Music Audition Requirements

Piano

Three contrasting works from the standard piano literature, such as:

a piece from the Baroque Period (Bach, Handel, or Scarlatti)
a sonata movement from the Classical or Romantic Periods, and
an additional piece of the applicants choice

Organ

Scales for pedal and manual
Bach Prelude and Fugue
Movement from a sonata by Mendelssohn, Widor, or Vierne
Short composition of the applicants choice

Violin, Viola & Cello

An etude from etude books appropriate for each instrument such as Fiorillo, Kreutzer, Dont, Rode, Mazas, Kayser, Popper, etc.
Two contrasting works from two different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or 20th Century) of the standard solo repertoire. These can include entire works or individual movements from major concerti, sonatas, or suites.
Two or three octave scales may be requestes at the audition.

Memory of audition materials and use of accompanist in the audition are optional.

Double Bass

1-2 Octave Major and Minor Scales
An etude from Simandl's "30 Studies for the Development of Tone" or a book of comparable difficulty
1-2 contrasting works from the standard solo double bass repertoire such as a Baroque sonata, a concerto, or solos of equal difficulty.

Memory of audition materials and use of accompanist in the audition are optional.

Guitar

The audition for the guitar studio is an overall evaluation. Most applicants are not equally strong in all areas; in some cases, a deficiency in one area may be mitigated by excelling in another.

Sight reading

Fluency in basic sight reading skills is required, and is possibly the most important element of the audition. With hard work, an acceptable level of sight reading ability can be achieved in a matter of a few months. Recommended Preparation: Leavitt, Wm., A Modern Method for Guitar, Berklee Series, Vol. 1 (Milwaukee: Hal Leonard Publications). pp.4-59.

Scales

Movable Major scale patterns, any key. Useful fingerings may be found in Berklee, Vol.1 (pp. 60, 70, 80, 90, 100); the “3 notes per string” system; or the Segovia Diatonic Major and Minor Scales (Belwin Mills Publishing Co.)

Chord vocabulary

Ability to play chords to a jazz tune, in tempo, from a lead sheet or jazz fakebook, is required. Two fingerings (i.e., “shapes”) for: major 7th, dominant 7th, minor 7th, and diminished 7th chords. Knowledge of chord symbols (e.g., “Dm7, G7,” etc) is required.

Improvisation

Improvisation on a blues or jazz standard of your choice. For this, play-along CDs, such as the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Aids series, are highly recommended and can be mailed to you through Volkwein's Music (Pittsburgh: 1-800-553-8742; 412-788-5900) or purchased locally at Kleeb's Music in the Morgantown Mall Annex (304-296-2589). Recommended: “Nothin’ But Blues” or “Blues in All Keys.”

Solo pieces

Two pieces for solo guitar, in contrasting style. Pieces from the classical repertoire or jazz standards are preferred. NOT acceptable: any piece which is not complete in itself, or not meant for guitar alone, such as an accompaniment for voice or any other instrument; part of an arrangement for a band; or supported by another instrument (e.g., bass, piano, or another guitar).

Woodwinds

All major scales over the full range of the instrument
Chromatic scale slurred over the full range of the instrument
Two contrasting works from the standard solo repertoire. These can include entire pieces or individual movements from significant concerti or sonatas. One work may be a concert etude composed for the instrument. Piano accompaniment is not necessary.

Brass

Brass applicants should prepare two contrasting works from the standard solo repertoire. These may be single movements from a concerto or sonata. Piano accompaniment is not required.

Applicants should also prepare at least one etude. Applicants for the performance major are encouraged to prepare anything else that might strengthen their audition (such as prepared orchestral excerpts, etc.

Percussion

Snare drum - medium to advanced rudimental solo/etude, medium to advanced concert solo/etude, open and closed rolls to be performed, selected rudiments to be performed, sight reading
Keyboard percussion - all major scales and arpeggios, medium to advanced 2 mallet solo/etude in a classical or contemporary style, sight reading, *4 mallet solo/etude in a classical or contemporary style (*suggested, but not required)
Timpani - medium 4 drum solo/etude. Tuning within the piece is not required. Drum tuning will be asked apart from the etude/solo.

Voice

A minimum of three songs from the standard art song repertoire including:

At least one song in French, German or Italian
At least one song in English
One Song of applicants choice which may be a musical theatre piece

All songs should be sung from memory. Bring a copy of the music for the accompanist.

Composition

One or more scores (on paper) of your composition in hand notation or computer notation. A representative group of pieces in different styles and genres is preferred.
Bring cassette or CD recordings if available. If you do not have your music written down, and audition performance, tape of performance, or a computer disk with a MIDI file for playback in either Vision or Finale 2 or 3 is acceptable.
Testing of pitch matching, sightreading (treble & bass clefs), and ability to write down what you hear (melodic dictation) should be expected.

It is advisable that composition students have some background in piano.

Jazz

The Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies requires a classical audition as well as a jazz audition/interview.
Applicants are required to sight-read both musical notation and chord changes. Jazz applicants should be prepared to play common jazz scale forms and improvise in a number of jazz and contemporary styles. In addition, applicants may choose additional music that best reflects their technical ability, overall musicianship, and musical interests. The applicantshould demonstrate their versatility and creativity.
Other supporting materials in the jazz audition could include, but is not limited to, examples of compositions and arrangements, and demonstration of other jazz-related abilities such as "lead-playing," and doubling.

Piano Placement Exam

A piano placement examination will be administered during auditions. All vocal and instrumental majors who have piano background should be prepared to play material representative of their current repertoire. In order to meet graduation requirements, all students are expected to demonstrate a functional keyboard proficiency in sight reading and harmonization.