CONTACT: PETER ALEXANDER
100 Old Public Library
Iowa City IA 52242
(319) 384-0072; fax (319) 384-0024
e-mail: peter-alexander@uiowa.edu

Release: Aug. 16, 2000

Public, UI students invited to audition for School of Music ensembles

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Auditions have been scheduled for several performing ensembles in the University of Iowa School of Music for the 2000-2001 academic year, including ensembles that are open to participation by members of the public as well as UI students.

Auditions for choral groups will be Aug. 20-24 in the Voxman Music Building. Each group presents one or more concerts of its own, in addition to singing choral concerts with the University Symphony.

Camerata Singers has 50-70 singers, including university students and community members. They present three concerts each year and rehearse 7:15-9:15 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Kantorei is the premier choral ensemble of the School of Music. It is a touring ensemble limited to approximately 30 singers, most of whom are graduate students. Kantorei presents four or five concerts on campus each year, tours to off-campus performances and participates in major choral works with the University Symphony. The group meets 1:30-3:20 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. Auditions are open to all UI students. Superior sight-reading ability is desirable.

University Choir is a select, advanced choir of 50-60 singers, primarily undergraduate students. The choir meets 1:30-3:20 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Auditions are open to any student with sight-reading ability.

Women's Chorale is a select chorus of approximately 40 women who sing three or four concerts each year. They meet 3:30-5:20 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

For the auditions for these choral groups, singers are asked to prepare an aria, art song or any other song they know well, although a prepared song is not required. All auditioners will be tested on their voice range, timbre, music reading ability and listening skills. An accompanist will be provided.

For further information on these choral auditions, or to sign up for an audition time, check the bulletin board outside Room 1033 of the Voxman Music Building, or contact the choral department at (319) 335-1677 or 335-1638.

Auditions for Old Gold Singers, the UI touring show choir, will be held separately from other choral groups, Aug. 22 and 23, with call-back auditions including dance and movement Aug. 24. Singers should bring one prepared piece (classical, popular or Broadway), and will be asked to vocalize and sight read. A pianist and tape recorder will be provided.

The Old Gold Singers rehearses 4-5:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the group is typically made up of students from all areas of the UI. Interested persons should sign up for

specific audition times outside Room 2063 of the Voxman Music Building, or call the Old Gold Singers office at (319) 335-2548 for information.

Auditions for the Symphony, Concert and University Bands will be Monday through Thursday, Aug. 21-24. The Symphony Band, a select touring ensemble, rehearses 3:35-5:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. Concert Band meets 3:45-5:30 p.m., also on Monday and Wednesday.

University Band, which is open to all UI students, meets 6:30-8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. Although an audition is recommended for the University Band, anyone wishing to play in this group may attend the first rehearsal at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28 in Voxman Hall of the Voxman Music Building.

Auditions are planned for low brass instrument and horns on Monday, for oboe, bassoon and saxophones on Tuesday, for flute and clarinet on Wednesday, and for trumpet on Thursday. Auditions may also be arranged on other days, as needed. Students should sign up for the auditions in the band office, Room 1064 in the Voxman Music Building, or by calling (319) 335-1635. It is recommended that students bring an excerpt from a prepared solo or etude. Percussionists who wish to audition for the concert bands should contact Daniel Moore in Room 1049 of the Voxman Music Building, or call (319) 335-1632.

The University Symphony will hold auditions for string players according to the following schedule: Monday, August 21, 9-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-4 p.m., violins and violas; Tuesday, Aug. 22, 9-11:30 a.m., 1:30-4 p.m., cellos and basses. Players should prepare a short solo work for the audition, which will also include sight reading.

University Symphony rehearsals are 7:15-9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. The orchestra, which plays three concerts each semester in Hancher Auditorium, in addition to other concerts on the UI campus and on tour in Iowa, is open to all students. Information, schedules, and sign-up sheets are posted outside Room 1036 of the Voxman Music Building. For further information, call the orchestra manager at (319) 335-1631.