Brass & Woodwinds

Auditioning is as simple as 1-2-3!

AUDITION DEADLINE - TBA, 2025

Auditions for the 2025-26 season will open on May 1, 2025. All wind players have two options for completing their audition: by video recording or in-person audition.

All auditions should include the following:

  • Chromatic scale (up and down) that best demonstrates your range and performance ability

  • Between two and four minutes of prepared music – solo or etudes that include contrasting styles

We recommend that you prepare classical or jazz selection(s) (something that you might play at solo & ensemble festivals), but you are welcome to choose whatever you believe will best demonstrate your musicality and technical proficiency.

The directors will evaluate your performance based on:

  • musicianship and artistry

  • sound production and resonance

  • pulse maintenance and rhythmic accuracy

We encourage you to play your audition on whichever instrument you feel most comfortable with, marching or concert. Please do not include accompaniment in your audition. Please note that the in-person audition process is exactly the same as the video audition process. You will still be recording a video of yourself to submit, the audition is not live or in front of MMB staff.

Please see the FAQ at the bottom of the page for details!

Recorded Auditions

Recorded video auditions can be submitted using the form below after you accept your admission to the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Dearborn, or Flint campuses) and before the audition deadline on TBD, 2025.

Please follow these steps to submit your video:

  • Record your video in a single, unedited take – no clips or fades, no audio enhancement or filtering. Please note that auditions are reviewed based on playing quality, not video/audio quality. You must be visibly playing your instrument in the audition video.

  • Perform the chromatic scale first followed by the prepared piece(s) back-to-back as a single video. The 2-4 minute limit is only for the prepared piece, not the total video length.

  • Upload the video to YouTube as an unlisted video, so that it may be accessed by the directors (see Change Video Privacy Settings for instructions). Include your full name and instrument in the title of the video. Do not upload as a YouTube Short.

  • Copy the link to your unlisted YouTube video and submit your audition using the form linked below.

If you have any questions about the audition process, need assistance accessing an instrument for your audition, or need a device with which to record your audition (a phone, digital camera, video camera, or computer is acceptable), please contact us at mmb.info@umich.edu and we will work to assist you.

Please see the FAQ at the bottom of the page for details!

 
 

IN-PERSON AUDITIONS

If you would like to complete your brass/woodwind audition in person at Revelli Hall in Ann Arbor, live auditions are available upon request in advance, during the time that the audition window is open. The in-person audition process is identical to the recorded video audition, except your audition will be digitally recorded in Revelli Hall (not in front of MMB faculty/staff). All in-person auditions must take place before the audition deadline on TBD, 2025. Instruments are available at Revelli Hall upon request. 

To request a live audition, please email the MMB staff at mmb.info@umich.edu. In your email, we ask that you include your name, the instrument(s) you intend to audition on, and your availability for an in-person audition. Once we receive your request, our staff will get back to you shortly to schedule your audition.

WINDS AUDITION FAQ

  • Students attending, transferring or accepted to all U-M campuses (Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint) are welcome to audition. Both incoming freshmen and current U-M students are encouraged to audition. You must be accepted into the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Dearborn, or Flint, in order to submit an audition.

  • No! Students with and without marching experience are welcome and encouraged to audition. We teach our marching styles and technique to all students at the beginning of each season during Band Week. Many students with limited or no prior marching band experience have progressed to earn leadership positions within our ensemble!

    The MMB audition is based only on musical ability, there is no marching component.

  • We accept wind auditions for the following sections:

    • Piccolo

    • Clarinet

    • Alto Saxophone

    • Tenor Saxophone

    • Trumpet

    • Horn

    • Trombone

    • Bass Trombone

    • Euphonium

    • Tuba

    We encourage you to play your audition on whichever instrument you feel most comfortable, marching or concert. For instance, french horn or mellophone are both acceptable. We march piccolos, but flute players are welcome to audition on flute.

  • Students are welcome to audition for the MMB on more than one instrument. If you audition on more than one instrument, your audition will be evaluated in order of preference. Please record separate auditions for each instrument you plan to audition for.

    You will submit one audition form and include both video links in the upload box. You will also indicate your order of preference on the audition form.

  • If you need assistance accessing an instrument for your audition, please contact us at mmb.info@umich.edu and we will work with you.

  • Yes, you may. You may also record a horn audition on a french horn. However, it is strongly recommended to use a piccolo or mellophone if possible.

  • There is no set requirement. We encourage you to show us the range, tempo, and rhythm you are most comfortable and confident in playing.

    • Record in a quiet environment.

    • Make sure your recording device is set in a way that the microphone isn't resting on anything.

    • Test different recording set-ups and listen back to your video to ensure your sound is as clear as possible. However, please note that auditions are reviewed based on playing quality, not video/audio quality.

    • Make sure your hands and face are visible in the video at all times while playing.

    • Submit one video per instrument. Include the scale and prepared piece in the same video. The 2-4 minute limit is only for the prepared piece, not the total video length.

    • Please wear appropriate attire for your audition.

    • Be mindful of the background of your video.

    • Check out our How to Auditon video!

  • No. Do not include accompaniment in your audition. Auditions must be a solo recording of you playing your instrument.

  • The results of your audition will be emailed to you the day after the audition deadline.

  • By submitting an audition for the MMB, it is expected that if offered a position in the ensemble, you will accept your spot and enroll in the course (ENS 348.001).

  • Sure! You must submit a playing audition on the instrument you would like to switch to. This audition is due by the same deadline as new member auditions. Contact the MMB office if you need an instrument for this audition.