Music and Performing Arts performance opportunities at Bethel are open to all students—no matter your major. Join us!

Audition Information

Ensemble Auditions for the 2024-25 school year will take place August 30-September 4. Come back to this page during Welcome Week 2024 to sign up!

Choral Ensembles
Come prepared to sing an art song (contest-type) excerpt or a hymn (no longer than 1.5 minutes) for your audition. Sight reading will also be assessed. An independent personal warm-up before your audition is expected. There are practice rooms available for you to use on campus in CC414-CC420. Accompaniment will be provided. For more information, contact Merrin Guice Gill.

Wind Symphony
Come prepared to play two short (no longer than 3 minutes combined) unaccompanied excerpts, one technical and one lyrical, for your audition. Scales and sight reading will also be assessed. An independent personal warm-up before your audition is expected. There are practice rooms available for you to use on campus in CC414-CC420. For more information, contact Steven Thompson.

Orchestras
Come prepared to play one (no longer than 5 minutes) unaccompanied excerpt that showcases your ability for your audition. Scales and sight reading will also be assessed. Etudes, concerti, or other solo works are accepted. An independent personal warm-up before your audition is expected. There are practice rooms available for you to use on campus in CC414-CC420. For more information, contact the Music and Performing Arts Office

Jazz Orchestras
For Jazz Orchestra information or to sign up for an audition time, contact Jason Harms.

Handbell Ensemble
You do not need to prepare or bring anything with you to your audition. Prior ringing experience is not required. For more information or to sign up for an audition time, contact Kevin Shull.

Chamber Ensembles
Small ensemble opportunities are available for wind and string players. For more information, contact Angela Hanson (Strings) or Steven Thompson (Winds).

January Mainstage Production
The 2025 January Production is Cinderella, an Opera sung in English, by Gioacchino Rossini. Auditions will take place in October, 2024.

January mainstage productions alternate between musical theatre shows (even years) and operas (odd years). Auditions are open to all Bethel students. For more information, contact Merrin Guice Gill.

Fall Theatre Production 
Theatre auditions are open to all Bethel students. Auditions for the 2024 Fall Production (TBA) will take place during the Fall 2024 semester. Students are typically asked to read from a script with another actor. For more information,For more information, contact the Music and Performing Arts Office.

 

Perks for Bethel Performers

• Perform in the marvelous acoustics of the Benson Great Hall, one of the best performance facilities in the Twin Cities.
• Participate in all major musical festivals, including Festival of Christmas and the Classics in the Great Hall concert.
• Some music groups tour annually. You might have the opportunity to see the country and even travel overseas.
• Get discounted or free tickets to Bethel performing arts performances and priority ticketing for Festival of Christmas, Jazz in the Great Hall, and Classics in the Great Hall concerts.

Q: Can I play and sing and act?

A: In some cases...

• Theatre productions and music ensembles rehearsals generally do not conflict, but performance dates sometimes do. Always check your calendar for possible conflicts.
• The Bethel Choir rehearses at the same time as the Wind Symphony and Chamber Orchestra, so double participation is considered only on an individual basis.
• The rehearsal schedule allows wind players to participate in both the Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, and/or Philharmonic Orchestra.
• It’s possible to participate in a jazz or chamber ensemble and a major performing group—even on a different instrument.

2024-2025 Rehearsal Schedules

Bethel Choir (SATB)
Monday–Friday: 4:20-05:30 p.m.

Lucia Chorum (SSAA)
Tuesday & Thursday: 4:10-5:50 p.m
Wednesday: 4:20-05:30 p.m.

Royal Register (TTBB)
Monday & Wednesday: 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday: 4:20-05:30 p.m.

Festival Choir (all auditioned choirs)
Wednesday: 4:20-05:30 p.m.

Wind Symphony
Monday & Wednesday: 4:20-05:50 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday: 4:05-5:40 p.m

Chamber Orchestra
Monday & Thursday: 4:20-05:50 p.m. (strings only)
Wednesday: 4:20-05:50 p.m. (full orchestra)

Philharmonic Orchestra
Monday: 7-10 p.m.

"The 11:12" Jazz Orchestra
Monday: 3:10-4:10

"The 5:40" Jazz Orchestra
Monday: 6-8:30 p.m. 

Handbell Ensemble
Monday: 6-9 p.m.

Chamber Ensembles
Weekly rehearsal time(s) are scheduled according to participating students' schedules. 

Fall Theatre Production
Monday–Friday evenings for six to seven weeks; specific schedule given at the first rehearsal.

January Mainstage Production
Monday–Friday from January 6–February 5; specific schedule given at the first rehearsal.