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.
Fall 2025 Concert Ensembles and Orchestra Auditions
Auditions for Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, and Orchestra will take place Saturday August 23rd through Monday August 25th, depending on your instrument (see the schedule below).
All registered students will be assigned a 5 minute time slot (except oboes, who 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 August 15th once registration closes.
Results will be posted on the band and orchestra bulletin boards during the first week of the fall semester.
Fall 2025 Jazz Ensemble Auditions
Auditions for jazz ensembles will take place through a submitted video audition, which is due by August 11th, with results going out August 15th. Students MUST be registered to be considered for placement. Audition is for placement in both the fall and spring ensembles. (Spring auditions are for vacancies only.)
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 Prof. Jay Wilkinson at jazzprof@ou.edu.
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: M/W/F 1:30 - 3:20 PM
Wind Symphony: M/W/F 12:30 - 2:20 PM
Symphony Band: T/TH 2:30 - 3:55 PM
Jazz O: M/W/F 3:30 - 4:20 pm
Jazz U: M/W/F 2:30 - 3:20 pm
Audition Registration
All students auditioning for Orchestra, Wind Symphony, or Symphony Band must register by completing the form linked below by noon on Friday, August 15th (12pm CST).
All students auditioning for jazz ensembles must complete the registration form below and submit their video audition by Monday, August 11th.
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 Bands
Auditions for jazz bands are submitted via Unlisted YouTube video (see below for more details). Submissions are due Monday, August 11.
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.
Concert Ensemble and Orchestra Audition Schedule
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.
