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.
Scholarship Application Deadline: Feb. 20 (for new and returning students)
STEP ONE: Apply to St. Cloud State University
New and transfer students should complete the application to the St. Cloud State University at https://www.stcloudstate.edu/scsu4u/admissions/default.aspx. Note the priority deadline of March 1 for new students and March 15 for transfer students which qualify you all academic scholarships.
STEP TWO: Complete the Huskies Scholarship Application
Once admitted, complete the Huskies Scholarships Application. You will need an activated STAR ID to access this system. First, complete the general scholarship application and then search for and apply to individual music scholarship by clicking “Opportunities” in the drop down menu click “Ours” and a keyword search for Music/Concentration. Apply to ALL of those for which you qualify.
STEP THREE: Audition
Create an account and submit recordings through the Acceptd portal linked above. Use the "What to play for your audition" listing below to select appropriate music for your audition.
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.
What to play for your audition
Choose voice or the appropriate instrument below for information about what to prepare for a successful audition.
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
David Swenson Foundation Scholarship in Percussion Audition Requirements
Dr. Terry Vermillion, Professor- Demonstrate accomplishment on at least two of the areas listed below. If you do not have access to percussion instruments normally available, you will not be disqualified.
- During this COVID-19 pandemic period we recognize that many talented percussionists may not have access to a complete set of percussion instruments. Percussionists are encouraged to seek the assistance of their director in arranging practice and recording time on whatever instruments they may not have at home. If it is not possible to arrange access to instruments you do not have at home, we encourage you to complete an audition video with whatever instruments you have access to. Many talented percussionists also demonstrate proficiency on a secondary instrument including piano, guitar, bass, or a wind instrument.
- 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.
- The David Swenson Foundation Scholarship is awarded to percussionists majoring in music. The award totals $20,000 paid out over four years. Degrees in music include Bachelor of Science in Music Education, Bachelor of Music in Performance, Bachelor of Arts in Composition, and the Bachelor of Arts in Music which makes an excellent degree for those interested in a double major. Many students double major in business, psychology, engineering, among others.
- Percussionists have opportunity to perform in the Wind Ensemble, Husky Sports Band, Husky Drumline, and the Contemporary Music Community performance opportunities for percussionists include the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, Great River Chorale, and GREAT Theater, among others.
- The percussion studio has four dedicated practice rooms with 5.0, 4.6, and 4.3 Malletech marimbas, Malletech xylophone, Yamaha vibes, Yamaha and Gretsch drum sets, Ludwig and Yamaha timpani, a large variety of Brazilian and Cuban hand drums, and large variety of percussion. Two of the percussion practice rooms are equipped for recording projects including a Yamaha EAD10, Yamaha mg10xu, M-audio Air 192-4 audio interface, EAD and AT 2020 mics, Novation Bass synth, Boss Loop Station, and Mac computers.
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
