1.  When should I arrive on the day of my audition?

Arrive at least 30 minutes before your audition is scheduled.  It will take about 15 minutes for you to check-in and pick up your audition form.  Any remaining time should be used for warm-up.  Please make sure your instrument is out of its' case and ready to play when you are waiting in the hallway outside your designated audition room.

2.  What do I do if I can't make the scheduled audition day?

In most cases, we encourage everyone to try to re-arrange their schedule to spend 30 minutes or so doing their audition.  We will do our best to work with your schedule whenever possible.  In some cases, very few students are allowed to audition prior to the audition day.  For students who moved into our region after the June date, we will hear some auditions in the fall before the ensembles begin rehearsing.  We will ask those students to perform the required materials for this placement audition, as well as the excerpt required for seating.

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3.  How do I know what to play, or what level I need to be at in order to be accepted into an ensemble?

First - check our audition guidelines; hopefully this will answer all of your questions.  Our ensembles generally line up with the quality of the state regional and all-state festivals.  When warranted, we will consider creating a new ensemble for those who were not placed if the circumstances allow for that type of action.   We certainly have had years when a large number of talented students auditioned on a particular instrument, and attempted to create another ensemble, either a chamber ensemble or similar.  If we had enough students on the corresponding instruments, we would consider creating a new large ensemble to fit the needs of our region for that year. Our number one goal is to provide appropriate performing ensembles to supplement school activity for all students in our region.

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4.  How will I find out the results on my audition, and when?

All audition results are sent by email; please make sure we have an accurate email address for you.  Results are generally sent on the evening of the audition day, and in some cases may be delayed to the following day.  If you do not receive the results by the day after the audition, contact our office.

5.  When are the calendars posted for the various ensembles?

Calendars are posted typically in August before the school year starts.  Visit our website, specifically to the page for your assigned ensemble, and make note of the rehearsals and performances. 

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6.  What are your absence policies for ensemble attendance once you are accepted?

Students are expected to attend all rehearsals.  Anyone with two or more absences per semester will be reviewed by the ensemble director and parents will be contacted; any absence from an ensemble affects the entire group's effort as that change (loss of voice/instrument) impacts the sound of the entire group making it difficult to rehearse properly.  All of our ensembles maintain an expectation of excellence regardless of the level or ability, as personal excellence at any level is what makes us better at what we do.

There are occasions when dismissal from an ensemble may happen due to excessive absences, but we hope to keep that at a minimum and strive to pursuade members about the importance of attendance.

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7. Where do rehearsals take place?

All of our auditioned ensembles meet on campus at the University of Hartford.  Some concerts take place off campus and information is posted and announced well in advance, typically at the start of a new school year.

8.  What do I do if I don't like the ensemble placement I was awarded?

In most cases, students simply need to decide if they want to participate in the ensemble where they were placed.  You can certainly contact our office staff to inquire about other options.  Typically, students who discuss their concerns with the ensemble director for their respective placement are consequently satisfied enough to give the ensemble a try, at least for one performance period (rehearsals and one concert).  Our ensemble directors are able to discuss with students the reasons behind their placement and seating assuring the students of the strength in reasoning and the overall benefit to that particular student.

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