Kitt School of Music

For more than 90 years, the Lumberjack Marching Band has represented the pride, spirit, and traditions of Northern Arizona University.

Membership

• Open to all NAU students, regardless of major
• No audition required (except for for baton twirlers, color guard, and drum line)

The Collegiate Band continues the legacy of school spirit as NAU’s first band, performing during the spring semester.

Membership

• Open to all NAU students

The Symphonic Band performs a wide range of important works that are at the core of the wind ensemble repertoire.

Membership

• Audition required before the start of each semester

The Wind Symphony is NAU’s premier concert band and is nationally recognized for its high performance standards and exceptional musical literature.

Membership

• Audition required before the start of each semester

The Jacks Pep Band amplifies school spirit, performing at men’s and women’s basketball games in the J. Walkup Skydome and Rolle Activity Center.

Membership

• Open to all NAU students, regardless of major
• No audition required (except for drum set and electric bass)

The Percussion Ensemble performs diverse repertoire, from standard and contemporary works to West African Ewe music and Brazilian Batucada. It emphasizes chamber music skills while exploring a variety of musical traditions.

Membership

• Primarily for percussion performance and education majors
• Open to select music minors and other majors through audition/interview

The Shrine of the Ages Choir is NAU’s premier large choral ensemble. Named after a site at the Grand Canyon, it includes 50–60 music majors and experienced non-majors. Performances include the Jazz-Madrigal Festival, national and international tours, and collaborations with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra.

Membership

• Audition required

Vox Astra, or “Voice of the Stars,” performs repertoire for soprano and alto voices. The name reflects Flagstaff’s Dark Sky City designation.

Membership

• Open to music majors and non-majors with previous choral experience
• Audition required

Vox Montes, or “Voice of the Mountains,” performs repertoire for tenor and bass voices. The name is inspired by the San Francisco Peaks.

Membership

• Open to music majors and non-majors with previous choral experience
• Audition required

High Altitude is a select 12–16 member ensemble (one per part) that performs advanced jazz repertoire. The group rehearses twice a week, competes in regional festivals, and performs regularly on and off campus.

Membership

• Audition required

University Singers is a mixed SATB chorus made up primarily of non-music majors who love to sing. Meeting once a week, the group performs a wide range of choral music.

Membership

• Open to undergraduate and graduate students of all experience levels
• No audition required

Founded in 1988, this ensemble performs advanced repertoire on six octaves of handbells and choral chimes, honoring Harold M. Harter through the generosity of his family.

Membership

• Open to all students by audition at the start of each semester

The Chamber Vocal Ensemble is a select group of 16–24 undergraduate and graduate students offered in the spring semester. Projects include graduate conducted recitals, premieres of student compositions, and community partnerships.

Membership

• Audition required

The Jazz Studies program offers a full range of opportunities, including big bands, small combos, improvisation courses, jazz history, and one-on-one lessons with faculty. Student ensembles perform frequently on and off campus, participate in festivals, and work alongside guest artists through residencies and masterclasses. Each February, the NAU Jazz Festival welcomes school groups from across the Southwest and features NAU ensembles with internationally recognized guest performers, like Wayne Bergeron, Lucas Pino, Joel Frahm, Jeremy Pelt, and more.  

Membership

• Audition required for Jazz Big Bands and Jazz Combos

NAU Opera Musical Theatre presents two fully staged productions each year in 1,400-seat Ardrey Auditorium, with repertoire ranging from Monteverdi to Mozart, Heggie and R&H to Sondheim. The program also includes statewide outreach performances for both adults and children.

Membership

• Audition required for lead roles

Opera Workshop focuses on career development, offering innovative, hands-on training in acting, movement, stage combat, stagecraft, entrepreneurship, and more. Students also work with guest artists and directors from around the world.

Membership

• No audition required

The Symphony Orchestra is NAU’s flagship orchestral ensemble, performing repertoire from masterworks to contemporary pieces. It meets twice weekly and serves as a cultural cornerstone in Flagstaff.

Membership

• Audition required before participation

The Chamber Orchestra features NAU’s top string players, performing classical and contemporary works with precision and artistry. It meets once a week.

Membership

• Audition required before participation

The Opera Orchestra collaborates closely with singers to bring NAU’s opera productions to life. Directed by Samuel Mungo and Vlad Vizireanu, students from the Symphony Orchestra rehearse and perform fully-staged operatic performances during the spring semester.

Membership

• Comprised of Symphony Orchestra members
• Participation in March rehearsals and performances required

NAU Piano Studies fosters a vibrant and supportive culture, offering opportunities in solo performance, chamber music, collaborative piano, pedagogy, ensemble work, and arts leadership. Students participate in more than 50 piano events each season, including the Flagstaff Piano Festival, Northern Arizona Piano Summit, Piano Extravaganza, Northern Arizona Piano Competition, and a variety of concerts, workshops, masterclasses, and community outreach programs.

• ACDA: American Choral Directors Association, student chapter 
• ASTA: American String Teachers Association, student chapter
• International Tuba Euphonium Association, student chapter 
• Kappa Kappa Psi, Gamma Kappa Chapter
• MTNA: Music Teachers National Association, student chapter
• NAU Horn Society
• NAU Percussion Society
• Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Xi Chapter
• NAU Saxophone Society
• Sigma Alpha Iota, Delta Eta Chapter
• SNATS: Student Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing
• Tau Beta Sigma, Alpha Chi Chapter
• Wind and Percussion Advisory Board

To be accepted to the Kitt School of Music as a music major, minor, or private student, you must:

1. Apply to be admitted to Northern Arizona University.
2. Submit a School of Music application. You may complete the form online or print/mail a paper application.
   • Open and complete NAU's Kitt School of Music online application.
   • If you need a printed application form, please email music@nau.edu.
3. Submit audition materials on your principal instrument or voice.
   • Live audition dates:
     • Friday, February 6, 2026
     • Saturday, February 7, 2026
     • Friday, February 20, 2026
     • Saturday, February 21, 2026
     • Saturday, February 28, 2026 (main audition day)
     • Saturday, March 28, 2026
4. Take the required music theory placement examination around the time of your audition day or during your onboarding to the university. Your placement will determine your course placement.
5. File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and remember to mark NAU as a recipient of that form.
6. Take the required placement exam. If you are admitted to NAU and accepted into the Kitt School of Music, you will be required to take a music theory placement examination. It is best to take this placement exam around the time of your audition. You will have an additional opportunity to take (or re-take) the exam during your orientation to the university.
   • Based on your exam score, you will either enroll in:
     • MUS 120 (Theory Preparation) or
     • MUS 121 (Music Theory I)
     • MUS 131 (Aural Skills)

To apply for acceptance into any Kitt School of Music graduate program, you must first apply to NAU’s Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.

The Kitt School of Music has minimum requirements for admission:

• Bachelor's degree in music
• 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
• Miniumum TOEFL score of 80
• Admission to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies at NAU
• Major professor and/or Area Coordinator approval for the candidate's sub-plan.

Additional materials may be required. Detailed instructions for the submission of additional materials, which may include audio/visual files or other examples of your work, are included in the online application. Please begin the application process and contact the major professor and/or Area Coordinator for your specific emphasis if you have questions.