Auditions

Fall 2024 Audition Information

Info Sessions: Majoring and Minoring in Music | Piano Students

Additional Information: Practice Rooms | Borrowing Instruments | Instrument Lockers | General Assistance

African Music Ensemble

Directed by Ghanaian Master Drummer, Sowah Mensah.
African Music Ensemble’s 40 members perform on authentic drums, flutes, xylophones, gourds, voices, and more. The group tours locally, nationally, and internationally.
Audition schedule by appointment. 2024 sign-ups here!
Prior experience in African music is not required.
Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:45–8:15 PM
Contact Sowah Mensah at [email protected] for more information.
Follow us on Instagram @africanmusicensemble

Chorale and Concert Choir, Macalester Choral Ensembles

Directed by Prof. Michael McGaghie.
The Chorale is the College’s principal large chorus. The ensemble’s repertoire includes a cappella and accompanied music from various Western and non-Western vocal traditions. Membership is open to all Macalester students.
The Concert Choir is the advanced, select vocal ensemble of Macalester College. The choir draws its repertoire from music of the last six centuries and tours annually through the United States or abroad. Membership is open to all Macalester students.
All students are encouraged to audition, including (and especially!) those with little choral experience.
Audition sign-up for Fall 2024
Auditions for both choirs will consist of: vocalization (testing range, vowels, intonation, flexibility), ear exercises (pitch memory, finding notes within a chord), and a short sight-reading excerpt. No preparation is required!
Weekly rehearsals, additional combined choir rehearsals will be scheduled:
- Chorale: Tuesdays from 4:45–6:15 PM and Thursdays from 6:30–8:00 PM
- Concert Choir: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 4:45–6:15 PM
Contact Prof. Michael McGaghie at [email protected] for more information.
Follow us on Instagram @macchoirs

Macalester Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Music

Conducted by Mark Mandarano.
The Macalester Symphony Orchestra performs a wide range of orchestral literature and offers performance opportunities for student soloists in its annual Concerto/Aria Concert. The orchestra plays several campus concerts each year, often including professional soloists such as: violinist Erin Keefe, concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra; Manny Laureano, principal trumpet of the Minnesota Orchestra; pianist Mark Mazullo, on the faculty of Macalester College. The orchestra receives periodic sectional coaching from area professionals. In recent years, the orchestra has traveled to perform on tour to Madison and Milwaukee (WI), Lake Forest (IL), and Duluth (MN).
The Chamber Music program at Macalester (coordinated by Mark Mandarano) offers an opportunity to explore and perform repertoire for small ensembles. All instrumentalists and vocalists are eligible to participate. Entrance is by audition. Students who are accepted are placed in chamber ensembles practice and rehearse and receive coaching from department faculty or professional instructors. There is least one combined performance required for this class for each semester of study. (n.b. for instrumentalists: participation in a major ensemble – i.e. Orchestra, Wind Symphony, etc. – is a requirement for playing in chamber ensembles).
Audition information for Fall 2024:
- Audition sign-up for Fall 2024
- Instrumental Music Auditions are held in 10-minute increments at the following times in Crawford Hall, M116
  - Thursday, August 29: 1-3:00pm
  - Friday, August 30: 11:30-1:30pm
  - Saturday, August 31: 10:30am-1:30pm
  - Sunday, September 1: No Auditions
  - Monday, September 2: 11am-12:30pm & 2-4pm
  - Tuesday, September 3: No Auditions
  - Wednesday, September 4: 2-6pm
  - Thursday, September 5: 3-7pm
Audition Guidelines (for orchestra and chamber ensembles): Any student playing an orchestral instrument is welcome to audition. It is suggested that students prepare:
- If possible, prepare the first movement—exposition only—of a standard concerto or an equivalent work from the standard repertoire. If you do not have a concerto or equivalent work prepared, that is perfectly fine. Please come and play whatever you feel comfortable performing.
- A brief contrasting piece or section, if possible.
- Sight-reading may also be required.
Orchestra meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:45–6:15 PM
Chamber Music rehearsals are TBA, depending on the schedules of participants.
Contact Mark Mandarano at [email protected] for more information.

MacJazz Big Band

Directed by Joan Griffith.
MacJazz is an 18-piece big band which performs and records classic and contemporary big band jazz.
MacJazz performs every year at the Twin Cities Small College Jazz Festival as well as at local Twin Cities jazz venues. Past guests with MacJazz have included Maria Schneider, Uri Caine and local vocalists Debbie Duncan and Connie Evingson. MacJazz often features new compositions by past and present members.
Audition sign-up for Fall 2024
Audition Guidelines: Students should prepare a melody they know, play 1) a 2-octave major scale of their choice 2) one song of their choosing and 3) improvise on a song of their choice (optional)
Meets Mondays and Wednesdays 4:45–6:15 PM
Contact Joan Griffith at [email protected] for more information. Please note that Joan Griffith will have limited access to email during the summer months.

Jazz and Popular Music Combos

Directed by Peter Hennig
Jazz and Popular Music Combos are forums for students to receive coaching in the performance of standards and/or original music. Students also receive feedback on improvisation development, group interactivity, and stage presence.
The combos present two concerts each year.
Audition schedule for Fall 2024 TBD
- Contact Peter Hennig at [email protected] for more information
Auditions consist of:
- Vocalists:
  -Sing a one octave major scale (any key) ascending and descending
  -Sing a one octave minor scale (any key) ascending and descending
  -Sing excerpts from 2 of your favorite pieces. They should stylistically contrast from one another.
- Instrumentalists:
  -Play a two octave major scale (any key) ascending and descending
  -Play a two octave minor scale (any key) ascending and descending
  -Perform excerpts from 2 of your favorite pieces. They should stylistically contrast from one another. You can choose to perform these with accompaniment or solo.
- Drummers/Percussionists:
  -Play 3 out of these 5 rudiments:
  1. Single stroke roll
  2. Double stroke roll
  3. Single Paradiddle
  4. Flam (right & left handed)
  5. Drag (right & left handed)
  -Demonstrate 3 different grooves (stylistically) on the drum set. These can vary between: Rock, Funk, Jazz, Latin, Hip-Hop, Country, etc.
Meets Mondays 7–9 PM
Contact Peter Hennig at [email protected] for more information.

Asian Music Ensemble

Directed by Chuen-Fung Wong
The Macalester Asian Music Ensemble performs chamber genres and repertoires from across Asia.
Students may choose to specialize in one or more of the music traditions represented by the department’s instrument collections and faculty expertise. These include, but are not limited to, Javanese gamelan, East and Southeast Asian chamber instrumental music, as well as Indian, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian traditions.
Rehearsal times to be arranged at the first meeting
Contact Chuen-Fung Wong at [email protected] for more information and to schedule an audition.

Pipe Band

Directed by Pipe Major Michael Breidenbach and Drum Sgt. Catherine Bishop.
The Pipe Band has been a part of Macalester for over 50 years by performing at most major events including Commencement and special convocations, plus competitions at Scottish Highland games throughout the United States and Canada.
All students, faculty, and staff at Macalester may take bagpipe lessons at no charge.
No auditions are required for Pipe Band.
Lesson times to be arranged with the instructor.
Contact Michael Breidenbach at [email protected] for more information.

Early Music Ensemble

Directed by Cléa Galhano.
Vocalists and instrumentalists who have played or sung for at least three years and who are interested in historical performance are invited to join the Macalester Early Music Ensemble. The group focuses on Renaissance and Baroque repertory.
No auditions are required.
You may attend the first class even if you did not sign up beforehand.
Performance: 1 concert each semester.
Meets Wednesdays 5:15–6:45 PM
Contact Cléa Galhano at [email protected] for more information.

Wind Symphony

All placement decisions will be made by Aaron Isakson. If interested, please attend the first Wind Symphony rehearsal on Monday, September 9 at 7:15 PM.
Students who play the following instruments are welcome to join the band: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone/euphonium, tuba, timpani and percussion.
Contact Aaron Isakson at [email protected] for more information.

Additional Information

Considering Majoring or Minoring in Music?

Email Music Department Chair Mark Mandarano at [email protected]

Piano Students

If you’d like to learn more about the piano program at Macalester, professor Mark Mazullo is available by appointment. Email [email protected]

Practice Rooms

Practice rooms are available on the first and second floors of the Music building.

Borrowing Instruments

If you need to borrow an instrument for auditions, please be in touch with the Director of Instrumental Activities Mark Mandarano at [email protected] to make arrangements. If possible, please contact him in advance of your arrival on campus.

Instrument Lockers

Lockers are assigned beginning the first day of classes.

LOCKER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Any Macalester student registered for studio instruction/private lessons, or
Any Macalester student enrolled in a Music Department Ensemble.

HOW TO RESERVE A LOCKER (BEGINNING THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES)

Students must meet eligibility requirements.
Go to the Music Department office (M201), and you will be assigned a locker. Office hours are 9 AM–4:30 PM Monday–Friday.

General Assistance

For general assistance, please go to the Music Department Office (M201) or contact Mackenzie Stern, Music Department Coordinator, at [email protected].

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