Music Department

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Do you love to create, perform and listen to music? Can you imagine every day being filled with music activities of one kind or another? Whether you choose to major in music or another field, you can use your skills and interest to join over 400 students who are fully involved in Bradley’s music program.

Majors

Music Performance

Refine your musical skills to prepare for a career on stage.

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Music Education

Gain the skills and experience to become a K-12 music teacher.

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Music and Entertainment Industry

Launch your career in the music industry with no audition requirement.
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Digital Music Technology

Combine music technology and audio production for a career in any industry.
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Music Composition

Create, perform and publish your own musical works.

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Music Business

Prepare to enter the music industry while developing your musicianship.
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Music for Video Games

Build skills that give you the power to bring interactive media to life through music.

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Music – Dual Degree

Easily combine your passion for music with any degree on campus.

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Minors

The 21-credit Jazz Studies Minor is open to all students, without audition. It will strengthen your understanding and performance of jazz through ensemble participation, music theory, jazz improvisation, jazz composition and arranging, and American music history.

This minor is easily paired with majors across campus.

The music minor, open to all students by audition, strengthens your understanding and performance of music through individual vocal or instrumental lessons in the area you select and courses in theory, history, keyboard skills, and ear-training.

You’ll also participate in one of the music department’s 15 ensembles. Designed for personal growth or career preparation, the minor can easily be paired with majors from across the university.

The 18-credit hour music industry minor is open to any student, regardless of major, with no audition requirement. You’ll be immersed in courses representing all facets of the music industry.

Electives allow you to focus on specific disciplines or you may complete the minor as part of the Hollywood Semester program.

This 20-hour minor, open to all students, includes courses in Acting, Piano, Music Theory, and Ear Training/Sight Singing. Acting the Song and History of American Musical Theatre. You’ll be involved in Theatre Arts productions through our Practicum program, and you’ll work closely with a Theatre Arts advisor, to keep you on track.

This minor pairs well with majors in Music, Theatre Arts, communication, TV arts, creative writing, and other majors within the fine arts, or the liberal arts and sciences.

Departmental Resources

Real-time live streaming from Dingeldine Music Center is available only during concerts.

Join us for a special program to learn what high school students and their parents need to know about Music majors, minors and ensembles at Bradley University. This program will also include campus tours and lunch with Bradley music students and faculty.

The scheduled Music Visit Day is Wednesday, Oct. 8!

Reserve the Studio

Hilltop studio is a full functioning 24 track digital recording studio. Located on campus in University Hall ( next to Constance Hall ). This studio is equipped with a set of Yamaha drums, keyboards, and bass amplifiers.

The microphone selection of dynamic, condenser, and ribbon microphones includes:

Shure B57
Shure B58
Shure KSM 32
Shure SM 81
Sennheiser 421
Sennheiser 609
Audix F2
AMT S25B
AKG 2000
AKG 3000
AKG C 451 B
AKG C 451 EB
AKG 414 stereo pair
Neumann 184 stereo pair
Neumann 105
Royer 121 ribbon mic.
Lauten LT-386 Eden tube mic

DI boxes include:

Demeter VTDB tube DI
Neve RNDI
Radial Stereo DI w/ Jensen transformer
Radial J48
Radial ToneBone Bass DI
Countryman 85

Also available are world class mic preamps including Neve 5024’s and the Focusrite ISA 428 MK II.

Hilltop Studio uses Pro Tools as our main DAW but we have available Logic Pro, Luna, and Cakewalk.

Studio Samples

Studio Availability

Monday	9am – 4pm
Tuesday	9am – 7pm
Wednesday	9am – 7pm

Free

Student Class Project in Studio
Ensemble Project On Campus
Faculty Project in Studio –Student Mixed

$20 per hour

Ensemble Project OFF Campus
Faculty Project in Studio –Studio Mgr.Mixed
BU Student Independent Project in Studio

$50 per hour

Faculty Project outside of Studio –Student Mixed
Faculty Project outside of Studio –Studio Mgr.Mixed
Non-BU Client Independent Project in Studio

Music Major and Minor Auditions

Admission for music majors consists of two parts:

General admission to Bradley University
Admission to the Department of Music via a successful audition

You may select a music major when you apply for general admission to the university, but that status will only be achieved once you have been formally accepted into that degree program in the Department of Music following a successful audition.

All applicants (new students and transfer students) in the following majors must audition on their primary instrument for admission into these degree programs in the Department of Music:

Music Performance
Music Composition
Music Business
Music Education
BA/BS in Music

There are three parts to the audition process at Bradley:

Performance (8-10 minutes) See requirements for each area below.
An informal interview with the faculty member(s) in your major area of study (15-20 minutes).
Basic Theory Exam. (15 minutes). The results of this exam will give the faculty a better understanding of the student’s knowledge in this area, but will not be a factor in consideration of acceptance and scholarship money.

Accompanists will be provided for auditioning vocalists. A fifteen minute rehearsal will be offered before the audition. Accompanists are not provided for instrumentalists, though you are welcome to bring your own.

Music and Entertainment applicants are only required to do the interview portion.

2025-26 Audition Dates

Friday, Feb. 6

Friday, Feb. 13

Friday, Feb. 27

Saturday, Mar. 28

Three options are available:

Perform a live audition on the Bradley campus at one of our three audition days listed below. We encourage applicants to select this option.
Schedule a live audition on a date of your choice by emailing [email protected].
Submit a recorded audition.

Campus Audition Dates

Audition dates coming soon!

Music ensembles are for all Bradley students, regardless of major. Students can also participate in more than one ensemble each semester if they wish.

Choral Ensembles

The Bradley Chorale is the touring choir and other opportunities exist in vocal jazz, treble choir and opera.

Bands

Audition for the Bradley Concert Band and Basketball Band.

Jazz Ensembles

An active performance program that includes two concert bands, two jazz bands, basketball band and other smaller ensemble opportunities.

String Ensembles

The Bradley Symphony Orchestra is supported by an active chamber music program and applied lessons.

All Bradley University students, faculty and staff should be familiar with basic information about the maintenance of health and safety within the contexts of practice, performance, teaching, and listening. It is important to note that musical health and safety depends largely on each individual making informed decisions. The information introduced on this page is largely generic. Anyone who feels they have an injury should consult a medical professional. Musician’s Health and Safety is a lifetime effort and every individual involved in Music at Bradley is urged to stay informed of current research and practice that will contribute to lifelong musical enjoyment.

Musculoskeletal Health and Injury

Anyone who practices, rehearses or performs music has the potential to suffer an injury. Molly Sloter is a certified Andover Educator and available to all students, faculty and staff. “The mission of Andover Educators is to put music training on a secure somatic foundation so that all musicians, amateur and professional alike, may play free of pain and injury with increasing enjoyment and skill.” (1)

Recommended readings include, but are not limited to:

Protecting Your Hearing

Hearing loss is a gradual process that may not be noticed for years. The two most common causes of inner ear hearing loss are noise/music exposure and hearing loss associated with aging. While aging is not preventable, hearing loss associated with loud music or loud noise is certainly preventable.

Recommended readings include, but are not limited to:

Psychological Health

The Bradley University Wellness Program strives to offer current and accurate health information while encouraging smart and healthy behavioral choices. The Wellness family collaborates to provide current and effective programming for physical and mental wellness in order to promote student success. Bradley University Counseling is a division of Health Services. We believe in the importance of understanding that the mind and body are not mutually exclusive and that health is obtained from addressing the needs of both.

Recommended Books related to Psychological Health

Green, Barry and W. Timothy Gallwey. The Inner Game of Music. Doubleday, 1986.

Ristad, Eloise. A Soprano on Her Head: Right-Side-Up Reflections on Life and Other Performances. Real People Press, 1981.

Auditions

Admission for music majors consists of two parts:

General admission to Bradley University
Admission to the Department of Music via a successful audition

Audition registration

All applicants (new students and transfer students) in the following majors must audition on their primary instrument for admission into these degree programs in the Department of Music:

Music Performance
Music Composition
Music Business
Music Education
BA/BS in Music

There are three parts to the audition process at Bradley:

Performance (8-10 minutes) See requirements for each area below.
And informal interview with the faculty member(s) in your major area of study (15-20 minutes).
Basic Theory Exam. (15 minutes). The results of this exam will give the faculty a better understanding of the student’s knowledge in this area, but will not be a factor in consideration of acceptance and scholarship money.

Music and Entertainment applicants are only required to do the interview portion.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be accepted to Bradley before signing up for an audition? No, you can sign up for an audition at any time.

Is this audition the same as the audition for ensembles? No, ensemble auditions are held in the first week of classes in the fall.

Do I need to be a music major to qualify for a music scholarship? In order to qualify for a talent-based scholarship, you must apply to one of the following majors:

Music Performance
Music Education
Music Composition
Music Business
BA/BS in Music

We also offer small scholarships for participation in ensembles.

I do not have an accompanist. Will that affect my scholarship offer? No, auditioning without an accompanist will not affect your acceptance or scholarship.

How soon will I hear about my audition time? Your audition time will be scheduled and you will receive confirmation within a week of submitting your audition form.

How long after the audition does it take to hear about acceptance and scholarships? If you have been accepted to Bradley University, you will hear from the Department of Music within two weeks.

Choral Opportunities:

Facts:

All ensembles are open to all students regardless of major

Ensembles are free of charge – this means that you can take a full load of classes (16 credit hours),
and then when the music ensemble pushes you over 16 hours, you can earn the extra credit at no charge

Ensembles generate credit toward graduation – for that free hour, you are earning credit toward
graduation

There are scholarships for members selected for Chorale

Large Ensembles:

Bradley Chorale – Auditioned, group of about 42 singers. The mixed touring choir at Bradley.
Chorale embraces the unique spirit and diverse color palate of each singer in exploring music of
all genres and stylistic performance practices. Typically meets M-F 12pm-12:50pm. 1 credit
Community Choir – Auditioned, group of 60-80 singers. Members consist of students, Bradley
alum, faculty, and community members who are life-long musicians. Often performs with the
Bradley Symphony Orchestra. Typically meets W evenings from 7pm-8:30pm. 1 credit

Small Ensembles:

Bradley Jazz Singers – Auditioned, group of 8-12 singers. Performs both standard and
contemporary jazz music. If you are a music major, you must also be in a large ensemble in order
to participate in this ensemble. Typically meets M 7-9pm. 1 credit
Performance Workshop – Auditioned, group size varies depending on the work(s)performed.
Typically meets T/TH 3pm-5pm. Designed to develop performing skills on stage in every musical
genre. 1 credit

Extra-Curricular Opportunities:

Dynamix – Auditioned, 8-18 singers that is student-led. Co-ed acapella group that performs on
and off campus throughout the year. Email [email protected] to audition

Fall 2025 Bradley Choir Auditions

All students wishing to perform in a Bradley choral group must audition. Auditions will be held at
Dingeldine Music Center. The audition consists of several components:

1. Audition Form:
Fill out this audition form by Monday, August 25th
2. Sign-up for an audition time and plan to arrive 15 minutes early:
If you are a music major and auditioning for Bradley Jazz Singers, you must also sign up for a large
ensemble audition as well. You will have TWO audition times. If you are a non-major, you may just sign
up for the Jazz Singers audition if that is all you are wishing to audition for.
Large Ensembles (Chorale, Comm Choir) and Performance
Workshop: Tuesday, August 26th from 9am-5pm
Jazz Singers: Tuesday, August 26th from 5:30pm-8:00pm
Audition sign-up found here!
3. Audition Preparation:
Large Ensembles and Performance Workshop:
1. Please come prepared to sing the “My Country Tis of Thee” melody. You will sing it acapella and
may be asked to sing in a few different keys/ways to assess your range and vocal color. If you do
not know this tune, you can easily learn it through YouTube.
2. All students will be asked to sing back pitches, perform a short rhythmic example, and perform a
short sight-reading example that must be executed to the level of the ensemble for which you
want to be considered. The example will be a four-measure chorale excerpt in mixed voices. You
will reproduce your voice part while the pianist plays the other three voice parts. You may use
solfege, numbers, or a nonsense syllable.
3. You may be asked to do vocalization exercises.
Jazz Singers:
Details found here!

1. Requirements

Auditions are ten minutes in length.

Prepared piece (download your part below)
Improvisation on a Bb Blues (download the track below)
Drummers – replace improvisation with the following styles:
Swing (medium and fast)
Bossa Nova
Jazz Waltz
New Orleans Second Line

Please note:

Saxophones can audition on Alto, Tenor, or Bari, though you may not necessarily be placed on that instrument.
Trumpet players can play either Trumpet 1 or Trumpet 2, but should play Trumpet 1 to be considered for lead.
Bass trombonists should play Trombone 4.
If there are chord changes on your part, please ignore them.

Audition Form

2. Audition Time Signup

Sign-up for an audition time and plan to arrive 15 minutes early.

Thursday, August 29, 2025
9 am – 3 pm (There will be an hour break from noon-1 pm.)
Hilltop Studio (Basement of University Hall)

Friday, August 30, 2025
9 am – 3 pm (There will be an hour break from noon-1 pm.)
Hilltop Studio (Basement of University Hall)

signup

3. Audition Preparation

bb blues backing track download prepared place

1. Requirements

Symphonic Winds/Band Auditions

Symphonic Winds/Band Auditions are scheduled during 8-minute blocks of time. Students auditioning for Symphonic Winds should prepare the excerpts found online as well as a piece of the individual’s choosing (2 minutes). Even though the excerpts are marked with desirable metronome markings, etc., just play them to the best of your ability.

Students auditioning for Symphonic Band should play something prepared and may be asked to sight read a simple excerpt. Auditions for Fall 2024 will take place Thursday, August 22 and Friday, August 23. There are no specific blocks of time for specific instruments. If you cannot make one of the published blocks of time, please contact Dr. Grisé to set up an alternate time.

If you have questions in advance about Symphonic Winds or Symphonic Band, you can contact Dr. Monte Grisé at [email protected].

Basketball Band Auditions

Please contact Dr. Monte Grise´ for more information about playing in the Basketball Band at [email protected].

2. Audition Form

AUDITION FORM

3. Audition Time Signup

Sign-up for an audition time and plan to arrive 15 minutes early.

symphonic winds/band signup symphonic band signup

Requirements

Winds and Brass

Click here for more information

Strings

Click here for more information

Audition Times

Winds and Brass

Tuesday, August 20
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Constance Hall 303

winds and brass sign up

Strings

Tuesday, August 20
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Constance Hall 113

STRINGS sign up

Ensembles

All ensembles are open to all students regardless of major.
Ensembles are free of charge – this means that you can take a full load of classes (16 credit hours), and then when the music ensemble pushes you over 16 hours, you can earn the extra credit at no charge.
Ensembles generate credit toward graduation – for that free hour, you are earning credit toward graduation.
There are scholarships for members selected for Chorale.

Large Ensembles

Bradley Chorale

Auditioned, group of about 42 singers. The mixed touring choir at Bradley. Chorale embraces the unique spirit and diverse color palate of each singer in exploring music of all genres and stylistic performance practices. Typically meets M-F 12pm-12:50pm. 1 credit

Community Choir

Auditioned, group of 60-80 singers. Members consist of students, Bradley alum, faculty, and community members who are life-long musicians. Often performs with the Bradley Symphony Orchestra. Typically meets W evenings from 7pm-8:30pm. 1 credit

Small Ensembles

Jazz Singers

Auditioned, group of 8-12 singers. Performs both standard and contemporary jazz music, along with other pop styles. If you are a music major, you must also be in a large ensemble in order to participate in this ensemble. Typically meets M 7-9pm. 1 credit

Opera Ensemble

Auditioned, group size varies depending on the work(s)performed. Typically meets T/TH 3pm-5pm. Designed to develop performing skills in the field of opera, an opportunity often reserved for graduate students in larger universities. 1 credit

Extra-Curricular Opportunities:

Dynamix

Auditioned, 8-18 singers that is student-led. Co-ed acapella group that performs on and off campus throughout the year. Email [email protected] to audition.

Gospel Choir

Auditioned, group size varies. Student-led, co-ed gospel ensemble that performs on and off campus throughout the year. Email [email protected] to audition.

Bradley Symphony Orchestra

The BSO is made up of a select group of musicians from all disciplines. The ensemble is open to not only music majors, but consists of numerous students from a variety of majors from within Bradley University. The BSO performs works from standard orchestral repertoire from the Baroque to the Contemporary. The BSO performs four concerts a year, including a major choral-orchestral work with the Bradley Community Chorus. The orchestra rehearses each week on Tuuesday from 7:00-9:30 pm and Wednesday from 12:00-12:50. If you would like to visit these rehearsals, all BSO rehearsals are open to the public and you are encouraged to do so. Membership in the Bradley Symphony Orchestra is by audition. Annual auditions are held at the beginning of the fall semester each year with “challenge” and new student auditions in January.

Auditions consist of three portions:

Scales
Solo/etude of your choice (not more than 4-5 minutes in length)
Orchestral excerpts (provided to you)

Please contact Dr. Tim Semanik (309) 677-3594 or [email protected] for more information about the BSO and visit our Facebook page.

String/Chamber Ensemble

The string program at Bradley includes chamber music, Bradley Symphony Orchestra and solo performance opportunities. The String Chamber Music program, under the leadership of Marcia Henry Liebenow, teaches chamber music techniques and literature. Ensembles meet each week for coaching sessions as well as their own rehearsals. Students explore repertoire for string quartets, trios and duos as well as ensembles that could include woodwinds or piano. Each semester the String Chamber Music ensembles perform their own concert in Dingeldine Music Center, perform on student recitals, participate in Peoria Lunaire (New Music Ensemble) concerts, perform across campus for University events and receptions and play for events and receptions throughout central Illinois. Visiting guest artists give master classes for the chamber music ensembles.

For more information about strings at Bradley, contact Marcia Henry Liebenow at (309) 677-2602 or [email protected]

Symphonic Winds

Symphonic Winds meets Monday and Wednesday from 4:20-6 p.m. and on Thursday evening from 6:15-7:15 p.m. in Dingeldine Music Center. This select group of 65 students rehearses the highest quality concert band literature in preparation for their formal concerts and tours. Each semester the Winds perform three to five times both on and off campus. Comprised of a large number of music majors, this ensemble also includes outstanding musicians who are not majoring or minoring in music. These students represent most of the academic programs available at the university.

For information contact Dr. Monte Grise, [email protected].

Symphonic Band

Symphonic Band meets Tuesday and Thursday from 4:20-6 p.m. in Dingeldine Music Center. This group of 85 students rehearses and performs outstanding band literature. Students in this band represent most of the major programs on the Bradley campus. Ensembles at Bradley are “free of charge” meaning a student can maintain their academic program without incurring any additional cost to participate in the band. Students earn credit and a grade. Some scholarships for the concert band program exist and are awarded each fall following auditions.

For information contact Dr. Monte Grise, conductor, [email protected].

Basketball Band

The Bradley Basketball Band supports men’s and women’s basketball musically, and enthusiastically, at all home games. The band travels downtown to Carver Arena for the men’s games and they play on campus in the Renaissance Coliseum for the women’s games. Post-season play is also supported by the band which includes travel out of state. Over 100 students are a part of this band that is open to all Bradley students by audition. There is even a rock band that is a part of this ensemble.

For more information about the Bradley Basketball Band, contact Dr. Monte Grise at [email protected].

Percussion Ensemble

The Percussion Ensemble rehearses Tuesday evenings and performs one or two performances each semester. All Bradley students are welcome and most are performing in other large ensembles on campus. A typical concert fills the stage with equipment as Bradley provides outstanding percussion instruments for our students.

For more information about the Percussion Ensemble, contact Ms. Peggy Bonner at [email protected].

The jazz program at Bradley includes a big band, a New Orleans brass band, a combo and courses in jazz improvisation and jazz history.

Bradley Jazz Ensemble

The Bradley Jazz Ensemble is the most visible ensemble in the Bradley jazz program. In past years, they have performed at regional jazz festivals and even traveled to Europe. Each spring, the Bradley Jazz Festival is held on campus that features a world-renowned artist. The Jazz Ensemble is also known for their tribute concerts – past tributes have included Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton, Frank Sinatra and “A Tribute to the Golden Age of Swing.”

Hilltop Jazz Combo

The Hilltop Jazz Combo is made up of the finest improvisers on campus. They perform frequently both on and off campus, including a recurring gig at the Fieldhouse Bar and Grill.

Groove Project

The Groove Project learns all music aurally from recordings and performs in a variety of styles including jazz, funk, blues and New Orleans brass band music.

All Bradley jazz groups are open, by audition, to any student, regardless of their major.

For more information about Jazz at Bradley, contact Dr. Todd Kelly at (309) 677-2597, or [email protected].

Music Department