Audition Day: What to Expect
A normal audition day begins at 8:30 and is finished at 2:00 pm. During the music audition, you will perform in your primary applied performance area and are evaluated for placement in Music Theory and Keyboard classes. You also take an Aural Skills assessment and a standardized Music Aptitude test. You will be guided through the day by a Flyer Friend, who will escort you to the different events of the day and answer your questions about UD. Other events during the day include an opportunity to meet music faculty in your area of interest, to learn more about the degree in which you are interested, as well as a campus tour. An informational session is also held for parents, with opportunities for questions about campus and academic life and financial aid.
The performance portion of your audition takes approximately fifteen minutes. Ample time to warm-up will be provided prior to your performance. As part of the audition process, you will be asked to take a simple sight singing and pitch matching test and a written theory diagnostic assessment. All students who audition are also required to take a standardized musical aptitude test during the audition. Since this is an aptitude test and not an achievement test, you cannot prepare for this test. It is meant only to assess your musical potential.
Degree-Specific Audition Requirements
Music Composition prospective students are required to:
- Participate in a 15-minute interview during the audition day with the degree program coordinator.
- Submit a portfolio (with recordings if possible) of all past composition/arranging work.
Music Education prospective students are required to:
- Write an essay (approximately 100 – 150 words) on the topic of why you want to be a music educator. E-mail your essay to the Coordinator of Music Education at least 1 week prior to the audition date.
- Participate in a 15-minute interview during audition day. The interview will be with at least one music education professor and will cover topics such as previous teaching experience, performing experience, career goals and expectations of an undergraduate music education degree program.
Music Performance prospective students are required to:
- Successfully demonstrate a high level of musical achievement in their audition.
- Meet with the degree coordinator in an interview, which will cover topics such as knowledge of the field and career goals and expectations for this program.
- Present contrasting style periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary - 20th/21st Centuries).
- BRASS/WOODWINDS: All major scales and chromatic scale (minimum 2 octaves if possible)
Three prepared pieces of contrasting styles (three standard orchestral excerpts may replace the third prepared composition) - GUITAR: Three contrasting pieces in a variety of styles, at a level no lower than Carcassi, op. 60
Two-octave major scales in any key.
Sight-reading must be competent in first and second positions with rhythms including sixteenth notes - PERCUSSION: All major scales
A solo or etude on snare drum, mallet percussion, and timpani - PIANO: Three memorized pieces of contrasting styles
- STRING: Any major scale through 5 sharps and 5 flats (minimum 2 octaves)
Any melodic minor scale through 5 sharps and 5 flats (minimum 2 octaves)
One movement of a piece written to be unaccompanied (bass students may replace this with three standard orchestral excerpts)
Another movement of contrasting style from a sonata or concerto - VOICE: Four memorized selections of contrasting styles demonstrating English and two other languages
- Read detailed information about requirements (docx) >>
Music Therapy prospective students are required to:
- Participate in a 15 – 20 minute interview during the audition day with the degree program coordinator. The interview will cover topics such as:
- Previous volunteer experience with children or adults with disabilities/illnesses
- Functional music skills (e.g. guitar, piano)
- Career goals
- Expectations of an undergraduate music therapy degree program