Director: I Gusti Komin Darta
Schedule: Wednesdays, 7-10pm
Location: Erdely Music & Culture Space (W18-1202)

There is no formal audition or music experience required for the Balinese Gamelan class; only an interest in learning to play any of these instruments. MIT students wanting to take the class should register for 21M.450 and attend the first class meeting on Wednesday evening, September 9th, 2026, from 7 to 10 PM. Classes are held in W18-1202 Music and Culture Space.

Anyone wishing to participate in Gamelan MIrah Tangi should reach out to Gusti Komin (komin@mit.edu) directly.

Instruments provided; no previous experience necessary.

Director: Ryan Turner
Schedule: Tuesday/Thursday, 9:30-11am
Location: Tull Concert Hall (W18-1101)

Auditions by appointment. Please email Ryan Turner, Director (rlturner@mit.edu) to schedule:

Tues, 09/08 11:00am-2:00pm

Wed, 09/09  3:00pm-6:00pm

Thur, 09/10   9:30am-1:00pm

Audition Requirements: One solo art song, folk song, or musical theater piece with piano accompaniment. (Pianist is provided). You will also be asked to vocalize and sight read.

Coaches: Mi-Eun Kim, Natalie Lin Douglas, Jean Rife, Marcus Thompson
Schedule: Flexible based on group availability
Location: Building 4 classrooms and/or W18 rehearsal rooms, based on availability

• The deadline to sign up is Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 11:59pm. Please note that audition slots for new members are on a first come, first serve basis.
• A required meeting for new and returning students will take place on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 in Killian Hall.
• New Members: Auditions for new members will begin immediately after the meeting (5:30pm), also in Killian Hall. Please use the New Members sign-up below to reserve a time slot.

Audition Requirements: Two solo pieces of contrasting styles and a prepared excerpt that will be provided a day before the audition. Each audition will last approximately 6 minutes.

New Members Sign-Up Here

Returning Members: Students who participated in previous semesters need not audition, but are still required to attend the 5:00 pm meeting with the CMS faculty to discuss group assignments, repertoire preferences, etc. All returning members must each fill out the form below.

Returning Members Sign-Up Here

Note: if you are a returning member but have not participated in CMS for three or more semesters, we recommend that you re-audition as a new member.

• The CMS audition will also count for all new pianists, instrumentalists and non-E/HP singers interested in joining Collaborative Piano (21M.451). For inquires, email Mi-Eun Kim (mieunkim@mit.edu).
• Interested applicants who miss the deadline may be added to a waitlist. To inquire, email Riley Vogel (vogel503@mit.edu).

For new members who are unable to audition in person, it is possible to submit a recorded audition, prior to the live audition date. The above audition requirements still apply, and a prepared excerpt will be sent to you a day before you submit your recordings. To arrange a date to send your recorded audition, please email Riley Vogel (vogel503@mit.edu). Please also make sure you still submit the New Member Sign-Up form (after your name, write “RECORDED AUDITION”), and select the latest available audition time.

Director: Ryan Turner
Schedule: Monday/Wednesday, 7-9:30pm
Location: Thomas Tull Concert Hall (W18-1101)

Interested singers should attend the open rehearsals on Wednesday, September 9 and Monday, September 14, 7:05p-9:30p pm in Tull Concert Hall (W18). During the first 45 minutes of this meeting, we will all learn an excerpt from the choral music we’ll be performing. This excerpt will be used as the music for a low-key placement evaluation in which you will be asked to sing it in a small group. Please register by using the link below. (ALL SINGERS should attend).

Register for Open Rehearsal Here

MIT FJE Director: Frederick Harris
MIT FJE Schedule: Tuesday/Thursday, 5-7pm
Location: Killian Hall (14W-111)

Jazz Combos Director: Keala Kaumeheiwa
Jazz Combos Schedule: Monday evenings (exact time based on availability)
Location: Amplified Music Room (W18-4305)

If you are interesting in auditioning for the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble and/or CMS Jazz Combos for Fall 2026, please register here. 

NOTE:  Auditions for the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble, CMS Jazz Combos, and the Emerson/Harris Jazz Program are all combined into one audition. Your interests in any or all of these opportunities are covered by ONE jazz audition.

Accepted students may take MIT FJE for credit (6 units) but may also participate registering as a Listener (not for credit).

MIT FJE is comprised of MIT undergraduate and graduate students but all local college students, MIT community members, and non-MIT community members are welcome to audition. The audition lasts approximately 15 minutes. While the typical instrumentation of the MIT FJE comprises saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and full rhythm section, any other interested instrumentalists are welcome to audition.

REGISTER FOR MIT FJE AUDITION HERE

 There are four parts to the audition

1.  Chromatic scale through your entire range

2.  Sight-reading. **Rhythm Section players (Piano/Vibes/Guitar/Bass/Drums) see note below.

3.  Two short stylistically contrasting pieces (a ballad and a swing/bebop composition for example). You are encouraged but not required to demonstrate your improvisational ability. Please provide your own recorded accompaniments if possible. If you need playback equipment for recorded accompaniments, please note this request in your audition form and describe exactly what you need.

4.  Prepare excerpts from Yatra-Ta and Lonely Moments.

Instructions for Yatra-Ta

*For all instruments:

—Prepare letter A up to letter C

(Alto saxophones use Alto 1 part; Tenors use Tenor 1 part; Trumpets may use Trumpet 1, 2 or 3 part but all trumpets should prepare trumpet 3 part the first seven measures of A; Trombones may use Trombone 1, 2, or 3 part)

—Rhythm section, in addition to letter A up to to letter C, also prepare the changes D to E

Yatra-Ta parts are here.

Study recording for Yatra-Ta is here.

Instructions for Lonely Moments

—All saxes, trumpets, bones prepare ms. 85 up to ms. 112 (ms. 103 up to 112, you may choose any part you wish)

—Rhythm section, prepare the first 36 measures of the piece.

Lonely Moments parts are here.

Study recording for Lonely Moments is here.

**NOTE for Rhythm Section players:

*Piano/Vibes/Guitar:  Sight-reading of basic chord changes will be part of your audition.  Guitar and bass players should provide their own amps. If that is not possible, please inform the Events Office at least 24 hours in advance of your audition day.

*Bass:  Sight-reading of basic swing and funk/Latin charts and chord changes will be part of your audition.

*Drum Set:  Sight-reading of basic swing and Latin/funk charts and performance of four/eight bars of time followed by four/eight bars of soloing in both swing and funk/Latin styles at a medium tempo will be part of our audition.

If you have any questions about auditions/MIT FJE in general, contact Dr. Fred Harris (fharris@mit.edu). If you need access to an instrument, fill out the Instrument Request Form,  then contact the MTA Events Office (musicevents@mit.edu).

Director: Ian Hattwick
Schedule: Tuesdays, 7-10pm
Location: Voxel Lab (E38-391)

Admission to the ensemble is by approval of the director following the first day of class, no audition required. The first day of class is Tuesday, September 15th from 7-10pm in W18-1311.

Director: Lamine Touré
Faculty Advisor: Patricia Tang
Schedule: Monday 8:30-10pm/Tuesday 7-8:30pm (Beginner Section), Monday/Thursday 7-8:30pm (Advanced Section)
Location: Erdely Music & Culture Space (W18-1202)

Drums provided; no previous drumming experience necessary.

New members should register for 21M.460 and attend the first beginner class meeting on Monday September 14th, from 8:30-10:00pm in W18-1202. The first meeting for advanced ensemble is Thursday, September 10th, from 7:00-8:30pm in W18-1202.

Questions please email – pjtang@mit.edu.

Director: Adam Boyles
Schedule: Tuesday/Thursday 7:30-10pm
Location: Kresge Auditorium (W16)

The MIT Symphony Orchestra (MITSO) is holding open auditions for Fall 2026. Auditions are open to all with preference given to MIT and Wellesley students. MIT and Wellesley students may take MITSO for 6 units of credit, but one need not take MITSO for credit to fully participate.

For Fall 2026, all auditions are to be submitted by video. Carefully note the following guidelines:

• The entire video is to be done in one unedited take.
• At the beginning, please state your name, date (with year), instrument, school or community affiliation, and the solo work to be performed.
  • Example: “Hi, I’m John Smith. Today is August 31, 2026. I play the viola and am a first-year MIT student. I will be performing an excerpt from the Walton concerto.”
• Perform a short solo work/excerpt of your choosing, no longer than three minutes. This may be performed with music in front of you, but please situate the camera so you can be fully seen the whole time. Percussionists, please perform two short excerpts: one on a pitched instrument and one on a non-pitched instrument (Example: 1 on marimba, and 1 on snare drum).
• When your solo piece is done, please do four scales: one major, one harmonic minor, one melodic minor, and one natural minor. Announce each key and scale before you do it. Each scale must be in a different key. At least one scale must have a flat attached, and one must have a sharp attached. Number of octaves, tempo, and articulation are up to you. Strings, please do not do an arpeggio at the end, and at least three scales must not be the keys of the open strings. Memorization is preferred but not mandatory. Solid intonation and steady tempo are preferred over speed and number of octaves.
  • Example: Db major, F# harmonic minor, E melodic minor, Bb natural minor
• If you are wanting to audition for consideration on two instruments, please submit two complete videos.
• Please email the video(s) or video link(s) directly to Dr. Boyles (akboyles@mit.edu). If you have posted the file on YouTube or some such video repository, please make sure there are no issues of access or privacy.
• Videos are due August 31 before 11:59pm. You may submit them as early as you like – if you’re ready to go in June, go ahead and send it.
• During the first week of classes in September, you will be contacted directly regarding audition results. You may be contacted about an in-person callback audition to be scheduled either September 8th or 9th. You may be accepted or not accepted into the orchestra with or without a callback.
• Percussionists: For use of the percussion studio and equipment, please email MITSO manager, Riley Vogel (vogel503@mit.edu) to request access.

The first MITSO rehearsal of the season is scheduled for Thursday September 10th, Kresge Auditorium, 7:30pm.

Director: Laura Grill Jaye
Schedule: Tuesdays, 6-9pm
Location: Tull Concert Hall (W18-1101)

Students are expected to prepare two songs of contrasting styles.  One song must be “Smile” by Chaplin/Parsons/Turner to be sung a cappella. Many people have recorded this song, but Nat King Cole’s version is easy to find online if you’re learning by ear.  The second song can be from any genre and should showcase your voice. It is fine to use accompaniment for the second song.

**Returning VJE members should re-audition with one jazz standard of their choice. They do not need to sing “Smile”.

Accepted students may MIT VJE for credit but may also participate registering as a listener.

Please sign up for an audition slot here.

Director: Frederick Harris
Schedule: Monday/Wednesday, 7-9:30pm
Location: Kresge Auditorium (W16)

Auditions for Fall 2026 participation in the MIT Wind Ensemble (21M.426) are Sept. 8-11, with additional options on Sept. 3 and 4. Please register here.

If you wish to audition earlier than these dates you may do so on zoom with Dr. Harris. Email him directly (fharris@mit.edu) to set up a day/time.

MITWE auditions are also held Spring 2027 but students are strongly encouraged to audition in the Fall for participation for the full AY.  Accepted students may take MITWE for credit (6 units) but may also participate registering as a Listener (not for credit).

MITWE is comprised of MIT undergraduate and graduate students but all local college students, MIT community members, and non-MIT community members are welcome to audition. The audition lasts approximately 15 minutes. Pianists, string bassists, and harpists interested in participating in MITWE should contact Dr. Harris directly and may sign up for an audition.

First MITWE rehearsal of the Fall semester will be Monday, September 14, 7:00-9:30pm, Kresge Auditorium.

There are four parts to the audition:

1.  Chromatic scale through your entire range.

2.  Sight-reading.

3.  Two short contrasting sections of any solo(s) or etude(s) of your choice that demonstrate your musicianship. Your choices should include passages that are slow and lyrical and ones that demonstrate your technical facility.

(Percussionists, NOTE: For this portion of the audition — the prepared piece of your choice —  you are encouraged (but not required) to play at least two of the three major percussion instruments (timpani, mallet instrument, snare drum). Timpani auditions will include basic tuning, snare drum auditions will include basic rudiments, and mallet auditions will include scales).

4.  Woodwind and brass instrumentalists prepare ONLY three movements of Lincolnshire Posy; 

Movement 2 “Horkstow Grange” (the entire movement)

Movement 3 “Rufford Park Poachers” (ms. 51 up to ms. 83)

Movement 4 “The Brisk Young Sailer” (the entire movement)

You may prepare any part you wish for these three movements but trumpets should prepare the trumpet 1 solo in “Horkstow Grange” in addition to other parts they choose to prepare.

Lincolnshire Posy parts can be found here. 

Study recording of Lincolnshire Posy is here.

*Percussionists:

In addition to a prepared piece of your choice, please prepare Mvt. III from Gainsborough.

You may choose from either Percussion 1, 2, 3, or 4 parts.  If you are not able to prepared the entire movement, contact Fred Harris with the portions of the movement you will play for the audition.

If you wish to do portions of the movement from different percussion parts (i.e. some of percussion 1 part and some of percussion 3, etc., that is fine).

Gainsborough parts can be found here. 

*Secondary Instruments

* Flutists who also wish to audition on piccolo, please prepare Mvt. 3, “Ruffed Park Poachers”, measures 1 to 18, and measures 86 to the end of the movement.

* Clarinetists who also wish to audition on Eb clarinet, please prepare Mvt. 4, “The Brisk Young Sailor”, measures 9-25.

* Oboists who also wish to audition on English Horn, please prepare Mvt. 2, “Horkstow Grange”, measures 1 through 18.

If you have any questions about auditions/MITWE in general, contact Dr. Fred Harris (fharris@mit.edu). If you need access to an instrument, fill out the Instrument Request Form, then contact the MTA Events Office (musicevents@mit.edu).

Advisors: Marcus Thompson (bratsche@mit.edu); Natalie Lin Douglas (lindoug@mit.edu)

• Auditions will be held in Killian Hall on Wednesday, September 8, 2026 from 4pm-10pm.
  • Note: You will be assigned a specific audition time after all applications have been received.
• All applicants must prepare two pieces of contrasting styles and periods that show the full range of their ability. Memorization is not required. Each audition slot will be 15 minutes. Piano accompaniment is not required or provided.
• Applicants will also be asked to perform a prepared excerpt that will be provided the day before the audition.
• Students auditioning for the Fellowship should propose a program of repertoire that they would perform for their solo recital. Bring a printed copy of your proposed recital program with your name, year, full titles and timings.

Apply here as a String Player

Advisor: Mi-Eun Kim (mieunkim@mit.edu)

• Auditions will be held in Killian Hall on Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 10am-5pm.
  • Note: You will be assigned a specific audition time after all applications have been received.
• All applicants must prepare two pieces of contrasting styles and periods that show the full range of their ability. Memorization is not required. Each audition slot will be 15 minutes.
• Applicants will also be asked to perform a prepared excerpt that will be provided the day before the audition.
• Students auditioning for the Fellowship should propose a program of repertoire that they would perform for their solo recital. Bring a printed copy of your proposed recital program with your name, year, full titles and timings.

Apply here as a Pianist

Advisor: Jean Rife (jeanrife@mit.edu)​

• Auditions will be held in Killian Hall on Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 4pm-7pm.
  • Note: You will be assigned a specific audition time after all applications have been received.
• All applicants must prepare two pieces of contrasting styles and periods that show the full range of their ability. Memorization is not required. Each audition slot will be 15 minutes. Piano accompaniment is not required or provided.
• Applicants will also be asked to perform a prepared excerpt that will be provided the day before the audition.
• Students auditioning for the Fellowship should propose a program of repertoire that they would perform for their solo recital.  Bring a printed copy of your proposed recital program with your name, year, full titles and timings.

Apply here as a Wind Player

Advisor: Ryan Turner (rlturner@mit.edu)

• Auditions will be held in Killian Hall on Friday, September 11, 2026 from 5-7pm.
  • Note: You will be assigned a specific audition time after all applications have been received.
• Applicants must prepare three memorized art songs of different styles with accompaniment, and at least one of which should be in English. A pianist will be provided.
• Applicants must provide two-sided, printed copies of all music in a binder for the pianist.
• Voice Fellowship applicants will also be given a short sight-reading excerpt.
• Students auditioning for the Fellowship should propose a program of repertoire that they would perform for their solo recital.  Bring a printed copy of your proposed recital program with your name, year, full titles and timings.

Apply here as a Classical Vocalist

Advisor: Frederick Harris (fharris@mit.edu)

• Auditions will be held in Thomas Tull Concert Hall (W18) on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, beginning at 2pm.
  • Note: You will be assigned a specific audition time after all applications have been received.
• Audition requirements: See Festival Jazz Ensemble audition requirements above.
• Applicants will also be expected to demonstrate their improvisation skills. Improvisation is optional for non-Emerson/Harris jazz auditions but expected for Emerson/Harris jazz auditions.
• This audition will also count as your audition for the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble or Jazz Combos.

Apply here as a Jazz Instrumentalist

Advisor: Frederick Harris (fharris@mit.edu)

• Auditions will be held in the Thomas Tull Concert Hall (W18) on  Wednesday, September 9, 2026, beginning at 5pm.
  • Note: You will be assigned a specific audition time after all applications have been received.
• Jazz vocalists should prepare three memorized songs from the jazz canon of varied forms/styles (such as ballad, swing, Latin, etc.) and tempos. Improvisation is required. Piano accompaniment is not required but could be provided upon request. Pre-recorded accompaniment is accepted.
• Your E/HP Jazz vocal audition and MIT Vocal Jazz Ensemble audition are separate. You must audition for each of them separately if you intend to participate in both.

Apply here as a Jazz Vocalist

Advisor: Frederick Harris (fharris@mit.edu)

• Percussionists’ ensemble audition will also count as their audition to the Emerson/Harris Program. Please email Riley Vogel (vogel503@mit.edu) after signing up for your ensemble audition to state your interest in being considered for the Emerson/Harris Program.
• Percussionists must audition on at least two of the three major percussion instruments (timpani, mallet instruments, snare drum).
• Timpani auditions will include basic tuning, snare drum auditions will include basic rudiments, and mallet auditions will include scales. The two etudes or solo compositions performed should each have contrasting styles represented.  Sight-reading on two instruments will be required.

Students experienced in non-western music traditions may also audition and receive support for private lessons under the Emerson/Harris Program. For inquiries, please email Riley Vogel (vogel503@mit.edu)