Music Auditions
Welcome new students!
Whether you intend to major in music or not, we welcome your participation in the music program at Willamette. There are many opportunities available to any student depending on musical background. Auditions for piano, voice, strings, winds and the various ensembles are held during Opening Days (see below). Sign-up sheets for individual audition times are located in the Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center and you must audition during these times. Details about the various ensembles and lessons are given below. Please carefully read the information for the area of interest to you.
| AUGUST | |
|
Friday |
Music Theory Assessment |
|
Saturday |
Choir Auditions Orchestra/String Auditions |
|
Sunday |
Choir Auditions Voice Studio Lesson Auditions Piano Auditions Instrumental Ensembles Information Meeting |
|
Monday |
Choir Auditions 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Rogers Music Center 107 Dramatic Vocal Arts Auditions 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Hudson Hall, Rogers Music Center |
|
Tuesday |
Choir Auditions Jazz Auditions Master Chorus Auditions First Day of Classes |
|
Wednesday |
Woodwind/Percussion/Brass Auditions Jazz Auditions Master Chorus Auditions Chamber Choir Callbacks Special Music Student Convo: Faculty Performance & Music Major Orientation |
More Information
If you plan on being a music major you must take the Music Theory Assessment on Friday, August 23 at 4:30 p.m. For more information please read the Music Theory Assessment letter online. A sample assessment is available online. Stop by the Music Office during the first week of classes to complete a Declaration of Music Major form. It will be helpful for you to obtain advising from a music faculty member to insure your enrollment in the appropriate classes for your specific music major. (See the online list of faculty and music major advisors).
As a music major you are required to attend the Weekly Student Recital Convos held each Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. in Hudson Hall, RMC. As noted above, a Special Music Convo is scheduled for Wednesday, August 28, 7 p.m. in Hudson Hall and will include a Music Student Handbook orientation. This meeting is critical for those intending to major in music, so please be sure to attend.
Applied Lesson Information
You must register for lessons during the first week of classes. The cost of 14 weekly one-half hour lessons is $340 and $680 for one-hour lessons per semester. If lessons are discontinued during the first three weeks, a pro-rated refund will be given. The deadline for a refund of lesson fees is exactly one week after the Registrar's official add-drop deadline each semester. A studio fee of $50 per semester will be charged to all students enrolled in applied lessons.
Voice and Piano Lessons
- Voice - Please contact Allison Swensen-Mitchell (503) 370-6844
- Piano - Please contact Anita King (503) 370-6452 or Jean-David Coen (503) 370-6064
If you wish to study voice or piano, you will need to audition with the appropriate faculty member who will assess your skills and make a teacher assignment. (Please see the schedule above for audition times.) For voice lessons, please plan to sing a prepared song (an accompanist will be provided). For piano lessons, please plan to play a prepared piece (These voice and piano pieces do not need to be memorized). If you are a beginner you must still attend an audition and speak with the faculty.
On the day following your audition, your teacher assignment will be posted outside the music office. It is important that you contact the instructor and schedule your lessons during the first week of classes.
Other Applied Lessons
If you plan to register for lessons on one of the following instruments, please contact the professor directly either by phone, e-mail or at the teaching studio listed below. Please come prepared with a schedule of your classes. If you are unable to reach an instructor, please contact the Music Department Administrative Assistant at (503) 370-6214 or Room 106 in Rogers Music Center and a message will be given to the instructor. It is important that you contact the instructor and schedule your lessons during the first week of classes. If after contacting your instructor, you have not been able to set up a meeting within one week, please seek assistance from the department chair.
| Instrument | Professor | Room | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bassoon | Helena Spencer |
200 FAE | (503) 370-6939 | hkopchic@willamette.edu |
| Cello | Jason Duckles |
114 RMC | (503) 370-6149 | jduckles@willamette.edu |
| Clarinet | Lou Demartino |
101 FAE | (503) 375-5498 | ldemarti@willamette.edu |
| Flute | Sarah Tiedemann | 101 FAE |
(503) 370-6833 | stiedema@willamette.edu |
| Guitar | John Doan | 202 FAE | (503) 370-6174 | jdoan@willamette.edu |
| Harp | Jeffrey Parsons | 100 FAE | (503) 370-6912 | jlparson@willamette.edu |
| Horn | Mike Hettwer | 103 FAE | (503) 370-6961 | mhettwer@willamette.edu |
| Jazz/Electr. Guitar | Mike Nord |
116 RMC |
(503) 370-6378 | mnord@willamette.edu |
| Jazz Piano | Julian Snow | 215 FAE | (503) 375-5482 | jsnow@willamette.edu |
| Low Brass | Lars Campbell |
103 FAE | (503) 370-6602 | lcampbel@willamette.edu |
| Oboe | TBA | 200 FAE | (503) 375-5473 | |
| Organ | Paul Klemme | 103 RMC |
(503) 370-6255 | pklemme@willamette.edu |
| Percussion | Warren Murray | 142 RMC | (503) 370-6768 | wmurray@willamette.edu |
| Saxophone | Sean Flannery |
100 FAE | (503) 370-6933 | sflanner@willamette.edu |
| String Bass | Tyler Abbott |
142 RMC | (503) 375-5365 | tabbott@willamette.edu |
| Trumpet | Sarah Viens | 100 FAE | (503) 370-6450 | sviens@willamette.edu |
| Vibraphone | Mike Horsfall |
142 RMC |
(503) 375-5497 | mhorsfal@willamette.edu |
| Violin | Daniel Rouslin |
222 FAE | (503) 370-6454 | drouslin@willamette.edu |
| Violin/Viola | Danny Seidenberg | 222 FAE | (503) 370-6797 | dseidenb@willamette.edu |
FAE - Fine Arts East
FAW - Fine Arts West
RMC - Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center
Ensemble Information
Instrumental Music
- Professor James Miley, Director of Willamette University Jazz Collective
- Professor Todd Zimbelman, Director of Wind Ensemble
Wind-Band Ensemble Pool, M, 4:45-6:15p, W 4:45-6:15p and some Fridays 4:45-6:15p Rogers Rehearsal Hall.
The Willamette University Wind Ensemble is a large wind and percussion ensemble. The ensemble performs music from a wide variety of styles, time periods, and traditions and gives two or three public concerts per semester. The Wind Ensemble is open to all students regardless of academic concentration. Auditions for the Wind Ensemble are held on the first two days of classes each semester in room 110 of the Rogers Music Center. The procedure is similar each semester; simply come by RMC 110, sign up for a time, usually about ten minutes, and that's about all there is to it! For Fall auditions, bring in something to play with which you are familiar and comfortable and which demonstrates your technique and musicality. There is usually some sight-reading presented as well, but the entire process is typically low stress and user friendly. For Spring auditions, auditions will be held for any open positions. The process will be similar to the Fall auditions. Ensemble lists are posted on Thursday of the first week of classes. These lists are posted on the band bulletin board.
Willamette Jazz Collective, TU, TH, 2:30-4:00p Rogers Rehearsal Hall (+ 1 hour sectional each week).
The Willamette Jazz Collective performs the finest big band literature of the past and present, with particular emphasis on new music by leading composers in the field as well as contributions from emerging artists and student arrangers. In addition to hosting the annual Willamette University Jazz Festival the group performs regularly on campus and throughout the region. Open by audition to all Willamette University students.
Jazz Combos, 2 hours rehearsal each week, TBA.
Jazz small groups are scheduled according to interest, improvisational ability of students, and availability of rhythm section players. Each ensemble performs on campus each semester as part of the Bistro jazz series. Open by audition to all Willamette University students.
Instrumental Chamber Ensembles
Chamber Ensembles, meeting for two hours per week are organized according to the interest and availability of players. Ensembles are offered in single-instrument groups and mixed ensembles including string, wind and percussion instruments.
Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles
- Professor Jason Duckles, Director of University Chamber Orchestra
- Professor Daniel Rouslin, Director of Small Ensemble Program
University Chamber Orchestra, T,TH 4:45-6:15p, Hudson Hall.
Exploration of literature for chamber orchestra from all periods. Spring semester may include performing as part of the orchestra for the productions of Dramatic Vocal Arts and for the winner(s) of the WU Concerto/Aria Competition. Open to all students through audition. Those interested in auditioning for the University Chamber Orchestra should prepare a piece from the literature of their instrument and a scale.
Chamber Ensembles
Experienced string players are invited to audition for Willamette's undergraduate string ensembles which perform regularly on and off campus. Other ensembles including strings plus piano, brass or woodwinds may also be formed, depending on instruments available and student interest. Flutists, oboists, clarinetists, bassoonists, and French horn players are encouraged to audition for a position in the undergraduate woodwind quintet, and brass players including French horn players should consider trying out for one of the brass ensembles such as the brass quintet.
Choral and Vocal Arts Activities
- Dr. Wallace H. Long, Jr., Director of Choral Activities, Chamber Choir and Willamette Singers
- Dr. Paul Klemme, Director of Male Ensemble Willamette and Willamette Master Chorus
- Professor Christine Welch Elder, Director of University Women's Choir (Voce Femminile)
- Professor Allison Swensen-Mitchell, Director of Dramatic Vocal Arts
Our choral program is structured to provide a wide variety of music opportunities to students who have backgrounds which range from limited experience to years of training. Most of our groups have at least 70% of their membership made up of non-music majors. The audition for all choirs will include (1) an interview; (2) singing scales to find your range, and (3) sight reading both melodies and rhythms.
Voce Feminile, M,W,F, 11:30a-12:30p, Rogers Rehearsal Hall and Hudson Hall.
Male Ensemble Willamette, M,W,F, 11:30a-12:30p, FAW145, Hudson Hall and Rogers Rehearsal Hall.
These two groups will be of particular interest to those students who may not have had extensive choral experience and want to develop their reading skills and vocal technique. Other students join these groups for the opportunity to perform literature written exclusively for male or female voices or because they may not have the time to commit to our other more intensive ensembles. Each ensemble enrolls approximately 30-40 singers from a broad cross-section of majors on campus. The ensembles perform approximately four times yearly. Literature for Male Ensemble comes from the best of barbershop, doo-wop, popular, and classical music. Voce Femminile performs classical choral literature from a broad spectrum of historical periods. Twice yearly, the men and women combine to sing music composed for mixed voices. For your audition you will be asked to do rudimentary sight reading and vocalize to determine voice placement and group assignment.
Willamette Singers, T,TH, 12:50-2:20p, Rogers Rehearsal Hall.
This group of 12 voices and jazz combo will concentrate on vocal jazz. Willamette Singers participates in a yearly tour and in recent years has traveled to Japan, Boston, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Chicago, Washington, Idaho, California and New York. Members must have significant experience in singing and/or instrument playing and are required to audition for entrance. Students interested in playing in the instrumental combo should audition during the special times for jazz instruments.
Chamber Choir, M,W,F, 4:10-5:40p, Hudson Hall.
The choir consists of 36-44 singers and engages in a tour (usually taken during the winter break) as well as frequent on-campus performances. Literature is drawn from the best of classical repertoire from all historical periods.Members must have significant experience in singing and are required to audition for entrance.
Willamette Master Chorus, M, 7-9:30p, Hudson Hall.
Master Chorus combines vocalists from the Salem community with Willamette students to form a 60-member choir. The group specializes in performing large choral works with orchestra and gives concerts three to four times annually. Members have significant experience in singing and are required to audition for entrance.
Dramatic Vocal Arts, T,TH, 2:30-4:30p, Hudson Hall.
The Dramatic Vocal Arts workshop offers students a rich experience with opera performance and production, along with an in-depth integration of singing, stage movement, and character development. The Dramatic Vocal Arts ensemble presents one full production each year, with full costumes, stage setting, and orchestral accompaniment provided by the University Chamber Orchestra. Recent productions include Puccini’s Suor Anglica, Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II, Cosi Fan Tutte by W.A. Mozart, Our Town by Ned Rorem, Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel, Bizet’s Carmen, and most recently The Secret Garden, a musical, by Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman. The ensemble is open to Willamette University students by audition
General Courses in Music
MUSC 102X Alexander Technique for Musicians (.25)
This course is for students interested in exploring movement as it relates to playing a musical instrument or singing. Students will gain ease in performing and learn how improved coordination enables them to avoid fatigue, injury, and technical limitation. Open to majors and non-majors.
Prerequisite: Experience with singing or playing an instrument (need not be advanced)
- Offering: Fall
- Instructor: Anita King
MUSC 121 (CA) Creating Music with Technology (1)
Creating music offers insights into the composer's art and a means of personal expression. Current technology allows the opportunity to compose music even for those without traditional skills or training. Intended for the non-music major, this hands-on class will directly involve students in the creation and recording of original music and sound resources. Final project recordings will be presented in a virtual concert.
Mode of Inquiry: Creating in the Arts
Prerequisite: Students should have basic computing and computer file management skills
- Offering: Yearly
- Instructor: TBA
MUSC 129 (CA) Uniting the Ear, Mind, and Body Through Music (1)
Designed for the non-music major, this course delves into the language of music through direct experience and creative activities. Students will develop musicianship skills by critically listening to recorded and live music, sight singing, improvisation, expressing music through movement, and composing melodies with basic harmonizations. When relevant, connections of music to other art forms will be encouraged and explored. At the end of the semester, each student will present a final project in the form of a composition and/or a performance. Emphasis on students' performing on their own instruments, where applicable.
General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Creating in the Arts
- Offering: Spring
- Instructor: Yun