Auditions are required for the following ensembles:

• Symphony Orchestra
• New Music Ensemble
• Chamber Orchestra
• Chamber Choir
• University Singers

Signing up to an Audition - Please read this carefully

SIGN-UP SHEETS will be posted in the Victoria Rooms at the beginning of Welcome Week so you can sign up for an audition. You need to come to the Victoria Rooms in person to do this. You cannot sign up online. The earlier you come along during Welcome Week, the more likely you are to get your desired audition slot.

You will also need to complete the relevant online audition form before your audition. These are listed below. The auditioners will have access to the form at your audition.  

Please note: signing up to an audition time and completing the audition form are two separate things. You need to sign up to an audition time and you need to complete the relevant audition form so that the auditioners have the information that they need.

If you turn up without having booked a time, you will not be able to audition.

Audition Forms:

Vocal - soprano

Vocal - alto

Vocal - tenor

Vocal - bass

Flutes

Bassoons

Oboes

Clarinets

Horns

Trumpets

Trombones

Tuba

Percussions

Harp

Violins

Violas

Cellos

Double Basses

One single audition covers Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and New Music Ensemble; likewise, the University Singers and Chamber Choir.  All players and singers (including members of last year’s ensembles) need to audition - nobody has an automatic right to a place in any ensemble. This is your only chance to audition for the present academic year – places are allocated in the first week.

At your audition, you will be asked to perform a short piece of your own choosing and to take a sight-reading test.  The piece should be chosen with a view to showing off both technical proficiency and tone quality.

Accompaniment will be provided for vocal auditions only, and you will need to bring a copy of the sheet music for your accompanist. Please note, you may be asked to stop after about 1 minute of your song due to time constraints, so if there is a particular section you would like us to hear choose your starting point accordingly.

Instrumental auditions are unaccompanied.

Please note that these are classical music auditions – if you are more interested in popular repertoire, then groups such as A Cappella Society and Music Theatre Bristol will be suitable for you.

Auditions Timetable 2023/24

Medical students whose academic commitments prevent them from auditioning at the times given below should contact the Concerts and Resources Office (music):

Tel: 0117 33 14044
email: music-resources@bristol.ac.uk
We will attempt to arange an alternative audition time.

Vocal

Thursday 21st September: 4pm – 6.30pm

Friday 22nd September: 10.30am – 9pm

Saturday 23rd September: 10.30am – 5pm

Violins

Thursday 21st September:  4pm – 9pm

Friday 22nd September: 4pm - 9pm

Saturday 23rd September: 10am – 4pm

Cellos and Basses

Thursday 21st September: 4pm – 9pm

Flutes and Bassoons

Friday 22nd September: 4pm – 9pm

Oboes and Clarinets

Saturday 23rd September: 1pm – 5pm

Brass

Saturday 23rd September: 10am – 4pm

Violas

Thursday 21st September: 2pm – 3.30pm

Percussion and Harps

Monday 25th September: 5pm – 7pm

Rehearsal Schedules

Rehearsal schedules will be available at the audition so you can see what membership of the various ensembles involves. If you are offered and accept a place in any ensemble, it is expected that you will attend all rehearsals.

For any queries, please contact the Concerts and Resources Office:

Email: music-resources@bristol.ac.uk

Tel: 0117 33 14044