Auditions for Ensembles & Competitions

Ensembles are open to all U of A students, including non-Music students. Interested students may register in the ensemble(s) of their choice prior to auditioning, however, students are strongly advised to ensure that their registration matches the ensemble in which they are participating by or before the registration and Add/Drop deadlines. Please contact your academic advisor to help confirm your registration.

For audition requirements or information on performance course content, please visit the ensemble web page or contact the ensemble coordinator directly.

Uniform dress may be required for ensemble performances and a nominal "caution fee" to cover the cost of music lost during the year may be charged.

Information on Department of Music's two annual performance competitions, the Concerto Competition and the Alberta Baroque Music Society Scholarship in Music scholarship competition can be found here.

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Chamber Music

Coordinators: Allison Balcetis (balcetis@ualberta.ca) and Viktoria Reiswich-Dapp (reiswich@ualberta.ca); coaches vary based on instrumentation

Auditions: There are no auditions.  Students are placed with others of similar abilities, in consultation with your private lesson instructor.  Students wishing to take part in Chamber Music classes may try to form their own ensembles, but many will be formed by the coordinator and private instructors based on appropriate repertoire available and the skill level of those involved.  Admission will be based on availability of teaching resources and viability of ensemble combinations.

Other course information: Bachelor of Music (B.Mus Performance) students are given priority.  It is possible, though rare, for first or second year students to participate due to the load of your course schedules in those years.  Students will be notified of their status in the course prior to the add/drop deadline. Students intending to take part in Chamber Music must be prepared to clear M-W-F from 12:00-1:00 pm. Despite how it appears in your Bear Tracks schedule, we meet every Wednesday at noon and then you will meet twice more each week with your ensemble at a time of your choosing.  

Please make every effort to register for chamber music prior to our first orientation meeting, Wednesday September 2 at noon in the Fine Arts Building Room 1-29.

Concert Band

Director: Daryl Price
Requirements: All students interested in participating in U of A Instrumental Ensembles are required to audition in order to be placed in an ensemble. There are three large instrumental ensembles - Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra.

You will have 5 minutes to play two contrasting sections from pieces that will show the best of your technical and musical/lyrical abilities on your instrument(s). You will also be given a short sight reading excerpt to play as well. 

Auditions will take place from Wednesday, Aug. 26 to Tuesday, Sept. 1. Note that rehearsals will begin the the first week of classes based on audition results, which will be emailed to you. 

Sign Up HERE 

 

Concerto Competition

Coordinator: Guillaume Tardif
Date & Time: October 24, 2026
Requirements: Information regarding eligibility, registration, and other details may be found on the Competitions page. 

Concert Choir & Madrigal Singers

Directors: Dr. Adam Robertson (Concert Choir) and Dr. Timothy Shantz (Madrigal Singers)

Dates, Times & Locations:

  • Tuesday, September 1, 2026 (10 a.m. 3:50 p.m.), Fine Arts Building 3-46
  • Wednesday, September 2, 2026 (10 a.m. 3:50 p.m.),Fine Arts Building 3-46
  • Thursday, September 3, 2026 (10 a.m. 3:50 p.m.), Fine Arts Building 3-46
  • Friday, September 4, 2026 (10 a.m. 3:50 p.m.), Fine Arts Building 3-46

Sign-up for an audition here:

https://form.jotform.com/252047365949265

Audition Requirements:

  • Please prepare your own vocal part (soprano, alto, tenor or bass) in the following 4-part chorale harmonized by J.S. Bach:
    Link to PDF
  • Please sing your part on a neutral syllable (lah, loo, nah, noo, dah, doo). No song or aria is required.

You will also be asked to perform a series of vocal exercises as well as sing-backs and a short sight-reading excerpt.

The audition will be the same for Madrigal Singers and/or Concert Choir.

CONCERT CHOIR REHEARSAL TIMES Fall & Winter Term:

  • M (13:00-13:50 & 17:00-17:50)
  • W (13:00-13:50)
  • F (13:00-13:50)

MADRIGAL SINGERS REHEARSAL TIMES Fall & Winter Term:

  • M (18:00-18:50)
  • T (12:30-13:50)
  • R (12:30-13:50)

Conducting Class Ensemble/Instrumental & Vocal Ensemble

Director: Timothy Shantz
Further Information: please contact director, above 

Experimental Improvisation Ensemble (XImE)

Directors: Mark Segger
Date & Time: Fall & Winter Terms, Mondays 7 - 9:50 p.m., first class September 14.
Location: FAB 2-7
Audition Requirements: None

Indian Music Ensemble

Director: Sharmila Mathur
Date & Time: Tuesday, September 1 at 6:30 pm
Location: FAB 2-7
Audition Requirements:  Basic aptitude and interest in learning Indian Music

Middle Eastern and North African Music Ensemble 

Director: Michael Frishkopf
Date & Time: Thursday, January 7, 6:30-9:30 PM (Winter term)
Location: FAB 2-7
Audition Requirements: None; this is a meeting for consent only.

Opera Workshop

Director: Shannon Hiebert (Director, Coordinator)
Regular Class Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:20
Audition Times: By appointment. Please contact course director, Shannon Hiebert at hiebert1@ualberta.ca to arrange an audition time.  
Audition Requirements: Sing, from memory, one opera aria (any language), operetta aria (any language) or art song (any language) AND speak one monologue or poem (in English).

Symphonic Wind Ensemble

Director: Chinley Hinacay

Requirements: All students interested in participating in U of A Instrumental Ensembles are required to audition in order to be placed in an ensemble. There are three large instrumental ensembles - Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra.

You will have 5 minutes to play two contrasting sections from pieces that will show the best of your technical and musical/lyrical abilities on your instrument(s). You will also be given a short sight reading excerpt to play as well. 

Auditions will take place from Wednesday, Aug. 26 to Tuesday, Sept. 1. Note that rehearsals will begin the the first week of classes based on audition results, which will be emailed to you. 

Sign Up HERE 

University Symphony Orchestra  

Director: Petar Dundjerski

Auditions: Please note that wind and percussion auditions are run in conjunction with Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE) auditions. To audition for USO as a wind or percussion player, please sign up for a SWE audition (details above).

Requirements: All students interested in participating in U of A Instrumental Ensembles are required to audition in order to be placed in an ensemble. There are three large instrumental ensembles – Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra.

String Audition Requirements: String auditions will take place in person. Please download the applicable excerpt below and prepare for the audition. It is highly recommended that you find and listen to a recording of the piece as a part of your preparation. In addition to the excerpts please prepare a piece of your choosing – no accompaniment.

Please fill out the following form prior to your audition: USO String Audition Form, then sign up for an audition spot here. Auditions will take place on Monday, August 31, 2026 in FAB 3-46 from 15:00-20:30. First rehearsal will take place on Thursday, September 3 at 19:00 in FAB 1-23. Audition results will be emailed to you.

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL TIMES

Fall & Winter Term:

  • Mon (17:00-18:50)
  • Thurs (19:00-20:50)

West African Music Ensemble 

Director: Robert Kpogo
Regular Class Time: please check Beartracks for course availability
Requirements: There are no auditions. All students from across campus at any level – from 1st year to graduate – are welcome to enroll. There will be a meeting on the first Wednesday of the Winter term to confirm registration.