The Music Arts Supplement (portfolio in the area of music) is submitted via the applicant status portal during the application process. All materials are evaluated for the music major and music scholarship and must be submitted in fulfillment of the audition requirements on the primary instrument or voice. Submissions on secondary instruments, original compositions, or traditional repertoire on non-western instruments are optional and are not accepted as a substitution.
Before you begin...
Review our Undergraduate Application Procedures carefully and allow enough time to meet the established deadlines.
Keep these tips in mind as you prepare your audition.
Audition Requirements by Primary Instrument or Voice
Piano
Prepare 3 works representing different periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th or 21st century):
- One must be from a Classical Sonata
- All prepared pieces must be memorized
Examples of piano audition repertoire:
- An original work by J.S. Bach containing a fugue
- Two contrasting movements from a Classical Sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, etc.
- One Chopin étude; or a similar virtuosic work or movement
- A Romantic OR 20th century work
Organ
Prepare 3 works from contrasting historical periods (pre-Classical, preferably a work by Johann Sebastian Bach, Romantic, and Contemporary) and style (balancing virtuosic works with at least one expressive piece).
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 and 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
- One or two movements from any of the Bach Cello Suites; or any comparable piece or movement
- Optional: Another piece selected by applicant
Woodwinds and Brass
- 1 (2-octave) major scale
- 1 (2-octave) chromatic scale
- Prepare 3 contrasting pieces or movements of pieces (one may be an etude) demonstrating technique, musical sensitivity, range, tonal quality, articulations, and general musicianship
- Optional: Another piece selected by applicant
Percussion
(Note: Drum Set specialists, please follow the guidelines listed under Drum Set)
Demonstration of all three instruments required:
- Snare Drum: Solo or étude (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 étude (i.e. Carroll, Delecluse, Freise, Goodman, etc.)
- Drum set optional: Demonstrate 2 selections (one must be a ballad) in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos
Music Education Applicants auditioning on campus must provide their own mallets and sticks.
Drum Set
- Prepare 2 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 2 pieces of contrasting styles (the repertoire chosen must include a slow selection as well as a section that demonstrates the applicant's technical ability)
- 2 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 2 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
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 2 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
(e.g. Baroque Violin, Baroque Cello, Lute, Harpsichord, Baroque Oboe, Voice, Historical Keyboard, etc.)
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Applicants should provide 3 works from an appropriate range of periods for the instrument/voice. 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.
Works: e.g. two or three contrasting movements of a suite or sonata, a recitative and aria, etc.
Candidates will be evaluated by the HPP 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 3 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, although sheet music may be used if needed.
- Because the vocal instrument for applicants auditioning at the freshman level is usually in the elementary stages of growth and development, the particular selections presented in this audition are primarily important in how well they show evidence of 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 extremely beneficial and previous study on an instrument, especially piano, is desirable.
- Video audition files must be clearly focused on the applicant and the audio must be live. No digital enhancement or dubbing of the audio is permitted.
- Vocalists must perform with keyboard accompaniment. Live accompaniment is preferred (recordings made with live accompaniment accepted).
Popular Styles
Prepare 3 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, although sheet music may be used if needed.
- 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 appropriate for their technical abilities. Previous musical experiences in group or solo settings are beneficial and previous study or coaching is desirable.
- 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 live 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)