Requirements

Students will be asked to perform:

• - 2 pieces in any popular style, preferably a jazz transcription for at least 1 selection
• - ​Two-octave major and minor scales
• - Walking bass lines over chord changes (e.g. blues, rhythm changes, or standard jazz tunes)
• - Sight reading

Students will be asked to perform:

• - 2 pieces, preferably 1 in a classical style and the other in any style (preferably jazz)
• - A short, improvised solo over a pre-recorded track (*optional)
• - Scales
• - Chord changes
• - Sight reading

Students will be asked to perform, if possible:

• - 1 piece on keyboards (marimba, xylophone, or vibes) 
• - 1 piece on timpani
• - 1 piece on snare drum (concert or corps style)
• - Drum set demonstration of various style (*optional)
• - Sight reading on snare drum
• - Sight reading on a percussion keyboard instrument

Students are required to perform all audition repertoire from memory. All other piano candidates are required to perform at least one piece from memory. Pianists interested in the commercial music degree will perform one classical piece and one jazz/commercial selection; they will also be asked to improvise.

• - Technique: All major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios, four octaves, hands together, from memory. Sight-reading.
• - Repertoire: At least two classical pieces in contrasting styles, selected from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Twentieth Century repertoire.

Students will be asked to perform:

• - 1–2 pieces selected from the classical repertoire
• - Three-octave major and minor scales
• - Sight reading

Depending on your prospective degree program, students will be asked to perform:

• - Vocal Performance: Sing 2 memorized songs from the classical repertoire. At least 1 song must be in a foreign language.
• - Music Education: Sing 2 memorized songs from the classical repertoire. 1 foreign language song is recommended.
• - Commercial Music: Sing 2 memorized songs, 1 from the classical repertoire and 1 in a jazz or pop style.
• - Music Business (B.M.): Sing 2 memorized songs in contrasting styles. Only 1 song may be in a jazz or pop style.
• - Bachelor of Arts in Music: Sing 2 memorized songs in contrasting styles. Only 1 song may be in a jazz or pop style.
• - Music Minor or Ensemble Participation: Sing 2 memorized songs in contrasting styles. Only 1 song may be in a jazz or pop style.

All prospective students, regardless of degree program, will be asked to perform:

• - Major and minor scales
• - Rhythm reading (duple and triple division)
• - Tonal memory exercises
• - Sight reading

Students will be asked to perform:

• - 1–2 contrasting pieces from the classical repertoire; All-State/District audition etudes are acceptable
• - A short demonstration of jazz improvisation* (*optional for students with jazz improvisation skills)
• - 3 or more major and/or minor scales
• - Chromatic scale (full range)
• - Sight reading

*Suggested play-alongs or pre-recorded tracks include Hal Leonard’s “The Real Book” or the Jamey Aebersold series.