Auditions : University of Dayton, Ohio

Audition Information

Students majoring in music or theatre, dance and performing arts must participate in an audition to receive a Performing Arts Scholarship worth $2,500 per year for up to four years. In addition, students from any major who agree to participate in ensembles may audition to receive a Performing Arts Scholarship worth $1,000 per year for up to four years.

To register for an audition:

Complete the application for admission to the University.
Register for one of our Audition Days at the Department Admissions Portal.

Contact us at musadms@udayton.edu or call 937-229-3936 with questions regarding the admission and audition process or to schedule a personalized campus visit.

Auditions Overview

Auditions consist of:

A short performance/musical skills demonstration in your chosen area.
A brief sight-singing and pitch matching assessment (music and music theatre majors only).
An interview with a faculty member in your chosen degree area (music and theatre majors only).

Audition Day

On your audition day, the audition is just one part of the experience. You'll meet faculty, attend sessions on our degree programs, financial aid and performance opportunities, plus hear from current students and alumni.

You'll also enjoy a faculty ensemble performance, food and coffee and plenty of time to learn about our department and campus. A Flyer Friend — a current UD music student — will be with you throughout the day to help you navigate the process.

Skill Requirements by Area/Instrument

Vocalists

All vocalists must prepare two contrasting selections to demonstrate your technique and expressive ability. One selection must be in English; one selection in a language other than English is encouraged. Songs must be memorized and selected from the standard art song repertoire. One selection from music theater repertoire may be chosen.

In addition:

Music performance degree applicants must prepare a total of four memorized selections of contrasting styles demonstrating English and two other languages.
Music therapy degree applicants have the option of accompanying themselves on piano or guitar for the contemporary or music theater selection (if they have chosen one).
Bachelor of Arts (jazz concentration) degree applicants should perform two contrasting jazz standards demonstrating melodic interpretation and improvisational skills instead of the art songs mentioned above. Auditionees will also be asked to sight-read a selected big band chart with recorded accompaniment.
Musical theatre concentration applicants should prepare two songs in contrasting styles from musical theatre repertoire.

Pianists

Pianists must prepare to perform three pieces of contrasting styles. Memorization of at least one selection is highly encouraged.

Jazz studies degree applicants: instead of the three pieces mentioned above, auditionees must perform two of the following tunes demonstrating style-appropriate bass line patterns, playing the melody and displaying improvisation skills: A Child is Born, Autumn Leaves, Billie’s Bounce, Blue Bossa, Footprints, Lester Leaps In, Rhythm-a-ning, Sugar, Take the A Train, Up Jump Spring.

Strings

Prepare:

One movement of a piece written to be unaccompanied (bass students may replace this with three standard orchestral excerpts)
Another movement of contrasting style* from a sonata or concerto

*Contrasting style periods are Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary (20th/21st Centuries).

All Other Instruments (except Jazz auditionees)

Instrumental students should prepare either two short contrasting pieces or one extended work demonstrating your technical and musical skills (see jazz concentration requirements). A piece from the appropriate state solo and ensemble contest list is acceptable. You may be asked to play major scales. Music performance degree applicants, please see additional requirements.

Requirements for Jazz Concentration Degree Applicants

Trumpet, Saxophone, Trombone: Perform two of the following tunes demonstrating melodic interpretation and improvisational skills: A Child is Born, Autumn Leaves, Billie's Bounce, Blue Bossa, Footprints, Lester Leaps In, Rhythm-a-ning, Sugar, Take the A Train, Up Jump Spring
Piano, Bass: Perform two of the following tunes demonstrating style-appropriate bass line patterns, playing the melody and displaying improvisation skills: A Child is Born, Autumn Leaves, Billie's Bounce, Blue Bossa, Footprints, Lester Leaps In, Rhythm-a-ning, Sugar, Take the A Train, Up Jump Spring
Drums: Perform a variety of styles at different tempi: swing, bossa/latin, funk/rock, waltz
Sight Reading (all applicants): Selected big band chart with recorded accompaniment

Additional Requirements for Music Performance Applicants

Brass/Woodwinds: A total of three prepared pieces of contrasting styles* (three standard orchestral excerpts may replace the third prepared composition)
Guitar: A total of three contrasting pieces in a variety of styles, at a level no lower than Carcassi, op. 60. Sight-reading must be competent in first and second positions with rhythms including sixteenth notes
Percussion: A solo or etude on snare drum, mallet percussion, and timpani

*Contrasting style periods are Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary (20th/21st Centuries)

Requirements for Theatre Applicants

Musical theatre concentration: Please prepare 2 songs in contrasting styles from standard musical theatre repertoire. Or one song and one monologue in contrasting tones.
Acting concentration: Please prepare two contrasting monologues, Or one monologue and one short physical movement story.
Dance: Please prepare two dance pieces in contrasting styles.
Performance technology: If available, please bring a portfolio of work (photos or plans of set design or building, lighting, costumes, etc.); your audition process primarily consists of an interview.

Theatre, Dance and Performance Technology B.A.

Music and Theatre Major Interviews

Prospective students seeking degrees in music, theatre, dance or performance technology are required to participate in an interview during the audition day.The interview will be with at least one professor and will cover topics such as previous music, dance, theatre and/or performance experience, career goals and other topics specific to the degree program.

Additional Interview Requirements

Music composition: students should provide a portfolio (with recordings if possible) of all past composition/arranging work.
Music therapy: students should be prepared to discuss previous volunteer experience with children or adults with disabilities, illnesses, or special needs and will be assessed on functional music skills (e.g. guitar, piano).