Ensembles

Theatre Auditions

Auditions for our Fall production of Corners Grove, by Kayla Mei Shing Garver, will take place on the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 25, with invited callbacks on the evening of Friday, Aug. 28th. Auditions for Spring performances will take place later in the fall semester, with a date to be determined. Please email Dr. Collin Vorbeck for more information.

Dance Auditions

Our Dance division offers a plethora of classes for non-majors who would like to participate. Please reach out to Christina Burton directly to learn more.

Chamber Music Auditions CONS 305a/5305a

All students enrolling in Chamber Music CONSVTY 305A and 5305A must complete the online form by Aug. 7, 2026 at 5 p.m.

Piano/Strings/Winds: ALL members of a proposed group must individually complete the form. Video submissions for Piano/Strings/Winds are submitted via the online audition sign-up form below. Please enroll in Section 1.

Brass: Please enroll in Section 2.

Percussion: Please enroll in Section 3.

Saxophone: Please enroll in Section 4.

Audition Instructions

1. Please read Chamber Music Instructions and Audition Requirements before filling out the registration form.
2. Complete the Chamber Music Registration form (required) after reading the instruction and requirements.

Information forms and video submissions are due by Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 at 5 p.m.

Audition Repertoire

Short piece or movement(s) of your choice, demonstrating your lyrical and technical playing or singing abilities. Accompanists are not required and will not be provided.

UMKC Conservatory Chamber Music

Chamber music is an essential and vital component of artistic growth and collaborative music making at UMKC Conservatory. Students coach weekly with the Conservatory’s exceptional chamber music faculty and perform in both on-campus and off-campus venues.

Students are encouraged to form their own groups and/or suggest repertoire. Requests are subject to approval, but are welcome and accommodated when possible.

*Incoming Freshmen do not enroll in Chamber Ensembles in their first year according to the degree plans. They should consult with their advisor and studio teacher with questions about chamber music in their degree.

Have Questions About Chamber Music Auditions?

Contact Karen Savage for more information.

Choral auditions for 2026-2027 will take place in person in Grant Hall at the following dates and times.

UMKC Choral Ensemble Placement Hearings

Come sing with us. Bring a friend or make new friends!

Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 (Grant Hall Room 122)

• 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
• 1:30-5 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026 (Grant Hall Room 122)

• 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 
• 1-5 p.m. 

Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 (Grant Hall Room 331A)

• 12-5 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 (Grant Hall Room 331A)

• 12-5 p.m. (for non-majors only)
• 7-9 p.m. Choral Union (walk-ins during rehearsal time)

Information for Conservatory Majors

Conservatory majors must sign up for an audition time slot. If you cannot attend any of these audition times, please email Dr. Jennifer Sengin.

Information for Non-Conservatory Majors

UMKC Choirs welcome all non-majors to “walk-in” for a placement hearing. We want to meet you! Come by to get a cookie and a smile. We encourage you to sign up for your audition time in advance by filling out the following survey.

2026-2027 UMKC Choral Audition Sign-Up

First Week of Classes

• Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 — First day of classes, no choral ensemble meetings. 
• Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 — Non-major auditions and first Choral Union rehearsal. 
• Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 — First rehearsal for Conservatory Singers and Chamber Singers.
• Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 — First rehearsal for Conservatory Concert Choir.

Choral Ensemble Placement Hearings

• All Conservatory Choral ensembles are open to UMKC students in all majors, alumni, faculty, staff and community members (18 years and older). 
• Students taking applied voice lessons — Prepare and sing a standard piece of your choice: an art song, aria or folk song. 
• All other auditionees — You are welcome to sing a prepared song of your choice, but this is not required. 
• An accompanist will be provided; if you have selected a solo piece of your choice, please bring a score for the accompanist. 
• The faculty will lead you through a few vocal exercises to determine your range and voice part. 
• The audition will last approximately seven minutes.

UMKC Conservatory Choirs

There is a place for you to sing at UMKC! We look forward to hearing you.

Conservatory Singers

(CONSVTY 307C / CONSVTY 5307B) — 0-1 credit

Meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12:00-12:50 p.m.

The premier choral ensemble of the UMKC Conservatory, Conservatory Singers is a highly select group of undergraduate and graduate singers drawn from both the Conservatory and the student population of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Conservatory Singers perform a diverse repertoire of collegiate and professional level choral literature including major works with orchestra. The ensemble participates in numerous concerts throughout the year, has performed at regional and national conferences, and has engaged in regional touring opportunities. Open to all students by audition only. Prerequisites: Audition required.

Conservatory Concert Choir

(CONSVTY 308A)— 0-1 credit

Meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 1:00-1:50 p.m.

Conservatory Concert Choir is a large mixed ensemble exclusively comprised of undergraduate singers which specializes in the performance of a wide variety of choral music, including classical masterworks as well as spirituals and multicultural choral music. Conservatory Concert Choir participates in numerous Kansas City-area performances each year and was recently a featured ensemble at the Missouri Music Educators Conference in January 2026. Open to all undergraduate students by audition only. Prerequisites: Undergraduates only; audition required.

Chamber Singers

(CONSVTY 307A / CONSVTY 5307A) — 0-1 credit

Meets Monday and Wednesday, 2:00-2:50 p.m.

Chamber Singers is a select chamber ensemble of mixed voices and serves as the lab choir for the graduate choral conductors as well as upper-class undergraduate conductors. Typically drawn from the membership of Conservatory Concert Choir and Conservatory Singers, Chamber Singers performs several concerts each year. * This course does not count toward the ensemble requirement for BM Voice Performance and BME Choral Music Education. Prerequisites: Undergraduates Only - Audition required.

Choral Union

(CONSVTY 307B) — 0-1 credit

Meets Tuesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

UMKC Choral Union (formerly University Singers) is a mixed ensemble focusing producing excellence in choral music through the “union” of student, staff, faculty, and community effort. UMKC Choral Union focuses on music for larger chorus and orchestra as well as music from the unaccompanied choral tradition, choral masterworks, and newly composed works from around the world. Open to all singers regardless of experience. Any UMKC student can register in advance, but a “placement hearing” is required in order to determine your voice part for the choir. Prerequisites: None. Open to UMKC Students, Staff, Faculty, and the greater KC community.

Have Questions About Choral Auditions?

Contact Dr. Jennifer Sengin for more information.

Sincerely,

Dr. Charles Robinson, Choral Faculty

Dr. Jennifer Sengin, Choral Faculty

Jazz Ensemble

Small and large jazz ensemble placements will take place Monday, Aug. 24 and Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center (4949 Cherry St), Room 125. These placement auditions are open to all UMKC students, but are required for jazz majors.

Placement Requirements

Sign up for a Jazz Ensemble placement time slot. All students auditioning should prioritize signing up for a time slot on Monday, Aug. 24. If all time slots have been taken, students should sign up for any vacant spots on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Please print and complete the Jazz Ensemble Placement form prior to your audition and arrive outside of PAC Room 125 at least five minutes in advance of your scheduled time with your completed form in hand and your instrument assembled. 

Be prepared to play jazz tunes and sight read. Non-improvisors may play an excerpt that demonstrates their musicianship in addition to sight reading. No phones or real books will be allowed, all music must be memorized. 

*UMKC reserves the right to audio and/or video record all placement auditions*

Placement Audition Requirements

• Jazz tunes: Students should be prepared to play the tunes in the “2025-2026 Jazz Placement Tunes” section below. These tunes are NOT recommendations, they are REQUIRED for the placement audition. Students will play with a rhythm section, no backing tracks will be allowed. 
• Scales: Be prepared to play major and minor scales. Scales will be selected by faculty during the placement audition.
• Sight-reading: All students will be asked to sight-read during their placement audition.
• Rhythm section:
  • Piano/Guitar/Vibraphone – All students need to be able to comp and solo over chord changes.
  • Drums – All students need to demonstrate time and solo, with sticks and brushes; and demonstrate styles of bossa nova, funk, swing, waltz and ballads at various tempos. 

2026-2027 Jazz Placement Tunes (REQUIRED)

• Anthropology – Bb (Charlie Parker)
• Blues on The Corner – Bb (McCoy Tyner)
• Ceora – Ab (Lee Morgan)
• Windows – b minor (Chick Corea)
• Body and Soul – Db (Heymman/Green)

Placement Audition Schedule

Sign up for a Jazz Ensemble placement. 

UMKC Jazz Ensembles

UMKC Small Ensembles

UMKC Jazz Orchestra

(CONSVTY 303G) — 0-1 credit

Meets Tuesday and Thursday, 4:00-5:50 p.m. and Friday, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

The Jazz Orchestra comprises saxophone, trombone, trumpets and rhythm section students of the highest level in the Conservatory and performs repertoire of the highest caliber available. The curriculum is well balanced between traditional, modern, and original music and requires advanced musical and technical facility amongst its members. The class is open to all UMKC students by audition.

Have Questions About Jazz Ensemble Placements?

Contact Carl Allen for more information. Want more information about UMKC Jazz Studies? Check out our Jazz Studies page.

Brass, Percussions and Woodwinds Auditions

Auditions will be held virtually for Fall 2026.

Video submissions will replace live auditions this year and will be submitted via the online information form below. Please submit the information form and your video audition by Friday Aug. 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. 

Audition Instructions

1. Please read the UMKC Online Band and Orchestra Audition Instructions prior to completing the form.
2. Complete the Conservatory Band and Orchestra Audition form (Winds, Brass and Percussion only).

Campus Band

Students interested in participating in the Campus Band are not required to perform an audition. Please complete the UMKC Campus Band 2026-2027 Interest form if you are interested in participating in Campus Band for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The Mob Pep Band

The Mob Pep Band is Kansas City’s premier athletic band — a paid per service ensemble that performs primarily at Kansas City men’s and women’s basketball games. In addition to our athletic appearances, The Mob frequently performs at events around Kansas City, both on UMKC’s campus and beyond. Past performances include Kansas City Royals games, Sporting KC matches, UMKC’s Kansas City Chiefs Partnership Celebration and more! Learn more about the audition process through the instruction page here: The Mob Audition Information

2026 Excerpt Links

• Flute
• Oboe
• Clarinet
• Bassoon
• Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Horn
• Bass Trombone
• Tenor Trombone
• Euphonium
• Tuba
• Percussion

UMKC Conservatory Bands and Orchestras

Audition based ensemble opportunities for woodwinds, brass and percussion include: 

Conservatory Wind Symphony

(CONSVTY 306C / CONSVTY 5306C)  — 0-1 credit

Meets Tuesday and Thursday, 1:15-3:45 p.m.

The Wind Symphony comprises wind, brass and percussion students of the highest level in the Conservatory and performs repertoire of the highest caliber available to the medium. The curriculum is well balanced between traditional, modern, and chamber music and requires advanced musical and technical facility amongst its members. The class is open to all UMKC students by audition.

Conservatory Wind Ensemble

(CONSVTY 306A / CONSVTY 5306A) — 0-1 credit

Meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 11:00 a.m.-12:50 p.m.

A select concert band ensemble, modeled on Frederick Fennell's Eastman Wind Ensemble concept, designed for high-level, artistic, public performances of major literature for winds and percussion. Membership in the Wind Ensemble is open to any student who qualifies through audition.

Conservatory Symphony Orchestra

(CONSVTY 302 / CONSVTY 3502)  — 0-1 credit

Meets Monday and Wednesday, 1:15-3:45 p.m.

Experience the power and intensity of performing in one of the Conservatory’s premier large ensembles. The Conservatory Symphony Orchestra presents 6–7 exhilarating concerts throughout the academic year and serves as the orchestra for the acclaimed UMKC Conservatory Opera production. Students dive into advanced orchestral repertoire through focused, high-energy rehearsals designed to challenge and inspire.

Conservatory Philharmonic Orchestra

(CONSVTY 305H) — 0-1 credit

Meets Monday and Wednesday, 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Join a dynamic and versatile ensemble that brings standard orchestral masterpieces to life in 4–6 performances annually. The Conservatory Philharmonic Orchestra is a vital platform for both performers and graduate orchestral conducting majors. With its collaborative environment and diverse repertoire, this ensemble offers an enriching musical experience that supports both personal growth and ensemble excellence.

Explore the UMKC Conservatory Bands website for more information.

Have Questions About Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Auditions?

Email bands@umkc.edu for more information.

String Auditions

String auditions will be held virtually for Fall 2026.

Video submissions will replace live auditions this year and will be submitted via the online information form below. Please submit the information form and your video audition by Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Audition Instructions

1. Please read the UMKC Online Orchestra Audition Instructions prior to completing the form.
2. Complete the Conservatory Orchestra Audition form (strings only).

2026 Excerpt Links

• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• String Bass

UMKC Conservatory Orchestras

Conservatory Symphony Orchestra

(CONSVTY 302 / CONSVTY 3502)  — 0-1 credit

Meets Monday and Wednesday, 1:15-3:45 p.m.

Experience the power and intensity of performing in one of the Conservatory’s premier large ensembles. The Conservatory Symphony Orchestra presents 6–7 exhilarating concerts throughout the academic year and serves as the orchestra for the acclaimed UMKC Conservatory Opera production. Students dive into advanced orchestral repertoire through focused, high-energy rehearsals designed to challenge and inspire.

• Auditions required.
• Open to music majors and minors.

Conservatory Philharmonic Orchestra

(CONSVTY 305H) — 0-1 credit

Meets Monday and Wednesday, 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Join a dynamic and versatile ensemble that brings standard orchestral masterpieces to life in 4–6 performances annually. The Conservatory Philharmonic Orchestra is a vital platform for both performers and graduate orchestral conducting majors. With its collaborative environment and diverse repertoire, this ensemble offers an enriching musical experience that supports both personal growth and ensemble excellence.

• Audition and/or playing demonstration required.
• Open to music majors, music minors, all UMKC students and community members.
• Fulfills the large ensemble requirement and can be taken as an elective.

Have Questions About String Auditions?

Contact Dr. Christopher Kelts, Director of Orchestras.