OU Bands Audition Information
The OU Bands department holds auditions for ensembles and "The Pride of Oklahoma" marching band. When those auditions are approaching, additional information will be available below.
Note: If you are planning on pursuing a music major or minor, you will also need to audition to be accepted into the degree program. This degree audition is separate from ensemble auditions. See the School of Music's Auditions & Admissions page for more details. You do not need to be a music major or minor to participate in ensembles.
Spring 2025 Ensemble Auditions
Auditions will take place Monday, December 2nd or Wednesday, December 4th, depending on your instrument (see the schedule below).
All registered students will be assigned a 5 minute time slot--besides percussion who will be assigned a 6 minute slot, and oboes will be assigned a 10 minute slot--within the time range indicated below for your instrument. Your assigned time will be emailed to you after November 29th once registration closes.
Results will be posted on the band, orchestra, and jazz bulletin boards before the end of the Fall semester.
Questions
If you have questions about large ensemble auditions, you may contact Emma Boone at emmaboone@ou.edu. For questions about jazz band auditions, you may contact Jay Wilkinson at jazzprof@ou.edu.
Ensemble Schedule
Please review the ensemble schedule below to check your class schedule for potential conflicts. You can communicate any unavoidable class conflicts when registering.
Audition Registration
All students auditioning for Orchestra, Wind Symphony, or Symphony Band must register by completing the form linked below by noon on Friday, November 29. Please note that jazz band auditions for Spring Semesters are held only to fill vacancies. Contact Jay Wilkinson at jazzprof@ou.edu to learn which jazz positions are available for Spring 2025.
Audition Materials
Large Ensembles - Music Majors or Music Minors
Audition repertoire will be emailed to you upon completion of the registration form.
Large Ensembles - Anyone who is not a Music Major or Music Minor
- Winds: You may perform the prescribed repertoire (emailed to you upon completion of the registration form), or you may select any two etudes of contrasting style that you feel best showcase your talents.
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Percussion: Select one of the following options
- One etude or excerpt from a solo on either snare drum or marimba
- The snare drum and keyboard selections from the prescribed Percussion repertoire (emailed to you upon completion of the registration form).
Jazz Bands
Contact Jay Wilkinson at jazzprof@ou.edu to learn which jazz positions are available for Spring 2025.
Download the jazz band audition materials at the following link:
Audition Schedule
Email Jay Wilkinson at jazzprof@ou.edu if you have a conflict with the jazz audition time.
OU Bands Non-Major Scholarships
Thank you for your interest in auditioning for an OU Bands non-major scholarship! The OU Band awards non-major band scholarships to students majoring in fields other than music, who:
- Demonstrate musical excellence on their instrument at a level that places the student among the top of all OU Band students
- Participate in “The Pride of Oklahoma” Marching Band in the fall semesters of their collegiate career.
- Participate in a large concert ensemble in the spring semesters of their collegiate career.
NOTE: Since our marching band instrumentation does not include double reeds, non-major double reed students perform in a large concert ensemble both semesters to fulfill their scholarship obligations.
Non-major band scholarships are awarded based on the student’s demonstrated musical abilities via audition, performance history, and the current instrumentation needs of the band program.
Once a scholarship has been awarded, it will be retained by the student, provided the student is making satisfactory progress toward their degree and meet all requirements of their scholarship contract.
Additional requirements for non-major band scholarship consideration
Students will email the following items before May 1 to Marc Mueller at Marc.D.Mueller-1@ou.edu.
- A resume listing the student's accomplishments in band and school; volunteer and work experience should be included as well.
- Two letters of recommendation. One letter from your band director, and the other letter can be from a teacher, coach, employer, etc.
Questions? Contact Audition Coordinator Marc Mueller at Marc.D.Mueller-1@ou.edu.
