Entrance Requirements

ACCEPTANCE TO THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT AS A MAJOR

Acceptance into the music department as a major will be based upon:

1. Acceptance into the College

2. Satisfactory completion (C or higher) of MU 117 (Music Fundamentals) OR the passing of a waiver exam.

3. Satisfactory audition showing proficiency on the primary instrument or voice including sight-reading, required scales and repertoire (audition requirements are given below).

4. Provisional acceptance may be offered if the faculty feels that the student is capable of meeting the specific requirements for acceptance, given an additional designated time to prepare; and is capable of success in the major.

5. Transfer students must audition for acceptance and take a theory placement exam. If they have transfer credits for one or more semesters of theory, they are required to successfully complete the final exam given for the most advanced theory course they have taken (MU 103, 104, 203 or 425). If they have transfer credits for two semesters of music history they are required to successfully complete the final exam for Music History and Literature II (MU 319).

Students are urged to apply and audition for placement as they enter the College. If not accepted as a Major at this time, they may take private lessons and Music Fundamentals (MU 117), participate in ensembles and performance class, and then re-audition in March of their Freshman year.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must be accepted both academically by the College and musically by the Music Department. An in-person performance audition is required of all applicants to the music program. The evaluation of your audition by your faculty will be the most important factor in granting admission to the department. A placement test in music theory will be given on audition day. If you are unable to participate in the auditioning process on the date scheduled by the College, please call Rebecca Vega, 973-618-3446, for an appointment. Listed below are the audition requirements for each instrument and for voice:

VOICE: The basic requirement is the demonstration of vocal potential. The student should prepare two contrasting songs, including at least one art song in any language. It is suggested that both songs be memorized. An accompanist will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own.

WOODWINDS: A sonata or concert piece of moderate difficulty. Major, minor and chromatic scales covering the complete range of the instrument, tongued and slurred.

BRASS: A movement of a sonata or concerto of moderate difficulty. Major, minor and chromatic scales, tongued and slurred.

STRINGS: A movement of a sonata or concerto of moderate difficulty. Scales and arpeggios.

PERCUSSION: Demonstration of an ability to read notation at a moderate level. Demonstration of snare drum rudiments. Demonstration of a basic technical knowledge of the mallet instruments. Elementary exercises for timpani.

PIANO: Three compositions: a two-part invention by J. S. Bach or an equivalent baroque keyboard work, an allegro movement of a classical sonata, and a work by a romantic or contemporary composer. At least one selection should be memorized. Major and minor scales, and arpeggios. Sight reading: a hymn, an easy classical composition and/or an easy vocal accompaniment.

ORGAN: The student must have a piano background of BACH two-part inventions and Mozart or early Beethoven sonatas. it is desirable for the student to perform, on the organ, a baroque composition, such as a four-part Bach chorale and other hymn tune of the student’s choice played with a pedal, a romantic work and a modern work. Major and minor scales, and arpeggios.

CLASSICAL GUITAR: Segovia scales, major and minor; one etude by Sor (Segovia edition), Carcassi or Aguado. Two concert pieces of the student’s own choosing from either pre-baroque (De Visse, Sanz, Milan, etc.), baroque (Bach, Weiss, etc.) or romantic Spanish (Tarrega – ex., Adelita; Llobet – ex., El Testament d’Amelia).

JAZZ GUITAR: 5 positions of major scales, 5 pentatonic positions. Two forms of major7, minor7, dominant7, diminished7, minor7, flat5 chords. A prepared standard tune playing both melody and chord (separately or together). Improvisation on a blues progression.

JAZZ INSTRUMENTALIST: Students may also perform a transcribed jazz solo, in addition to the above requirements.