String auditions for the Spring 2022 semester will be submitted by video. Review the audition requirements for your instrument, then submit your unlisted YouTube link via email no later than 5:00 pm on Sunday, January 16. Contact Dr. Nies if you have any questions (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu)
2021-2022 MTSU ORCHESTRAS
APPLY NOW FOR THE
2022 NASHVILLE SUMMER ORCHESTRAL INSTITUTE!
TUESDAY, MAY 31 - THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022
The Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute returns!
The 2022 Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute will be held at the MTSU School of Music!
Priority Deadline- May 15 (You may apply after this deadline, but the majority of
positions are usually filled by the priority deadline.)
The NSOI is open to students (8th-12th grade), undergraduate students, graduate students
and adults.
To apply:
1) Fill out the 2022 Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute On-line Application
2) Send your audition video recording (one and a half pages to two pages of a solo)
by an unlisted youtube link or a dropbox link to Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu. If you are an NSOI alumni, a CYS alumni or an MTSU Symphony member, an audition
video is optional, as you have auditioned previously.
The priority deadline is May 15! You may apply after this deadline, but most positions
are usually filled by the priority deadline. For more information go to the MTSU School
of Music Web-site (Orchestra Department) or contact Dr. Carol Nies (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu).
College students, graduate students and adults may also apply for a limited number
of NSOI Fellowship positions. Fellowship positions include leadership positions and
solo opportunities. There are no tuition fees for 2022 NSOI Fellowship members.
The 2022 NSOI Concerto Competition On-line Application and Information can be found at:
2022 NSOI Concerto Competition Application and Information
The 2022 NSOI Concerto Competition (on-line audion video submission) is open to all NSOI members and NSOI Fellowship members. Entrants will submit a Concerto Competion audition video of one movement of a concerto. Piano accompaniment is required for all 2022 NSOI Concerto Competition video submissions.
2022 NSOI Tuition is $60. Need-bassed Scholarships are available. (There are no tuition fees for 2022 NSOI Fellowship members.) Email Dr. Nies (Carol.Nies@MTSU.edu).
All meal costs are the responsibility of each NSOI member/NSOI family. Students may
bring picnic meals or bring money to eat at on-campus dining facilities.
Sleep Inn (193 Chaffin Place) is offering a special Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute
discounted rate for families who do not live in the Middle Tennessee area. (All meal
and hotel costs are the responsibility of each NSOI member/family.) NSOI students
under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent for hotel stays.
Tuesday, May 31
11:00- 12:00 PM Honors Recital 1 and Section Rehearsals
1:30- 4:30 PM Rehearsals/Section Rehearsals
6:00 PM- 8:45 PM Rehearsals/Section Rehearsals
Wednesday, June 1
11:00- 12:00 PM Honors Recital 2 and Section Rehearsals
1:30- 4:30 PM Rehearsals/Section Rehearsals
6:00 PM- 8:45 PM Rehearsals/Section Rehearsals
Thursday, June 2
11:00- 12:00 PM Honors Recital 3 and Section Rehearsals
1:30- 4:30 PM Rehearsals/Section Rehearsals
6:00-7:30 PM Pre-Concert Rehearsal
8:00 PM 2022 NSOI Concert!
Music Hall
MTSU School of Music
THE MTSU SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Dr. Carol Nies, Music Director
The MTSU Symphony Orchestra 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 and staff by audition. Audition excerpts are listed below.
Placement in the MTSU Symphony or the MTSU Chamber Orchestra is not final until audition results are posted. Reserve Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and Concert Orchestra rehearsal times in your schedule until audition results are posted on the Orchestra Bulletin Board (located outside of WMB 173).
MUEN 3300-001
Rehearsal Times: Tuesdays 5:00- 6:30 PM Thursdays 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Location: Instrumental Rehearsal Hall, WMB 173
Tuesday, January 18 - First Rehearsal- Check the Orchestra Bulletin Board (located outside of WMB 173) for the MTSU Symphony Roster,
Announcements and Rehearsal Order
Contact Dr. Nies for more information. (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu | 615-898-5318
MTSU SYMPHONY AND CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
AUDITION INFORMATION- SPRING 2022- STRINGS
(WOODWINDS, BRASS AND PERCUSSION- SEE INFORMATION BELOW)
Welcome to the MTSU Orchestra Department!
String Audition Excerpts
5) 2 measures before rehearsal figure 5 to the end
WOODWIND, BRASS AND PERCUSSION AUDITIONS (for the MTSU Symphony, Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band)
See the MTSU Band website for audition information and audition excerpts.
Contact Dr. Nies (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu) for more information about the MTSU Symphony and the MTSU Concert Orchestra.
The MTSU CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Advanced string players, regardless of major, are encouraged to audition for the Chamber Orchestra. Weekly one-hour 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: Fridays, 1:50- 2:45 PM. Music Hall
MTSU CHAMBER ORCHESTRA AUDITION INFORMATION
See audition information above for the MTSU Symphony.
Contact Dr. Andrea Dawson for more information. (Andrea.Dawson@mtsu.edu) | 615-898-2484)
THE MTSU CONCERT ORCHESTRA
Membership in the MTSU Concert Orchestra is open to all MTSU students, faculty and staff! 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 and Performance majors may audition to serve as assistant conductors.
Rehearsal Time: 3:15- 4:15 PM, Fridays (Instrumental Rehearsal Hall)
Location: Instrumental Rehearsal Hall, WMB 173 (School of Music)
First rehearsal- Friday, January 21
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)
2021 MTSU HIGH SCHOOL HONORS ORCHESTRA
Friday, November 5 - Saturday, November 6
2021 High School Honors Orchestra Application Form
2021 MTSU Honors Orchestra positions are very limited! Apply early! There is no fee to participate in the MTSU Honors Orchestra, as this project is funded by MTSU as a public service for the region's high school music students. (All meal costs and hotel costs are the responsibility of each participant.)
Click here for the 2021 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra Full Schedule
FRIDAY, November 5- 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 Activities
SATURDAY, November 6 Full Orchestra (Strings, Winds, Percussion, Harp)
9:30 AM- 3:30 PM Rehearsals and Activities
4:00 PM MTSU Honors Orchestra Concert
2021 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:
- Send in the 2021 MTSU HSHO application by emailed attachment or on-line application form.
- Send in an emailed recommendation from your High School Orchestra/ Band director or Youth Orchestra director. This should be sent directly to Dr. Nies from your director. (2019 MTSU Honors Orchestra members do not need to send a director's recommendation.)
- 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.
String Auditions:
- Send in the 2021 MTSU HSHO application by emailed attachment or on-line application form.
- Send in an emailed recommendation from your High School Orchestra/Band director or Youth Orchestra director. This can be sent directly to Dr. Nies from your director. (2019 MTSU HSHO members do not need to send a director's recommendation.)
- 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 an All-State Orchestra or as a member of the 2019 MTSU HSHO you do not need to send an on-line audition for the 2020 Honors Orchestra if you meet the priority application deadline of October 9. You are pre-qualified for membership in the 2021 MTSU Honors Orchestra.
- String seating placement auditions will take place during the first rehearsal. Audition material will be selected from the 2021 MTSU HSHO repertoire.
Contact Dr. Nies for more information. (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu | 615-898-5318)
MTSU HONORS ORCHESTRA HOTEL INFORMATION
(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 2021 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.