2026/2027 Placement Auditions

Due Date: Thursday, August 20 at 11:59PM

As a music major, your participation in ensemble placement auditions is a vital part of your educational journey. These mandatory auditions are designed to ensure that each student is placed in an ensemble that best aligns with their skill level and musical potential, providing a balanced and enriching experience for all participants. Through these auditions, you will have the opportunity to showcase your abilities, be considered for leadership roles, and immerse yourself in a collaborative environment that fosters artistic growth and excellence. Prepare to take your musicianship to new heights and become an integral part of our vibrant musical community.

Ensemble placement auditions serve several purposes:

  • Assess Skill Level: These auditions evaluate the technical and musical skills of each student. This helps in determining the most appropriate ensemble for a student’s current abilities.
  • Determine Ensemble Fit: The auditions help faculty place students in ensembles where they will both contribute effectively and continue to develop their skills. This ensures that each ensemble is balanced and that members can perform the repertoire successfully.
  • Identify Leadership Roles: For advanced ensembles, auditions can help identify students who might take on leadership roles, such as section leaders or principal players.
  • Match Repertoire Requirements: Auditions help faculty align student abilities with the repertoire planned for the semester or year. This ensures that the music selected is appropriate for the skill level of the ensemble.
  • Provide Performance Opportunities: By placing students in ensembles, the school ensures that all students have regular performance opportunities, which are essential for their growth as musicians.
  • Foster Growth: Placement auditions encourage students to prepare and practice, fostering continuous improvement and readiness for future professional opportunities.

More information is below to help you prepare for your audition; each instrumental department has provided preparation materials

 
Note: only the materials posted at the link above are required. No solo repertoire is needed.
Important: The file name must include your name.

Placement Auditions:

Choir auditions will take place on August 20, 2026 from 10:00AM – 3:00PM in WPAC 144A.

Repertoire can be found can be found in the sign up today link.

For additional information, please contact: Dr. Erynn Millard at emillard@fiu.edu.

Sign Up Today!

StringsString  Strings Placement Auditions:

  • Audition Materials:
    • Note: only the materials posted at the link below are required. No solo repertoire is needed.
  • Due Date: Thursday, August 20 at 11:59PM
  • Auditions are done by recorded video. Please record yourself playing the excerpts and submit by deadline. (August 20 at 11:59PM)
    • IMPORTANT: The file name must include your name and PID. 

If you need to speak with a faculty member about your audition, please contact Maestro Javier Mendoza at javier.mendoza@fiu.edu

 

2026 Audition Excerpts

Violin

Viola

Cello

  • Excerpt II: García Caturla, Three Cuban Dances — Fifth measure after Rehearsal 4 through the downbeat two measures before Rehearsal 7
  • [Download Cello Excerpt II]
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Placement Auditions

The Guitar Ensemble audition will take place on August 21 at 2:00 p.m. in WPAC 156A.

All FIU students and faculty are welcome to audition. Please bring your guitar and prepare a short selection that you feel comfortable performing. Students should be able to read standard music notation, not only guitar tablature.

Accepted students will receive ensemble music appropriate to their level. Guitarists, other instrumentalists, and singers are also welcome to audition for opportunities to perform with the FIU Miami GuitART Orchestra.

For questions, please contact Dr. Mesut Ozgen at mozgen@fiu.edu.

Instrumental Jazz Auditions:

Date: Monday, August 17
Time: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Location: WPAC 157, Instrumental Hall
Area Coordinator: Jamie Ousley, lousley@fiu.edu

Instrumental jazz ensemble placement auditions will be held in a group format. Students will play together, so individual time slots are not required. Auditions may continue past noon if needed, but will not extend beyond 1:00 p.m.

No accompaniment is required. Students should bring their own instruments. Drums and a bass amp will be provided.

Students should be prepared to:

  • Sight-read big band charts and lead sheets
  • Perform selections from the audition tune list by memory

Audition Materials

View the instrumental jazz audition tunes list here:
FIU Jazz Audition Tunes List

Jazz Vocal Auditions:

Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Location: WPAC 157, Instrumental Hall

1. Prepare two contrasting jazz selections
  • Medium or up-tempo swing
    • Must include at least one full chorus of improvisation/scat singing.
  • Ballad or contrasting style (e.g., Latin, waltz, etc.)
    • One chorus.
2. 48-hour ensemble excerpt
  • Students will receive an excerpt from a jazz vocal ensemble piece 48 hours prior to the placement audition.
  • Students will select and prepare a voice part from the excerpt and perform their chosen part a cappella with a metronome at their audition.
Additional Information
  • Students should provide lead sheets or chord charts for their selections for the accompanist.
  • Auditions will be limited to 15 minutes per student.

Placement Auditions:

Musical Theatre auditions are production-specific and are not part of the general ensemble placement auditions. Audition details for each production will be shared separately. For more information, contact Musical Theatre Area Coordinator Vincent Connor at kyle.connor@fiu.edu.

Vocal Placement Auditions:

Auditions will be held on August 20, 2026 from 10:00 am – 12:00pm in the Wertheim Recital Hall.

For additional information, please contact: Dr. Vindhya Khare at vkhare@fiu.edu

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Placement Auditions:

Wind and brass placement auditions will take place on August 18, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM in the Wertheim Instrumental Hall (WPAC 157) at the Wertheim Performing Arts Center.

For Fall 2026, the following large ensembles will be offered:

  • FIU Wertheim Marching Band
  • FIU Wind Ensemble
  • FIU Symphony Orchestra

Chamber music will be offered this fall! In Spring 2027, one mixed chamber ensemble will also be offered to perform a special piece. Separate placement auditions will take place at that time for this event.

For questions regarding wind and brass auditions, please contact:

Omar Lateef, 
wbutler@fiu.edu

Brenton Alston
bralston@fiu.edu

Darryl Baker
dabaker@fiu.edu

(Click to download the 2026-2027 FIU Placement Audition Packet)