All ensembles in the Glenn Korff School of Music are open to any UNL student. Some require an audition for membership, others do not. Some meet every semester, others do not. This page will help you navigate the system to design the ensemble experience that is best for you.
Things to know before you jump in
- When you find an ensemble that appeals to you, first check to see if it fits in your schedule. The complete schedule of GKSOM classes is posted each semester here:
- All ensembles require registration for one credit hour in every semester of participation. For music majors and minors the rules surrounding registration can be pretty confusing. Check with your advisor and the Large Ensemble Policy to be sure you are enrolling in a way that syncs with your degree requirements. For non-music majors and minors, ensembles are likely to count as electives. Check with your advisor if you have questions.
- For ensembles that require an audition, the auditions take place in a predictable pattern. Auditions for Fall Semester ensembles take place in August just before classes begin. Auditions for Spring Semester ensembles take place in December, typically during the last week of classes. The exception to this pattern is the Cornhusker Marching Band. There are two rounds to its audition: the first is in May, and the second is in August. To learn the specific dates of any audition find the appropriate ensemble heading below.
- Auditions take place in Westbrook Music Building. The specific room(s) will be listed along with any other instructions you need, including: what music to prepare, where to sign up for a time, and how the results will be communicated. To learn this information find the appropriate ensemble heading below.
CHORAL ENSEMBLES
Information pertaining to all the choral ensembles can be found here:
JAZZ ENSEMBLES
Information pertaining to all the jazz ensembles can be found here:
CORNHUSKER MARCHING BAND
Information pertaining to the Cornhusker Marching Band can be found here:
BIG RED EXPRESS PEP BANDS
Information pertaining to the Big Red Express can be found here:
INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT ENSEMBLES
- Campus Band (spring semester only) and Campus Orchestra (fall and spring semester, strings only) do not require an audition. Simply register for the class as you would any other.
- Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Band share an audition process. This can be a little confusing but it all works out in the end. First choose the category: strings or winds/percussion.
Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion
All music majors and minors enrolled in applied lessons on a wind or percussion instrument must audition for, and be placed in, a large jazz or concert ensemble. Information pertaining to the jazz ensembles is provided above. All music majors and minors who are not interested in, or eligible for, participation in the jazz program must follow the steps outlined below.
Non-music majors and minors are welcomed and encouraged to audition as well.
Auditions for the concert ensembles is a multi-step process (*new for 2023). This is a flowchart to illustrate this process:
- Step 1: all woodwind, brass and percussion students complete the Concert Ensembles Audition Registration Form:
- Step 2: all music majors and minors audition for Symphony Orchestra (this is a diagnostic round for saxophonists and euphonium players). Audition music and studio-specific instructions for this First Round of auditions are available for download below or from the studio faculty. Results of the First Round audition will be communicated by each applied instructor to all auditionees within 24 hours following the audition. For students placed in Symphony Orchestra the audition process is complete at this point. Enroll in the course.
- Step 3: woodwind/brass/percussion players not assigned to Symphony Orchestra will continue the process to determine placement in Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble. These students will report with their instrument to Westbrook Room 132 at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023 for the Second Round audition. Students with a class conflict at the 1:30 time should contact Dr. Barber For the Second Round audition students will have an opportunity, as a group, to try some of the games and exercises that are unique to the Wind Ensemble. Professors Falcone and Barber will determine each student's interest in, and readiness for, the different bands at this time. The roster for Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble will be communicated to all auditionees by Dr. Barber within 24 hours following the audition. At this point students should enroll in the appropriate band (or adjust their enrollment to reflect ensemble placement).
Each applied studio has its own routine for First Round auditions. To download the First Round audition information and materials for your instrument, click on the appropriate link below. If there is no link below, contact the studio professor directly. There are no materials to prepare for the Second Round auditions.
- Flute: First Round auditions for spring semester TBD
- Oboe: First Round auditions for spring semester TBD
- Bassoon: First Round auditions for spring semester TBD
- Clarinet: First Round auditions for spring semester TBD
- Saxophone: Music majors will audition for quartet placement with Dr. Haar. This is the First Round; Music majors will then proceed to the Second Round with the non-majors.
- Trumpet: First Round auditions for spring semester TBD
- French Horn: First Round auditions for spring semester TBD
- Trombone: First Round auditions for spring semester TBD
- Euphonium: First Round auditions for spring semester TBD
- Tuba: First Round auditions for spring semester TBD
- Percussion: First Round auditions for spring semester TBD
- Piano: For First Round information contact Prof. Mark Clinton
Strings
All music majors and minors enrolled in applied lessons on a string instrument must audition for Symphony Orchestra.
Non-music majors and minors are welcomed and encouraged to audition. Audition materials and information are posted below.
Please arrive at the beginning of your instrument's audition period to sign up for an audition slot.
- Violin: TBD
- Viola: TBD
- Cello: TBD
- Double Bass: TBD
- Harp: TBD