Major Ensembles & Placements

• Tuesday, September 2 – Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon (updated Aug 29)
• Wednesday, September 3 – Percussion(updated Aug 8), Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass (updated Aug 20), French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba (updated Aug 29)

• Thursday, September 4 – Saxophone, Piano (updated Aug 15)

  These auditions determine your placement for the 2025-26 academic year in the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony or Contemporary Music Ensemble.

• Ensemble conductors and instrument specialists will hear each audition and students will be ranked according to their level of performance. Based on the repertoire needs of the ensembles, some flow of players may occur during the year.
• All instrumental auditions will be in-person.

• Wind, Brass and Percussion auditions will be screened. The audition panel will sit behind a screen and will not be able to see candidates as they audition. Adjudicators will only be able to identify you by a candidate number.
  • All Wind/Brass/Percussion students must complete the Major Ensemble Placement – Classical Instrumental (2025) online form by end of day on Wed Sept 3
• String auditions will NOT be screened.
  • ALL string students must complete the STRING Ensemble Placements (2025) online form by end of day on Thurs Aug 14
    • This form allows Faculty of Music STRING students to indicate if they intend to:
      • Audition for leadership positions in the UTSO (Orchestra)
      • Declare an interest in playing in the CME (Contemporary Music Ensemble)
      • Opt in if Major Ensemble is optional for your degree/year of study (3rd & 4th yr Comprehensive/Interdisciplinary, Composition, History Culture Theory)
    • Non-String students should contact Amanda in the Performance Office if they wish to schedule an audition and should not complete the above form
• Piano auditions are for consideration to play piano in Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and UTSO, as needed.  They will not be screened, and you will be asked to play with a conductor.

Please follow the instructions as outlined below for your instrument and review:
General Guidelines for Preparing Audition Material 2025
Advice for taking a screened audition

• Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time.
• Students are identified in the above schedules by the last 5 digits of their student number.

Classical Instrumental Ensemble Audition Excerpts:

Prepare ALL the excerpts for your instrument.

WOODWINDS

• Flute UPDATED
• Oboe
• Clarinet
• Bassoon
• Saxophone

BRASS

• French Horn
• Trumpet UPDATED
• Trombone
• Bass Trombone
• Euphonium UPDATED
• Tuba

Percussion

Piano

• Piano auditions will not be screened

STRINGS

• String students only need to audition if they want to be considered for a leadership position in the Orchestra, such as Concertmaster and/or Principal of a section
• String auditions will not be screened
• Violin, Cello and Double Bass excerpts will be updated Monday July 7th with bowed parts
  • Violin
  • Violin (Bowed)
  • Viola (Bowed)
  • Cello(Bowed)
  • Double Bass(Bowed)

• Tuesday, September 2 – Piano and Organ students, for Choir Placement, years 2-4 (updated Aug 29)

• Wednesday, September 3 – Piano and Organ students, for Choir Placement, year 1 (updated Aug 29)

  ENSEMBLE ASSIGNMENTS are based on the quality of audition performance, musicianship, ensemble background, and level of singing skill, in addition to ensemble repertoire needs.
  The Audition Faculty will include Choir Conductors.

• Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time.
• Students are identified in the above schedules by the last 5 digits of their student number.

• An accompanist will be provided.

• Prepare and sing Where E'er You Walk, ornaments (small notes) are optional
• You will be accompanied by a pianist, an accompanist will be provided
• You are not required to memorize the piece
• Aural skills test: two short sing-backs on a vowel/neutral syllable
• Sight-sing a short melody on a vowel/neutral syllable or on solfège (your choice)
• Range check – One of the choral conductors will lead you through simple exercises to get a better sense of your range
• Choir Information Form, bring a copy with you to your audition

• If you would like to audition for any other ensembles, or if you have any questions, please contact the Performance Office

• Tuesday, September 2 – All Opera Voices (Opera Undergrad, Opera Diploma, Masters Opera)(updated Aug 26)
• Wednesday, September 3 – All Historical Voices, Masters, and DMA Voices (not Opera)(updated Aug 15)

• Thursday, September 4 – Undergraduate, and ACP Voices (updated Aug 26)

  Unified Vocal Auditions are required for all voice students in all programs (graduate and undergraduate) at the Faculty of Music. These UVAs determine both your ensemble and solo performance assignments for the 2025-26 academic year, as well as your consideration for designated awards and master classes.

  UVA opportunities as of 250819

• Ensemble assignments are made based on the quality of your audition performance, ensemble background, musicianship and vocal skill, in addition to ensemble repertoire needs.
• The Audition Faculty will include Voice Instructors and Choir Conductors as appropriate.
• Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time.
• Students are identified in the above schedules by the last 5 digits of their student number.
• An accompanist will be provided. Students must use the accompanist provided.

ALL VOICE STUDENTS IN ALL PROGRAMS AND YEARS OF STUDY:

• Prepare 1 or 2 selections (song and/or aria) with a combined total of no more than 4 minutes.

• Please bring a copy of your music for the accompanist. An accompanist will be provided. Students must use the accompanist provided.

• In addition (for Undergraduate choral ensemble auditions only, regardless of your program/year of study):
• Choral Placement Auditions will happen directly following your UVA, in a nearby room
  • Aural skills test: two short sing-backs on a vowel/neutral syllable
  • Sight-sing a short melody on a vowel/neutral syllable or on solfège (your choice)
  • Range check – One of the choral conductors will lead you through simple exercises to get a better sense of your range
  • Choir Information Form, complete the form and bring a copy with you to the audition

JAZZ

Further information on our Jazz Program.

2025/2026 FACULTY OF MUSIC MAJOR JAZZ ENSEMBLES AT A GLANCE

• Jazz Orchestra (12tet): Mon & Wed 11:00am-1:00pm Jim Lewis
• Jazz Orchestra (Big Band): Tues & Thurs 10:00am-12:00pm Shirantha Beddage
• Hybrid Ensemble: Tues & Thurs 10:00am-12:00pm David Occhipinti
• Vocal Jazz: Mon & Wed 11:00am-1:00pm Christine Duncan

Jazz Placement Auditions – Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles

Auditions to determine placement in vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles (Big Band, 12tet, Hybrid, Vocal Jazz and Small Jazz Ensembles) will be held at the Faculty of Music, 90 Wellesley location, on Tuesday, September 2 and Wednesday, September 3, 2025.

On Tuesday, September 2 and Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Instrumental Group Auditions from 5:00-7:00pm (Tues) and 4:00-6:00pm (Wed).

ALL Undergrads: Research and learn the melody and harmony for two pieces:

• Days of Wine and Roses (medium swing) – Key of F concert (mm. 144-156)
• I’ll Remember April (Latin/swing) – Key of G concert (mm. 178-192)

Students have been assigned a group and time on Tuesday, September 2 (DAY ONE) or Wednesday, September 3 (DAY TWO): 

• Day One Groups
• Day Two Groups

Students are identified in the schedules by the last 5 digits of their student number.

On Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Voice Auditions for Ensemble Placement from 10:00am to 1:00pm.

Voice auditions will consist of:

• Year 1 – New students, please be prepared to sing one of the three charts attached here: Jazz Voice Excerpts.
• Year 2 – Choose between Stella by Starlight, All the Things You Are, or Chega de Saudade/No More Blues (which can be sung either in English or Portuguese). Bring your own charts for the chosen tune in your key, with copies for the accompanist and the panel. Be prepared to solo over the form of the song.
• Year 3 - Choose a song of your own. Bring your charts for the chosen tune in your key, with copies for the accompanist and the panel. Be prepared to solo over the form of the song.
• All students should be prepared to sight read and improvise.

All new Voice students – please arrive at 10:00am. 

Returning Voice students in years 2 & 3 have been assigned a time:  Jazz Voice Audition Schedule revised July 25, 2025.

Students are identified in the schedule by the last 5 digits of their student number.

Year 4 students – Christine Duncan will schedule a meeting to discuss placement. 

If you are interested in auditioning for any other ensemble at the Faculty of Music, or if you have questions concerning your Jazz audition, please contact Eddy Aitken at (416) 978-3733 or edna.aitken@utoronto.ca or Amanda Eyer Haberman at (416) 978-3746 or performance.music@utoronto.ca.

OTHER JAZZ INFORMATION: Mandatory master classes for all students in the Jazz program are scheduled Fridays, 3-5pm. Do not book classes or electives during this time slot. Missed master classes will result in a deduction from Applied lesson grades.

There will be a mandatory meeting for all Jazz students on Friday, September 5, 2025 at 3:15pm in the Upper Jazz Studio at 90 Wellesley St., Faculty of Music South.
 

Placements in all Major Ensembles will be coordinated by the Harp Faculty.

Your required Major Ensemble is Guitar Orchestra directed by Rob MacDonald, please ensure that you are registered for this course.