Large Ensemble Audition
The Orchestral Large Ensemble Audition covers the following ensembles:
- McGill Symphony Orchestra
- CME (Contemporary Music Ensemble)
- McGill Wind Orchestra
- String Quartet Seminar
- Small Ensembles (Chamber Music)
Violin, Viola, Cello: The placement audition for large ensembles is mandatory for all new students (Undergraduate and Graduate, except D.Mus.), including former students who are returning for a new degree. All other violin, viola and cello students need to take the audition only if they want to be considered for principal positions.
Double Bass: The placement audition for large ensembles is mandatory for all double bass students, new and returning. (Undergraduate and Graduate, except D.Mus.).
Brass, Woodwinds and Percussion: The placement audition for large ensembles is mandatory for all brass, woodwind and percussion students, new and returning. (Undergraduate and Graduate, except D.Mus.)
All music students will receive an email with instructions for accessing the audition excerpts in June 2026. If you are not a music student, or do not receive this email by June 26, 2026, please contact the Ensemble Resource Office to obtain the information.
Questions or concerns? Contact us at ensembles.music [at] mcgill.ca
​Fall 2026 Placement Form and Schedule
1| Complete the Large Ensemble Placement Form
đź”—Â Large Ensemble Placement 2026-27 (Orchestral Instruments)
- This form is required for all students that plan to participate in a large ensemble fall and/or winter term, even if you are exempt from the audition. You will be assigned randomly to an approximate time slot prior to the audition (there is no in-person number draw), so it is imperative that you complete this form, no later than 9:00 pm on Friday, August 21, 2026.Â
2 | Audition Schedule*
• All auditions are blind auditions. Approximately 48 hours prior to your audition, you will receive an estimated audition time via email, as well as a time to check into the warmup room. This schedule will also be available in your warm-up room on the day of the audition, as well as outside room E-202. Check your email regularly for more information.
*If you are not able to attend the live audition, please contact the ensemble office as soon as possible to receive instructions for recorded auditions. In order to submit a recorded audition, you must provide a valid reason for your absence and have it approved by your department.Â
Questions or concerns? Contact us at ensembles.music [at] mcgill.ca
| Instrument | Date | Audition Start Time | warmup room | audition room |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oboe | Monday, August 24  | 1:30 PM | C-302 | C-304 |
| Clarinet | Tuesday, August 25  | 9:30 AM | C-302 | C-304 |
| Saxophone | Tuesday, August 25  | 1:30 PM | C-302 | C-304 |
| Cello | Thursday, August 27 | 4:00 PM | C-309 | C-209 |
| Viola | Wednesday, August 26  | 10:00 AM | C-309 | TSH |
| Violin | Friday, August 28  | 12:30 PM | C-204 | TSH |
| Percussion | Friday, August 28  | 9:00 AM | Perc | Perc |
| Tuba/Euphonium | Friday, August 28 | 9:30 AM | C-204 | TSH |
| Flute | Sunday, August 30  | 12:00 PM | C-302 | C-304 |
| Double Bass | Sunday, August 30  | 3:00 PM | C-302 | C-304 |
| Trumpet | Monday, August 31  | 9:30 am | C-201 | C-204 |
| Horn | Monday, August 31  | 1:30 PM | C-302 | C-304 |
| Trombone | Tuesday, September 1 | 12:00 PM | C-302 | C-304 |
| Bassoon | Tuesday, September 1 | 9:30 AM | C-304 | C-310 |
Small Ensemble Audition
All orchestral instrumental students are required to do an assigned small ensemble (chamber music) in addition to a large ensemble. Degree requirements and assignment procedure vary for Strings/Woodwind/Brass Areas.
Policy:
Woodwind & Brass small-ensemble assignments are based on large-ensemble audition results. Strings Chamber Music has a separate coordination process (please read the Strings/Mixed Chamber Music Policy above). There will be more information given during student orientation. Procedures will be explained, questions answered and initiatives announced.
Small Ensembles (Chamber Music) Credits are restricted to students enrolled in performance programs in the Faculty of Music unless special permission has been granted by the relevant coordinator.
Coordinators:
- Strings/Mixed Ensemble: chamber.music [at] mcgill.ca (Prof. Marina Thibeault)
- Woodwinds: simon.aldrich [at] mcgill.ca (Prof. Simon Aldrich)
- Chamber Winds: danielle.gaudry [at] mcgill.ca (Prof. Danielle Gaudry)
- Brass: james.box [at] mcgill.ca (Prof. James Box)richard.stoelzel [at] mcgill.ca ( )
Early Music Ensemble Audition
This audition is for participation in:
Early Music Ensemble (EME)
(MUEN 580​*)
Baroque Orchestra
- Baroque Orchestra: Early Music majors are expected to play in the group. Minors and non-majors should contact Professor elizaveta.miller [at] mcgill.ca (Elizaveta Miller)Â if they are interested in participating and arrange for an audition with him directly.
- Early Music Ensemble (Instrumental): This audition is required only if you have never played in Early Music Ensemble before. If you have played in the ensemble before, just fill out the Early Music Ensemble placement form below and indicate your ensemble preference(s).
- All students must fill out the Early Music Ensemble placement form (check here for updates on August 14, 2026).
Audition Material:
- Prepare one selection from the Baroque period or earlier.
- Please bring your own accompanist. Â Harpsichord and piano will be available.
- Sight reading may be given.
Audition Schedule Fall 2026:
DATE TBD in C-413
- Arrive 5 minutes prior to your audition time.
- A link to sign-up for an audition time will be posted here on August 26, 2026.
*Please note you will be able to register for MUEN 580 once you receive the CRN (Course Registration Number) for the small ensemble you have been assigned to. Once you receive your CRN, you will be able to find the correct small ensemble on Minerva so you can register. You must register for the right CRN for your small ensemble before the add/drop deadline.
Beethoven Orchestra
This audition is for participation in:
BEETHOVEN ORCHESTRA
This ensemble is open to Non-Music students.
Audition Instructions:
- Non- music students need to audition with the professor prior to the first class meeting.
- Music students do not need to play an audition.
Audition Material:
- A short piece demonstrating your abilities on your instrument
- Beethoven Symphony No. 4, movements I and II (you can find copies of the parts for your instrument for download on the IMSLP website) Breitkopf
- Sight Reading
Audition Schedule Fall 2026:
Date and Time
- Friday, August 28 between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. in room C-304
- Sign up: will be posted here on August 25, 2026
Please direct questions regarding the Beethoven Orchestra auditions to the Ensemble Office:Â ensembles.music [at] mcgill.ca
Sonata Class Audition
Only audition for 2026-27
Who is eligible to audition:
Non-pianists Performance Majors (any degree) interested in taking the
Sonata Class taught by Profs. Kyoko Hashimoto, Nelson Less (fall term), and Violaine Melançon (winter term), on Tuesdays 5:00 pm-7:00 pm in C-209 (Clara Hall). Note that only four non-pianists per term will be chosen to participate in the course.The non-pianist candidates must understand that this class is for credit; because of the large demand for participation, there will be no exception.
Audition Instructions:
Please write to Prof. Nelson Lee (nelson.s.lee [at] mcgill.ca) to be given a 15-minute audition slot. This applies to ALL students interested, even those who have participated in the class previously. As only four non-pianists per term will be selected, please indicate if you have a preference for participation in the Fall or Winter term. The final audition schedule will be communicated after August 20, 2026, one week prior to the audition.
Auditionees may make their own arrangements with a pianist of their choice, or contact Veola Sun (veola.sun [at] mail.mcgill.ca)Â as soon as you have chosen your audition repertoire as a courtesy to them, to set up a rehearsal and ensure that you are adequately prepared. Students are responsible for the remuneration of the pianist for both rehearsals and audition.
Audition Material:
One piece or one movement of a piece for unaccompanied instrument (i.e. written without a piano part), and one movement of a sonata. No exceptions will be made.
Audition Schedule Fall 2026:
Date and Time:
Saturday August 29, 2026, between 1:00 pm and approximately 6:00 pm in C-209 (Clara Lichtenstein Hall). Please indicate any scheduling conflict you may have for the day of the audition in your initial email.
In the event your participation in the live auditions is absolutely physically impossible because of travel plans, you may send a link to a good-quality recorded video containing the required audition repertoire to nelson.s.lee [at] mcgill.ca (Prof. Lee) by August 20, 2026. Please note that live auditions are far preferable, as we evaluate not only your playing, but your interactive listening skills.
