Music Department - Audition Requirements

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Audition
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Graduation
Requirements

MUSIC

The Music Department prepares students with highly diverse musical backgrounds for successful college-level music study and professional careers. The curriculum is firmly rooted in the traditions of classical music and jazz, and is comprised of high-level private study, academic music courses, ensemble experience, and performance opportunities.

Requirements:

All Auditionees should be prepared to:

Discuss, though not necessarily sight-read, a piece of music they have never seen before
Discuss their history of training and music experience (lessons, orchestras, competitions, etc)
Discuss any knowledge of, or training in, music theory

Guitar
Guitarists should be prepared to:

Play and discuss level-appropriate chords and scales
Perform two classical guitar pieces, two jazz standards, or one of each

Percussion
Percussionists should be prepared to perform any two of the following:

Perform various drum set grooves, including jazz/swing, bossa nova, and rock/funk
Perform a level-appropriate snare drum piece and/or rudiments
Perform a level-appropriate vibraphone, marimba, or xylophone piece (highly recommended for incoming juniors)

Piano
Pianists should be prepared to:

Play and discuss level-appropriate chords and scales
Perform two contrasting pieces from the standard classical repertoire
Perform a jazz standard (optional)

Strings, Brass, and Winds
String, brass, and wind players should be prepared to:

Play and discuss level-appropriate scales
Perform an etude or technical study
Perform a solo piece from the standard classical repertoire
Perform a jazz standard (optional)

Voice
Singers should be prepared to perform any two of the following:

An art song or aria in English
An art song or aria in Italian, French, or German
A jazz standard

Note: Singers are not allowed to audition a capella. All singers must either bring sheet music for the accompanist (preferable) or a CD accompaniment without a vocal track. CDs with a preexisting vocal track are unacceptable.