Audition Guidelines

Brass, Woodwind, String Auditions

Music majors and non-music majors should perform approximately 5-10 minutes of music to include:

1. A technical excerpt and
2. A melodic or lyrical excerpt

Excerpts may be taken from a solo or etude, such as a piece from the UIL contest list, UIL Region etudes or a piece of similar difficulty.

Percussion Auditions

Prospective majors should perform works for timpani, snare, and keyboard percussion. Prospective non-majors should perform 5-10 minutes of music and include at least two of the listed instruments.

Piano Auditions

Piano majors will be expected to perform in at least two of the following categories:

1. Any work of J. S. Bach or D. Scarlatti
2. Any sonata movement of Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven
3. A composition of the Romantic period (Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, etc.)
4. An Impressionist or Contemporary composition

Vocal Auditions

Voice majors will be expected to perform in at least two of the following categories (non-majors may choose to perform in only one category):

1. A solo from the UIL list
2. An art song from the Baroque, Classic, or Romantic era in a foreign language
3. A contemporary art song in English
4. Aria from an operetta, oratorio or opera in either the original language or a translation

Vocal auditions also consist of scales and sight-reading. An accompanist is provided for all vocal auditions.

Scholarship Awarding Criteria

We recommend that you choose audition material that best represents your playing abilities. Criteria for awarding scholarships are as follows:

1. Demonstrated performance skill of the student
2. Instrumental needs of the department
3. Available funds