Honor Band, Choir & Strings Festival

Fall 2018 auditions have closed.

Information on upcoming auditions for the UND Honor Band & Choirs will be available soon. 

2018-2019 Letter from the Chair

Students may audition for the Honor Band, an Honor Choir, and the Honor Strings if they so desire ($15.00 per audition). There is no participation fee for students that are selected. Please make every attempt to attend auditions at one of the sites listed. Special arrangements for students who are interested in auditioning but who cannot appear at the scheduled locations and times will be handled on an individual basis.

Festival Housing, Transportation & Meals

Students selected for an Honor Ensemble are responsible for making their own housing and transportation arrangements. To avoid increasing audition fees to help cover expenses, we also ask students to assume the responsibility for their own meals. Please note that the University of North Dakota bears no responsibility for supervision of the students away from the University. There is no participation fee for students that are selected for an Honor Ensemble!

2018-2019 Audition Information for Band, Choir & Strings printable version

Honor Band Auditions

Band audition form

Woodwind and Brass instrumentalists should play two excerpts from appropriate solo literature and/or etudes that will exhibit both lyrical playing and technical proficiency (approximately three minutes in length total for this repertoire). Students will also be asked to play a major scale of their choice and chromatic scale (both scales should be performed ascending and descending). Students may choose the style and tempo, as well as the number of octaves (please play as many as possible), for these scales. In addition, each woodwind and brass instrumentalist will also be asked to sight-read. Percussionists should play prepared solo literature and/or excerpts on both snare drum and a keyboard mallet instrument. Percussionists are not required to play scales or rudiments, but will be asked to sight-read on both snare drum and mallets. Instrumentalists do not need an accompanist. Dr. James Popejoy will conduct the Honor Band auditions.

Honor Choir Auditions

2018 Choir audition form

Vocalists should sing a prepared solo from classical vocal solo (i.e. non-choral) repertoire. Popular or country music should be avoided. Also, sight-reading will be an important part of the audition. Vocalists should provide their own accompanist. Please refrain from singing a cappella or using recorded accompaniment. Dr. Dean Jilek will conduct the Honor Choir auditions.

Honor Strings Auditions

2018-19 Strings audition form

2018-19 Chamber Group audition form

String instrumentalists should perform a two-three minute selection from appropriate literature that showcases the student’s best playing ability. They will also be asked to play one major or minor scale (two or more octaves; students may choose the style and tempo). In addition, each student will also be asked to sight-read. Dr. Simona Barbu will conduct the Honor Strings auditions. Note: Pre-formed string chamber music groups interested in participating in the chamber music masterclass during the Festival should contact Dr. Simona Barbu prior to the auditions for additional information.