2022-2023 MTSU ORCHESTRAS
Apply Now! 2023 Summer Orchestral Institute
Join an MTSU Orchestra this Semester!
2023 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra
High School Seniors- Apply for an MTSU Music Scholarship Audition! Music Scholarship Auditions are open to students in all majors!
THE 2023 SUMMER ORCHESTRAL INSTITUTE (NSOI)
College Students, Graduate Students, Adults and Students (8th-12 grades)
Tuesday, May 30 - Thursday, June 1
Apply Now! There are only a limited number of Orchestral positions available! Many positions have already been filled!
College Students, Graduate Students and Adults may apply for a limited number of Fellowship openings.
2023 Information and Online Application- Click here!
2023 Concerto Competition Information and Application Form- Click here!
The Concerto Competition is open to all Summer Orchestral Institute members (including Fellowship members)
Contact Dr. Nies, Director of Orchestras, MTSU School of Music for more information. (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu | 615-898-5318)
THE MTSU SYMPHONY
Dr. Carol Nies, Music Director
The MTSU Symphony is the premiere orchestral ensemble of the MTSU School of Music. Repertoire is selected from masterpieces of the standard orchestral literature and outstanding contemporary compositions. The Symphony is open to all MTSU students (regardless of major), faculty, staff and community members by audition.
MUEN 3300-001
Rehearsal Times: Mondays 5:00- 6:30 PM Wednesdays 5:00- 6:30 PM
Location: Instrumental Rehearsal Hall, WMB 173 and Hinton Music Hall
Contact Dr. Nies for more information. (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu | 615-898-5318)
THE MTSU CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Advanced string players, regardless of major, are encouraged to audition for the Chamber Orchestra. Weekly rehearsals culminate in a performance at the end of the semester. Students learn diverse repertoire and ensemble skills in a friendly but focused environment. Contact Dr. Andrea Dawson for more information.
Rehearsal Time: Tuesdays 4:20 PM- 5:20 PM- Music Hall
Contact Dr. Andrea Dawson for more information. (Andrea.Dawson@mtsu.edu) | 615-898-2484)
THE MTSU CONCERT ORCHESTRA
Membership in the MTSU Concert Orchestra (woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp, piano, and strings) is open to all MTSU students, faculty, staff and community members. An audition is not required. Repertoire is selected from all periods of orchestral literature. The MTSU Concert Orchestra has premiered many compositions and arrangements by MTSU students. Contact Dr. Carol Nies, Music Director to reserve a position in the Concert Orchestra (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu). Music Education, Performance, Music Composition and Music Industry majors may audition to serve as assistant conductors.
First rehearsal- Friday, January 20
Rehearsal Time: 3:15- 4:15 PM, Fridays (Instrumental Rehearsal Hall)
Location: Instrumental Rehearsal Hall, WMB 173 (School of Music)
Check the MTSU Orchestra Bulletin Board outside of the Instrumental Rehearsal Hall for updated Rehearsal Information
Contact Dr. Nies for more information. (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu | 615-898-5318)
2023 MTSU HIGH SCHOOL HONORS ORCHESTRA
Friday, November 3 - Saturday, November 4, 2023 (Dates to be finalized in March 2023)
Click here for the 2023 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra Application Form!
The Priority Deadline for MTSU Honors Orchestra applications is October 8, 2023. You may apply after this date, but as there are a limited number of 2023 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra positions, usually all positions are filled by the Priority Deadline.
Contact Dr. Nies for more information. (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu | 615-898-5318)
There are no fees to participate in the MTSU Honors Orchestra, as this project is funded by MTSU as a public service for high school music students. (All meal costs and hotel costs are the responsibility of each participant.)
FRIDAY, November 3- Full Orchestra (Strings, Winds, Percussion, Harp)
9:00 AM- 9:20 AM Registration- School of Music Lobby
9:30 AM- 9:00 PM Rehearsals and Honors Orchestra Activities (Marching Band students with a Friday night School Marching Band commitment will be excused from the Friday night Honors Orchestra rehearsal.)
SATURDAY, November 4- Full Orchestra (Strings, Winds, Percussion, Harp)
9:30 AM- 3:30 PM Rehearsals and Activities
4:00 PM MTSU Honors Orchestra Concert
2023 MTSU HIGH SCHOOL HONORS ORCHESTRA AUDITION INFORMATION
Send all audition materials to Dr. Nies at: Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu
Woodwind, Brass, Percussion and Harp Auditions:
- Fill out the 2023 MTSU Honors Orchestra On-Line Application (above).
- Send in your audition video recording by a dropbox or youtube link. Your audition recording should contain 4-10 minutes of a prepared solo or excerpts of several solo works. The video recording may be accompanied or unaccompanied.
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Send in a letter of recommendation from your Orchestra/Band director or your private instrumental teacher to Dr. Nies (Carol.Nies@MTSU.edu). If you were a member of the 2021 or 2022 MTSU Honors Orchestra, the Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute or All-State Orchestra/Band, you do not need to send in a letter of recommendation for the 2023 Honors Orchestra
String Auditions:
- Fill out the 2023 MTSU HSHO On-Line Application (above).
- Send in your audition video recording by a dropbox or unlisted youtube link. Your audition recording should contain 4-10 minutes of a prepared solo or excerpts of several solo works. The video recording may be accompanied or unaccompanied
- If you were selected as a member of the 2021 or 2022 MTSU Honors Orchetra, the Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute or the All-State Orchestra, you do not need to send in an on-line audition for the 2023 Honors Orchestra if you meet the priority application deadline of October 8. You are pre-qualified for membership in the 2023 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra.
- Send in a letter of recommendation from your Orchestra director or your private instrumental teacher to Dr. Nies (Carol.Nies@MTSU.edu). If you were selected as a member of the 2021 or 2022 MTSU Honors Orchestra, the Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute or the All-State Orchestra, you do not need to send in a letter of recommendation for the 2023 Honors Orchestra.
- String seating placement auditions will take place during the first rehearsal. Audition material will be selected from the 2023 MTSU HSHO repertoire.
Contact Dr. Nies for more information. (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu | 615-898-5318)
MTSU HONORS ORCHESTRA HOTEL INFORMATION
(This for students and their families who are from outside the Middle Tennessee area)
SLEEP INN- SPECIAL MTSU HIGH SCHOOL HONORS ORCHESTRA RATE:
193 Chaffin Place- exit 78B from Interstate 24
Call 615-396-3000 to reserve a room at the special MTSU High School Honors Orchestra rate*. Rooms at this special rate are limited, so reserve your room as soon as possible. The 2023 MTSU HSHO discount rate is listed under "MTSU Honors Orchestra" rate. (All hotel costs and meal costs are the responsibility of each participant.)
*PLEASE NOTE- Check with Sleep Inn for their cancellation policy.
If the Sleep Inn (193 Chaffin Place) is full, ask if there is a special rate for MTSU activities at the hotel that you are making a reservation at. Many hotels in Murfreesboro do offer special rates for MTSU activities.
