Department of Music

Auditions

Students intending to major in music who complete a Scholarship Audition will be considered for awards that range from $1,500 to $5,000. Music minors and non-music majors are also encouraged to audition, and those who qualify will be considered for performance awards to participate in Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, or Contemporary Music Ensemble.

Scholarship Application Deadline: March 15, 2024 (for new students*)

*Students who are returning to SCSU in 2024-2025 will audition live on Friday, February 23, 2024 and should complete STEP TWO below and speak with their SCSU applied lesson instructor or ensemble director for the audition application link. Returning students do not need to apply through Acceptd.

STEP ONE: Apply to St. Cloud State University

New and transfer students should complete the application to St. Cloud State University at https://www.stcloudstate.edu/admissions

STEP TWO: Complete the Huskies Scholarship Application

Once admitted to St. Cloud State, you will activate your StarID to access and complete the general Huskies Scholarship application for music at https://www.stcloudstate.edu/huskiesscholarships

Your answers on this general application will automatically match you to all music scholarships for which you qualify. (Auto match does not guarantee an award.)

STEP THREE: Audition

All scholarship applicants must complete the Acceptd online application, accessed via the red portal below. Once in Acceptd, start by choosing a degree and program from the dropdown menus on the left. Those wishing to submit a video audition must do so by the deadline of March 15, 2024. An alternative option for live auditions will be held on Feb. 29, 2024 and may be scheduled by calling (320) 308-3223 or emailing music@stcloudstate.edu no later than Feb. 23, at which time you will be given a specific audition time and schedule for the day on February 29.

ACCEPTD SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

STEP FOUR: Accept awards

A scholarship offer will come to you in two forms: a letter from the Music Department at St. Cloud State University and a notification from Huskies Scholarships. The letter will outline your award amount, provisions of award and deadline to accept. The Huskies Scholarships’ notification will direct you through the steps to accept your scholarship.

Important Dates

Friday, February 23	Deadline to request in-person audition (freshman & transfer) Returning Student Audition Day
Thursday, February 29	New & Transfer Student Audition & Campus Visit Day
Friday, March 15	Deadline to submit video auditions on Acceptd website
Monday, April 15	Scholarship notifications sent by email and mail
Wednesday, May 15	Deadline to accept scholarship awards on Huskies Scholarship Site

What to play for your audition

Choose voice or the appropriate instrument below for information about what to prepare for a successful audition.

If you have further questions about the application process, please contact Dr. Catharine Bushman, Interim Chair at music@stcloudstate.edu.

Voice

Students auditioning for admission will perform one selection from memory, to be prepared from standard classical vocal repertoire. Students auditioning for scholarships are asked to sing a second piece of contrasting style.
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:
Songs Through the Centuries, Carl Fischer
24 Italian Songs and Arias, G. Schirmer
26 Italian Songs and Arias, Alfred
28 Italian Songs and Arias, G. Schirmer
The First Book of Soprano/Mezzo/Tenor/Baritone Solos, G. Schirmer
Students may be asked to demonstrate range, agility, intonation and tone quality through a series of vocalizes.
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.

Brass, Woodwind and Strings

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 and chromatic 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.

Guitar

Prepare two pieces of literature that contrast in tempo and style. One piece must be memorized.
Prepare all major and minor scales (Segovia fingering preferred).
Students will also be asked to sight-play at an appropriate level, demonstrating steady tempo, accurate rhythm, and musicianship.

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

Contemporary / Jazz Guitar

You must be able to read music (both notation and chord changes), have a strong concept of the guitarists’ role within the rhythm section, and demonstrate the various tones appropriate to contemporary and jazz musical styles including straight ahead jazz, Afro-Latin, funk, and rock. Your audition should include a melodic example and a comping example that demonstrates your ability to perform in the various musical styles mentioned above. The audition should contain approximately 4 minutes of music. Ability to improvise a solo is not mandatory, but is preferred.

Students without the recommended musical skills may seek remedial coursework in music to increase your reading and playing ability. MUSM 100 and applied lessons are available to any student and can be a great way to jump your music study at SCSU.

Contemporary / Jazz Bass

You must be able to read music (both notation and chord changes), have a strong concept of the bass guitarists’ role within the rhythm section, and demonstrate the various tones appropriate to contemporary and jazz musical styles. Your audition should contain approximately 4 minutes of music that includes a straight ahead jazz walking bass line, a funky bass line, and an Afro-Latin bass line. Your audition should demonstrate impeccable time, knowledge of style, great tone, and confident playing. We’re looking for great rhythm section playing, not solo bass etudes.

David Swenson Foundation Scholarship in Percussion Audition Requirements

The mission of the David Swenson Foundation Scholarship is to support the educational journey of students passionate about the percussive arts and is awarded to percussionists majoring in music. The award totals $20,000 paid out over four years.
SCSU offers degrees in music including the Bachelor of Science in Music Education for those passionate about teaching in the public schools, the Bachelor of Music in Performance for those passionate about professional music and teaching, and the Bachelor of Arts in Music for those passionate about a variety of careers connected to the field of music.
The audition demonstrates accomplishment on at least two of the areas listed below.
Although NOT required, many scholarship-worthy percussionists also demonstrate accomplishment on a secondary instrument including piano, guitar, bass, or a wind instrument during their audition.
If a student needs suggestions for audition material, the following list if provided only as a suggestion and is not required. MN MMEA All-State Audition Etudes also make excellent audition material.
Percussionists have opportunity to perform in the Wind Ensemble, Husky Sports Band, Husky Drumline, and the Contemporary Music Ensemble.
Professional performance opportunities for percussionists in St. Cloud include the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, Great River Chorale, and GREAT Theater, among others.
St. Cloud State is close enough to the Twin Cities that many scholarship recipients have participated in MN Brass and RCR Drum Corps to augment their educational experience.
The percussion studio has four dedicated practice rooms with one Concert Grand 5.0, one Stiletto 5.0, 4.6, and 4.3 Malletech rosewood marimbas, Malletech rosewood xylophone, Yamaha/Musser/Marimba One vibes, Yamaha and Gretsch drum sets, Ludwig/Yamaha/Goodman timpani, a large variety of Brazilian and Cuban hand drums, and large variety of other concert percussion. Two of the percussion practice rooms are equipped for recording projects including a Yamaha EAD10, Zoom 8 channel interface/mixer, M-audio Air 192-4 audio interface, CAD and AT 2020 mics, Novation Bass synth, Boss Loop Station, and Mac computers.

If you have additional questions about the David Swenson Foundation Scholarship or Percussion Studies at SCSU, please contact Dr. Terry Vermillion at tvermillion@stcloudstate.edu or phone (320) 323-3223.

Snare Drum

Demonstrate control of basic musical elements including tempo, rhythm, dynamics, and tone.
Student’s choice of concert or rudimental style
Should include flams, ruffs/drags, accents, a variety of dynamics, and a variety of roll lengths.

Keyboard Percussion

Demonstrate control of basic musical elements including tempo, rhythm, dynamics, and tone.
Student’s choice of two or four mallets.

Timpani

Demonstrate control of basic musical elements including intonation, tempo, rhythm, dynamics, and tone.
Should include a variety of rolls and dynamics and include at least one pitch change.
Student’s choice of 2, 3, or 4 drum selection.

Drum Set

Demonstrate control of basic musical elements including tempo, rhythm, balance, and tone production through performance of drum set styles including:
- Medium tempo swing
- Rock
- Funk
- Student’s choice of Latin styles including bossa nova, samba, mambo, and songo

Suggested Audition Repertoire

Please see the list of suggested percussion audition pieces here.

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