Participation Information

The Department of Music is committed to providing meaningful educational and artistic ensemble experiences. We invite all students from other academic disciplines who wish to continue their involvement in music performance to participate, as well as qualified community members, faculty, and staff. 

Continue below for more information about ensemble auditions, applied music lessons, group classes, and more! 

Blending Traditional and Contemporary Ensemble Experiences

Large performing ensembles include concert choir, symphony orchestra, symphonic winds, jazz ensembles, and marching band. Students may choose to participate in various single-instrument or mixed groups in traditional or contemporary styles, vocal groups, chamber music ensembles, and historical/early music ensembles. 

Find a full list of offerings on the Ensembles List page >>>

Ensembles by Category

Miscellaneous Ensembles

A handful of affiliated CIM faculty within the Joint Music Program coach miscellaneous ensembles (MUEN 355) in flute, horn, saxophone, guitar, and mixed winds chamber music. Students are typically enrolled in applied music lessons while enrolled in the corresponding ensemble

Auditions

Auditions for the Fall 2023 Semester take place during the first week of classes. Follow the audition information for each ensemble by clicking on the group name from the Ensemble List menu. 

Undergraduate music majors (new/returning) auditioning on strings/woodwinds/brass will receive an assigned audition time (schedule posted below) on Mon., Aug. 28.

Music majors/non-majors auditioning on percussion will sign up for an audition time on Wed. Aug. 30.

Music majors/non-majors auditioning on voice or piano should follow the audition information for each ensemble by clicking on the group name from the Ensemble List menu option.

A fall semester audition also counts as an audition for the spring semester. However, new members can audition the first week of the spring semester.

Note: The Spartan Marching Band starts meeting a week early during orientation. Visit the SMB page for the Pre-Season Information Packet. 

New CWRU/CIM Students

Attend our Ensembles Overview on Thu., Aug. 24 at 3:00 PM in Harkness Chapel. Meet our ensemble directors and learn more about auditions, registration, instrument lockers/loaning, building access, practice rooms, and upcoming performances.

Schedule Preview

Auditions for the Fall 2023 Semester take place during the first week of classes:

• August: Sign-ups for ensemble auditions open; Requirements are outlined on each Ensemble page
• Thu., Aug. 24: Ensembles Overview for new students Discover Week (Harkness Chapel, 3:00 PM)
• Mon., Aug. 28 (Classes Begin): Auditions for music majors on strings/woodwinds/brass; Open rehearsal for Concert Choir and Glee Club 
• Tue., Aug. 29: Auditions; Open rehearsal for U. Chorale
• Wed., Aug. 30: Auditions (percussionists audition this day); Open rehearsal for Glee Club
• Thu., Aug. 31: Auditions 
  
• Fri., Sep. 1: Auditions 
• Mon., Sep. 4: Labor Day Holiday
• Wed., Sep. 6: Open rehearsal for Glee Club
• Fri., Sep. 8: Drop/Add Period Ends
  Be sure you are registered!

Audition Sign-Ups 

• String Players (non-majors)
• Woodwind and Brass Players (non-majors)
• Percussion Players (music majors and non-majors)
• Vocalists/Concert Choir (music majors and non-majors)

Registration

Enrollment permissions are granted in the Student Information System (SIS) following a successful audition or after the first week of class. Once course permissions have been granted (before the drop/add period ends) students should return to their SIS account to register in the appropriate MUEN course. The Drop/Add Period ends on the 2nd Friday of each semester.

Did you know?

Most ensembles have variable credit units between 0.00 and 1.00 credit units, which allows students to participate without exceeding 19 units per semester. 

Performances

All performances held in the Maltz Performing Arts Center as part of the Silver Hall Concert Series or in Harkness Chapel as part of the CWRU Music Concert Series are live-streamed for free concurrently with the posted concert time. All concerts occur in eastern time.

Applied Music Lessons

All CWRU students can take applied music lessons (MUAP) for academic credit with affiliated CIM faculty members through our Joint Music Program. 

• Incoming undergraduate music majors will receive notification of their studio placement from the music office in August. Each music major (new/returning) will register for primary applied music lessons and Recital Class¹. Students interested in secondary lessons should complete the Secondary Lessons: Policies and Pre-Registration Form.
• Graduate or professional students in music must receive a lesson assignment from their faculty advisor before meeting with Jennifer Wright during orientation to register. Students interested in secondary lessons must consult their advisors before beginning the registration process. Once approval has been given, students should then complete the Secondary Lessons: Policies and Pre-Registration Form. 
• Non-majors or music minors should review the information in the Secondary Lessons: Policies and Pre-Registration Form and pre-register by August 25.
• NEW! Group Classes for Beginners: Students with little or no prior experience interested in learning guitar/piano/voice are required to take the corresponding Group Music Class for Beginners (MUSP 100) before enrolling in secondary applied music lessons.
• Applied lesson instructional fees are added to the term bill (per semester) for music minors/non-majors at the end of the Drop/Add period. Rates: $750 (1.00 credit units) for 30-min lessons or $1,500 (2.00 credit units) for 60-min weekly lessons.
• Applied music lessons (MUAP) cannot be taken as fellowship courses.
• Tuition fees and instructional fees associated with lessons cannot be waived. No refunds issued after the Drop/Add period.
• Students should make every effort to register for lessons in SIS and contact their CIM Instructor to schedule their weekly lesson time before the first week of class.

¹ Recital Class: This required component of primary lessons for undergraduate music majors meets weekly on Wednesday, 3:20-4:10 PM in Harkness Chapel. Hybrid course delivery: in-person and asynchronous instruction. Students are required to perform once during the academic year and serve as stage managers the week following their performance. 

Helpful Resources

Policies and Operating Procedures

The Case Western Reserve University Department of Music strives to maintain a safe, secure and productive environment for musical creation by university groups and individuals. The following policies and procedures describe which spaces are accessible and for what purpose. Every effort is made to meet the needs of all parties as equitably as possible while preserving the integrity of our facilities.

Please review our Policies and Operating Procedures.

Practice Rooms

CWRU music majors and students enrolled in music ensembles (MUEN) or applied music lessons (MUAP) are provided access to Haydn Hall and/or Denison Hall practice rooms. Please review our Policies and Operating Procedures for more information. 

Building After-Hours Access

All music majors and CWRU students enrolled in ensembles or lessons will automatically be activated for card swipe access to Denison Hall and Haydn Hall. Card swipe access will begin the first day of orientation for music majors and the Monday after drop/add for non-majors. Denison Hall operates on extended hours (8am-10pm, every day) during the first two week of each semester. Please check in with the building monitor on staff if you have questions.

Individuals who require building access but do not fall into the above categories can request card swipe access to Haydn Hall or Denison Hall by submitting the Music Building Access Request.

Borrowing an Instrument

Your Guide to Borrowing an Instrument
The Department of Music maintains a limited inventory of instruments for student use. Our instruments are not available for public use. A policy has been put in place by the Ensembles Committee to have students complete and sign a contract when borrowing school-owned instruments or equipment for very special circumstances. 

Instrumental Lockers

Instrumental Locker Policies and Requests
The Department of Music will make instrument storage lockers available to music majors and non-majors currently enrolled in official CWRU Department of Music ensembles, following established university guidelines and policies.