Music and Theatre Auditions

Current and incoming students

We hope you will continue your music and theatre activities during your time at Bethel. Our Music and Performing Arts Department offer many varied opportunities to get involved in music and theatre activities. From band, orchestra and choirs; to plays, musical theatre and opera; to learning a new instrument like guitar, handbells or pipe organ. There is a place for you to hone your skills, grow in community and honor your Creator through the sharing of your gifts.

Please consider getting involved in one of these outstanding performance opportunities by signing up for auditions taking place Monday, August 25.

Chamber Orchestra

Director: Dr. Brad Cawyer, b-cawyer@bethel.edu
Rehearsal schedule:

• Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: 4:20-5:50 p.m.

Sign up for an orchestra audition

Philharmonic Orchestra

Director: Dr. Brad Cawyer, b-cawyer@bethel.edu
Rehearsal schedule: Mondays, 7-10 p.m.

Sign up for an orchestra audition

Wind Symphony—Band

Director: Dr. Ben Blasko, blasko@bethel.edu
Rehearsal schedule:

• Mondays and Wednesdays: 4:20-5:50 p.m.

• Tuesdays and Thursdays: 4:05-5:40 p.m.

Sign up for a Wind Symphony audition

Jazz Orchestra

Director: Jason Harms, j-harms@bethel.edu
Rehearsal schedule:

• "The Early" Jazz Orchestra: Tuesdays, 1:20-2:10 p.m.
• "The Late" Jazz Orchestra: Tuesdays 6-8 p.m.

Sign up for a Jazz Orchestra audition

Handbell Ensemble

Director: Deb Garvey, deg45454@bethel.edu
Rehearsal schedule:

• Tuesdays, 6:15-8 p.m.

Sign up for a handbell ensemble audition

Bethel Choir—SATB

Director: Dr. Merrin Guice Gill, meg25835@bethel.edu
Rehearsal schedule:

• Monday–Friday, 4:20-5:30 p.m.

Sign up for a choral ensemble audition

Lucia Chorum—SSAA

Director: Brad Beale, beale@bethel.edu
Rehearsal schedule:

• Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:10-5:50 p.m
• Wednesdays, 4:20-5:30 p.m.

Sign up for a choral ensemble audition

Royal Register—TTBB

Director: Brad Beale, beale@bethel.edu
Rehearsal schedule:

• Mondays and Wednesdays: 6-8 p.m
• Wednesdays: 4:20-5:30 p.m.

Sign up for a choral ensemble audition

Festival Choir

Director: Dr. Merrin Guice Gill, meg25835@bethel.edu
Rehearsal schedule:

• Wednesdays: 4:20-5:30 p.m.

Sign up for a choral ensemble audition

Mainstage Musical—West Side Story

The 2026 mainstage production will be West Side Story, a musical based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and a conception of Jerome Robbins. Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by Arthur Laurents.

Director: Glenn Morehouse Olson, olsgle@bethel.edu
Conductor: Dr. Ben Blasko, blasko@bethel.edu
Chorus Master: Dr. Merrin Guice Gill, meg25835@bethel.edu

Performances:

• February 5-8, 2026

Rehearsal schedule:

• Monday–Friday throughout January Session, specific schedule varies by role

Sign up to audition for West Side Story

Opera and musical theatre Scenes Show

The Spring scenes show is a cabaret-style performance of opera and musical theatre scenes. Scenes are performed costumed and minimally staged. Students have the opportunity to perform, direct, or even choreograph scenes. Open by audition.

Rehearsal schedule: Varies by scene and role

Performance: Saturday, May 16, 2026

Sign up to be notified about this production

Fall theatre production—Little Women, the Broadway Musical

Little Women, the Broadway Musical is already cast, but production team members are still needed for set build, costuming, makeup, and stage managing.

Director: Glenn Morehouse Olson, olsgle@bethel.edu
Rehearsal schedule:

• Monday-Friday: 6-9 p.m.

Performances: October 16-19 and 23-26, 2025

Sign up to be notified about theatre production team opportunities

Student production teams

All of Bethel's theatrical productions are supported by a crew of student stagehands, lighting and audio technicians, costume and set build assistants, choreographers, and production assistants.

Sign up to be notified about theatre production team opportunities

Private and class lessons

Private and class lessons are available in over 20 musical areas including voice, wind, string, percussion, and keyboard instruments, as well as drum kit, jazz instruments, pipe organ, and acting. Continue to study, learn a new instrument, or take acting lessons in a group setting!

Sign up for private lessons

Contact Lydia Shull at music@bethel.edu to learn how to register for class lessons.