Auditions

Fall 2026 Audition Information

Info Sessions: Majoring and Minoring in Music | Piano Students

Additional Information: Practice Rooms | Borrowing Instruments | Instrument Lockers | General Assistance

African Music Ensemble

Directed by Ghanaian Master Drummer, Sowah Mensah.
African Music Ensemble’s 40 members perform on authentic drums, flutes, xylophones, gourds, voices, and more. The group tours locally, nationally, and internationally.
Audition sign-up coming soon.
Prior experience in African music is not required.
Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:45–8:15 PM
Contact Sowah Mensah at [email protected] for more information.
Follow us on Instagram @africanmusicensemble

Chorale and Concert Choir, Macalester Choral Ensembles

Directed by Dr. Michael McGaghie.
The Chorale is the College’s principal large chorus. The ensemble’s repertoire includes a cappella and accompanied music from various Western and non-Western vocal traditions. Membership is open to all Macalester students.
The Concert Choir is the advanced, select vocal ensemble of Macalester College. The choir draws its repertoire from music of the last six centuries and performs on campus and across the Twin Cities, as well as regionally. Membership is open to all Macalester students.
All students are encouraged to audition, including (and especially!) those with little choral experience.
Audition sign-up for Fall 2026: Auditions run from September 1-8.
Auditions for both choirs will consist of: vocalization (testing range, vowels, intonation, flexibility), ear exercises (pitch memory, finding notes within a chord), and a short sight-reading excerpt. No preparation is required!
Weekly rehearsals, additional combined choir rehearsals will be scheduled:
- Chorale: Tuesdays from 4:45–6:15 PM and Thursdays from 6:30–8:00 PM
- Concert Choir: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 4:45–6:15 PM
Contact Dr. Michael McGaghie at [email protected] for more information.
Follow us on Instagram @macchoirs

Macalester Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Music

Conducted by: Chi-Chi Bestmann.
The Macalester Symphony Orchestra performs a wide range of orchestral literature and offers performance opportunities for student soloists in its annual Concerto/Aria Concert. The orchestra plays several campus concerts each year, often including professional soloists such as: violinist Erin Keefe, concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra; Manny Laureano, principal trumpet of the Minnesota Orchestra; pianist Mark Mazullo, on the faculty of Macalester College. The orchestra receives periodic sectional coaching from area professionals. In recent years, the orchestra has traveled to perform on tour to Madison and Milwaukee (WI), Lake Forest (IL), and Duluth (MN).
The Chamber Music program at Macalester (coordinated by Chi-Chi Bestmann) offers an opportunity to explore and perform repertoire for small ensembles. All instrumentalists and vocalists are eligible to participate. Entrance is by audition. Students who are accepted are placed in chamber ensembles practice and rehearse and receive coaching from department faculty or professional instructors. There is least one combined performance required for this class for each semester of study. (n.b. for instrumentalists: participation in a major ensemble – i.e. Orchestra, Wind Symphony, etc. – is a requirement for playing in chamber ensembles).
The viola da gamba consort, newly available for credit under the umbrella of Chamber Music, is coordinated by viola da gamba instructor Maryne Mossey. Students interested in viola da gamba should email Maryne directly (no audition sign-up needed) at [email protected]
Audition information for Fall 2026:
- Audition sign-up for Fall 2026
- Instrumental Music Auditions are held in 10-minute increments at the following times in Crawford Hall, M116
  - Tuesday 9/1st, 3 – 6pm
  - Wednesday 9/2nd, 5 – 7pm
  - Friday 9/4th, 11am – 2pm
  - Saturday 9/5th, 10am – 1pm; 2 – 4pm
  - Sunday 9/6th, 10:30am – 2pm
  - Tuesday 9/8th, 2pm – 7pm
Audition Guidelines (for orchestra and chamber ensembles): Any student playing an orchestral instrument is welcome to audition. For the academic year 26-27, chamber auditions will go through the same form linked above for orchestra. It is suggested that students prepare:
- If possible, prepare the first movement—exposition only—of a standard concerto or an equivalent work from the standard repertoire. If you do not have a concerto or equivalent work prepared, that is perfectly fine. Please come and play whatever you feel comfortable performing.
- A brief contrasting piece or section, if possible.
- Sight-reading may also be required.
Orchestra meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:45–6:15 PM
Chamber Music rehearsals are TBA, depending on the schedules of participants.
Contact Chi-Chi Bestmann at [email protected]

MacJazz

Directed by David Milne.
MacJazz is Macalester College’s large jazz ensemble, which performs and records jazz and contemporary music for an instrumental jazz ensemble consisting of approximately 17-25 musicians (depending on student enrollment). Instrumentation consists of traditional jazz ensemble instruments, i.e. saxophone/woodwinds, trumpet/flugelhorn, trombone, euphonium/tuba, guitar, piano, bass, drum set, pitched percussion and non-pitched percussion. Vocalists and additional instruments may also be possible, based upon an entrance audition and approval by the director. All students are welcome, so please inquire if you are interested!
MacJazz regularly performs several times each year on campus, as well as at select jazz venues, jazz festivals, and featured performances in the Minneapolis-St Paul region. MacJazz performs in concert with national, regional, and local professional jazz artists, including past guest artists Maria Schneider, Uri Caine, Debbie Duncan, and Connie Evingson. MacJazz performs a diverse range of music, ranging from classics of earlier jazz eras (e.g. Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Miles Davis, John Coltrane) to exciting contemporary works by professional jazz composers, Macalester faculty, and Macalester students.
Audition sign-up for Fall 2026
Audition Guidelines: All students are welcome for entrance and placement auditions. Auditions for wind instruments (e.g. woodwinds, brass, etc.) should include a performance of a representative work, i.e. a jazz song, etude, or solo work. Auditions for rhythm section instruments (e.g. guitar, piano, bass, drums/percussion, etc.) should include a short performance of a representative work demonstrating jazz style(s) and performance techniques. All musicians are welcome to demonstrate improvisation skills, but improvisation is optional and not required for entrance and/or placement in the jazz ensemble.
Meets Mondays and Wednesdays 4:45–6:15 PM
Contact David Milne at [email protected] for more information. Please note that David Milne will have limited access to email during the summer months.

Jazz and Popular Music Combos

Directed by Peter Hennig
Jazz and Popular Music Combos are forums for students to receive coaching in the performance of standards and/or original music. Students also receive feedback on improvisation development, group interactivity, and stage presence.
The combos present two concerts each year.
Audition schedule for Fall 2026 TBD
- Contact Peter Hennig at [email protected] for more information
Auditions consist of:
- Vocalists:
  -Sing a one octave major scale (any key) ascending and descending
  -Sing a one octave minor scale (any key) ascending and descending
  -Sing excerpts from 2 of your favorite pieces. They should stylistically contrast from one another.
- Instrumentalists:
  -Play a two octave major scale (any key) ascending and descending
  -Play a two octave minor scale (any key) ascending and descending
  -Perform excerpts from 2 of your favorite pieces. They should stylistically contrast from one another. You can choose to perform these with accompaniment or solo.
- Drummers/Percussionists:
  -Play 3 out of these 5 rudiments:
  1. Single stroke roll
  2. Double stroke roll
  3. Single Paradiddle
  4. Flam (right & left handed)
  5. Drag (right & left handed)
  -Demonstrate 3 different grooves (stylistically) on the drum set. These can vary between: Rock, Funk, Jazz, Latin, Hip-Hop, Country, etc.
Meets Mondays 7–9 PM
Contact Peter Hennig at [email protected] for more information.

Asian Music Ensemble

Directed by Chuen-Fung Wong
The Macalester Asian Music Ensemble performs chamber genres and repertoires from across Asia.
Students may choose to specialize in one or more of the music traditions represented by the department’s instrument collections and faculty expertise. These include, but are not limited to, Javanese gamelan, East and Southeast Asian chamber instrumental music, as well as Indian, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian traditions.
Rehearsal times to be arranged at the first meeting
Contact Chuen-Fung Wong at [email protected] for more information and to schedule an audition.

Pipe Band

Directed by Pipe Major Michael Breidenbach and Drum Sgt. Catherine Bishop.
The Pipe Band has been a part of Macalester for over 50 years by performing at most major events including Commencement and special convocations, plus competitions at Scottish Highland games throughout the United States and Canada.
All students, faculty, and staff at Macalester may take bagpipe lessons at no charge.
No auditions are required for Pipe Band.
Lesson times to be arranged with the instructor.
Contact Michael Breidenbach at [email protected] for more information.

Early Music Ensemble

2026-2027: On hiatus; early music opportunities potentially available under Chamber Music. Contact Chi-Chi Bestmann at [email protected] to inquire.
Vocalists and instrumentalists who have played or sung for at least three years and who are interested in historical performance are invited to join the Macalester Early Music Ensemble. The group focuses on Renaissance and Baroque repertory.
No auditions are required.
You may attend the first class even if you did not sign up beforehand.
Performance: 1 concert each semester.
Meets Wednesdays 5:15–6:45 PM

Wind Symphony

All placement decisions will be made by Aaron Isakson. If interested, please attend the first Wind Symphony rehearsal on Monday, September 14 at 7:15 PM.
Students who play the following instruments are welcome to join the band: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone/euphonium, tuba, timpani and percussion.
Contact Aaron Isakson at [email protected] for more information.

Additional Information

Considering Majoring or Minoring in Music?

Email Music Department Chair Michael McGaghie at [email protected]

Piano Students

If you’d like to learn more about the piano program at Macalester, professor Mark Mazullo is available by appointment. Email [email protected]

Practice Rooms

Practice rooms are available on the first and second floors of the Music building.

Borrowing Instruments

If you need to borrow an instrument for auditions, please be in touch with the Director of Instrumental Activities Mark Mandarano at [email protected] to make arrangements. If possible, please contact him in advance of your arrival on campus. In Fall of 2026, Prof. Mandarano will be on sabbatical. Please contact interim Director Chi-Chi Bestmann at [email protected]

Instrument Lockers

Lockers are assigned beginning the first day of classes.

LOCKER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Any Macalester student registered for studio instruction/private lessons, or
Any Macalester student enrolled in a Music Department Ensemble.

HOW TO RESERVE A LOCKER (BEGINNING THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES)

Students must meet eligibility requirements.
Go to the Music Department office (M201), and you will be assigned a locker. Office hours are 9 AM–4:30 PM Monday–Friday.

General Assistance

For general assistance, please go to the Music Department Office (M201) or contact Mackenzie Stern, Music Department Coordinator, at [email protected].

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