Department of Music
Auditions
Students intending to major in music who complete an Entrance/Scholarship Audition will be considered for awards that range from $1,500 to $4,000. Students must fill out the appropriate application available below.
New Student Scholarship Auditions
On-Campus Auditions (deadline Jan. 26)
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Saturday, Feb. 3
Off-Campus Auditions (deadline Jan. 26)
- Friday, Feb. 9 at Anoka-Ramsey Community College
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Saturday, Feb. 10 at Normandale Community College
Returning Student Scholarship Auditions (deadline Jan. 26)
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Friday, Feb. 2 at St. Cloud State
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.
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.
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
Percussion
Demonstrate accomplishment on at least two of the areas listed below. Students may refer to the list of suggested solos and etudes at the bottom if suggestions are needed.
** MN MMEA All-State Audition Etudes also make excellent audition material.
Snare Drum
- Demonstrate control of basic musical elements including tempo, rhythm, dynamics, and tone.
- Concert or rudimental style
- Should include some combination of flams, ruffs/drags, accents, a variety of dynamics, and a variety of roll lengths.
- Student should be prepared to demonstrate basic reading skills by sight-playing a snare drum etude during the audition.
Mallet Instrument
- Demonstrate control of basic musical elements including tempo, rhythm, dynamics, and tone.
- Selection may utilize two or four mallets.
- Student should be prepared to demonstrate basic reading skills by sight-playing a two-mallet etude during the audition.
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 should be prepared to demonstrate ability to match pitches from a piano and place pitches on most suitable of the four drums.
Drum Set
- Demonstrate control of basic musical elements including tempo, rhythm, balance, and tone production through performance of drum set styles including a medium tempo swing, rock, funk, and any Latin styles including bossa nova, samba, mambo, and songo.
- The student should be prepared to demonstrate basic reading skills by sight-reading a drum set chart during the audition.
