Music ensemble scholarships range from $500-$3,500 total for the academic year. This award is split between fall, winter, and spring quarters. To receive the scholarship for all three quarters, students must be enrolled in the music ensemble course. Please see below for specific ensemble audition requirements and contact information. Students are welcome to participate in multiple scholarship ensembles.
Choral
A limited number of performance scholarships are available for the choral ensembles. Auditions for these scholarships take place in March and April for the following year. You do not need to be a music major to be eligible for a performance scholarship and most recipients are non-majors.
In Person Auditions will take place on campus:
Saturday, March 15, 2025 | 3pm-5pm
Please contact Dr. Spratlan for an audition time. Audition appointments will be 10 minutes long.The above dates are by appointment only.
*If you cannot make the listed date, please contact Dr. Spratlan to arrange an alternate date.
April 6th is the cut-off date to audition for a performance scholarship for the 2025-26 academic year.
Please contact Dr. Daniel Spratlan, Director of Choral Activities, at dms542@drexel.edu to schedule an audition, or with any questions about the choirs. Auditionees should fill out and return the following form:
University Chorus-Audition Form
Audition Requirements:
One piece, either an art song or aria, with keyboard accompaniment (accompanist will be provided by Drexel). Pick something that shows off the strength of your voice; play to your strength and don't try to guess what the director will like. In addition to their solo pieces, auditionees will vocalize with the director to display their range and will be asked to sigh-read from a choral score. Intonation, ability to blend, and strong sight-reading skills are all priorities to receive a scholarship.
Video auditions will also be accepted for students who cannot attend a live audition. Please record your solo piece, plus 1-2 minutes of scales/warm-ups that demonstrate your low and high range. Videos should be sent to dms542@drexel.edu
Requirements for Scholarship Recipients:
1. You must enroll in, and participate in MUSC 101: University Chorus each term (rehearsals are T/Th 5:30-6:50 pm)
2. You must be available to participate in the Chamber Singers at the director’s request (rehearsals are W 5:30-7:20)
Please contact Dr. Daniel Spratlan, Director of Choral Activities at dms542@drexel.edu with any questions or to submit a video.
Concert Band
Wind, Brass, and Percussion performance scholarships are awarded for Concert Band across fall, winter, and spring quarters each academic year.
Audition Procedures:
Performing Arts Scholarships are competitive, and the expectations for students who are awarded scholarships are high. These students are required to attend all rehearsals (Monday and Wednesday evenings, 5:30 p.m. – 6:50 p.m.) and performances of the Concert Band. In addition, all Concert Band scholarship students are to be available for chamber music opportunities within the Concert Band, or for other ensembles within the Department of Performing Arts (i.e., University Orchestra, University Chorus, Theater Pit Orchestra).
Audition Requirements:
- Three major scales and one chromatic scale, range of the instrument, in the format of your choice.
- Basic sight reading (provided)
- Selection from standard solo repertoire of your choice. You may use state/district music educator's conference audition material as a guide or starting point to choose a selection.
Percussionists:
Percussion students are to perform a 2-3-minute solo or etude of their choice on each of the following three instruments: timpani, snare drum, and one mallet instrument choice (marimba, xylophone, or vibraphone). Scales, rudiments (from the standard 26), and sight reading will be asked.
To Submit Your Audition
To schedule an audition, please complete the audition form below no later than two weeks before your requested audition date. If none of the dates/times below work for you, please indicate this on the form and Dr. Domenic Pisano will contact you directly to arrange an alternative.
Concert Band Audition Form
The dates are as follows:
- Sunday, January 5, 2025 11 AM - 1 PM (virtual)
- Wednesday, March 5, 2025 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM (virtual)
- Saturday, April 5, 2025 3 PM - 5 PM
- Sunday, April 6, 2025 3 PM - 5 PM
Requirements for Scholarship Participation
A student must be registered for Concert Band (MUSC 105, Section 001) for
each academic term in order to receive any disbursements.
For more information or to schedule an audition, contact the Director, Dr. Domenic Pisano at djp368@drexel.edu
Percussion Ensemble
Performing Arts Scholarships are competitive, and the expectations for
students who are awarded such scholarships are high. These students are
required to attend all rehearsals and performances of the Percussion
Ensemble. In addition, all Percussion Ensemble scholarship students are to
be available for other ensembles within the Department of Performing Arts
(i.e., Concert Band, Pep Band, University Orchestra, University Chorus,
Theater Pit Orchestra).
Auditions:
Performing Arts Scholarships are available to any percussion student who
performs a successful audition. Students are to contact the Director of
the Percussion Ensemble - Mark Beecher - via email (meb26@drexel.edu) to schedule a time for an audition, which are usually 15-minute
slots.
In Person Auditions | MacAlister Hall 2033
Sunday March 9, 2025 | 2pm-4pm (virtual)
Sunday April 6, 2025 | 3pm-5pm (in person)
If you are interested in submitting a YouTube or Vimeo video, please contact Percussion Ensemble Director, Mark Beecher, via email
meb26@drexel.edu.
Audition Requirements:
For Mallet Auditions (Marimba/Vibes/Xylophone, Timpani), students are
asked to choose a repertoire which they think best displays their present
abilities. Students should be prepared to offer two or three pieces or
movements in contrasting musical styles and tempi. As appropriate, the
student may be asked to demonstrate aural awareness, scales and arpeggios,
and sight-reading. It is recommended that the pieces are played from
memory and a copy of your audition music presented to the Director of the
Percussion Ensemble, but not required.
For all other Percussion Instruments (Snare Drum, Drum Set, Congas,
Bongos, Djembe, etc.), students must prepare a solo piece or two, of their
choice.
Snare Drum
Playing through a few Drum Rudiments (going from Open [slow] to Closed [fast] to Open) - The Long Roll, Single Stroke Roll, Single Paradiddle, Flam, Flam Accent, Flamacue, Ruff (Drag) & Single Ratamacue, as well as some on-the-spot demonstrations of a few Hybrid Rudiments.
Drum Set
Students must perform the following Groove examples: Bossa Nova, Afro-Cuban (6/8 & Son Montuno / Salsa),
Reggae (Shuffle & Straight 8ths), Blues Shuffle, Jazz/Swing, Odd Meter
(5/4, 7/8, etc.).
Hand Percussion
- Congas - Tumbao Moderno, Guaguanco,
Bolero, Merengue, Afro Cuban 6/8, etc.
- Bongos - Basic Martillo
- Djembe - Lamba, Doundounba, Sedeba, Lindjiang
- Darbuka - Maqsum, Baladi, Saidi,
Nawari, etc.
Sample Audition List
(Note: Student may choose from the list, but are encouraged to choose
their own repertoire):
- Marimba 2 Mallet:
- Major Scales and arpeggios, 2 octaves
- Violin Sonata in A Minor - J.S. Bach
- Marimba 4 Mallet:
- Yellow After the Rain - Mitchell Peters
- Xylophone:
- Porgy and Bess (Catfish Row) - George Gershwin
- Polka from "The Golden Age" - Dmitri Shostakovich
- Marimba:
- Sonata in B Minor Mvt. III - J.S. Bach
- Time for Marimba - Minoru Miki
- Snare Drum:
- Etude #1 - Jacques Delecluse
- Scheherazade - Nicolas Rimsky-Korsakov
- Timpani:
- Saeta - Elliot Carter
- Symphony 9 - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Requirements for Scholarship Participation:
A student must be registered for Percussion Ensemble (MUSC 113, Section
001) for each academic term in order to receive any
disbursements.
For more information, or to schedule an audition, contact Mark Beecher,
Percussion Ensemble Director at meb26@drexel.edu.
University Symphony Orchestra
Auditions for Drexel University Symphony Orchestra (DUSO) acceptance and for performance scholarship consideration must be done in person during New Dragon Days in March and April. Digitally recorded auditions will be accepted only in the case of distance hardship and should be sent to Conductor and Music Director, Rosalind Erwin (rme49@drexel.edu).
In-person auditions must be scheduled in advance with Conductor and Music Director Rosalind Erwin (rme49@drexel.edu)
The available dates and times for auditions are as follows:
- Saturday, March 15, 2025 | 10:00am-1:00pm
- Sunday, March 16, 2025 | 10:00am-11:20am
- Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 10:00am- 1:00pm
- Sunday, April 6, 2025 | 10:00am- 1:00pm
General guidelines/information:
- In person auditions are preferred. If you cannot attend in person, please contact Rosalind Erwin (rme49@drexel.edu) for approval on video submissions.
- All Strings: your DUSO acceptance audition is also used for DUSO performance scholarship consideration.
- If submitting a video audition:
- Violinists and Violists: please do not face the camera head on. Please position the camera so that your bow arm is visible.
- Videotaping with one's cell phone is perfectly acceptable.
- On the video, first announce who you are, state what scales you will play, and state what piece you will perform.
- All video files must be submitted directly to rme49@drexel.edu and are due no later than Friday, March 28, 2025.
- Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion already accepted as scholarship students in the Concert Band will receive an additional award each term they participate in DUSO.
Please fill out the audition form below and submit it to Rosalind Erwin when you audition in person or to rme49@drexel.edu when you submit your audition video.
University Symphony Orchestra Audition Form
Audition Requirements
Strings
- Part of a standard repertoire solo for your instrument (concerto, sonata, melodic etude, etc.) – student’s choice. No accompaniment required.
- 3 major scales including keys up to 4 flats and 4 sharps as many octaves as you know (for scholarship consideration, at least two scales must be three octaves. Exception: double bass) - student's choice.
- Basic sight reading (provided at in-person audition; if submitting a recorded audition, ignore this requirement)
Woodwinds and Brass
Same as above, with the exception of scales (two octaves, but in the case of
flute and clarinet, at least one three octave scale).
Percussion
State your experience with timpani, auxiliary percussion and mallet
percussion.
Requirements for Scholarship Participation
Scholarship students are expected to, at a minimum, maintain their level of
playing at the standard in which they entered the ensemble, as well as have
no more than the standard allowed absences each term. Excessive absences and
lowering of playing ability may result in cancellation of the scholarship or
reduction in the scholarship amount. All recipients re-audition each spring
to retain their scholarship.
Students must register for MUSC 109 (University Symphony Orchestra)
For more information or to schedule an audition, please contact Rosalind Erwin, Drexel University
Symphony Orchestra Director at rme49@drexel.edu.
Jazz Orchestra
The Jazz Orchestra is looking for trumpeters, trombonists, saxophonists, pianists, bassists, guitarists, drummers, vocalists, and other musicians. The 16–20-piece Drexel Jazz Orchestra allows students to study and perform music in the Big Band jazz tradition. The Jazztet is a small group ranging from five to eight musicians, providing Jazz Orchestra members the opportunity to do an in-depth study of improvisation. Entry into the Jazztet is by director invitation only.
Auditions are required for musicians interested in Jazz Orchestra, and students are subject to re-evaluation during the first term of participation in the Jazz Orchestra. Jazz Orchestra scholarships are awarded depending on the ability and needs of the group.
In-person or virtual scholarship auditions are scheduled on a rolling basis. To schedule an audition, click HERE
In-person audition dates are as follows:
Saturday, March 15, 2025 | 10am - 1pm
Sunday, March 16, 2025 | 3pm - 5pm
Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 10am - 1pm
Sunday, April 6, 2025 | 3pm - 5pm
For additional questions, or to schedule an in-person audition, email Brent White, Jazz Orchestra Director, at bw352@drexel.edu.
Scholarship Auditions
Please prepare one piece for your audition, preferably a Jazz standard, but it can be of any style, demonstrating your instrumental proficiency and overall musicianship. It should be approximately 2-4 minutes in length. For instrument-specific requirements, please see below.
In-person or virtual scholarship auditions are scheduled on a rolling basis. Complete THIS FORM to schedule an in-person or virtual audition.
Audition Requirements:
Except for pianists, acoustic bassists, and drummers, all instrumentalists must bring their instruments to the audition. Amplifiers will be provided for bassists and guitarists; however, all bassists and guitarists must bring their cables, and drummers must bring their sticks and brushes. The director will provide selections for sight-reading and selections for improvisation.
Horn players
1. Sight reading
2. Improvising, if you can do so. The ability to improvise is not a requirement but a definite plus.
3. The playing of major and minor scales and arpeggios
Pianists
1. Comping in various styles from chord symbols – be-bop, Afro-Latin, etc.
2. Sight reading
3. Improvising, if you can do so. The ability to improvise is not a requirement but a definite plus.
Guitarists
1. Playing rhythm guitar
2. Comping in various styles from chord symbols – be-bop, Afro-Latin, etc.
3. Sight reading
4. Improvising, if you can do so. The ability to improvise is not a requirement but a definite plus.
Bassists
While string bass is preferred, electric bassists who can create walking bass lines and reasonably approximate a string bass quality of sound are welcome to audition
1. Creation of bass lines in various styles from chord symbols – be-bop, Afro-Latin, shuffle, etc.
2. Sight reading
3. Improvising, if you can do so. The ability to improvise is not a requirement but a definite plus.
Drummers
1. Time keeping in various styles – be-bop (4/4 “straight-ahead” swing), Afro-Latin, shuffle, etc.
2. Brush technique
3. Sight reading
Requirements for Scholarship Participation
You must enroll and participate in MUSC 107 (Jazz Orchestra) each term.
For more information or to schedule an audition, contact Brent White, Jazz Orchestra director, at bw352@drexel.edu.
Experimental Ensemble
The Drexel University Experimental Music Ensemble focuses on music making through improvisational structures, sonic explorations, modal music, irregular time signatures, and aleatoric (chance) processes.
Audition requirements include a demonstration of proficiency on one's instrument(s) and a collaborative attitude with an open mind & ears.
Performance Scholarships are available for this ensemble. To schedule an audition or find out more, please contact, Chris Farrell, Experimental Music Ensemble director, cbf27@drexel.edu
Fusion Band
The Drexel University Fusion Band is an advanced performance ensemble
exploring a variety of musical styles and genres including Funk, Reggae,
Salsa, Samba, Afro-Cuban, Jazz and World Music. Improvisation is an
important aspect of the ensemble experience. Audition requirements include
a demonstration of proficiency on one's instrument, knowledge of scales,
chords and rhythms, the ability to read music, and a demonstrated ability
to improvise.
Performance scholarships are available for this ensemble. Scholarship recipients must be able to commit to all 3 terms
(fall, winter, spring) and attend all rehearsals and performances.
Auditions are held on an as needed basis.
Requirements for Scholarship Participation
You must enroll in, and participate in MUSC 112 (Fusion Band) each
term.
For more information, or to schedule an audition, contact Lynn Riley,
Fusion Band Ensemble director at mcr27@drexel.edu.
Rock Ensemble
Drexel University Rock Ensemble features guitars, bass, drums, keys, female and male vocalists playing popular rock
music from different eras and styles.
Auditions for the Rock Ensemble are on an as needed basis. Please contact Greg Wright (gjw28@drexel.edu) to determine a date and time.
Instrument & Vocal Audition Requirements
Guitars
Have a song prepared that you can play solo, or by yourself. Chord/Melody is
preferable. Electric guitar is also preferable.
Bass
Have a prepared tune. Keep and show good time. Add some prowess at the
end.
Drums
- Show versatility with a variety of rock feels: reggae, funk, metal,
blues, alt, etc.
- Be able to do fills and stay in time.
Keyboards
Have a song prepared that you can play solo, or by yourself. Chords, bass
& melody in a twelve bar blues with improvisation and variations of
feel.
Vocalists
- Have two songs prepared to sing, ONLY VOCALISTS can use tracks (you must
supply them).
- One should be a fast tune, one should be a slow tune.
You must enroll in, and participate in MUSC 117 (Rock
Ensemble-Mondays at 3 pm) each term.
Rock Audition Dates:
Saturday, March 8, 2025 | 10am - 2pm (virtual)
Sunday, March 9, 2025 | 10am - 2pm (virtual)
Saturday, March 15, 2025 | 10am - 1pm (In person)
Sunday, March 16, 2025 | 10am - 1pm (In person)
Saturday, March 22, 2025 | 10am - 2pm (virtual)
Sunday, March 23, 2025 | 10am - 2pm (virtual)