioning for Orchestra, Wind Symphony*, or Symphony Band must register by noon on Wednesday, December 2.
Auditions for Orchestra, Wind Symphony*, and Symphony Band will take place Monday, December 7 - Friday, December 11, depending on your instrument (see the schedule below).
All registered students will be assigned time slot within the time range indicated for your instrument. Your assigned time will be emailed to you after registration closes.
Results will be posted on the band and orchestra bulletin boards throughout the week of the audition.
Please review the ensemble schedule below to check your class schedule for potential conflicts. You can communicate any unavoidable class conflicts when registering.
Orchestra: MWF 1:30 - 3:20 PM
Wind Symphony: MWF 12:30 - 2:20 PM
Symphony Band: MWF 2:30 - 4:20 PM
Jazz O: MWF 3:30 - 4:20 pm
Jazz U: MWF 4:30 - 5:20 pm
Students auditioning for Jazz Ensembles must register and submit your video by November 21. See the Audition Materials section below for more details on the video submission.
Please note that jazz band auditions for Spring Semesters are held only to fill vacancies. Vacancies for Spring 2027 are as follows:
Jazz O: Tenor Trombone, Bass Trombone
Jazz U: Trumpet, Bari Sax
Rhythm section players should feel free to audition as well.
If vacancies in Jazz O are filled by members of Jazz U, those positions will become open as well. Contact Jay Wilkinson at jazzprof@ou.edu if you have any questions.
All students auditioning for Orchestra, Wind Symphony, or Symphony Band must register by completing the form linked below by noon on Wednesday, December 2.
Auditions for jazz ensembles are submitted via Unlisted YouTube video (see below for more details). Submissions are due November 21.
Jazz audition materials and instructions are available at the following link. View the Audition Info PDF for more instructions. Note that the deadline listed in this document is from the Fall auditions. Submissions are due November 21.
Jazz Materials and Instructions
How to submit an Unlisted YouTube video
Audition repertoire will be emailed to you upon completion of the registration form.
If you have questions about large ensemble auditions, you may contact Franklin Piland at franklin.piland@ou.edu. For questions about jazz band auditions, you may contact Jay Wilkinson at jazzprof@ou.edu.
OU Bands awards non-major scholarships to students majoring in fields other than music. See the webpage below for more details.
