Music Areas of Study

Trumpet Studio

The NSU Trumpet Studio helps students develop strong technique, musicianship, and performance skills across classical, jazz, and contemporary styles. Through personalized instruction and ensemble opportunities, students prepare for diverse careers in music.

Interested in studying trumpet at NSU? Contact Trumpet Professor Galindo Rodriguez at rodriguez@nsula.edu.

Ensembles

Trumpet Ensemble
Northwestern – Natchitoches Symphony Orchestra
Concert Bands
Chamber Winds
Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band
Purple Haze Pep Band
Jazz Orchestra
Jazz Combos
Chamber Music

Audition Requirements

Undergraduate Programs

• 2 pieces of free choice repertoire showing a variety of styles. This can include pieces or studies.
• Some 2 octave major and minor scales

Please contact the Trumpet Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!

Graduate Programs

• 2 pieces of free choice repertoire showing a variety of styles.
• 2 orchestral excerpts
• Full range major and minor Scales (low c to high C)

Please contact the Trumpet Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!

Scholarships

ALL trumpet students participating in large NSU ensembles (marching bands, concert bands and orchestras) are eligible for scholarships on the basis that they are enrolled on a full-time basis and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Please contact the Trumpet Professor for further information.

Trombone Studio

The NSU Trombone Studio develops students’ technique, musicianship, and performance skills through personalized instruction, masterclasses, and diverse ensemble opportunities across classical, jazz, and contemporary music.

Interested in studying trombone at NSU? Contact Dr. J. Mark Thompson at 318-357-5791 or thompsonjm@nsula.edu.

Ensembles Available 

Natchitoches – Northwestern Symphony Orchestra
Concert Bands
Chamber Winds

Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band
Purple Haze Pep Band

NSU Jazz Orchestra
Jazz Combos

Scholarships and Assistantships

ALL admitted horn students participating in NSU ensembles will receive scholarships based on merit and financial need. We also have competitive graduate assistantships available!

Euphonium-Tuba Studio

The NSU Euphonium-Tuba Studio develops musicianship, technique, and creativity through private lessons, studio classes, and diverse ensemble opportunities exploring traditional and contemporary music.

Interested in studying euphonium or tuba at NSU? Contact Dr. Masahito Kuroda at kurodam@nsula.edu

Ensembles

NSU Euphonium-Tuba Ensemble
NSU Wind Symphony
NSU Wind Ensemble
NSU Concert Bands
Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band
Chamber Winds
Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony
Orchestra
Various Chamber Ensemble (quintet, quartet, trio, et

Audition Requirements

Undergraduate Programs

• 2 contracting pieces/ excerpts of choice repertoire (one lyrical, and the other technical nature). These can be from solo repertoire or etudes. All-State trial music is acceptable.
• Demonstration on major scales is not required but highly encouraged.

Please contact the Euphonium-Tuba Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!

Graduate Programs

• 2 pieces of free choice repertoire showing a variety of styles.
• 2 orchestral or band excerpts

Please contact the Euphonium-Tuba Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!

Percussion Studio

The NSU Percussion Studio develops versatile musicians through private instruction, percussion ensemble, and performance opportunities across classical, jazz, marching, and contemporary music.

Interested in studying percussion at NSU? Contact Dr. Oliver Molina.

Ensembles
Percussion Ensemble
Steel Band
Northwestern – Natchitoches Symphony Orchestra
Concert Bands
Chamber Winds
Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band
Purple Haze Pep Band
Jazz Orchestra
Jazz Combos
Chamber Music

Undergraduate Audition Requirements

Required Audition Areas:

• Mallet Instrument: A two-mallet or four-mallet marimba, vibraphone, or xylophone solo
• Snare Drum: A concert style or rudimental snare drum solo or etude

Optional Audition Areas:

• Timpani: Concert style solo or etude
• Multi-Percussion: Solo or etude (a video recording of a multi-percussion solo is acceptable)
• Drum set: Demonstrate ability to groove and solo in different styles (funk, swing, samba, soca, etc.)
• Scales: Major scales, natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales

Please contact the percussion professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!

Graduate Audition Requirements

Required Audition Areas:

• Mallet Instrument:A two-mallet or four-mallet marimba, vibraphone, or xylophone solo
• Snare Drum:A concert style or rudimental snare drum solo or etude
• Timpani:Concert style solo or etude

Optional Audition Areas:

• Multi-Percussion: Solo or etude (a video recording of a multi-percussion solo is acceptable)
• Drum set: Demonstrate ability to groove and solo in different styles (funk, swing, samba, soca, etc.)
• Scales: Major scales, natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales

This is Percussion 

Scholarships

ALL violin students participating in NSU ensembles will receive scholarships. Please contact the Violin Professor for further information.

Viola Studio

The NSU Viola Studio provides personalized instruction and performance opportunities to help students grow as performers, artists, and educators.

Interested in studying viola at NSU? Contact Sofiko Tchetchelashvili at sofiko@nsula.edu or 318-357-5796.

Audition Requirements

Undergraduate Programs

• 2 pieces of free choice repertoire showing a variety of styles.
• Some 3 octave scales of your choice

Please contact the Viola Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!

Graduate Programs

• 2 pieces of free choice repertoire showing a variety of styles.

Please contact the Viola Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!

Scholarships

ALL viola students participating in NSU Symphony Orchestra are eligible for scholarships on the basis that they are enrolled on a full-time basis and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Please contact the Viola Professor for further information.

Cello Studio

The NSU Cello Studio offers personalized instruction and performance opportunities to help students grow as musicians and educators.

Interested in studying cello at NSU? Contact Paul Christopher at christopherp@nsula.edu or 318-357-3802.

Ensembles

Northwestern – Natchitoches Symphony Orchestra
Chamber Music

Audition Requirements

Undergraduate Programs

• 2 pieces of free choice repertoire showing a variety of styles. This can include pieces or studies.
• Some 2 octave major and minor scales

Please contact the Cello Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!

Graduate Programs

• 2 pieces of free choice repertoire showing a variety of styles.
• Major and minor scales and arpeggios

Please contact the Cello Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!

Scholarships

ALL cello students participating in large NSU ensembles (marching bands, concert bands and orchestras) are eligible for scholarships on the basis that they are enrolled on a full-time basis and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Please contact the Cello Professor for further information.

Voice Studio

The NSU Voice Department provides a supportive environment where students develop their vocal skills, musicianship, and confidence while preparing for diverse careers in music.

Interested in studying voice at NSU? Contact Dr. Robert Cardwell at cardwellr@nsula.edu

Audition Requirements

Undergraduate Programs & Master of Music Education

• 2 songs from the standard classical voice repertoire; 1 must be in English and 1 must be in Italian, French, German, or Spanish.
• You will be asked to sight-read some very short examples ranging from very easy to somewhat difficult.
• While M.M. Ed. applicants are not required to audition for admittance into the voice program, an audition is still required for scholarship consideration.

Please contact Dr. Robert Cardwell to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!

Master of Music Performance

• Audition repertoire must include 5 selections, with at least 1 selection in each of the following languages: English, Italian, German, and French.
• 3 art songs from the classical voice repertoire
• 2 arias from the opera repertoire; 1 aria may be from an oratorio.
• You will be asked to sight-read some very short examples ranging from very easy to somewhat difficult.

Please contact Dr. Robert Cardwell with any inquiries about audition requirements.

Scholarships

All voice students participating in choral ensembles (Chamber Choir, Lyrica, Orpheus, Cane River Singers) are eligible for scholarships on the basis that they are enrolled as full-time students, are participating in 2 of the choirs, and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Please contact Dr. Shane Thomas at thomassh@nsula.edu for further information.

Opera Theater Ensemble does not count towards the ensemble requirement. However, opera scholarships are available at the discretion of the Director of Opera.

Scholarships

ALL oboe students participating in large NSU ensembles (marching bands, concert bands and orchestras) are eligible for scholarships on the basis that they are enrolled as a full-time student and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Please contact the Oboe Professor for further information.

Clarinet Studio

The NSU Clarinet Studio offers personalized instruction, masterclasses, and ensemble opportunities to help students develop their technique, musicianship, and performance skills.

Interested in studying clarinet at NSU? Contact Dr. Malena McLaren at mclarenm@nsula.edu.

Scholarships

ALL clarinet students participating in large NSU ensembles (marching bands, concert bands and orchestras) are eligible for scholarships on the basis that they are enrolled on a full-time basis, maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Please contact the Clarinet Professor for further information.