OU Bands Audition Information
The OU Bands department holds auditions for ensembles and "The Pride of Oklahoma" marching band. When those auditions are approaching, additional information will be available below.
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 2026 Concert Ensembles and Orchestra Auditions
Auditions for Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, and Orchestra will take place Monday, December 8 - Friday, December 12, depending on your instrument (see the schedule below). All students auditioning for Orchestra, Wind Symphony, or Symphony Band must register by noon on Friday, December 5.
All registered students will be assigned a 5 minute time slot--besides percussion who will be assigned a 6 minute slot, and oboes will be assigned a 10 minute slot--within the time range indicated below 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 before the end of the Fall semester.
Spring 2026 Jazz Ensemble Auditions
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.
Spring 2026 Ensemble Schedule
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
Audition Registration - Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Symphony Band
All students auditioning for Orchestra, Wind Symphony, or Symphony Band must register by completing the form linked below by noon on Friday, December 5.
Audition Registration - Jazz Bands
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 2026 are as follows:
Jazz O: Baritone Sax, Section Trombone, Bass Trombone
Jazz U: Bass Trombone, Piano
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.
Audition Materials
Concert Ensembles and Orchestra - Music Majors or Music Minors
Audition repertoire will be emailed to you upon completion of the registration form.
Concert Ensembles and Orchestra - Anyone who is not a Music Major or Music Minor
- Winds: You may perform the prescribed repertoire (emailed to you upon completion of the registration form), or you may select any two etudes of contrasting style that you feel best showcase your talents.
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Percussion: Select one of the following options
- One etude or excerpt from a solo on either snare drum or marimba
- The snare drum and keyboard selections from the prescribed Percussion repertoire (emailed to you upon completion of the registration form).
Jazz Ensembles
Auditions for jazz esembles are submitted via Unlisted YouTube video (see below for more details). Submissions are due Friday, November 21.
Jazz audition materials and instructions are available at the following link. View the Audition Info PDF for more instructions.
Jazz Materials and Instructions
How to submit an Unlisted YouTube video
- YouTube auditions must be recorded in a single take - edited or segmented videos will be disqualified.
- If you haven't uploaded a video before, please check out this information: YouTube Help: Upload videos
- You will need to make sure that your video is NOT set to private, but "unlisted" so that we are able to watch your video: YouTube Help: Change video privacy settings
- Please test the link before you send it. Log out of YouTube and send the link to a second email address or to a family member to ensure the link is viewable.
- Once your link is working, submit your audition link by Monday, August 11 by sending one email addressed to Jay Wilkinson at jazzprof@ou.edu and Lonnie Easter at Lonnie.Easter-1@ou.edu. On many devices, this link will create a new email draft with both recipients.
Questions
If you have questions about large ensemble auditions, you may contact Alison Schimmell at aschimmell@ou.edu. For questions about jazz band auditions, you may contact Jay Wilkinson at jazzprof@ou.edu.
OU Bands Non-Major Scholarships
Thank you for your interest in auditioning for an OU Bands non-major scholarship! The OU Band awards non-major band scholarships to students majoring in fields other than music, who:
- Demonstrate musical excellence on their instrument at a level that places the student among the top of all OU Band students
- Participate in “The Pride of Oklahoma” Marching Band in the fall semesters of their collegiate career.
- Participate in a large concert ensemble in the spring semesters of their collegiate career.
NOTE: Since our marching band instrumentation does not include double reeds, non-major double reed students perform in a large concert ensemble both semesters to fulfill their scholarship obligations.
Non-major band scholarships are awarded based on the student’s demonstrated musical abilities via audition, performance history, and the current instrumentation needs of the band program.
Once a scholarship has been awarded, it will be retained by the student, provided the student is making satisfactory progress toward their degree and meet all requirements of their scholarship contract.
Additional requirements for non-major band scholarship consideration
Students will email the following items by May 1 to Marc Mueller at marc.mueller@ou.edu.
- A resume listing the student's accomplishments in band and school; volunteer and work experience should be included as well.
- Two letters of recommendation. One letter from your band director, and the other letter can be from a teacher, coach, employer, etc.
Questions? Contact Audition Coordinator Marc Mueller at marc.mueller@ou.edu.
