Wells School of Music

Brass and Woodwind Auditions will be held Sunday, August 23 in the Swope Music Building. Students can sign up for audition times by accessing the Fall 2026 Woodwind and Brass Audition Times form. Times have been determined based on the availability of your studio professors. Since ensembles begin rehearsal Monday, August 24, no alternate audition times will be available.

For the audition, you should prepare excerpts in the PDF provided for your instrument as well as major scales. A sight-reading example may also be provided. Audition materials can be downloaded from the Fall 2026 Brass and Woodwind Auditions folder. Click on the name of your instrument to access excerpts.

Fall 2026 Brass and Woodwind Audition Excerpts    Fall 2026 Brass and Woodwind Audition Times

All West Chester University students — regardless of major or class year — are welcome to join a choral ensemble! All our choirs require an audition. Each student will be placed in an ensemble that best fits their goals and needs. It is important for the directors to know every student in the ensemble as an individual, and this audition appointment helps kickstart that process.

AUDITION FORMAT

For your choral audition, you will be asked to perform the following:

• Solo Song: Please prepare a short song excerpt. The piece should demonstrate the overall quality of your singing. Arias, art songs, folk songs, hymns, jazz standards, and pop tunes are all acceptable representative pieces. ("Happy Birthday" is fine!) Please limit your selection to 1 minute in length. You may sing unaccompanied or bring sheet music for an accompanist – someone will be available to play for you.
• Range Exercises/Vocalises: Each singer will be asked to sing a few vocalises (“warm-up” sequences) so that the directors can get a more thorough understanding of their ranges and tone qualities.
• Pitch Memory: Each student will also be asked to sing some short tonal memory exercises. The director will play a series of four to six pitches and ask you to repeat them on your own.
• Sight Reading: Each student will be given short musical examples to read unaccompanied via screen share. A starting pitch will be given, and you will have a short period to look over the example. Do your best, but don’t stress out. It is important that we get to know you as much as possible so that we place you in the choral ensemble where you will grow the most—and have the most fun.

AUDITION DATES & SIGN-UPS

Everyone must fill out the Audition Info Form before the audition. It is online and requires that you attach a copy of your schedule (pdf, screenshot, jpg, or link). Please fill this out before your audition so we can review it before your appointment. You will need to be logged in with your WCU account (@wcupa.edu) in order to fill out the form.

Choral Audition Info Form     Choral Audition Times

String Seating Auditions for the Fall 2026 WCUSO will be administered through prerecorded submissions. Video recordings must be uploaded by 5 PM on Friday, August 21.

Fall 2026 String Audition Excerpts

Violin - 

Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 2

• Rehearsal 19-20
• Rehearsal 57-58

Copland, Lincoln Portrait  

• Measures 105-130

Viola - 

Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 2

• Rehearsal 18-19

Copland, Lincoln Portrait  

• Measures 110-150

Cello -   

Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 2

• Rehearsal 5-6
• Rehearsal 14-15
• Rehearsal 62-64

Bass - 

Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 2

• Four (4) measures after Rehearsal 44-Rehearsal 47

Mahler, Symphony No. 1 (Mvt. 3)

• Measures 3-10 

Harp –

Donizetti, Lucia di Lamermoor (music available from Professor Galante)

• Harp cadenza

Video Submission Instructions

• Recordings do NOT need to be done with any specific equipment. Please make sure, however, that you and your instrument are clearly visible and that the audio level is high enough for you to be heard easily.

• Please begin your recording by introducing yourself – your first and last names (as well as your preferred name/nickname if different).
• Please record music in the order listed.
• You can pause between selections, but all excerpts must be recorded as one continuous, unedited take.
• Please name the file using the following convention – “YOUR FIRST NAME_YOUR LAST NAME_YOUR INSTRUMENT.”
• Please upload your recording NO LATER THAN 5 PM ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, to the appropriate folder, below:

VIOLIN    VIOLA    CELLO    BASS    HARP

If you have any questions, please contact me at PBryan@wcupa.edu.  I am monitoring it over the summer.  Also, if you are aware of other students who are interested in playing in the WCUSO in 2026-2027, please forward this email to them and/or reach out to me with their contact information.

Jazz Auditions will be held Monday and Tuesday August 24 and 25. Audition materials can be downloaded from the Audition Excerpts link below.  Students can sign up for audition times by accessing the Audition Times link below. 

For the 2026-27 season LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE will be audition-based. If you are interested in participating, please sign-up for a Big Band audition. 

2026-2027 Big band Audition Excerpts    2026-2027 Big band Audition Times

Purpose

The Wells School of Music (WSOM) provides practice facilities to support the academic, artistic, and performance activities of students. Because practice room availability is limited and demand is often high throughout the academic year, access is prioritized for students whose coursework, lessons, ensembles, or academic programs require regular use of these facilities.

Practice Facilities

The Swope Music Building offers a variety of practice facilities, including:

• Eight Piano Major Practice Rooms with grand pianos
• Thirty-two Standard Practice Rooms, most equipped with upright pianos
• Percussion Practice Suite
• Two Organ Practice Rooms
• Harpsichord Room
• Reed Room
• Piano Pedagogy Room

Eligibility for Practice Room Access

Practice room access may be granted to students who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Music majors
• Music minors
• Students enrolled in a Wells School of Music ensemble
• Students enrolled in a music course for which the instructor determines practice room access is necessary
• Theatre Department students taking voice lessons through the Wells School of Music
• Students enrolled in the Community Music Program

Eligibility and access privileges are subject to enrollment verification and facility availability.

Students who believe they qualify for practice room access but do not currently have access privileges should contact Matt Miller, Events Coordinator, at mmiller@wcupa.edu.

Building Access and Hours

The Swope Music Building is available for authorized occupancy daily between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.

Entrance Access

• Exterior entrance doors are unlocked from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days per week.
• Between 10:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m., entry requires a valid University RamCard with approved building access permissions.
• All students majoring or minoring in music are granted RamCard access to the Swope Music Building from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
• Additional students may be granted RamCard access based upon enrollment in approved Wells School of Music programs, lessons, ensembles, or courses.
• Students with questions regarding building access or who believe they require swipe access for academic purposes should contact Matt Miller, Events Coordinator, at mmiller@wcupa.edu.

Building Occupancy

• Students who have entered the building before 12:00 a.m. (midnight) may remain in authorized areas until 3:00 a.m.
• No entry is permitted after 12:00 a.m.
• All occupants must exit the building by 3:00 a.m.
• The building is closed between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Practice Room Reservations

To ensure equitable access and effective utilization of facilities, practice rooms must be reserved through the University’s LibCal reservation system: https://libcal.wcupa.edu/r/new

Reservation Requirements

• Practice room reservations are required between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. (midnight).
• Students may occupy only the room they have reserved during reservation hours.
• No reservation is required between 12:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. for students who are already authorized to be in the building.
• Students should cancel reservations they do not intend to use so that facilities may be made available to others.
• Reservation limits may be implemented during periods of high demand.
• Wells School of Music classes, lessons, rehearsals, juries, recitals, auditions, and other official activities take priority over student reservations.

Specialized Practice Facilities

Access to specialized facilities, including Piano Major Practice Rooms, Organ Practice Rooms, the Percussion Practice Suite, Harpsichord Room, Reed Room, and Piano Pedagogy Room, is restricted to students whose lessons, coursework, or academic programs require use of those facilities.

RamCard access to specialized rooms will be assigned based on lesson registration, academic requirements, and approval by the Wells School of Music.

Responsibility for Facilities

Practice facilities are provided for educational use. Students are expected to:

• Respect all facilities, instruments, and equipment.
• Maintain appropriate conduct within the building.
• Refrain from disturbing others using practice or instructional spaces.
• Leave practice rooms in good condition after use.
• Return chairs and music stands to their designated locations. Chairs and music stands may not be removed from practice rooms.
• Report damaged equipment, facility concerns, or maintenance issues promptly.

Reporting Maintenance Issues

• For piano-related issues, students should contact pianoservice@wcupa.edu.
• For all other facility or equipment concerns, students should contact musicinfo@wcupa.edu or notify the Wells School of Music Front Office during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).

Students may be held financially responsible for damages resulting from misuse, negligence, or violations of university or Wells School of Music policies.

Policy Administration

The Wells School of Music reserves the right to modify access privileges, reservation procedures, and facility usage requirements as necessary to support instructional priorities, maintain facility security, and ensure equitable access to practice resources.

A valid University RamCard is required for all electronic access privileges granted under this policy.

The Presser Music Library is located on the first floor of Swope and is available to all members of the University community and to members of the public who have been given a library card at the F.H. Green library.

Scores, reference books and most LP recordings are on open shelves. Materials on course or general reserve, all compact discs and anything with a call number ending in "(c)" are in a locked cabinet or reserved stacks behind the service counter, and may be requested by call number. Materials on reserve, sound recordings, reference books and scores stamped "Does not circulate" may be used only in the library. You may borrow from the rest of the collection (notably most scores) for a six-week period, with one possible renewal.

For help in locating materials or operating equipment, feel free to ask any member of the library staff to assist you. Check out the subject guide for music for more information and additional resources.

While we have an audio/visual technician to record official Wells School of Music performances, there may be times where you'd like to record your own performances to create a custom CD demo for use in graduate school auditions, job searches or for your own enjoyment. Students who wish to have additional performances recorded should contact Jonathan Lightcap (JLightcap293@wcupa.edu) for availability and pricing.

During your time in the Wells School of Music, you may want to use spaces in Swope Music Building for a variety of events or programs. Room booking is easy. Look for and reserve an available room on the WCU Space Management Website. Before booking, please review the university's student policies in regards to facilities usage.

Please note that the person booking the room is responsible for the following:

• Put the room back to its original set up.
• Return all borrowed equipment (chair, tables, stands, and risers) to its original location.
• Make sure that all windows and doors are locked when you leave.
• Use the room responsibly.
• Notify the music office if this event is changed or cancelled.
• Remind your guests that the Swope Music Building is a NO SMOKING/NO ALCOHOL facility.
• There is to be absolutely NO FOOD AND/OR DRINKS IN THE ROOMS.
• There is absolutely NO FIRE OR OPEN FLAMES PERMITTED IN THE ROOMS.

• Music Teachers National Association
• National Association for Music Educators
• American Choral Directors Association
• American String Teachers Association

• Kappa Kappa Psi
  Formed in the fall of 1981 to support the band program. Kappa Kappa Psi concentrates on serving the Band and Wells School of Music by means of fund raising and service projects. Any member of the marching band or visual ensemble can join Kappa Kappa Psi. Information is posted in Swope Music Building, at the beginning of the fall semester.
• Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
  Rho Sigma chapter of the professional men's music fraternity was formed at West Chester in 1967. The organization seeks to advance the cause of music in America and to foster the welfare and brotherhood of students of music. Upon approval by the brotherhood prospective members are invited to pledge the fraternity. These prospective members must be at least second semester first-year students.
• Pi Kappa Lambda
  The primary objectives of this national music honor society are the recognition and encouragement of the highest level of musical achievement and academic scholarship. Nominations and elections to membership are the responsibility of the faculty committee of the chapter. Delta Sigma chapter at West Chester University was established in 1978.
• Sigma Alpha Iota
  Epsilon Epsilon chapter of this internationally incorporated professional fraternity for women in music was formed in 1968. The fraternity is dedicated to service in the field of music. Membership, by invitation, recognizes scholarship and musicianship. Members must be in at least their second semester.
• Tau Beta Sigma
  This co-ed band service organization provides exceptional service to collegiate bands and promotes equality and diversity, including empowering women in the band profession. We cultivate leadership, educational achievement, music appreciation and community development. Formed at WCU in 1981, any member of the marching band or color guard can joint TBS.

The primary mission of the Office of Student Conduct is to foster personal development and maintain community standards by providing an educational student conduct process. Student clubs and organizations are intended to provide a framework in which students engage in hands-on experiences in civic engagement, leadership, social responsibility, and build on personal values. Student experiences should complete their academic endeavors and solidify career aspirations. As such, West Chester University expects its student clubs, organizations, and athletic teams to uphold the University’s values and to foster and support an educational community.

Organizations that do not promote and practice these values and maintain respect, health, and safety standards for their members and the University community at large, will not be welcome on campus. Student organizations that are alleged to engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in the issuance of violations of University expectations have rights to process. The details are included in the Student Code of Conduct. Student groups, as well as their members and leaders, may be held collectively and/or individually responsible for violations of the Student Code of Conduct or other University policies. It is the responsibility of the group’s student president, leader, or designee to represent the group through the conduct process.

For further information on group conduct, including How to Refer a Concern about a Group Activity, Rams Take Care of Rams: Safe Harbor Immunity, and Student Conduct Process, please visit the Office of Student Conduct website.

Protect Your Hearing Every Day - Handout - Information and Recommendations for Student Musicians

Protecting Your Hearing Health - Student Information Sheet on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Student Guide for Neuromusculoskeletal and Vocal Health

Student Information Sheet - Neuromusculoskeletal Health

Student Information Sheet - Vocal Health