Orchestra

Participation in the UNC Charlotte Orchestra is open to all students at UNC Charlotte.

The UNC Charlotte Orchestra (MUPF 1110) represents the highest-level orchestral performance group at UNC Charlotte. The Orchestra presents music from across the spectrum of the symphonic repertoire, and emphasizes the art and science of group musical interaction. An audition is required for enrollment. As part of the Orchestra Mosaic project, the ensemble combines annually with student and faculty musicians from other educational institutions to create collaborative performances presented at various metropolitan concert venues. This strategy supports the performance of repertoire more than once and thus increases the learning potential of each student.

**NEW FOR THIS SEMESTER** Due to the limited time frame leading to the first midterm concert performance (scheduled for Tuesday, September 30), a chamber orchestra program requiring fewer string players is planned. Based on the audition results, select students will participate in the September concert. All string players will participate in the second orchestra program in late November.

Fall 2025 Auditions

ALL NEW incoming string players must audition with Dr. Yamamoto during the first week of classes. All wind and brass students will audition with Dr. Kopczinski and Dr. Taylor (see information below), and be assigned to the orchestra class, accordingly.

All string players should sign up for a 10-minute individual appointment to play for Dr. Yamamoto:

Fall 2025 Orchestra String Audition Sign-up Sheet

Students who have class conflicts with the audition times offered should contact Dr. Yamamoto directly (preferably before the first week of classes) at ayamamot@charlotte.edu to set up an individual appointment at a mutually agreed upon time during the first week of classes.

The Ensemble Directors support a unified woodwind and brass audition process for all non-string students. If you take part in the woodwind and brass auditions during the first week of classes in the Fall semester, you do not need to audition separately for the orchestra. Students will be assigned to the orchestra based on repertoire requirements, results of the auditions, and in consultation with individual studio faculty. New incoming wind and brass students may contact Dr. Hunter Kopczinski for an audition time at hkopczin@charlotte.edu.

Audition Preparation: Students should prepare to play an audition excerpt (1-2 minutes) of their choosing from one of following categories: the exposition of a standard classical concerto, a solo sonata, a popular song, or church hymn. In addition, all students must play at least two major scales in two octaves, up and down, at the time of the audition. A sight-reading excerpt will be included as part of the audition.

Please contact the UNC Charlotte Orchestra Conductor, Dr. Alan Yamamoto, if you have additional questions about the orchestra program.

Contacts

Dr. Mira Frisch, Director of String Chamber Music
Dr. Alan Yamamoto, Orchestra Director