Interested in joining a Concert or Athletic band?

Take a few minutes and fill out the interest form. You'll get more information in about 10 days.

Auditioning details for UA Bands

Concert Bands

Audition information for UA Concert Ensembles (Band & Orchestra)

All musicians must audition at the beginning of the fall semester for placement in the Symphonic, Concert or University Band and/or Symphony Orchestra. Students at UA and Wayne campus are welcome to participate, regardless of academic major, in the School of Music ensembles. For those musicians wishing to join a concert ensemble only for spring semester, contact Dr. Karriker, Director of Bands, at 330-972-6180 or gsk1@uakron.edu to arrange an audition in January. Placement will be in whichever ensemble has an opening or in the University Band if no openings are available.

  • Fall Audition Dates: Monday – Thursday / August 25 - 28, 2025
  • Audition Times: Please see the schedule below – you must schedule a time online
  • Audition Location: Gazetta Hall or PAH Rehearsal Room in E.J. Thomas Hall
    • Directions to PAH: Access through the Blue Stage Door across from Guzzetta Hall. Then, enter the door and proceed down the hallway to the freight elevator or stairs - go down to the bottom floor to enter PAH.
  • Audition Excerpts: Access excerpts here
  • NOTE: Percussion Auditions will be held in Guzzetta Hall Room 09 (basement rehearsal room)

For those students who wish to be considered for Band AND Orchestra, there will be a block of time specifically reserved for those auditioning for both ensembles (see Orch / Band on schedule below).

Please prepare the Band Audition & Orchestra Audition materials – you will only need to audition once to be considered for both ensembles.

For those students who wish to be considered ONLY for Band, sign up during one of the blocks of time listed below "Band ONLY".

IMPORTANT

Please sign up for one of the concert bands as soon as possible:

  • Wind Symphony – MUSEN:104-001 undergrad / 604-001 graduate
  • Symphony Band – MUSEN:125-001 undergrad / 625-001 graduate
  • Concert Band – MUSEN:128-001 undergrad / 628-801 graduate

By signing up for one of these three ensembles you will ensure receiving important announcements, including the audition excerpts.

Students will be moved to the appropriate ensemble after the auditions. Please check your UA email and/or Brightspace for the ensemble you sign up for to receive audition excerpts. Audition excerpts (hard-copies) will also be available outside the UA Band Office (Room 270 Guzzetta Hall) after August 1st. If you have not yet received a copy of the audition excerpts, and are signed up for one of the ensembles listed above, please email Dr. Galen S. Karriker directly at gsk@uakron.edu.

Percussionists should prepare all of the excerpts in the packet provided by Dr. Snider. If you have questions regarding the percussion auditions please contact him directly at 330-972-6988 or lsnider@uakron.edu.

SCHEDULING YOUR AUDITION

Please sign up for an audition using this enclosed SignUpGenius link.

Once you have opened the website, look for your INSTRUMENT & DATE.

  • If you are interested in being considered for Orchestra and Band, sign up for an “Orch/Band” appointment.
  • If you only wish to be considered for a band, sign up for a “Band ONLY” appointment.
  • If you wish to be considered for Orch/Band and no times remain, sign up for the first available time in the Band ONLY appointments.

If you need to cancel/change your appointment time.

  • Click “Edit my Sign Up” in the confirmation email from SignUpGenius.
  • Then, click “Delete” and confirm that you wish to delete that appointment.
  • You can then log back on and select a different appointment time.

On the day of your audition

  • Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled audition time.
  • Fill out the audition form and give that to the faculty member prior to starting your audition.
  • For all other inquiries, please contact the band office at 330-972-6180.

Fall 2024 Concert Bands / Orchestra Audition Schedule --

Please plan accordingly to be available to audition during the appropriate times.

Please make sure to check your UA email regularly for notifications and announcements.

Athletic Bands

Audition information for the UA Marching Band

For the most up to date information on the UAMB and to receive audition information complete the online interest form, and/or contact Dr. Michelle Bell at mbell2@uakron.edu.

Drumline Auditions

AUDITION MUSIC / HANDBOOKS

  • 1st Round - Virtual Submissions DUE: Friday, July 25, 2025 to mbell2@uakron.edu
    Video Submission Requirements
    • Complete Registration Form (link below) prior to submitting audition.
    • Applicants should submit one video per instrument - audition for whichever instrument(s) you wish to be considered
      • NOTE: Submit an "Unlisted" YouTube Link - do NOT send a video file
    • Applicants are encouraged to read the handbook for each instrument!
  • 2nd Round - ON CAMPUS Sunday, August 10 2025 [9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.]
    • NOTE: Between July 28-30th, applicants will be invited via email to attend the second round of auditions on campus. 

AUDITION REGISTRATION & INFORMATION - PLEASE complete the Audition Registration BEFORE submitting your video application.

Colorguard Auditions

    • AUDITION REQUIREMENT: All interested members either attend the UA Colorguard Clinic Day (Sunday, May 4, 2025: 1 - 5 p.m.) OR submit an audition video to Amber Dudley (amber.dudley@yahoo.com), no later than Friday, August 1, 2025.

    Feature Twirler Auditions

    • Feature Twirler Auditions for 2025 have concluded. 

    Brass & Woodwinds

    • There are NO formal auditions for wind players.
    • Instruments are provided for mellophones, baritones, and sousaphones.
    • Students should have previous experience on their instrument.
    • Marching experience in high school is highly recommended.
    • Students may be asked to send part-placement videos, or complete a part-placement playing demonstration, either during the summer months or in the first days of Preseason Camp.

    Audition information for the UA Blue and Gold Brass
    Basketball Bands

    • Auditions will be held in early October in Guzzetta Hall, Room 270B. Each audition will consist of 2 major scales (players choice), the chromatic scale (ascending and descending), the assigned excerpt, and a short sight-reading. Sign-up links and audition music will be posted in early October 2025.

    2025 - 2026 BLUE AND GOLD BRASS SCHEDULE:

    (TBA) Schedule

     All B&G Brass Band members will attend all men’s basketball games. The band will be split into two groups, which will alternate attending women’s games. Please put these dates into your calendar now! Women’s games will be assigned once the roster is finalized.

    FALL 2025: Rehearsal Schedule

    • TBA

    MEN’S BASKETBALL

    All times TBA

    WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

    All times TBA

    Questions?

    Contact Dr. Michelle Bell, Assistant Director of Bands | Director of Athletic Bands, for more information at 330-972-6186 or mbell2@uakron.edu.