School of Music
MTSU ORCHESTRAS
MTSU SYMPHONY
Dr. Carol Nies, Music Director
The MTSU Symphony is the premiere orchestral ensemble of the MTSU School of Music. Repertoire is selected from masterpieces of the standard orchestral literature and outstanding contemporary compositions. The Symphony is open to all MTSU students (regardless of major), faculty, staff and community members by audition. Audition information is listed below.
STRINGS: MTSU Symphony String Audition results will be posted on the Orchestra Bulletin Board (located outside of the IRH/WMB 173) on Monday afternoon, August 26. There will not be a Symphony (Strings) rehearsal on Tuesday, August 27, as large Ensemble Auditions continue through Wednesday. The first MTSU Symphony rehearsal will be Thursday, August 29. See below for String audition information and audition excerpts.
WOODWINDS, BRASS, PERCUSSION AND HARP: MTSU Symphony Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion and Harp Audition results will be posted on the Orchestra Bulletin Board (located outside of the IRH/WMB 173) on Wednesday afternoon, August 28. The first full MTSU Symphony rehearsal (Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Harp and Strings) will be Thursday, August 29. See below for String audition information and audition excerpts.
MUEN 3300-001
Rehearsal Times:
Tuesdays 5:00- 6:30 PM
Thursdays 5:00- 6:30 PM
Rehearsal Call-Time: 4:45 PM
Location: Instrumental Rehearsal Hall, WMB 173 and Hinton Music Hall
Check the Orchestra Bulletin Board (located outside of the IRH/WMB 173) for MTSU Symphony announcements and Rehearsal Order
Contact Dr. Nies for more information. Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu | 615-898-5318)
WOODWINDS, BRASS AND PERCUSSION AUDITIONS:
MTSU Symphony woodwinds, brass and percussion members are selected by auditions at the MTSU Large Ensemble Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion Auditions. Excerpts and audition instructions are posted on the MTSU Bands web-site during July.
STRING AUDITIONS:
VIOLIN 1 AUDITION EXCERPTS- click here
Submit your online audition video link (use an unlisted Youtube video link) by email to:
Dr. Dawson (andrea.dawson@mtsu.edu) and Dr. Nies (carol.nies@mtsu.edu) by 6:00 PM on Sunday, August 25.
Dvorak- Carnival Overture:
1) Measure 1 to 4 measures before rehearsal figure 3
2) 3rd measure of L to 5th measure of N
Beethoven- Egmont Overture:
3) Rehearsal figure 2 to 2nd measure of B
4) pick-up to E to rehearsal figure 16
Optional Solo Excerpt- Tchaikovsky- Russian Dance (20.A Swan Lake, Act III)
Measure 1 to Rehearsal figure 3
VIOLIN 2 AUDITION EXCERPTS- click here
Submit your online audition video link (use an unlisted Youtube video link) by email to:
Dr. Dawson (andrea.dawson@mtsu.edu) and Dr. Nies (carol.nies@mtsu.edu) by 6:00 PM on Sunday, August 25.
Dvorak- Carnival Overture:
1) Measure 1 to 4 measures before rehearsal figure 3
2) O to 17th measure of Q
Beethoven- Egmont Overture
3) 4th measure of rehearsal figure 3 to 2nd measure of B
4) pick-up to E to rehearsal figure 16
VIOLA AUDITION EXCERPTS- click here
Submit your online audition video link (use an unlisted Youtube video link) by email to:
Dr. Dawson (andrea.dawson@mtsu.edu) and Dr. Nies (carol.nies@mtsu.edu) by 6:00 PM on Sunday, August 25.
Dvorak- Carnival Overture:
1) C (play top line only) to rehearsal figure 3
2) Rehearsal figure 10- to rehearsal figure 11
Beethoven- Egmont Overture
3) 4th measure of rehearsal figure 3 to 5th measure of rehearsal figure 5
4) 6th measure of A to 2nd measure of B
5) 7 measures before rehearsal figure 12 to second measure of F
CELLO AUDITION EXCERPTS- click here
Submit your online audition video link (use an unlisted Youtube video link) by email to:
Dr. Hayslett (Bryan.Hayslett@mtsu.edu) and Dr. Nies (carol.nies@mtsu.edu) by 6:00 PM on Sunday, August 25.
Dvorak- Carnival Overture:
1) 2 measures before B to rehearsal figure 3
2) E (Poco tranquillo) to F
3) Rehearsal figure 7 to 6th measure of rehearsal figure 7
Beethoven- Egmont Overture:
4) 5th measure of rehearsal figure 2 to rehearsal figure 5 (top line)
5) pick-up to rehearsal figure 9 to 7th measure of rehearsal figure 10 (top line)
6) 6 measures before H to rehearsal figure 20 (top line when there are 2 lines)
Optional Solo Excerpt- Von Suppe- Poet and Peasant Overture
Rehearsal figure 1 to B
DOUBLE BASS AUDITION EXCERPTS- click here
Submit your online audition video link (use an unlisted Youtube video link) by email to:
Dr. Nies (carol.nies@mtsu.edu) by 6:00 PM on Sunday, August 25.
Dvorak- Carnival Overture:
1) 2 measures before B to rehearsal figure 4 (play top line when there are two lines)
2) G to 6th measure of rehearsal figure 7
3) O to rehearsal figure 16
Mozart- Symphony 40, Mvt. IV:
4) measure 29-m. 65 (begins on page 6)
5) measure 153- m. 205
6) measure 229-m. 241
Optional Excerpt for Principal and Assistant Principal positions:
Richard Strauss- Till Eulenspiegel
1 before rehearsal figure 3 to rehearsal figure 11 (skip long measures of rests)
HARP AUDITIONS:
MTSU Symphony Harp auditions may be scheduled by contacting Dr. Crocker at: Sarah.Crocker@mtsu.edu
MTSU CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Advanced string players, regardless of major, are encouraged to audition for the Chamber Orchestra. Weekly rehearsals culminate in a performance at the end of the semester. Students learn diverse repertoire and ensemble skills in a friendly but focused environment. String Audition Excerpts and Audition information are posted above.
Rehearsal Time: Mondays 3:00- 4:25 PM
Location: Hinton Music Hall
Contact Dr. Andrea Dawson for more information. (Andrea.Dawson@mtsu.edu) | 615-898-2484)
MTSU CONCERT ORCHESTRA
Membership in the MTSU Concert Orchestra (woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp, piano, and strings) is open to all MTSU students, faculty, staff and community members. An audition is not required. Repertoire is selected from all periods of orchestral literature. The MTSU Concert Orchestra has premiered many compositions and arrangements by MTSU students. Contact Dr. Carol Nies, Music Director to reserve a position in the Concert Orchestra (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu). Music Education, Performance, Music Composition and Music Industry majors may audition to serve as assistant conductors.
Rehearsal Time: 3:15- 4:15 PM, Fridays
Call-time: 3:00 PM
First Rehearsal- Friday, August 30
Register for MUEN 3360-001
Location: Instrumental Rehearsal Hall, WMB 173 (School of Music)
Check the MTSU Orchestra Bulletin Board outside of the Instrumental Rehearsal Hall, WMB 173 for updated Rehearsal Information
Contact Dr. Nies for more information. (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu | 615-898-5318)
2025 MTSU HIGH SCHOOL HONORS ORCHESTRA Dates will be announced on March 25!
Reserve a 2025 MTSU High School Honors position now by filling out the application now! Limited positions are available!
2025 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra dates will be announced on March 25 after MTNA Competition dates are announced.
Click here for the 2025 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra Application Form to reserve your position!
The Priority Deadline for MTSU Honors Orchestra applications is October 5, 2025. You may apply after this date, but as there are a limited number of 2024 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra positions, positions are usually filled before or by the Priority Deadline. Apply now!
There are no fees to participate in the MTSU Honors Orchestra, as this project is funded by MTSU as a public service for high school music students. (All meal costs and hotel costs are the responsibility of each participant.)
Contact Dr. Nies for more information. (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu | 615-898-5318)
Friday- October 31 (date to be confirmed after March 25)- Full Orchestra (Strings, Winds, Percussion, Harp)
9:00 AM- 9:20 AM Registration- School of Music Lobby
9:30 AM- 9:00 PM Rehearsals and Honors Orchestra Activities
(Marching Band students with a Friday night School Marching Band commitment will be excused from the Friday night Honors Orchestra rehearsal)
Saturday, November 1 (date to be confirmed after March 25)
10 AM- 3:30 PM Rehearsals and Activities
4:00 PM MTSU Honors Orchestra Concert
2025 MTSU HIGH SCHOOL HONORS ORCHESTRA AUDITION INFORMATION
1) Fill out the 2025 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra On-Line Application:
2025 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra Application
2) Send in your 2025 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra on-line audition video if required (see below).
3) Send in a letter of recommendation from your Orchestra/Band director or your private instrumental teacher to Dr. Nies (carol.nies@mtsu.edu). If you have previously been selected for the MTSU High School Honors Orchestra, the Summer Orchestral Institute at MTSU (NSOI), All-State Orchestra/Band, the Curb Youth Symphony or the Tennessee Youth Symphony, you are not required to send in a letter of recommendation.
4) On-line Auditions:
WOODWINDS, BRASS, PERCUSSION AND HARPS*:
Send your online audition video by by October 5. Your audition video may include prepared solos, etudes, Mid-State audition material, All-East audition material or All-West audition material. Auditions should be 4-8 minutes long. Send in your audition video recording by unlisted youtube link to Dr. Nies at: carol.nies@mtsu.edu
Apply now! There are limited MTSU Honors Orchestra positions, and some sections are either filled, or very close to being filled.
*If you have previously been selected as a member of the MTSU High School Honors Orchestra, the Summer Orchestral Institute at MTSU (NSOI), the All-State Orchestra/Band, the Curb Youth Symphony, the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts Orchestra/Wind Ensemble, or the Tennessee Youth Symphony, you do not need to send in an on-line audition to be accepted for the 2025 Honors Orchestra. You are pre-qualified for membership in the 2025 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra if there is still an opening in your section when your application is received. The Priority deadline is October 5- but positions may be filled before this date. Apply now! You will need to send a 4-10 minute on-line seating placement audition video. (Previous members of the MTSU High School Honors Orchestra or the Summer Orchestral Institute at MTSU (NSOI) are not required to send online seating placement auditions.)
STRINGS*:
Send your online audition video by by October 5. Your audition video may include prepared solos, etudes, Mid-State audition material, All-East audition material or All-West audition material. Auditions should be 4-8 minutes long. Send in your audition video recording by unlisted youtube link to Dr. Nies at: carol.nies@mtsu.edu
Apply now! There are limited MTSU Honors Orchestra positions, and some sections are either filled, or very close to being filled.
*If you have previously been selected as a member of the MTSU High School Honors Orchestra, the Summer Orchestral Institute at MTSU (NSOI), the All-State Orchestra/Band, the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts Orchestra/Wind Ensemble, the Curb Youth Symphony or the Tennessee Youth Symphony, you do not need to send in an on-line audition to be accepted for the 2025 Honors Orchestra. You are pre-qualified for membership in the 2024 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra.
String seating placement auditions will take place during the first rehearsal. Audition material will be selected from the 2025 MTSU HSHO repertoire.
Contact Dr. Nies for more information. (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu | 615-898-5318)
MTSU HONORS ORCHESTRA HOTEL INFORMATION
(For students and their families who are from outside the Middle Tennessee area)
SLEEP INN- SPECIAL MTSU HIGH SCHOOL HONORS ORCHESTRA RATE
193 Chaffin Place- exit 78B from Interstate 24
Call 615-396-3000 to reserve a room at the special MTSU High School Honors Orchestra rate*. Rooms at this special rate are limited, so reserve your room as soon as possible. The 2025 MTSU HSHO discount rate is listed under “MTSU Honors Orchestra” rate. There are also many excellent B and B’s available in the area. (All hotel costs and meal costs are the responsibility of each participant.)
*PLEASE NOTE- Check with Sleep Inn for their cancellation policy.
If the Sleep Inn (193 Chaffin Place) is full, ask if there is a special rate for MTSU activities at the hotel that you are making a reservation at. Many hotels in Murfreesboro do offer special rates for MTSU activities.
2025 SUMMER ORCHESTRAL INSTITUTE AT MTSU! (NSOI)
Open by audition to College Students, Graduate Students, Adults and Students (8-12th grades)
Tuesday, May 27 – Thursday, May 29
Apply Now! There are only a limited number of Orchestral positions available!
The 2025 Summer Orchestral Institute features an intensive orchestral experience, professional orchestral repertoire, section rehearsals with outstanding professional musicians, the 2025 SOI Honors Recital Series, the 2025 SOI Concerto Competition and the final Gala Concert! Tuition is $60. Limited scholarship aid is available.
College Students, Graduate Students and Adults may apply for a limited number of Fellowship openings.
2025 Information and Online Application- Click here!
2025 Concerto Competition Information and Application Form- Click here!
The Concerto Competition is open to all 2024 Summer Orchestral Institute members (including Fellowship members)
Contact Dr. Nies, Director of Orchestras, MTSU School of Music for more information. (Carol.Nies@mtsu.edu | 615-898-5318)
