For more information about each ensemble, visit the main Ensembles page.

If you would like to be notified of ensemble opportunities and auditions when they are posted, please sign up via this form.

Audition requirements and information by ensemble:

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has several opportunities for singers from across the campus to participate in choral ensembles. Choral ensembles are open to all students, regardless of major.  Choral ensembles range in size and focus. Performances take place on the VCU campus, throughout the Richmond region, and beyond.

Choral Ensembles

Choral Arts Society (APPM 359) – Large mixed ensemble, no audition required.

Commonwealth Singers (APPM 358) – Select mixed ensemble, audition required.

Vox Concordia (APPM 378) – Select treble (Soprano/Alto) ensemble, audition required.

If you have questions, please contact Dr. Chris Hansen, Director of Choral Activities, at hansenc3@vcu.edu

FALL 2026 AUDITIONS 

Auditions for Fall 2026 choral ensembles will take place during the first two days of classes. Non-Music Majors are encouraged to audition for any of the auditioned choral ensembles. 

Audition Days 

  • Tuesday, August 18th, 2026 
  • Wednesday, August 19th, 2026

Audition Location   

  • James W. Black Music Center.  1015 Grove Ave, Richmond, VA 23284

Audition Sign Up

If you would like to audition for Commonwealth Singers or Vox Concordia, click on the link of the choir you are interested in and sign up for an audition. If you are interested in auditioning for both choirs, you will need to sign up for two separate auditions.

  • Audition links coming soon

If all slots are full, please contact the Director of the choir, 

Audition Procedures for Commonwealth Singers with Dr. Chris Hansen

  1. Sing acapella (without accompaniment) a song of your choosing not to exceed one-minute. If you cannot select a song on your own, then select one of the three songs below (links to sheet music and supplemental learning materials are further below on this webpage):
    1. Deep River, by Burleigh
    2. I Attempt from Love’s Sickness, by Purcell  
    3. Whither Must I Wander, by Williams
  2. Complete a basic vocalizing assessment–Vocal Range.
  3. Sight sing a rhythm that we give you at the audition.
  4. Sight sing a melody that we give you at the audition.

Audition Procedures for Vox Concordia with Adjunct Professor Lisa Fusco

  1. Sing acapella (without accompaniment) a song of your choosing not to exceed one-minute. If you cannot select a song on your own, then select one of the three songs below (links to sheet music and supplemental learning materials are further below on this webpage):
    1. Deep River, by Burleigh
    2. I Attempt from Love’s Sickness, by Purcell  
    3. Whither Must I Wander, by Williams
  2. Singers should learn their voice part (Soprano 1, Soprano 2, or Alto) of this version of the Star-Spangled Banner and be prepared to sing it a cappella at the audition, in the key printed in the excerpt. For questions about the markings, please email fuscolc@vcu.edu.
  3. Complete a basic vocalizing assessment–Vocal Range.
  4. Sight sing a rhythm that we give you at the audition.
  5. Sight sing a melody that we give you at the audition.

Results Following Auditions

You will be placed in a choral ensemble based on your audition. You will be notified via email. Please remember to check your email and plan to attend the class for which you have been selected.

After singers are placed in appropriate choral ensembles, they may complete additional vocal and musical skill exercises for voice part placement within the group (I.E., soprano, alto, tenor, bass).

Course Registration

You do not need to be registered for choir to audition.  However, we advise that students register for Choral Arts Society (APPM 359) in order to receive communications through Canvas and VCU email.  Once you are placed in an ensemble, you may need to change your schedule.

Supplemental Audition Materials

SOLFEGE Exercise Examples for Practice

Optional Song Selections for Auditionees

1: Deep River

    • HIGH KEY (F Major, Soprano/Tenor)
      • RECORDING: Click HERE
      • ACCOMPANIMENT (For rehearsal only): Score on screen, accompaniment only. Click HERE
      • SCORE in Treble Clef: Click HERE 
    • MEDIUM KEY (D Major, Alto/Baritone)
      • RECORDING. Click HERE
      • ACCOMPANIMENT (For rehearsal only) Score on screen, accompaniment only.  Click HERE
      • SCORE in Treble Clef: Click HERE 
      • SCORE in Bass Clef: Click HERE 
    • LOW KEY (C Major, Bass)
      • RECORDING.  Click HERE 
      • ACCOMPANIMENT (for rehearsal only). Score on screen, accompaniment only.  Click HERE 
      • SCORE in Treble Clef: Click HERE 
      • SCORE in Bass Clef: Click HERE 

2:  I Attempt from Love’s Sickness, by Henry Purcell

    • Materials can be found HERE

3:  Whither Must I Wander, by Ralph Vaughan Williams

    • Materials can be found HERE

Guitar Ensemble (1 credit) meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 pm to 3:15 pm. The ensemble is open to guitar music majors or by permission of the instructor. An audition is required. Rehearsals prepare this ensemble of guitarists for performances ranging from Renaissance repertoire to newly composed and arranged works.
Minimum skill level: Guitar ensemble is open to guitarists who can read notes in the first position (first four frets). In addition, student must have a classical guitar (nylon-string) and be able to use their right-hand fingers to pluck the strings.
Please email Pr. David Toussaint at dtoussai@vcu.edu to set up an audition time.  Auditions take place before or during the first week of class. Override authorization happens after a successful audition.

FALL 2026 AUDITION DATES 
  • Tues, 8/18, 10am-3pm
  • Wed, 8/19, 10am-3pm 
  • Thurs, 8/20, 10-11am, 2-3pm
  • Auditions take place in James Black Music Center (1015 Grove Ave), room 1003.

SIGN UP FOR A JAZZ AUDITION SLOT HERE

  • VCU Jazz Orchestra – directed by Prof. Taylor Barnett, rehearses Tues/Thurs 4-5:50pm in James Black 1003
  • VCU Small Jazz Ensembles (SJE) – There will be 8-9 SJEs, based on the number of interested students, and the ~100-min weekly rehearsal will be scheduled based on the availability of the faculty coach and the members assigned to each group.
  • Note: The first rehearsal for all Jazz Ensembles is the second week of classes.

*When you submit your schedule at the link below, you will indicate your interest in participating in a Jazz Orchestra and/or SJE. 

PLEASE UPLOAD A COPY OF YOUR COURSE SCHEDULE USING THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

  • Horns: Prepare the melody and, if possible, improvised solo over a tune of your choice, especially swing, bossa, Afro-Cuban and samba. You will be asked to play a major scale in our choice of key, to assess range, tone and technique. You will also sight-read a short excerpt.
  • Drums: Unaccompanied performance of a variety of styles on request, including swing, waltz, bossa, samba, Afro-Cuban, and a backbeat groove of your choice. Drummers are required to bring their own cymbals, hi-hat clutch, and, sticks. You will also sight-read a short excerpt.
  • Piano, guitar, and bass: Prepare the melody, accompaniment, and, if possible, improvised solo over a tune of your choice, especially swing, bossa, Afro-Cuban and samba. Potential comping in a variety of styles on request.. VCU will supply guitar and bass amps; students should bring their own 1/4″ cords. You will be asked to play a major scale in our choice of key, to assess range, tone and/or technique. You will also sight-read a short excerpt.
  • Vocalists: Prepare two contrasting pieces: one swing/jazz/bossa nova, the other in a style of your choice.

Questions about Jazz Ensemble auditions can be directed to Prof. Taylor Barnett at barnettt@vcu.edu.

For Opera requirements, visit the Opera page for details.

The VCU Symphony meets MWF from 1:30pm to 2:50pm. There is both a regular and an honors section of orchestra (both listed as APPM 355); they meet at the same time. Rehearsals and performances take place in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall of the Singleton Center.

Audition

String students interested in joining the Orchestra in Fall 2026 should complete an audition.

When: August 18th 2-5pm
Where: Room 3014 of the James Black Music Center.

In case of a time conflict, please contact Prof. Daniel Myssyk (dmyssyk@vcu.edu) to request a private audition. It is imperative that your audition takes place during the first days of class.

Contact Prof. Duane Coston for information about winds and brass auditions or Dr. Justin Alexander about percussion auditions.

Winds, brass, and percussion auditions for large ensembles (Symphonic Winds APPM 357 and the VCU Symphony APPM 355) are set for Monday August 17 and Tuesday August 18, 2026.

Auditions are held in the Singleton Performing Arts Center (922 Park Ave, Richmond VA.) Exact room location will be posted on the bulletin board located outside the music office the day of your audition.

Students will be assigned to an ensemble based on the needs of the ensemble for each concert cycle. Please ensure your schedule is free from 12-2:50pm on MWF.

Below are excerpts and audition sign-up times.

Each student will perform two excerpts. Excerpts are below for each instrument. It is highly recommended that students listen to the music before they start practicing so they get a good idea of tempo and style.

Specific Instrument Audition Excerpts

Audition Time Sign-up (Fall 2026)

When signing up for your audition time, please sign up using your name.

Other Relevant Information

Following a successful audition, students may be assigned to:

  • Orchestra
  • Symphonic Wind Ensemble
  • Topics: Large Ensemble

Assignments are determined based on both audition results and the needs of the ensembles.

Results & Enrollment

Audition results will be posted within 24 hours of the final brass/wind/percussion audition.

Students will be notified by email with regards to their ensemble assignments. Once notified, students need to make sure they register to the course they were assigned.

Students have a couple of days to enroll and/or adjust their schedules prior to the end of the add/drop period.

Questions regarding auditions? Please contact Daniel Myssyk, by email dmyssyk@vcu.edu or Duane Coston, by email costonpd@vcu.edu with the subject “Audition Information Request.”