Music Auditions

Show us your stuff!

Before you can enter the programs within the College of Music and Fine Arts, you must audition.

The 2009-2010 Audition/Interview dates are:

• December 5, 2009
• January 16, 2010
• February 6, 2010

While we hope to see you on campus, we understand that is sometimes not possible.  We do accept DVD auditions, which can be mailed to the Office of Admissions.  March 1 is the deadline for first-year applicants to submit a recorded audition and receive consideration for both admission and scholarship. 

After March 1, recorded auditions will be considered for admissions only.  Transfer student recorded auditions are accepted on a rolling basis for admissions and scholarship.  Please note that no admissions decision will be rendered until the audition requirement has been fulfilled. 

To schedule your audition on one of these dates, you must fill out a music audition/interview/portfolio application.

Audition Requirements: (Choose your instrument)

Classical piano | Percussion | Voice | String | Classical Guitar | Jazz | Wind instruments | Music Industry Studies

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Classical piano

• 2-4 works in contrasting styles from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and/or Twentieth Century repertoire, memorized
• Total length of all: no more than 15 minutes
• Sight reading proficiency will also be tested
• A resume listing all repertoires studied and performances given in the three years prior to the audition

Percussion

• Demonstrated abilities on snare drum, mallets and timpani (one selection is sufficient – solos or etudes)
• Set drum skills can also be demonstrated
• Sight reading proficiency may be tested

Wind instruments

• 2 selections of contrasting styles (technical and lyrical-slow)
• Sight reading proficiency and major and minor scales may be tested

Voice

• 2 classical art songs or arias in different styles (selections of Italian songs from the 24-Italian Song collection, as well as songs by Purcell, Handel, Copland, or Vaughan Williams, are ideal choices)
• Pieces should be well memorized and appropriate dress is requested
• An accompanist is available when needed – please have readable printed music of your selections in the key in which you plan to sing

Strings

• 2 contrasting pieces from the standard repertoire for your instrument; performed unaccompanied 
• Total length of all: no more than 10 minutes
• Sight reading proficiency and scales may also be tested
• One major and one minor scale of your choice, 3 octaves preferred

Classical Guitar

• two classical works in contrasting styles - memorized

Jazz (see specific instruments below)

• 2 jazz or standard songs, one a medium-to-fast tempo tune in a swing style (blues or standard melody plus improvisation), the second a slow ballad that demonstrates jazz interpretation
• Accompaniment by prerecorded CD or tape (provided by student) or with faculty jazz pianist
• Ability in classical styles can be demonstrated at this time

Jazz guitar Recommended that the ballad selection be played in a chord melody style Be able to demonstrate your improvisation skills on the faster selection, in addition to the melody and improvisation Amplifiers will be provided, if needed Jazz Bass Demonstrated improvisation skills on the faster selection, in addition to the melody and improvisation Amplifiers will be provided, if needed Jazz Piano  Usually the pianist performs in a solo jazz context Demonstrated improvisation skills on the faster selection, in addition to the melody and improvisation Drum Set Demonstrated various styles on drum set Several tempos in swing style will be evaluated, with the candidate alternating 4 measures of accompaniment and 4 measures of solo. Other styles suggested are ¾ swing, Afro-Cuban, Samba, Bossa Nova, Rock, and Funk. Bring sticks and cymbals; also brushes and mallets if needed. Set drummers are also encouraged to demonstrate their versatility by performing one or more of the following; a rudimentary snare drum etude, a marimba or xylophone etude (or scales), and a timpani solo or band excerpt.

Music Industry Studies

• Audition or interview (for non-performance students)
• Portfolio of their experiences in the music industry (may include a resume, pictures, essays, etc. or any evidence of your interest in the industry)