Concert Ensembles Auditions

07/24/2020 – AUDITION UPDATE

For the health and safety for all students, faculty, and staff all Auditions for the University Ensembles Program will take place online using the Zoom platform To access this software please visit Boston University TechWeb Zoom meetings website (https://www.bu.edu/tech/services/cccs/conf/online/zoom/). There are a couple of settings you should adjust before your zoom audition. Please watch this video to see what you should do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEAb4G063sM

Winds, Brass, and Percussion Audition Information

Step 1: Fill out the Join webform:

Please visit and fill out the Join a Band webform.

Step 2: Schedule your audition

Please make sure you pay attention to which audition section you select. For students who would like to audition for Concert Band only, please use this link. If you’d like to audition for All-Campus Orchestra and Concert Band, please use this link.

The Zoom audition link will be emailed to you once we get closer to the audition date.

If you have any questions regarding how to set up an audition, please contact Mike Barsano, Director of University Ensembles at bands@bu.edu.

Step 3: Prepare the required audition materials

Please note: A Boston University username and Kerberos password are required. If you do not have one, click here for “Early Bird” registration to obtain one.

All students should bring their own sheet music if needed. Printed music will not be available at the audition.

Step 4: Register for the appropriate courses

Courses can be found using the Boston University StudentLink.

Concert Band Course numbers (Please sign up for ONE):

CFA MU 092 A1 – Students should register for this session if they are at full course load.
CFA MU 192 A1 – Students should register for this session if they are NOT at a full course load. 

All-Campus Orchestra Course numbers (Please sign up for ONE):

CFA MU 097 A1 – Students should register for this session if they are at full course load.
CFA MU 197 A1 – Students should register for this session if they are NOT at a full course load. 

Step 5: Check your Computer Setup

Please make sure to test your computer prior to your audition. Please review the video above.

All-Campus Orchestra String Auditions

Please note: A Boston University username and Kerberos password may be required to sign up for an audition time or to download audition materials. If you do not have one, click here for “Early Bird” registration to obtain one.

Step 1: Fill out the Join webform:

Please visit and fill out the Join a Band webform.

Step 2: Schedule your audition

Please visit this webpage to schedule your audition.

The Zoom audition link will be emailed to you once we get closer to the audition date.

If you have any questions regarding how to set up an audition, please contact Mike Barsano, Director of University Ensembles at bands@bu.edu.

If you are able, please select times that are adjacent to each other. If you are unable to make any of these time slots, please contact the band office (bands@bu.edu).

Step 3: Prepare the required audition materials

  • Scale requirement: Scale, in slow legato quarter-notes:
    • Violins, Violas, Cellos: E-flat major 3 octaves
    • Bass: A-flat major 2 octaves
  • Prepared selection of your choice:
    • Please prepare 2-3 minutes of any work of your choice that you feel demonstrates your playing at its best.
  • Prepared excerpts:

All students should bring their own sheet music if needed. Printed music will not be available at the audition.

Contact the Band Office at bands@bu.edu if you have any questions.

Step 4: Register for the Appropriate Course

Courses can be found using the Boston University StudentLink.

Please sign up for one of these courses:

CFA MU 097 A1 – Students should register for this session if they are at full course load.
CFA MU 197 A1 – Students should register for this session if they are NOT at a full course load. 

Step 5: Check your Computer Setup

Please make sure to test your computer prior to your audition. Please review the video above.