2018/19 Audition Information
MUMS holds auditions each year for all of our ensembles except MUWO (Wind Orchestra) and MUSO (String Orchestra). First year auditions are pre-booked. For returning orchestral players, the slots are:
- Tuesday 18th September | 14:00 - 18:00
- Monday 24th September | 17:00 - 21:00
- Wednesday 26th September | 17:00 - 21:00
The Brass Band auditions will take place:
- Tuesday 18th September | 09:00 - 17:00
- Wednesday 19th September | 13:00 - 17:00
The Big Band auditions will take place:
- Tuesday 25th September | 12:00 - 14:00 and 16:00 - 17:00
- Wednesday 26th September | 14:00 - 18:00
- Thursday 27th September | 14:00 - 18:00
You can now book your auditions for orchestra, brass band and big band by clicking here.
If you haven't received a confirmation email having booked your auditions, check your junk emails!
If you have any problems whilst using the online sign-up system, please email personnel@mumusicsociety.co.uk for help!
Orchestral Auditions
All candidates should prepare a solo piece of their choice. The panel will hear no more than 3 minutes of this, so you may choose to start wherever you like in the piece. Please bring a copy for the panel. There will be no accompanist (except for the 1st year music auditions).
Please also prepare the excerpts listed below, which are from Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.5 unless otherwise stated. The relevant extracts as well as a full score are available as pdf files in this dropbox folder. Orchestral Extracts
It is recommended that you study the piece from a recording and the score, not just your own part, in order that you are aware of tempi, context etc. Please bring your own copies of the excerpts with you to the audition.
Percussion: there will be no excerpts due to time constraints. Please prepare something for timpani, side drum and tuned. If you don't play tuned, just timpani and side drum is fine. These can be solo pieces, or orchestral extracts."
Woodwind players: due to time constraints we have decided not to set excerpts for piccolo, cor anglais, bass & Eb clarinet, contra bassoon. If you would like to play a doubling instrument in your audition, please prepare a short orchestral excerpt of your choice.
Violins
1st movement: Letter D/bar 84 to 132
2nd movement: Bar 111 to 127
3rd movement: bar 73 to 80
4th movement: bar 58 to 82
Violas
1st movement: Letter B/bar 57 to D
1st movement: bar 226 to 255 Letter M
3rd movement: Bar 80 to 88
4th movement: bar 58 to 82
Cellos
1st movement: Letter D/bar 84 to 132
2nd movement: Bar 142 to 158
3rd movement: Bar 142/Letter I to 153/letter K
4th movement: bar 58 to 82
Bass
1st movement: Letter D/bar 84 to 132
2nd movement: Bar 142 to 158
4th movement: Bar 398/letter W to bar 426
Flutes
1st movement: bar 65 to 90
2nd movement bar 120 to 134
3rd movement: bar 44/letter C to bar 72
4th movement bar 296 to 323
Oboes
1st movement: bar 66 to 90
2nd movement bar 24 to 38
2nd movement bar 112 to 134
4th movement bar 296 to 323
Clarinets
1st movement: Letter A/bar 21 to bar Letter D/bar 85
2nd movement: Bar 65 to 70
3rd movement: bar 205 to 213
4th movement bar 296 to 323
Bassoons
1st movement: Letter A/bar 21 to bar Letter D/bar 85
2nd movement: bar 71 to 75
3rd movement: bar 197 to 213
4th movement bar 296 to 323
Horns:
1st movement: bar 214 to 232
Movement 2: bar 8 to bar 24
4th movement: bar 98/letter F to bar 121
4th movement: Bar 172 to 230/letter O
Trumpets:
1st movement: Bar 196 to 212
3rd movement: bar 104 - 112
4th movement: Bar 172 to 230/letter O
4th movement: Bar 490 to 503
Trombones
1st movement: Letter D/bar 84 to Letter F/Bar 115
2nd movement: bar 99 to 108
4th movement: Bar 172 to 230/letter O
Tuba
1st movement: Letter D/bar 84 to Letter F/Bar 115
2nd movement: bar 149 to 156
4th movement: Bar 172 to 230/letter O
Harp
5th Moverment of Ravel's La mère l'Oye from figure 2
MUWO & MUSO Section Principals
Whilst you do not need to audition to join either MUWO or MUSO, this year we are auditioning for section principals. To audition, please sign up for an orchestral audition and tick the box that says you would like to be considered as a section principal.
Brass Band
The auditions for Brass Band will last about 10 minutes and are very informal. You will be asked to:
- Play a short extract to be prepared prior to the audition. This will be sent to you by email shortly before your audition.
- Sight-read a hymn in order to assess musicality.
- Play a short piece of sight-reading.
Details on the times and locations of Brass Band Auditions, as well as how to sign up for one can be seen at the top of this page.
If you can't make any of the available auditions times please email brass.band@mumusicsociety.co.uk and the managers will be able to help you.
Big Band
This year the Big Band auditions will be around 10 minutes long.
During the audition you'll be asked to sight read some big band repertoire; improvise on your choice of either Song for Bilbao (C minor), Red Clay (C minor) and Footprints (C minor); and will have a brief chat about your experience and influences.
You can find the above pieces here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ye88isrr6ofm603/AADaekDKbTcVsPJVSwRmZ1Bta?dl=0
Auditions will take place in week 1 (the week commencing Monday 24th September).
We look forward to hearing from you!
PLEASE NOTE:
We would prefer to keep Tuesday slots for rhythm section auditions, Wednesday for Saxophones and Trombones and Thursday for Trumpets. However, if you can't make the appropriate day for your instrument, feel free to pick any available slot.
We are NOT auditioning guitarists this year as one of our musical directors plays this instrument. We are not holding auditions for singers until second semester.
If you can't make any of the available audition times please email big.band-2018@mumusicsociety.co.uk and the managers will be able to help you.
Good luck!