Audition and Portfolio Requirements

Applicants should prepare approximately 15 minutes of music for their audition that showcase their technical and musical abilities.  A live audition is preferred. Auditions through video recordings are accepted via these guidelines.

Composition

Area Coordinator, Dr. Pablo Furman

Portfolio and Interview:

• Submit a portfolio high-quality scores and accompanying audio recordings of least three original compositions for any instrumental combination.  Works may include electronics, and two works should include live instruments.
• Interview with the composition faculty discussing three to five works from the modern repertory. The purpose of this interview is to demonstrate your familiarity with the modern repertory of Western art music, knowledge of the salient features of these works, and the applicant’s opinions about them.

Choral Conducting

Area Coordinator, Dr. Jeffrey Benson

Portfolio, Audition, and Interview

• Portfolio:
  
  • Repertory list of works the applicant has studied, has previously conducted, and is prepared to conduct demonstrating familiarity with a substantial repertory of music, mastery of conducting techniques beyond the training level, and a minimum of two years of teaching experience
  • Video of the applicant conducting either a rehearsal or performance with the candidate’s face and hands to the camera.  For those applicants who do not regularly conduct a large choir, a smaller group may be used.
  • Audio recording of a performance conducted by the applicant.
• Ten-minute live conducting audition with the Concert Choir or other appropriate performing group
• Interview with conducting faculty

Instrumental Conducting

Area Coordinator, Dr. Edward C. Harris

Portfolio, Audition, and Interview

• Portfolio:
• Repertory list of works the applicant has studied, has previously conducted, and is prepared to conduct demonstrating familiarity with a substantial repertory of music, mastery of conducting techniques beyond the training level, and a minimum of two years of teaching experience
• Video recording of the applicant conducting either a rehearsal or performance with the candidate’s face and hands to the camera.  For those applicants who do not regularly conduct a large ensemble, a smaller chamber group may be used.
• Sudio recording of a performance conducted by the applicant.

• Ten-minute live conducting audition with the Wind Ensemble or other appropriate performing group
• Interview with conducting faculty

Instrumental Performance

Woodwinds Area Coordinator, Dr. Janet Averett

Brass Area Coordinator, Dr. Kathryn Adduci

Strings Area Coordinator, Prof. Bruce Moyer

Guitar Area Coordinator, Prof. Steven Lin

Percussion Area Coordinator, Prof. Galen Lemmon

Audition

• A work from the standard literature demonstrating your skill, musicianship, and proficiency
• A standard étude for your instrument
• A major orchestral excerpt.
• All major and minor scales, the chromatic scale, and arpeggios in the extended ranges appropriate to your instrument.

For information on specific requirements for your instrument, please contact the appropriate area coordinator above.

Jazz Studies

Area Coordinator, Dr. Aaron Lington

Audition

An audition of three selections on your primary instrument.

• “All the Things You Are”
• Ballad of your choice
• Up-tempo selection of your choice

Keyboard Studies

Area Coordinator, Dr. Gwendolyn Mok

Audition

A multi-era program performed from memory to include:

• A multi-movement work by J. S. Bach, such as the Partitas, the English and French Suites, the Italian Concerto or the Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue.
• A complete sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert
• A large-scale work by Schubert (e.g. Impromptus, Moments Musicaux), Chopin (e.g. Ballades, Scherzi, Polonaises, Sonatas) or Brahms (e.g. op. 79, 116, 117, 118, 119)
• A contemporary work written after 1920.

Music Education

Area Coordinator, Dr. Diana Hollinger

Portfolio and Interview

• Portfolio:
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Undergraduate term paper or project on an education topic
• Video of a teaching episode.
• Interview with the Area Coordinator

Music History

Area Coordinator, Dr. Gordon Haramaki

Portfolio

• Submit two undergraduate term papers in music analysis between 10-30 pages in length that demonstrate writing ability, skills as a researcher, an critical and original thinking.

Music Systems/Theory

Area Coordinator, Dr. Brian Belet

Portfolio

• Submit two undergraduate term papers in music analysis between 10-30 pages in length that demonstrate writing ability, skills as a researcher, an critical and original thinking.

Vocal Performance

Area Coordinator, Prof. Layna Chianakas

Audition

• Five selections in a variety of styles and languages.
• Current curriculum vitae and repertory list of songs and arias performed.
• Applicants may be asked to demonstrate their fluency in reading appropriate to their participation in Opera Theater.