Ensembles
Fall 2026 UNCA Music Ensemble Audition Information
Ensembles are, in many ways, the heart and soul of the UNC-Asheville Music Department. Most are open to the entire campus, not just Music majors/minors. You can plan on auditioning and/or joining during the first week of classes. Don’t be intimidated by our audition process. It allows us to make sure you are in the best ensemble that suits you. Join us! Please fill the form linked below to sign up for an audition.
Potential ensemble auditioners, please NOTE!:
- Many ensembles require an audition during “Combined Auditions” on Thursday, August 20, Ramsey Library lower level, beginning at 4:00 PM.
- Some ensembles require communicating with the ensemble director.
Students registering for classes please NOTE!
Should you need the ensemble credit for your schedule needs, please register for “Ensemble Placeholder”, MUSC-129.000, which has no registration restrictions. We will adjust the actual course number after audition week, when you are placed in an appropriate class.
General Audition Guidelines
Specific to Jazz / Blues Ensemble Auditions:
1) Any standard of your choosing including the head and at least 1 chorus of improvisation. (Note: If you are interested in a particular combo, please choose a piece that demonstrates your playing in that style. See individual ensemble requirements below.)
2) Scales – D major scale, C harmonic minor scale, chromatic scale
- Drummers: Display competency in a variety of styles (jazz swing, jazz ballad, funk, bossa, rock)
- Note: If you are interested in a particular combo, demonstrate your playing in that style.
Ensemble Descriptions and Specific Requirements
Meeting time: M, W 3:30 – 5:10 PM
Meeting time: M, W 3:30 – 5:10 PM
The UNCA Wind Ensemble performs repertoire ranging from classic band works to contemporary compositions for wind ensemble. Membership is open to all UNCA community members with experience on a brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument.
Interested students should enroll in the course MUSC 121.001 and/or attend the first class meeting on Monday, August 17 at 3:30 pm in the Highsmith Blue Ridge Room. No audition is required to enroll in the ensemble; students will be asked to play concert Bb, Eb, F, and chromatic scales and an excerpt of their choosing for a placement hearing, which will occur on Wednesday, August 18 from 3:30-5:10.
Contact Dr. Emily Eng eeng@unca.edu
Meeting Time: M,W 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
University Chorale is an ensemble that prepares singers for a lifetime of choral participation as experienced singers, music educators, and enthusiastic amateurs. The choir performs a full range of literature including works with instrumental groups, standard repertoire for choral ensembles, and other works representing a global diversity of musical styles. No audition required. Fall and Spring. Contact Mr. Chuck Taft, ctaft1@unca.edu
Meeting time: TBA after auditions
Meeting time: F 12:00-1:50 Highsmith Gallery
The CGE focuses on music that features the guitar or compositions arranged for the guitar ensemble, including original compositions and arrangements by CGE members. This group also uses improvisation and similar approaches that facilitate spontaneous composition and soundscapes.
This semester, the CGE will be composing and performing a live score to a selection of silent films from the early 1900s. The CGE is excited to add this visual component to our practice of group composition, improvisation, and music for meditation.
Prerequisite:
-
- You must have a basic facility with the 6-string guitar in standard tuning.
- You must have regular access to an acoustic (steel-string) guitar
*UNCA Music Department has some guitars available to borrow during class.
Audition:
Please send the director an email stating your intentions for joining the ensemble.
Follow the sign-up process for the Music Department auditions.
Contact Tim at tdoyle@unca.edu
Meeting time: TBA after auditions
This ensemble explores the melodies, rhythms, and textures of African and African derived musical practices. Ensembles will include traditional and contemporary instrumentation. Experience in African-related performance traditions is desirable, but not required. For auditions, please prepare a piece on your primary instrument that demonstrates notable polyrhythm, cross-rhythms, compound meter, and/or syncopation. Contact Adama Dembele adembele@unca.edu.
Meeting time: TBA after auditions
Cole Porter was one of the most important and influential composers of 20th-century American popular song. Many of his tunes have become enduring standards, including “Night and Day,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and “What Is This Thing Called Love?” This ensemble will explore the songbook of Cole Porter, learning to perform the tunes in traditional styles as well as creating original interpretations. Audition information: see the general jazz audition requirements. If possible, auditioners should perform one tune from the Cole Porter songbook. Open to instrumentalists and vocalists. For further information please contact Dr. Brian Felix (bfelix@unca.edu).
Meeting time: TBA after auditions
This ensemble will explore jazz-influenced forms of Brazilian music such as bossa nova, as well as more national styles such as choro and samba. Composers featured will include A.C. Jobim, Hermeto Pascoal, Joao Gilberto and Milton Nascimento. Brazilian Jazz Ensemble is open to all instrumentalists and vocalists. For audition info, see general audition requirements for jazz instrumentalists, listed above, with the addition of a bossa nova standard. Vocalists should be able to sing a chromatic scale (ascending and descending) from a variety of different starting pitches as well as a bossa nova standard. Please contact Mr. Zack Page (zack.page@gmail.com) for a sample list of bossa nova standards to use for the audition and/or any other questions.
Meeting time: M,W 2:00 – 3:15 PM
This group plays music of all styles, either written for or adapted for percussion. We focus mostly on student compositions and arrangements; new ideas are always welcome! Percussion experience isn’t required but you must be able to read music at least moderately well. Contact Matthew Richmond mrichmon@unca.edu if you have questions.
Meeting time: M 5:00 – 7:00
Bluegrass is a 20th century form of popular and traditional music styles that coalesced in the 1940s in the American southeast, emphasizing vocal performance and instrumental improvisation. We will perform many of the influences and traditions that bluegrass comprises, including ballads, folk songs, breakdowns, brother duets, gospel quartets, Irish-style medleys, “modal” instrumentals, “old time” country, popular song, and more. Experienced players will have plenty of opportunities to improvise, but participants need not have played bluegrass before. The ensemble should include fiddle, 5-string banjo, steel string acoustic guitar, mandolin, piano, petal steel guitar, Dobro and upright bass. Audition requirements: please perform two songs from a ‘roots” genre (bluegrass, folk, blues, country, Celtic, etc., on an appropriate instrument (see above). Contact Wayne Erbsen banjo@nativeground.com
Meeting time: TBA after auditions.
This ensemble explores the iconic music from this famous concert held in Bethel New York on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in 1969 billed as an Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music and attracted an audience of more than 460,000. Students will rehearse and perform representative works from artists associated with the the festival while developing skills in ensemble performance, stylistic interpretation, improvisation and historical understanding. Repertoire (Sample) Evil Ways – Santana, The Weight – The Band, Going Up The Country – Canned Heat, Theme From An Imaginary Western – Mountain, St. Stephen – The Grateful Dead, Green River – Creedence Clearwater Revival, I Want To Take You Higher – Sly & The Family Stone, Pinball Wizard – The Who, White Rabbit – The Jefferson Airplane, I Don’t Need No Doctor – Joe Cocker, Spoonful – Ten Years After, Fire – Jimi Hendrix Please contact Mike Barnes (mbarnes@unca.edu) if you have questions.
Meeting time: M 7:00 PM Off campus
The Asheville Choral Society welcomes students from all disciplines who have a love of singing. This 120-voice chorus performs three concerts per year and meets one night each week for rehearsals. Repertoire includes large classical works, often with chamber or full orchestra, modern choral styles, solo opportunities, and community outreach experiences. Along with community members, multiple UNCA faculty, staff, and students regularly participate. Singing in the chorus requires a placement audition, information here: Asheville Choral Society, and regular attendance. Students may register and sign up for an audition (through the ACS website) to sing in this ensemble for one or more semesters for ARTS and one ensemble credit. For questions and more information, contact Dr. Melodie Galloway, mgallowa@unca.edu. There are no prerequisites. Fall and Spring.
Meeting time: W 7:00-9:30 PM
The Blue Ridge Orchestra performs orchestral repertoire from all eras. Composed of musicians from the Asheville and UNCA communities, the BRO performs four full-scale concert programs per year, as well as other outreach events. More information about the season can be found here: https://blueridgeorchestra.org/
Auditions for the Spring Semester should be submitted via the Google Form found here, by Wednesday, January 14 if possible: https://blueridgeorchestra.org/audition
For questions, please contact Dr. Emily Eng eeng@unca.edu
Meeting time: TBA after auditions
I am excited to announce that this semester XTET will explore the music and stylings of Jazz Legend John Coltrane and of those influenced by him in honor of his upcoming 100th birthday. This audition-based ensemble will focus on learning more about performing modal jazz, spiritual jazz, collective improvisation, and other innovative devices Trane has contributed to the genre. If you are interested and need more information, please contact the instructor Will Boyd (wboyd1@unca.edu). I am looking forward to sharing this journey with you.
Meeting time: TBA after auditions
The Chamber Music Ensemble (also known as the Hellbender Consort) is a classical music ensemble that fosters musical training in collaboration, personal musicianship, and performance through small ensemble playing. This ensemble is designed to provide students with the opportunity to study, rehearse, and perform both traditional and contemporary chamber music repertoire, often programming and premiering student compositions. The course’s highlight is the final recital at the end of the semester, where students showcase their growth and perform chamber music pieces prepared throughout the semester. For more information contact Dr. Claudia Malchow cmalchow@unca.edu.
Auditioning students should prepare a solo piece or etude that best demonstrates their musical ability.
Meeting Time: M,W 12:30 – 1:45
Asheville Singers: The Asheville Singers is an ensemble of gifted and talented pre-professional singers. The ensemble performs a wide variety of music in 2 main concerts throughout the semester. It also serves as an ambassador ensemble for UNC Asheville, representing the university at local, state, and regional events. To audition for this group, please prepare 2 contrasting songs that you are confident singing. Styles may include: classical, folk, musical theater, or gospel. Indicate which voice part you usually sing (if you know it) and a brief summary of your choral singing experience. Auditions are held by appointment during the first week of classes. Contact Dr. Melodie Galloway mgallowa@unca.edu.
Meeting time: R 5:30-7:30
The students in this ensemble will perform each other’s original songs. The songs can be written in, or influenced by, any music genre. Songwriters will explore notation styles and rehearsal practices that best suit the music, the instrumentation, and the players. Singers, spoken word artists and rappers are welcome. Instrumentation will be based on what the students in the course can play. Acoustic, electric and electronic instruments, as well as MIDI controllers, are welcome. The course will culminate with a public concert featuring songs by each of the ensemble members. Songwriters Ensemble Audition Requirements: For in-person auditions, please prepare any piece of your choosing that demonstrates your skills on your primary instrument. In addition, please fill out this Google Form
Contact: Emily Eng eeng@unca.edu
Ready for What's Next?
Ready to turn your passion for music into a career? At UNC Asheville, you’ll find a supportive, creative community where you can grow as an artist, performer, or innovator. Choose from our B.A. in Music, B.F.A. in Jazz and Contemporary Music, or B.S. in Music Technology, and gain hands-on experience through expert instruction, performance opportunities, and access to world-class facilities. Discover your sound in Asheville’s vibrant music scene—audition today and start your musical journey.