Instrumental Ensembles

At Tougaloo College, Music Majors and Non-Majors have an opportunity to participate in a variety of instrumental ensembles. The instrumental ensembles at Tougaloo College perform an array of musical literature, ranging from orchestral to jazz standards and arrangements. Students acquire skills relating to current performance practices, etiquette, and knowledge geared towards building independent and collective musicianship. These ensembles perform for concerts, campus activities, civil functions, and community events.

• Jazz Ensemble
• String Ensemble
• Chamber Orchestra

Audition Requirements

Students must perform the following based on their instrument:

Brass

• All major scales with major arpeggios in a minimum of two octaves.
• Chromatic scale within the full practical range of the instrument.
• One solo movement or etude of contrasting styles.
• Sight-reading at an appropriate level.
• Additional material may be included if desired.

Woodwind

• All major scales with major arpeggios in a minimum of two octaves.
• Flute students should perform three octaves where appropriate; Clarinet students should perform two-three octaves where appropriate.
• Chromatic scale within the full practical range of the instrument.
• One solo movement or etude of contrasting styles.
• Sight-reading at an appropriate level.
• Additional material may be included if desired.

Percussion

• Demonstrate basic percussion rudiments/scales of the student’s choice.
• Solos or etudes on one (required) or more (preferred): snare, timpani, and/or keyboard.
• Sight-reading at an appropriate level.
• Additional material may be included if desired.

Keyboard

• Demonstrate major/minor scales and arpeggios (minimum of two octaves).
• Two prepared pieces of contrasting styles (memorization preferred).
• Sight-reading at an appropriate level.
• Additional material may be included if desired.

Choral Ensembles

At Tougaloo College, Music Majors and Non-Majors also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of choral ensembles. The choral ensembles perform a broad array of choral literature. Students acquire essential skills that are focused on developing both independent and collective musicianship. These ensembles perform at concerts, campus events, civil functions, and community activities.

• Concert Choir
• Chorale
• Men’s Chorale
• Women’s Chorale

Audition Requirements

Students must:

1. Vocalize within at least a two-octave range. 

2. Sing one song of their choice. 

3. Sing an agreed upon simple hymn or song “a cappella”. 

4. Sight-read a simple hymn selected by the instructor in charge of the audition.