Boise State Music is pleased to offer a variety of large ensembles that provide professional-level performance opportunities and are comprised of the finest wind, brass, percussion and string players on campus. Any Boise State student can participate, regardless of major, and all are welcome.
In the following sections, you will find audition information for string, wind, brass and percussion players interested in joining Symphonic Winds, All-Campus Concert Band, Jazz Orchestra or the Boise State Symphony Orchestra.
Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Auditions
All woodwind, brass, and percussion majors and minors, plus any other Boise State student interested in auditioning for Symphonic Winds and Symphony Orchestra, should prepare the complete audition packet of excerpts and be prepared for sight reading.
Non-music majors solely interested in auditioning for the All-Campus Concert Band may prepare just the solo excerpt #1 and prepare for sight reading.
Audition Procedures
All students of a specific instrument will arrive at the designated time and draw numbers for audition order. Students will be identified by their specific number during the audition process.
Auditions will be blind, adjudicated by at least two faculty members, and proctored by a non-adjudicating party. The audition process is the primary factor used to determine part and ensemble assignments, in conjunction with scholarship and other obligations. Woodwind, brass, and percussion results will be posted online by Sunday, Aug. 31 at 5:00 p.m. All students should keep all rehearsal times available (Symphonic Winds, Symphony Orchestra, and All-Campus Concert Band) until results are posted.
For percussion auditions, students can request access to instruments for practice prior to the audition by contacting Dr. Milan well in advance of the audition at kramermilan@boisestate.edu
Fall 2025 Audition Dates and Times
August 26th
Trumpets, 12:00 p.m., rm. B125
Flutes, 12:00 p.m., rm. C200
Alto Saxophones, 1:45 p.m., rm. B125
Oboes, 2:00 p.m., rm. C200
Bassoons, 2:35 p.m., rm. C200
Tenor Saxophones, 2:50 p.m., rm. B125
August 27th
Percussion, 4:30 p.m., rm. B125
August 28th
Horns, 1:15 p.m., rm. C200
Tenor Trombones, 1:15 p.m., rm. B125
B-flat Soprano Clarinets, 1:45 p.m., rm. C200
Bass Trombones, 2:15 p.m., rm. B125
B-flat Bass Clarinets, 3:00 p.m., rm. C200
Euphoniums, 2:40 p.m., rm. B125
Tubas, 3:20 p.m., rm. B215
String Auditions
The Symphony Orchestra’s season consists of four major orchestral concerts and participation in department activities such as the Holiday Concert, opera, musical, as well as the Annual Concerto-Aria Competition Concert.
All string majors and minors, plus any other student interested in auditioning for the Symphony Orchestra, should prepare the complete audition packet of excerpts and be prepared for sight reading. If the 1st violin excerpts seem too difficult, a student may audition with the 2nd violin excerpts.
Fall 2025 Audition Dates and Times
August 23rd
Violins, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Violas, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Cellos and Double Basses, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
All auditions to take place in the Morrison Center, rm. C117
Jazz Orchestra Auditions
Auditions for the Boise State Jazz Orchestra and Combo are separate and occur on the first Tuesday of classes at 3:30 pm, with callbacks on the first Thursday of classes if needed. For more information on Jazz Orchestra audition requirements, dates, times and repertoire, please visit the following link.
Ensemble Rehearsal Schedule
All-Campus Band
- MUS-ENS 122/322/522: Instrumental Rehearsal Hall B125
- Fall: T 6-8:30 p.m.
- Spring: T 6-8:30 p.m.
Symphonic Winds
- MUS-ENS 120/320/520: Instrumental Rehearsal Hall B125
- Fall: T/Th 1:30-3:20p
- Spring: M/W/F 1:30-3:20p
Symphony Orchestra
- MUS-ENS 150/350/550: Instrumental Rehearsal Hall B125
- Fall: M/W 2:30-4:20 p.m. and Friday 2:30-3:20 p.m.
- Spring: T/Th 1:30-3:45 p.m.