Varsity Ensembles
MacPhail Center for Music’s Preeminent High School Music Ensembles for Talented & Highly Motivated Students
MacPhail is pleased to announce the application and audition process for several high school student performance ensembles beginning in Fall of 2025. The Varsity Ensembles feature highly motivated high school students throughout Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area working with distinguished MacPhail faculty members. Ensembles will rehearse and perform for the entirety of the school year, September – June. Benefits include audio and video recording, working with guest artists, and building portfolios for college/conservatory auditions. Each student performer in a Varsity Ensemble will be an integral part of the ensemble learning leadership and communication skills in addition to developing as a musician in a small ensemble of student musicians with similar aspirations. Interested students should be open to learning and sharing, and well-prepared and committed to strive for excellence. Participation in the Varsity Ensembles will build friendships, create lasting memories, and make some terrific music along the way.
MacPhail Center for Music’s Varsity Ensembles are a FULL-SCHOLARSHIP program for accepted students.
The Varsity Ensembles feature top student talent from around the area. MacPhail esteemed faculty provide superior technical, musical, and performance instruction as well as coaching and mentorship.
Membership in these ensembles is based on the ability of a student who performs music of above-average difficulty and their demonstration of a high level of commitment and responsibility. An application and audition is required for Varsity Ensembles selection.
Varsity Ensembles:
- Provide challenging opportunities to grow as a musician in a supportive environment
- Unique performance opportunities and tours
- Access to audio & video recordings
- Work with featured guest artists
- Build portfolios, resumes, and/or dossiers
- Train and prepare for college/conservatory auditions
- Learn to be a team player and build leadership & communication skills
All students interested in MacPhail Varsity Ensembles are required to apply and attend a placement audition.
The Dakota Combo
The Dakota Jazz Ensemble at MacPhail is a premier, audition-based jazz group for outstanding high school musicians across the Twin Cities. Relaunching as a Varsity Ensemble, the combo offers students the chance to develop their skills in a professional-level small group setting. Members explore a wide range of jazz repertoire, refine improvisational and ensemble techniques, and perform at leading venues including the Dakota Jazz Club. Participation is tuition-free, providing an exceptional opportunity for talented students to grow artistically, collaborate at a high level, and connect with the vibrant Twin Cities jazz community.
- Instruments: All standard jazz instruments
- Coach: David Milne
- Start Date: TBD
- Schedule: TBD
- Location: MacPhail Minneapolis
- Duration: 2025–2026 school year
Audition Information
- Application Deadline: Friday, September 26, 2025
- In-person Auditions: Monday, September 29, 2025
Applications should be submitted using the application form below. Auditions for The Dakota Combo will take place in-person on Monday, September 29, 2025. Students not able to audition in person should submit a pre-recorded video audition in their application.
Rimshots! Percussion Ensemble
- Coach: Paul Babcock and Mary Emmons
- Instruments:Percussion
- Location: MacPhail Minneapolis
- Start Date: September 2025
- Schedule: Saturdays from 2:00 – 4:00pm
- Duration: 2025–2026 school year
Audition Information
- Application Deadline: August 5, 2025 and August 22, 2025
- In-Person Audition Dates: August 12, 2025 from 1:00 – 4:00pm and August 29, 2025 from 2:00 – 4:30pm
Recording an audition with an accompanist is not required, though backing tracks or accompaniment tracks are permissible.
Brass Trio
- Coach: Karl Wiederwohl
- Instruments: Trumpet, French Horn
- Location: MacPhail Minneapolis
- Start Date: October 7, 2025
- Schedule: Tuesdays from 7:45 – 8:45pm
- Duration: 2025–2026 school year
- Application Deadline: October 19, 2025
Audition Information
- Application Deadline: October 19, 2025
Auditions will be held through pre-recorded video only. Videos should be submitted in the student’s application.
Questions?
Contact Jon Iverson at [email protected]