Perform with Us!

The School of Music welcomes a​ll students to participate in vocal and instrumental ensembles, regardless of major!

Ensemble Placements for 2025-2026 are now live. Check below for both incoming and returning student placement days and times for all areas, as well as links to sign up for a slot.

If you have questions about particular ensembles, please get in touch with the ensemble director (contacts below). General School of Music questions? Please contact Anna Mondschean, amondschean@pugetsound.edu.

CHORAL ENSEMBLES

Adelphian Concert Choir, Voci d'Amici, and Puget Sound Singers
Contact: Dr. Steven Zopfi

You may sign up for Puget Sound Singers without a choral placement. Join their first rehearsal on Tuesday, Sept. 2nd from 5:00-6:20pm. Please email Dr. Steven Zopfi for more information.

All Choral Placements consist of:

  • Singing a short song that best shows off your voice. There will be a pianist available if needed but you may sing unaccompanied if preferred. Familiar songs will be available if you do not have a prepared song.
  • Tonal Memory patterns
  • Short Sight-reading excerpts

Incoming Students:
Monday, August 25th, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.  in Music Building L6



Returning Students:
Monday, September 1st, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. in Music Building L6
Tuesday, September 2nd 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. in Room 204


INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES

Strings and Harp

Symphony Orchestra
Contacts: Dr. Anna Jensen, Double Bass and Director of Orchestra; Dr. Maria Sampen, Violin and Chair, String Department ; and Professor Alistair MacRae, Cello and Director of Chamber Music. 

Requirements:

  • A scale of your choice showing off the range of your instrument
  • A 3-5 minute solo (or excerpt of a solo) that best represents your current playing.
  • Sight-reading

Incoming Students:
Monday, August 25th, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. in Schneebeck Concert Hall



Returning Students:
Tuesday, September 2, 3 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in Music Building 106


Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion

Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band
​C´Ç²Ô³Ù²¹³¦³Ù²õ: Dr. Gerard Morris, Director of Bands.

You may sign up for Concert Band without completing an ensemble placement. Please email Dr. Gerard Morris for more information.

Woodwinds & Brass –
The placement consists of two contrasting excerpts demonstrating both lyrical and technical ability, a chromatic scale (full range, slurred, ascending and descending), and sight-reading.

Percussion –
The audition process is twofold. First, incoming percussionists should sign up for a slot to interview on Monday August 25th with our Director of Bands. During this interview we will discuss Percussion performing opportunities and auditions for ensembles. You will not be asked to perform at this interview. Second, all percussionists must attend a mandatory meeting on Wednesday, September 3rd at 4pm in Music Building Room L1. Then, auditions for both new and returning percussionists will take place for 4:30 - 5:30pm in L1. 

Incoming Students:
Monday, August 25th, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. in Music Building 220



Returning Students:
Tuesday, September 2nd, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. in Music Building 220
Wednesday, September 3rd, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. in Music Building 220


Jazz Orchestra

Contact: Jeff Chang, Director of Jazz Orchestra

Wind Instrumentalists:

  • Prepared Repertoire: Perform one medium-tempo swing composition of your
    choosing that best represents your technical facility, tone production, and stylistic
    interpretation within the jazz idiom.
  • Sight-Reading: A brief sight-reading excerpt in a medium swing style to assess
    reading fluency, rhythmic precision, and stylistic accuracy.
  • Optional – Improvisation: You may choose to demonstrate jazz improvisation over a
    progression of your choice.

Piano and Guitar:

  • Prepared Repertoire: Present a medium swing selection of your choice that
    demonstrates your comping ability, harmonic vocabulary, and rhythmic feel.
  • Sight-Reading: Sight read a notated excerpt in a medium swing style showcasing
    competence in chordal interpretation, voice leading, and rhythmic accompaniment.
  • Optional– Improvisation: You may choose to demonstrate jazz improvisation over a
    progression of your choice.

Bass (Upright and/or Electric):

  • Prepared Repertoire: Perform a medium swing piece of your choice that highlights
    your time feel, articulation, and walking bass line construction.
  • Sight-Reading Proficiency: Interpret a written excerpt in medium swing style,
    demonstrating fluency in reading notation, rhythmic accuracy, and harmonic clarity.
  • Optional – Improvisation: You may choose to demonstrate jazz improvisation over a
    progression of your choice. 
  • **Instrument Option:** Applicants may audition on either upright (double bass) or
    electric bass.

Drum Set:

  • Style Proficiency Demonstration: Display proficiency in the following styles: medium-
    to-up-tempo swing, Bossa Nova, and Funk. Candidates should demonstrate groove
    consistency, stylistic nuance, and dynamic control.
  • Sight-Reading Proficiency: Perform a sight-reading excerpt from a standard big band
    chart (medium swing tempo).
  • Optional – Improvisation: Candidates may opt to exhibit soloing skills within a jazz
    context.

Additional Audition Details

  • Duration: Each audition slot is limited to 10 minutes. Please ensure your instrument is
    fully set up and tuned prior to entry.
  • Accompaniment: iReal Pro backing tracks will be available for improvisation.

Incoming Students:
Monday, August 25th, 2:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. in Music Building L1



Returning Students:
Tuesday, September 2, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. in Music Building L1


 


CHAMBER MUSIC

For information regarding membership in chamber music ensembles visit pugetsound.edu/chambermusic or contact Professor Alistair MacRae.


OPERA THEATER

The spring 2026 production is a co-production of the musical Fun Home (Jeanine Tesori/Lisa Kron) between the School of Music and Theatre Arts. Auditions will take place in November 2025. Be on the lookout for more information ahead of auditions.

For general Opera Theater information, please contact Dr. Dawn Padula.