2024-2025 MTSU ORCHESTRAS

 

Join an MTSU Orchestra this Semester!

2024 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra
High School Seniors- Apply for an MTSU Music Scholarship Audition! Music Scholarship Auditions are open to students in all majors! 
Apply Now! 2025 Summer Orchestral Institute! (NSOI)

 

2024 MTSU HIGH SCHOOL HONORS ORCHESTRA!

Friday, November 1 - Saturday, November 2, 2024

 Click here for the 2024 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra Application Form!

The Priority Deadline for MTSU Honors Orchestra applications is October 12, 2024. 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, November 1- 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 2-  Full Orchestra (Strings, Winds, Percussion, Harp)
         9:30 AM- 3:30 PM      Rehearsals and Activities  

        4:00 PM                        MTSU Honors Orchestra Concert 

 

2024 MTSU HIGH SCHOOL HONORS ORCHESTRA AUDITION INFORMATION

 
1) Fill out the 2024 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra On-Line Application:
2024 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra Application
                                                                                     
2) Send in your 2024 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 12. 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 or the Tennessee Youth Symphony, you do not need to send in an on-line audition to be accepted for the 2024 Honors Orchestra. You are pre-qualified for membership in the 2024 MTSU High School Honors Orchestra if there is still an opening in your section when your application is received. The Priority deadline is October 12- 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 by by October 26. (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 12. 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 or the Tennessee Youth Symphony, you do not need to send in an on-line audition to be accepted for the 2024 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 2024 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 2024 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.

 

THE MTSU SYMPHONY

Dr. Carol Nies, Music Director

symphony

 

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. 

String Audition Excerpts and Audition information will be posted here on August 7.  Harp auditions may be scheduled by contacting Dr. Crocker at: Sarah.Crocker@mtsu.edu

Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion are selected by auditions at the MTSU Large Ensemble Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion Auditions. Excerpts and audition instructions will be posted on the MTSU Bands web-site during July.

 

MUEN 3300-001   

Rehearsal Times: Tuesdays 5:00- 6:30 PM          Thursdays 5:00- 6:30 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)

 

 

 

THE 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 will be posted on August 7.

 

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)

 

 

THE 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 (Instrumental Rehearsal Hall)

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)

 

THE 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! 

College Students, Graduate Students and Adults may apply for a limited number of Fellowship openings.

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.
 

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)