2023-2024 MTSU ORCHESTRAS

2023 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra

High School Seniors- Apply for an MTSU Music Scholarship Audition! Music Scholarship Auditions are open to students in all majors!

2023 MTSU HIGH SCHOOL HONORS ORCHESTRA!

Friday, November 3 - Saturday, November 4, 2023

Click here for the 2023 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra Application Form!

The Priority Deadline for MTSU Honors Orchestra applications is October 15, 2023. You may apply after this date, but as there are a limited number of 2023 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra positions, usually all positions are filled by the Priority Deadline.

Contact Dr. Nies for more information. (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu | 615-898-5318)

There are no fees to participate in the MTSU Honors Orchestra, as this project is funded by MTSU as a public service for high school music students. (All meal costs and hotel costs are the responsibility of each participant.)

FRIDAY, November 3- 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 Honors Orchestra Activities (Marching Band students with a Friday night School Marching Band commitment will be excused from the Friday night Honors Orchestra rehearsal.)

SATURDAY, November 4- Full Orchestra (Strings, Winds, Percussion, Harp)
9:30 AM- 3:30 PM Rehearsals and Activities

4:00 PM MTSU Honors Orchestra Concert

2023 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:

Fill out the 2023 MTSU Honors Orchestra On-Line Application (above).
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.
Send in an emailed letter of recommendation from your Orchestra/Band director or your private instrumental teacher to Dr. Nies (Carol.Nies@MTSU.edu). If you were a member of the 2021 or 2022 MTSU Honors Orchestra, the Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute or All-State Orchestra/Band, you do not need to send in a letter of recommendation for the 2023 Honors Orchestra

String Auditions:

Fill out the 2023 MTSU HSHO On-Line Application (above).
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 the 2021 or 2022 MTSU Honors Orchetra, the Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute or the All-State Orchestra, you do not need to send in an on-line audition for the 2023 Honors Orchestra if you meet the priority application deadline of October 8. You are pre-qualified for membership in the 2023 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra.
Send in an emailed letter of recommendation from your Orchestra director or your private instrumental teacher to Dr. Nies (Carol.Nies@MTSU.edu). If you were selected as a member of the 2021 or 2022 MTSU Honors Orchestra, the Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute or the All-State Orchestra, you do not need to send in a letter of recommendation for the 2023 Honors Orchestra.
String seating placement auditions will take place during the first rehearsal. Audition material will be selected from the 2023 MTSU HSHO repertoire.

Contact Dr. Nies for more information. (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu | 615-898-5318)

MTSU HONORS ORCHESTRA HOTEL INFORMATION

(This 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 2023 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.

THE MTSU SYMPHONY

Dr. Carol Nies, Music Director

symphony

The MTSU Symphony 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, staff and community members by audition.

MUEN 3300-001

Rehearsal Times: Tuesdays 5:00- 6:30 PM Thursdays 5:00- 6:30 PM

Location: Instrumental Rehearsal Hall, WMB 173 and Hinton Music Hall

MTSU Symphony Assignments are not final until Auditions results have been posted (on the Orchestra Bulletin Board Located outside of WMB 173)

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)

THE MTSU CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Advanced string players, regardless of major, are encouraged to audition for the Chamber Orchestra. Weekly rehearsals culminate in a performance at the end of the semester. Students learn diverse repertoire and ensemble skills in a friendly but focused environment.

Rehearsal Time: Mondays 3:00- 4:25 PM

Location: Hinton Music Hall

Contact Dr. Andrea Dawson for more information. (Andrea.Dawson@mtsu.edu) | 615-898-2484)

THE MTSU CONCERT ORCHESTRA

Membership in the MTSU Concert Orchestra (woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp, piano, and strings) is open to all MTSU students, faculty, staff and community members. 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, Performance, Music Composition and Music Industry majors may audition to serve as assistant conductors.

First rehearsal- Friday, September 1

Rehearsal Time: 3:15- 4:15 PM, Fridays (Instrumental Rehearsal Hall)

Location: Instrumental Rehearsal Hall, WMB 173 (School of Music)

Check the MTSU Orchestra Bulletin Board outside of the Instrumental Rehearsal Hall for updated Rehearsal Information