Graduate Music Auditions

Prescreening Requirements:

Voice

1. Include a video recording of two pieces representing two different languages, which should: 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
2. A list of repertory studied in the principal performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
3. A resume detailing additional experience that indicates the applicant is qualified to pursue the program. 

Instrumental (Including Organ)

1. Include a video recording of two contrasting pieces, which should: 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
2. A list of repertory studied in the principal performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
3. A resume detailing additional experience that indicates the applicant is qualified to pursue the program. 

Piano

1. Include a video recording of two contrasting pieces, which should: 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
2. A list of repertory studied in the principal performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
3. A resume detailing additional experience that indicates the applicant is qualified to pursue the program. 

Conducting

Please note, students wishing to pursue conducting as their principal will need to submit a video prescreening, and upon passing, will have a virtual interview with a Graduate Conducting Faculty member. Students are not required to come to a live audition. 

1. Include 10-20 minutes of high-quality video. Applicants should include an excerpt from a rehearsal and a full performance of one selection.
2. Demonstrate applicant’s best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training.
3. A complete conducting repertoire list and dates of performances.
4. Include “liner notes” detailing background information on the audio or video submitted.

Liner Notes Template

• Student Name
• Intended Major and Emphasis
• Principal Instrument
• The following details for each musical selection:
  • Title
  • Songwriter/Composer
  • Your role in each recording (i.e composer, arranger, vocalist, producer, etc.)
  • Date of recording
  • Purpose of recording (i.e undergraduate recital, professional studio project, professional live performance, demo recording, newly recorded for this submission, etc.)

Audition Requirements:

Voice

1. An art song in either of the following languages: French, German or Italian
2. A 20th century art song in English
3. An aria from the standard operatic or oratorio literature sung in the original language

Instrumental

1. Two (2) works appropriate to the instrument that demonstrates two (2) distinctly different styles. This includes individual pieces, sonata or concerto movements. 

2. Detailed audition expectations for percussion applicants are as follows:

   • A four (4) mallet work for marimba by one of the following composers: Abe, Bach, Gomez, Helble, Musser, Rosauro, Smadbeck or Stout
   • A three (3) or four (4) drum composition for timpani by one of the following composers: Beck, Bergamo, Carter, Firth, Goodman, Leonard, Peters or Whaley.
   • An appropriate work for snare drum or multi-percussion. Appropriate works for snare drum would include those by such composers as Colgrass, Goldenberg, Hurley, Markivich, Pratt, Smith, Wilcoxon and Wooten; for multi-percussion, composers such as Cage, Cahn, Fink, Kraft, Tagawa and Whaley provide suitable repertoire from which to choose.
   • Demonstrate scales and arpeggios on marimba, various rudiments for snare drum and tuning proficiency on timpani.
3. Demonstrate a proficient knowledge of scales and arpeggios
4. Applicants may substitute one music selection suitable for a service of worship for one of the repertoire pieces listed above

Piano

1. A substantial Baroque work by a composer such as Bach, Handel or Scarlatti, OR a sonata movement by Beethoven, Haydn or Mozart
2. A substantial work by a 19th century composer such as Brahms, Chopin, Liszt, Mendelssohn or Schumann; or a 20th century work or movement from a work by a composer such as Barber, Bartok, Copland, Debussy, Hindemith, Prokofiev or Ravel
3. Demonstrate a proficient knowledge of scales, arpeggios and sight-reading
4. Applicants may substitute one music selection suitable for a service of worship for one of the repertoire pieces listed above

Organ

1. A work by J.S. Bach or other important Baroque composer for organ
2. A 19th century work by a composer such as Franck or Mendelssohn
3. A 20th century work by one of the following: Dupre, Hindemith, Langlais, Vierne or Widor
4. Applicants may substitute one music selection suitable for a service of worship for one of the repertoire pieces listed above

Prescreening Requirements:

Performance + Media Composition and Arranging Emphasis

1. Include 10-12 minutes of high-quality audio and/or video, which should:
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
   • Highlight contrasting abilities within commercial genres performed or highlight contrasting abilities within a single genre of specialization. 
2. Include "liner notes" detailing background information on the audio or video submitted. 

Recordings may be of existing performances, demos, and recording projects from professional or undergraduate work, or be created specifically for this audition. Full songs or excerpts are acceptable. If you choose to submit a professionally produced recording project for your prescreening, only one of your pieces may be from that project - all other submissions should be unedited, live audio. 

Applicants to the Media Composition and Arranging Emphasis must also include a PDF of scores with their prescreening materials.

Liner Notes Template

• Student Name
• Intended Major and Emphasis
• Principal Instrument
• The following details for each musical selection:
  • Title
  • Songwriter/Composer
  • Your role in each recording (i.e composer, arranger, vocalist, producer, etc.)
  • Date of recording
  • Purpose of recording (i.e undergraduate recital, professional studio project, professional live performance, demo recording, newly recorded for this submission, etc.)

Audition Requirements:

Emphasis Area - Performance

Voice

1. Perform 3 pieces on a microphone with a rhythm section provided by the School of Music (Drums, Bass, Piano and/or Guitar).
   • One piece may be self-accompanied (a piano will be available. If you choose to play guitar, please bring your own instrument).
   • One piece may be an original composition.
   • At least one piece should either demonstrate virtuosity in commercial vocal technique (i.e. range, flexibility) or an advanced level of musicianship (i.e. improvisation/ad lib, complex original arrangement).
   • Contrast in selections is greatly encouraged. This can be achieved by selecting pieces in three distinctly different commercial genres or by selecting pieces of contrasting tempo and feel within a genre of specialization.
   • No classical or musical theater repertoire will be accepted.
2. Provide accurate and readable charts and arrangements for the rhythm section (4 copies). Charts should be prepared in the key of performance.
3. Be prepared to coach the rhythm section with minimal rehearsal time while adjudicating faculty observe.

Instrumental (Includes Piano)

1. Perform 3 pieces with a rhythm section provided by the School of Music (Drums, Bass, Piano and/or Guitar).
   • At least one piece should demonstrate technical virtuosity on the instrument (i.e. string applicants are encouraged to perform a tune from fiddle repertoire, pianists and guitarists are encouraged to prepare a solo piece).
   • At least one piece should demonstrate an advanced level of musicianship (i.e. improvisation on a jazz standard or similar repertoire).
   • One selection may be a transcription or original composition.
   • Contrast in selections is greatly encouraged. This can be achieved by selecting pieces in three distinctly different commercial genres or by selecting pieces of contrasting tempo and feel within a genre of specialization.
   • If desired, applicants can offer one classical excerpt IN ADDITION to the 3 required commercial pieces.
2. Provide accurate and readable charts and arrangements for the rhythm section (4 copies). Charts should be prepared in the key of performance.
3. Be prepared to coach the rhythm section with minimal rehearsal time while adjudicating faculty observe.
4. Demonstrate the ability to sight-read a selection provided by the faculty adjudicators and demonstrate knowledge of scales and arpeggios.

Emphasis Area - Media Composition and Arranging

The audition day will consist of a portfolio review with our Composition faculty. 

Portfolio Requirements:

1. Scores and recordings for 3 original works featuring at least two different combinations of instruments and/or voices, and totaling approximately 10-15 minutes of music. If an audio recording of a live performance is unavailable, electronic mock-ups will be accepted. (These pieces should be different than those submitted for the prescreen recording). 
2. A repertory list of all compositions including dates and brief descriptions.

Please submit portfolio materials (standard audio MP3 or WAV file) via email to the Graduate Admissions Coordinator. Files too large to email should be shared through Dropbox or Google Drive.

Prescreening Requirements:

1. Include 10-12 minutes of high-quality audio and/or video, which should:
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
   • Highlight contrasting abilities within commercial genres performed or highlight contrasting abilities within a single genre of specialization. 
2. Include "liner notes" detailing background information on the audio or video submitted. 
3. Include a PDF of scores with their prescreening materials.

Liner Notes Template

• Student Name
• Intended Major and Emphasis
• Principal Instrument
• The following details for each musical selection:
  • Title
  • Songwriter/Composer
  • Your role in each recording (i.e composer, arranger, vocalist, producer, etc.)
  • Date of recording
  • Purpose of recording (i.e undergraduate recital, professional studio project, professional live performance, demo recording, newly recorded for this submission, etc.)

Audition Requirements:

The audition day will consist of a portfolio review with our Composition faculty. 

Portfolio Requirements:

1. Scores and recordings for 3 original works featuring at least two different combinations of instruments and/or voices, and totaling approximately 10-15 minutes of music. If an audio recording of a live performance is unavailable, electronic mock-ups will be accepted. (These pieces should be different than those submitted for the prescreen recording). 
2. A repertory list of all compositions including dates and brief descriptions.

Please submit portfolio materials (standard audio MP3 or WAV file) via email to the Graduate Admissions Coordinator. Files too large to email should be shared through Dropbox or Google Drive.

Requirements for Entry:

• Applicants must hold a valid K-12 license to teach Vocal, Instrumental and/or General
  Music, and be a current, in-service teacher.
• Applicants must have a minimum of 2 years, full-time teaching experience.

Prescreening Requirements: 

1. Include a 10-15 minute video sample of the applicant teaching to a live group of students. 
2. Include an additional video of a performance, no more than 10 minutes in length, if the applicant is teaching at the secondary level. 
3. Include "liner notes" detailing background information on the video submitted. 
4. Include the applicant's resume. 

Liner Notes Template

• Student Name
• Intended Major and Emphasis
• Principal Instrument
• The following details for each musical selection:
  • Title
  • Songwriter/Composer
  • Your role in each recording (i.e composer, arranger, vocalist, producer, etc.)
  • Date of recording
  • Purpose of recording (i.e undergraduate recital, professional studio project, professional live performance, demo recording, newly recorded for this submission, etc.)

Audition Requirements:

In lieu of a live audition, applicants will complete a virtual interview with the Music Education faculty to complete their audition process. Upon passing prescreening, an email will be sent with details to register for an interview date. 

 Interview Dates Coming Soon. 

Requirements for Entry:

• Applicants must have received a Bachelor of Music degree, or equivalent, in their undergraduate studies. 

Prescreening Requirements:

Voice

1. Include a video recording of two pieces representing two different languages, which should: 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
2. A list of repertory studied in the principal performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
3. A resume detailing additional experience that indicates the applicant is qualified to pursue the program. 

Instrumental (Including Organ)

1. Include a video recording of two contrasting pieces, which should: 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
2. A list of repertory studied in the principal performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
3. A resume detailing additional experience that indicates the applicant is qualified to pursue the program. 

Piano

1. Include a video recording of two contrasting pieces, which should: 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
2. A list of repertory studied in the principal performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
3. A resume detailing additional experience that indicates the applicant is qualified to pursue the program. 

Audition Requirements:

Voice

1. An art song in either of the following languages: French, German or Italian
2. A 20th century art song in English
3. An aria from the standard operatic or oratorio literature sung in the original language

Instrumental

1. Two (2) works appropriate to the instrument that demonstrates two (2) distinctly different styles. This includes individual pieces, sonata or concerto movements, or (Percussionists, please see MM Performance audition requirements for suggested repertoire.)
2. Demonstrate a proficient knowledge of scales and arpeggios
3. Applicants may substitute one music selection suitable for a service of worship for one of the repertoire pieces listed above

Piano

1. A substantial Baroque work by a composer such as Bach, Handel or Scarlatti, OR a sonata movement by Beethoven, Haydn or Mozart
2. A substantial work by a 19th century composer such as Brahms, Chopin, Liszt, Mendelssohn or Schumann; or a 20th century work or movement from a work by a composer such as Barber, Bartok, Copland, Debussy, Hindemith, Prokofiev or Ravel
3. Demonstrate a proficient knowledge of scales, arpeggios and sight-reading
4. Applicants may substitute one music selection suitable for a service of worship for one of the repertoire pieces listed above

Organ

1. A work by J.S. Bach or other important Baroque composer for organ
2. A 19th century work by a composer such as Franck or Mendelssohn
3. A 20th century work by one of the following: Dupre, Hindemith, Langlais, Vierne or Widor
4. Applicants may substitute one music selection suitable for a service of worship for one of the repertoire pieces listed above

Prescreening Requirements:

1. Include a video recording of two pieces; one piece on the applicant's primary instrument, one piece on the applicant's secondary instrument. The recordings should:
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
2. A list of repertory studied in the principal and secondary performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
3. A resume detailing additional experience that indicates the applicant is qualified to pursue the program.

Audition Requirements:

1. Perform one (1) significant work on the applicant's primary instrument from the standard classical repertoire (i.e.: a concerto movement, sonata movement, or solo de concours).
2. Perform a standard classical solo work for two other of the following instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone.

Prescreening Requirements:

Voice

1. Include a video recording of two pieces representing two different languages, which should: 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
2. A list of repertory studied in the principal performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
3. A resume detailing additional experience that indicates the applicant is qualified to pursue the program. 

Instrumental 

1. Include a video recording of two contrasting pieces, which should: 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
2. A list of repertory studied in the principal performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
3. A resume detailing additional experience that indicates the applicant is qualified to pursue the program. 

Piano

1. Include a video recording of two contrasting pieces, which should: 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
2. A list of repertory studied in the principal performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
3. A resume detailing additional experience that indicates the applicant is qualified to pursue the program. 

Audition Requirements:

Voice

1. An art song in either of the following languages: French, German or Italian
2. A 20th century art song in English
3. An aria from the standard operatic or oratorio literature sung in the original language

Instrumental

1. Two (2) works appropriate to the instrument that demonstrates two (2) distinctly different styles. This includes individual pieces, sonata or concerto movements. 

2. Detailed audition expectations for percussion applicants are as follows:

   • A four (4) mallet work for marimba by one of the following composers: Abe, Bach, Gomez, Helble, Musser, Rosauro, Smadbeck or Stout
   • A three (3) or four (4) drum composition for timpani by one of the following composers: Beck, Bergamo, Carter, Firth, Goodman, Leonard, Peters or Whaley.
   • An appropriate work for snare drum or multi-percussion. Appropriate works for snare drum would include those by such composers as Colgrass, Goldenberg, Hurley, Markivich, Pratt, Smith, Wilcoxon and Wooten; for multi-percussion, composers such as Cage, Cahn, Fink, Kraft, Tagawa and Whaley provide suitable repertoire from which to choose.
   • Demonstrate scales and arpeggios on marimba, various rudiments for snare drum and tuning proficiency on timpani.
3. Demonstrate a proficient knowledge of scales and arpeggios
4. Applicants may substitute one music selection suitable for a service of worship for one of the repertoire pieces listed above

Piano

1. A substantial Baroque work by a composer such as Bach, Handel or Scarlatti, OR a sonata movement by Beethoven, Haydn or Mozart
2. A substantial work by a 19th century composer such as Brahms, Chopin, Liszt, Mendelssohn or Schumann; or a 20th century work or movement from a work by a composer such as Barber, Bartok, Copland, Debussy, Hindemith, Prokofiev or Ravel
3. Demonstrate a proficient knowledge of scales, arpeggios and sight-reading
4. Applicants may substitute one music selection suitable for a service of worship for one of the repertoire pieces listed above

Prescreening Requirements:

Voice

1. Include a video recording of two pieces representing two different languages, which should: 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
2. A list of repertory studied in the principal performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
3. A resume detailing additional experience that indicates the applicant is qualified to pursue the program. 

Instrumental 

1. Include a video recording of two contrasting pieces, which should: 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
2. A list of repertory studied in the principal performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
3. A resume detailing additional experience that indicates the applicant is qualified to pursue the program. 

Piano

1. Include a video recording of two contrasting pieces, which should: 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's best work by highlighting musical ability and technical training. 
   • Demonstrate the applicant's knowledge of and potential for success in the program.
2. A list of repertory studied in the principal performing area, including undergraduate junior and senior recital repertory, if applicable.
3. A resume detailing additional experience that indicates the applicant is qualified to pursue the program. 

Audition Requirements:

1. Three (3) art songs
2. One (1) aria from the operatic or oratorio repertoire in the original language.

The four (4) pieces performed in the audition should include a selection in each of the following languages: Italian, German, French and English.

Instrumental

1. Two (2) works appropriate to the instrument that will demonstrate two (2) distinctly different styles, including individual works, sonata movements or etudes.
2. A movement from a concerto that has been written for the instrument.
3. Scales and sight-reading

Detailed audition expectations for percussion applicants are as follows:

• A four (4) mallet work for marimba by one of the following composers: Abe, Bach, Gomez, Helble, Musser, Rosauro, Smadbeck or Stout
• A three (3) or four (4) drum composition for timpani by one of the following composers: Beck, Bergamo, Carter, Firth, Goodman, Leonard, Peters or Whaley.
• An appropriate work for snare drum or multi-percussion. Appropriate works for snare drum would include those by such composers as Colgrass, Goldenberg, Hurley, Markivich, Pratt, Smith, Wilcoxon and Wooten; for multi-percussion, composers such as Cage, Cahn, Fink, Kraft, Tagawa and Whaley provide suitable repertoire from which to choose.
• Demonstrate scales and arpeggios on marimba, various rudiments for snare drum and tuning proficiency on timpani.

Piano

1. A substantial Baroque work by one of the following composers: Bach, Handel, or Scarlatti or a sonata movement by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Schubert.
2. A substantial work by a 19th century composer such as Brahms, Chopin, Liszt, Mendelssohn or Schumann.
3. A work from the 20th century by composers such as Barber, Bartok, Copland, Debussy, Hindemith, Prokofiev or Ravel.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of scales and arpeggios.