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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 University

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 University. 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 SCHOLARSHIPS AND AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Music Department Scholarships are awarded for performance and academic ability in amounts ranging from $500 to $4000. Scholarships are available to music majors, minors and non-majors. Recipients are required to participate in ensembles and study privately on their principal instrument. They must also demonstrate a practical knowledge of the fundamentals of music through a placement test given at the audition. If a student is deficient in this area he/she will be required to correct this deficiency in order to receive a scholarship. A music fundamentals course is available to students who need this basic instruction.

Auditions to determine acceptance as a music major and to award scholarships are held in February. Prospective students must apply for admission to the university prior to their audition. A separate application for the music audition is available on the music department web page.

Guidelines for auditioning are listed below for all instruments and voice. An in-person performance audition is required of all students applying to the university as music majors. The evaluation of your audition by the faculty will be the most important factor in granting admission to the department. An accompanist will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. All students auditioning will be asked to sight read an excerpt.

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.

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 must be played from memory. 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 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.