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 2024-2025 school year are not yet open. Come back to this page during Welcome Week 2025 to sign up for our music ensembles!

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.

Orchestra
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 Natasha Montzka.

Jazz Orchestra
Contact Jason Harms for Jazz Orchestra information and an audition time.

Handbell Ensemble
You do not need to prepare or bring anything with you. Prior ringing experience is not required. For more information, contact Kevin Shull.

January Mainstage Production
Our 2025 January Production will be Cinderella, by Gioacchino Rossini. Auditions in October, 2025.

January 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.

Spring Theatre Production 
Theatre auditions are open to all Bethel students. Auditions for the 2025 Spring Production (TBA) will take place in February. Students are usually asked to read from a script with another actor. For more information, contactn the Music and Performing Arts office at music@bethel.edu.

 

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 music and theatre 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 and music 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 Community Orchestra.
• It’s possible to participate in a jazz or chamber ensemble and a major performing group—even on a different instrument.

2023-2024 Rehearsal Schedules

Theatre Productions
M-F evenings for six to seven weeks; specific schedule given at the first rehearsal

Bethel Choir
Monday & Wednesday: 4:10-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday: 3:50-5:30 p.m.

Lucia Chorum
Tuesday & Thursday: 3:50-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 4:10-5:30 p.m.

Royal Register
Monday & Wednesday: 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday: 4:10-5:30 p.m.

Festival Choir (all auditioned choirs)
Wednesday: 4:10-5:30 p.m.

Wind Symphony
Monday & Wednesday: 4:10-5:50 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday: 3:50-5:30 p.m. 

Chamber Orchestra
Tuesday & Thursday: 3:50-5:30 p.m. (strings)
Wednesday: 4:10-5:50 p.m. (full orchestra)

Philharmonic Orchestra
Monday: 7-10 p.m.

Jazz Orchestras
Rehearsals TBA

Handbell Ensemble
Tuesday: 6:15-8 p.m.

Chamber Winds & Chamber Ensembles
Rehearsals TBA