Skip global navigation
St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Department of Music St. Cloud State University

Audition Requirements
   
   

 

Brass, Woodwind and Strings

  • The Department of Music prepares students for careers in music and offers diverse musical experiences to all, enriching the musical fabric of our university and community, regionally and globally.Prepare two works or movements from standard solo or etude literature that contrast in tempo, style, and/or articulation. For all auditions, an accompanist is encouraged, but not required.
  • All students will perform major scales, ascending and descending. Specific scale requirements for each instrument are available by instrument type: Brass, Percussion, Piano, Strings, Voice or Woodwind.
  • Students will also be asked to sight-play at an appropriate level, demonstrating correct articulation, rhythm, intonation, tone and musicianship.

Percussion

Students should demonstrate abilities on snare drum and a mallet keyboard instrument.

Snare Drum

  • Prepare one etude or solo that demonstrates control of tempo, rhythm, dynamics, and tone.
  • Play the following rudiments in an open-closed-open (slow-fast-slow) manner:
    • Alternating single strokes
    • Double bounce (open) roll
    • Paradiddle
    • Buzz (closed) roll
  • Sight play a simple snare drum etude.

Mallet Keyboard Instrument (marimba, xylophone or vibraphone)

  • Prepare an etude or solo that demonstrates control of tempo, rhythm, dynamics, and tone.
  • Play the following major scales one octave: C, G, D, E, F, Bb, Eb, Ab
  • Sight play a simple mallet keyboard etude.
Drum Set
  • Students seeking applied instruction on drum set must demonstrate basic stick control and rhythmic understanding. Basic stick control should be demonstrated by playing the following rudiments in a slow-fast-slow manner:
    • Single strokes
    • Double strokes
    • Paradiddles
  • Basic understanding of rhythm should be demonstrated by sight playing a simple snare drum etude of the professor's choice.

Voice

  • Perform one selection from memory, to be prepared from standard classical vocal repertoire.
  • An accompanist and a brief rehearsal with the accompanist will be provided prior to your audition time.
  • Appropriate audition repertoire may be chosen from the following anthologies.
    • The Young Singer, R.D. Row
    • Songs Through the Centuries, Carl Fischer
    • Folk Songs for Solo Singers, Alfred
    • The Arnold Book of Old Songs, Roger Quilter
    • 24 Italian Songs and Arias, G. Schirmer
    • 26 Italian Songs and Arias, Alfred
  • Students will be asked to demonstrate range, agility, intonation and tone quality through a series of vocalises.
  • Students will interview with the voice faculty to determine the student's musical background and music reading ability.
  • All students must demonstrate the ability to read music to be eligible for acceptance into a private studio.

Piano

  • Prepare two pieces of literature that contrast in tempo and style. One piece must be memorized.
  • Prepare all major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios, hands together, 2 octaves, with correct fingerings.
  • Students will also be asked to sight-play at an appropriate level, demonstrating steady tempo, accurate rhythm, pedaling and musicianship.

All students must successfully complete an audition to be accepted into any private studio or undergraduate degree program.