Auditions - Music

An audition is the next step toward joining the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Music family and securing a talent scholarship. Our faculty looks forward to hearing you and partnering with you as you grow as a musician.

Audition Information

We look forward to hearing your audition. You can find the specific guidelines for your instrument or voice type below.

  • Prepare two contrasting selections in classical or popular styles. Can be acoustic or electric
  • Demonstrate sight-reading from lead sheet, chord/number chart, and/or standard notation

  • Prepare two contrasting selections, preferably memorized
  • Scales - be prepared to play whatever scales and arpeggios you have learned at this point in your piano studies
  • Sight-reading

Audition Information

  • Prepare one movement by J.S. Bach - unaccompanied sonata, partita, or suite
  • Prepare one movement from a standard concert  - 1st movement preferable
  • Two scales of choosing - three octaves-four notes per bow. Sixths, thirds, octaves

International Student Additional Requirements

  • IBT TOEFL score of 70 or above
OR
  • ITP TOEFL score of 523 or higher
 OR
  • Duolingo English profiency minimum score of 100

  • Prepare two selections from art songs, musical theater, and/or hymn selections

Music Majors

Freshman

  • Prepare one solo work or two contrasting etudes demonstrating both lyrical and technical playing. *Solo repertoire should be selected from standard literature. Single movements from concertos or sonatas are acceptable.
  • Scales:
    • Six major scales (two octaves)
    • Chromatic scale (two octaves)
  • Sight-reading

Optional:

  • One or two letters of recommendation from a band director and/or private lessons teacher.

Transfer

  • Prepare one major solo work demonstrating both lyrical and technical playing. Solo repertoire should be selected from standard literature. Single movements from concertos or sonatas are acceptable; an exposition-only performance is also acceptable.
  • Prepare one technical or lyrical etude of your choice.
  • Scales:
    • Twelve major scales (two octaves with arpeggios)
    • Six natural minor scales (two octaves with arpeggios)
    • Chromatic scale (two octaves)
  • Sight-reading

Optional:

  • One letter of recommendation from your current applied instructor.

Non-Music Majors

Freshman and Transfer

  • Prepare one solo work or etude demonstrating both lyrical and technical playing. Prepared honor band and/or chair-placement audition music is acceptable.
  • Scales:
    • Three major scales
    • Chromatic scale
  • Sight-reading

MUSIC THEORY PLACEMENT 

All freshmen music majors take a theory placement test during the first Music Theory class in the fall. Based on the results of this exam, students either take MUT 100-Introduction to Music Theory in the Fall, or they wait to enroll in MUT 161-Freshmen Music Theory in the Winter. MUT 100-Introduction to Music Theory is a 1 credit hour course that does not count towards a music degree.

If you are not able to attend one of our audition days, email us at music@wmcarey.edu or call (601) 318-6175 today!