Audition and Portfolio Days

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.

• 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

In addition to other specific requirements above:

• 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)

In addition to audition requirements pertaining to their primary instrument, prospective 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).

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.

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 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 applicants must prepare a total of four memorized selections of contrasting styles demonstrating English and two other languages.
• Music therapy applicants have the option of accompanying themselves on piano or guitar for the contemporary or music theater selection (if they have chosen one).
• 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.

• 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.

Bring a portfolio of 6-10 artworks you’ve created in the past four years. You can also choose to bring digital images of works that are hard to transport (e.g. ceramics), large, or in multimedia format (e.g. video). 

If you don't have work to share, that’s fine. You’ll be given an opportunity to discuss your interests, goals and questions regarding the visual arts with faculty in a casual discussion format.