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Music Major and Minor Audition Requirements

Brass

Prepare to play two excerpts in contrasting styles and tempi, of any combination of repertoire taken from standard solo and etude literature. The excerpts should be no longer than 4 minutes each. In addition, please prepare a full range chromatic scale and three major scales of your choice.

Cello

Prepare to play a movement from a Bach Suite, a 3-4 minute excerpt from a concerto, other major solo work in the standard repertoire, or a technical study. One three-octave major and one three-octave minor scale of your choice OR two standard orchestra excerpts of your choice.

Composition

In addition to the primary instrument audition, composition majors are required to submit a portfolio that contains two examples of original works or arrangements with scores and/or recordings.

Double Bass

Prepare to play 4-6 minutes of contrasting selections from a combination of the following categories: orchestral excerpts, concerti, sonatas, etudes, and jazz bass lines or improvisation on a jazz standard. Select from two of the following two octave major scales: E Major, A Major, G Major, C Major, or D Major. All scales should be bowed unless auditioning on electric bass.

Guitar

Prepare to play three excerpts in contrasting styles and tempi, of any combination of repertoire taken from standard solo and etude literature. The excerpts should be no longer than 4 minutes each.

Music for Video Games

No audition required.

Percussion

Students should prepare excerpts/etudes from two or three of the following areas of percussion: snare drum, mallets, timpani, multiple percussion, and/or drum set. Students should prepare repertoire from standard solo and etude literature for the instruments chosen. Solos should be approximately 4 minutes in length.

Piano

Perform two selections from the standard solo repertoire from the following periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or 20th/21st century. At least one work must be performed from memory. In addition, prepare three of each, in the keys of your choice: 4 octave major scale with arpeggios, 4 octave harmonic minor scale with arpeggios.

Violin and Viola

Prepare to play two works contrasting in style and/or tempo, or parts of works from the standard repertoire, each lasting 3-4 minutes. OR, choose one solo piece (see above) and one etude or technical study (2-3 minutes). In addition, prepare one three-octave major scale, and one three-octave minor scale (your choice of key).

Voice

Prepare two contrasting pieces to be sung from memory. One must be in a language other than English to be selected from the standard art song or appropriate opera or oratorio repertoire. The second selection must be in English and selected from either the art song, musical theatre or standard vocal jazz repertoire. In addition, sight-reading of two simple excerpts will be required.

Woodwinds

Please prepare two contrasting movements or pieces of solo repertoire demonstrating technical and rhythmic proficiency, lyrical phrasing, and artistry. One selection may be an etude. In addition, prepare a full-range chromatic scale and three major scales of your choice.