Requirements for the Music Arts Supplement
How to Submit Your Audition
Submit the Music Arts Supplement—consisting of the music questionnaire and audition videos—through the applicant status portal as part of your application process. After submitting your CWRU application, you will receive login credentials for the applicant portal. Use it to complete the Music Arts Supplement and track your application status. If you do not receive portal access within a few days, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
Purpose of the Supplement
Your submitted materials will be reviewed to determine eligibility for the Music (BA) or Music Education (BS) major, as well as performance-based scholarship opportunities, including the Performing Arts Scholarship and Arts Achievement Award.
Auditions must meet the specified requirements for your primary instrument or voice.
Students who pass the Music Arts Supplement may declare a major in Music (BA), regardless of the intended major listed on their initial application.
Optional Materials
You are welcome to include additional materials, such as performances on secondary instruments, original compositions, or traditional repertoire on non-Western instruments. Please note: These materials are optional and cannot substitute the required audition for your primary instrument or voice.
Before You Begin
Carefully review our Undergraduate Application Procedures and allow ample time to meet deadlines. The supplement is due 15 days after the application deadline and can be completed via your applicant portal.
Audition Preparation
When selecting repertoire for your audition, consider choosing works that reflect your artistic voice and perspective. This is an excellent opportunity to perform pieces by underrepresented composers or works that resonate with your cultural background, gender identity, or other aspects of personal expression.
To help you feel confident and prepared, explore our steps for Preparing Your Audition resource, which offers guidance on repertoire selection, performance expectations, and more.
Undergraduate Music Major Expectations
Students entering the music program are expected to demonstrate fundamental musical skills that support success in the curriculum, which is offered in collaboration with the Cleveland Institute of Music. These include:
- Reading music in treble and/or bass clef
- Identifying key signatures
- Performing major and minor scales
- Matching pitches vocally with those played on the piano
- Demonstrating strong performance skills, including technical proficiency, tone quality, and a clear understanding of musical style and interpretation
These foundational abilities ensure students are prepared for the academic and performance demands of the program.
Audition Requirements by Primary Instrument or Voice
Piano
- Prepare three works representing different periods
- All prepared pieces music be memorized
Examples of piano audition repertoire:
- One composition from the Baroque period (Bach prelude and/or fugue; Bach inventions/sinfonias; movements from suites of Bach, Couperin or Rameau; a Scarlatti sonata, etc.)
- A movement of a sonata from the Classical period (Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven) or other representative solo work
- A composition from the Romantic, Impressionist or Contemporary period
Organ
- Two selections from the standard organ literature in contrasting styles or periods that demonstrate the applicant’s musical and technical skills
- Memorization is not required
Violin and Viola
- 1 (3-octave) major scale
- 1 (3-octave) melodic minor scale
- Two contrasting movements from a solo Bach suite, sonata, partita or an equivalent solo work
- One movement of a standard concerto or other representative solo work
- Optional: Another piece selected by applicant
Cello
- 1 (2-octave) major scale
- 1 (2-octave) melodic minor scale
- Two contrasting movements (or pieces) from the concerto, sonata, or similar repertoire
- One or two movements from any of the Bach Cello Suites; or any comparable piece or movement
- Optional: Another piece selected by applicant
Double Bass
- 1 (2-octave) major scale
- 1 (2-octave) melodic minor scale
- Two contrasting movements (or pieces) from the concerto, sonata, or similar repertoire
- Optional: Another piece selected by applicant
Woodwinds and Brass
- 1 (2-octave) major scale
- 1 (2-octave) chromatic scale
- Prepare three pieces or movements of contrasting styles, demonstrating technique, musical sensitivity, range, tonal quality, articulations, and general musicianship
- Optional: Up to three orchestral excerpts selected by the applicant
- Saxophones: Applicants may play the above audition on alto, tenor, or baritone saxophone
Percussion
Demonstration of all three instruments required:
- Snare Drum: Solo or etude (i.e. Cirone, Delecluse, Peters, Pratt, Wilcoxon, etc.)
- Mallets: Both a 2 and 4 mallet solo either on the marimba, vibraphone or xylophone
- Timpani: Solo or etude (i.e. Carroll, Delecluse, Freise, Goodman, etc.)
- Drum set optional: Demonstrate two selections in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos
Note: Music Education applicants auditioning on campus must provide their own mallets and sticks.
Drum Set
- Prepare two selections in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos (which may include blues and rhythm changes) with your own improvisation
- A medium tempo selection or a ballad demonstrating the ability to perform with brushes
- Optional: Another piece selected by applicant (pop, rock, Bebop, jazz, funk, etc.)
Guitar
Classical
- Prepare two pieces of contrasting styles (the repertoire chosen must include a slow selection as well as a section that demonstrates the applicant's technical ability)
- Two major and minor scales and arpeggios selected by applicant
- Optional: Another piece selected by applicant from any style or an original song/composition
Jazz or Popular Music
- Prepare two pieces of contrasting styles (pop, rock, folk, Bebop, jazz, funk, urban, hip-hop, gospel, country, Latin) demonstrating your technical ability and artistic expression (explore your personalized interpretation of the melody, an improvised solo, and chord voicing/comping)
- Demonstrate knowledge of major and minor pentatonic scales
- Optional: Another piece selected by applicant from existing popular music repertoire or an original song/composition
Note: Original compositions are acceptable. If accompanied by other musicians, video audition files must be clearly focused on the applicant and the audio must be live (no digital enhancement or dubbing of the live audio is permitted). Applicants may also upload studio recordings or links to recorded performances as supplemental materials (not as a substitute for required audition materials).
Harp
- Prepare two solo works of contrasting style, preferably memorized
- A selection from Level III Warm-Up from “On Playing the Harp,” by Yolanda Kondonassis (published by Carl Fischer)
- One standard orchestral excerpt selected by applicant
Historical Performance Practice
Baroque Flute, Baroque Oboe, Baroque Violin, Baroque Cello, Viola da Gamba, Harpsichord, Fortepiano, Lute, Recorder
- Provide three works from an appropriate range of periods for the instrument or voice (two or three contrasting movements of a suite or sonata, a recitative and aria, etc.).
- Applicants may perform the pieces as a solo or in a small ensemble–if performing in an ensemble, applicants should be featured, identified and clearly visible throughout the audition video.
Note: Candidates will be evaluated by the Historical Perf Prac faculty for suitability based on their command of various national idioms, ornamentation styles, and other aspects of historical performance, as well as the overall level of artistry, and academic potential.
Voice
Classical Styles
- Prepare three vocal solo selections. These songs should represent contrasting styles chosen from genres such as 17th and 18th-century songs, early Italian art songs, 19th and 20th-century art songs, and folk songs.
- All selections may be sung in English, although applicants are encouraged to perform at least one selection in a foreign language.
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to memorize their audition repertoire.
- Video audition files must be clearly focused on the applicant and the audio must be live. No digital enhancement (i.e. reverb, echo, pitch correction, etc.) or dubbing of the audio is permitted.
- Vocalists must perform with keyboard accompaniment. Live accompaniment is preferred, but recordings made with live accompaniment will be accepted.
Note: Because the vocal instrument for applicants auditioning at the pre-college level is usually in the early stages of growth and development, the particular selections presented in this audition are primarily evaluated based on how well they demonstrate the following: vocal freedom, pleasantness, and naturalness of tone quality, production technique, and expressive musicianship. Applicants are encouraged to select repertoire that is comfortably within their technical abilities. Previous musical experiences, such as choral singing, are highly beneficial, and prior study on an instrument, especially piano, is desirable.
Popular Styles
- Prepare three vocal solo selections. These songs should represent contrasting styles chosen from genres such as contemporary pop/rock, jazz, and musical theater.
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to memorize their audition repertoire.
- Video audition files must be clearly focused on the applicant and the audio must be live. No digital enhancement (i.e. reverb, echo, pitch correction, etc.) or dubbing of the audio is permitted.
- Vocalists must perform with accompaniment, as appropriate, and applicants may accompany themselves on another instrument (i.e. guitar or keyboard).
- Optional: Applicants may also upload studio recordings or links to recorded performances as supplemental materials (not as a substitute for required audition materials)
Note: Selections presented in the audition should show evidence of healthy vocal production techniques and expressive musicianship. Applicants are encouraged to select repertoire that is comfortably within their technical abilities. Previous musical experiences in group or solo settings are highly beneficial, and prior study or coaching is desirable.