Auditions

FALL 2026 AUDITIONS:

Auditions will occur Wednesday, September 2nd through Saturday, September 5th in the Moore Building (School of Music, Theatre and Dance). 

If you would like to audition, please fill out the Registration Form; at the end of your registration, there will be a link to a calendly calendar where you can choose your audition timeslot. 

Audition Registration for Fall Term 2026 will open Monday, July 27th at 12:00pm EST.  All students auditioning must complete the registration form.  This is separate from registering for the course and both are required.  

Audition times are as follows:

Wednesday, September 2*

7:00pm - 10:00pm (Hankinson)

*Percussionists MUST audition this day
(you'll be contacted once you register regarding which instruments you may need provided for you)

Thursday, September 3

5:30pm - 10:00pm (1370, near Hankinson)

Friday, September 4

5:30pm - 10:00pm (1370, near Hankinson)

Saturday, September 5

10:30am - 1:00pm (1370, near Hankinson)

2:00pm - 5:30pm (held until all other slots are full)

7:00pm - 10:00pm (held until all other slots are full)

important notes:

The repertoire selected for the fall term does not have any piano parts. If you are a pianist interested in auditioning for the winter term, please plan to audition in January during the first week of classes.

Percussionists MUST audition on Wednesday.

The last hour of the audition day will be HELD until the rest of the day is FULL. 

Saturday's afternoon sessions will be HELD until the rest of the schedule is FULL.  

If you are struggling to find a time slot, please reach out to the Large Ensembles Production Manager, Kate Johnson, at kjkate@umich.edu.

Audition Requirements:

Please prepare two selections in contrasting style and tempo that will best demonstrate your abilities. Auditions last about 3-5 minutes. You may sign up for either section of the class ahead of time and will audition for all sections during your auditions. 

Auditions are typically held during the first or second week of the semester at the School of Music, and rehearsals begin the Wednesday after. Class registration and the syllabus for ENS 344 will be explained at the first rehearsal. 

Registration Requirements & results:

The University of Michigan Campus Symphony Orchestra (CSO), Campus Philharmonia Orchestra (CPO), and Campus String Ensemble (CSE) welcomes all students to audition who are not music majors or do not need a large ensemble requirement. Based on your audition, you'll be placed into one of the three orchestras based on your skill level and playing style. 

You may register for ENS 344 on Wolverine Access (either section) in order to receive more announcements. 

A roster will be posted before the first rehearsal on the canvas courses. Please DO NOT expect an email regarding your placement in the orchestras.

Rehearsal & Concert schedule:

Rehearsals:

Wednesday Evenings – Moore Building

CSE:  4:30pm - 6:30pm

CPO & CSO:  7:00pm – 9:30pm

CPO/CSO Fall Dress & Performance:

Sunday, November 22, 2026 – Hill Auditorium

Dress Rehearsal:  1:00pm – 5:30pm

Performance:  7:00pm

CSE Fall Dress & Performance:

Wednesday, December 2, 2026 – Hankinson

Dress Rehearsal:  4:30pm - 6:30pm

Performance:  8:00pm

CPO/CSO Winter Dress & Performance:

Sunday, April 4, 2027 – Hill Auditorium

Dress Rehearsal:  1:30pm – 6:00pm

Performance:  7:00pm

CSE Winter Dress & Performance:

Date, Time, and Location TBD

Please reserve Wednesday, April 7, 2027 and Friday, April 9, 2027 as potential performance dates. 

Still need help?

Please email Kate Johnson (Large Ensembles Production Manager) at kjkate@umich.edu if you are stuggling to sign up for an audition time slot. 

Please email Elijah Schuh (Campus Symphony Orchestra Conductor) at eschuh@umich.edu for more information about the repertoire or general questions regarding how the class functions. 

If you are a music major looking for the SMTD Ensembles Audition Site, click here.