Ensemble Auditions

Please see the “Spirit Marching Band and Soundpack” page on Facebook.

More information on Fall 2023 Auditions and Policies

No auditions necessary, but students must commit to attendance at Band Week, which is held the week before classes begin in the fall semester.

Not offered in spring semesters.

Contact: Chad Simons

Please see the “Spirit Marching Band and Soundpack” page on Facebook.

Auditions (for fall semester) are required.

Audition dates: usually mid-to-late October, at locations TBA.

Appointment times are needed: Signup sheets are posted near the Kurt Frederick Room (large band rehearsal hall) in early October.

Contact: Chad Simons

More information on Fall 2023 Auditions and Policies

Auditions for Wind Symphony & Symphonic Band are held during the week prior to classes in the Fall semester and at the end of the Fall semester for Spring. Call the Band Office at (505)277-8998 for specific information and scheduling.

Contact: Chad Simons

For specific string audition requirements, music, and links to sign up, click here.

For any additional information, about auditions or about the orchestral program generally, please email Dr. Matthew Forte, Director of Orchestral Studies, at forte@unm.edu.

Wind, brass and percussion auditions for the UNMSO follow the same procedures, repertoire, and timeline as those for the UNM Bands. Please follow the guidelines under ‘Wind Symphony or Symphonic Band’, found above.

For further information, contact UNM Interim Director of Bands Dr. Chad Simons at simochad@unm.edu

For information regarding 2023-2024 auditions, please click here.

For all questions, contact Dr. David Edmonds, Director of Choral Studies at dmedmonds@unm.edu.

For information regarding Opera Auditions for fall 2023 please contact Dr. Kristin Ditlow

Contact: Colleen Sheinberg

Jazz Band and Combo auditions take place the first two days of the fall and spring semesters. Jazz Band auditions consist of a prepared etude, sight reading, and an optional improvisation on a blues or tune of your choice. Etudes are posted on Dr. Buckholz’s bulletin board (#2128) the week before classes start.

Combo auditions consist of an improvisation on a blues or tune of your choice; rhythm section instruments will also be asked to comp and sight read.

Sign up sheets for audition times will be posted to Dr. Buckholz’s bulletin board (#2128) the week before classes start.

For more information, contact Dr. Chris Buckholz: cbuckholz@unm.edu.

Interested students call Prof. Ney to set up an audition time:

Contact: Scott Ney

Interested students call Prof. Ney to set up an audition time:

Contact: Scott Ney

Musicians should play their instruments at an intermediate level. All instruments and singers welcome.
To audition, please contact Dr. Kristina Jacobsen at:

kmj23@unm.edu

Founded in 2014, the UNM Honky Tonk Ensemble is the only collegiate ensemble in the country focusing exclusively on country music of the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, also known as “honky tonk.” Inspired by the community music ethic of Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music and focusing on country music as a form of verbal art, the class is open to community members and UNM students and is offered each fall and spring semester. Class incorporates music from the classic honky tonk canon, but also the music of lesser-known African American and Indigenous country music canons. The class is taught collaboratively by performing country artists, scholars, and numerous guest artists, and is designed to teach musicians how to play as a band.