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Music Auditions

All prospective music majors and minors must pass an entrance audition in order to be admitted into the program.

Students may also be considered for a Music Scholarship at the time of the entrance audition. (Because Scholarship funds are limited, students are encouraged to try to schedule their auditions early.) 

Auditions consist of a performance (requirements under Audition Requirements below), a brief interview, and online musicianship assessment.

Audition Dates

Auditions are scheduled on the following dates.    

  • Saturday, November 9, 2024 (online musicianship assessment: 11/2)
  • Saturday, February 22, 2025 (online musicianship assessment: 2/15)
  • Saturday, March 22, 2025 (online musicianship assessment: 3/15)
  • Saturday, April 26, 2025 (online musicianship assessment: 4/19)
  • Saturday, May 17, 2025 (online musicianship assessment: 5/10)

Music Audition Application Form 

*Please note:  The deadline for application is 8 days prior to each audition date (5:00 PM).

Students who live more than 200 miles from campus may be allowed to audition by video recording. If this applies to you, please contact Dr. Michiko Otaki.  

Audition Requirements

Voice

Singers interested in auditioning for admission as a music student or for a Spivey Scholarship should prepare two contrasting songs, memorized. The songs should demonstrate your ability to produce a healthy vocal sound and to communicate clearly. It is not necessary to audition with a song in a language other than English, but singers are welcome to do so if they wish; however, at least one of the songs should be in English. No recorded accompaniment is allowed.  Copies of the music for our staff accompanist must be received by us by one week before the audition date.

Singers are asked to prepare an art song or other piece in a classical singing style for at least one selection. (An American standard or concert folksong arrangement may be substituted for a second classical piece.) Choral parts and vernacular commercial music styles (including rock, gospel, contemporary Christian or country) are not acceptable audition selections. There are many sources of appropriate audition repertoire and singers studying privately are encouraged to consult with their teachers, but the anthologies on the following list (many of which are sold in the CSU Bookstore) are composed of repertoire highly suitable for audition material for prospective students. Singers also will be asked to perform some sight singing and aural skills exercises at the audition.

Boytim, Joan Frey, ed. The First Book of [Soprano; Mezzo-Soprano/Alto; Tenor; Baritone/Bass] Solos. 4 volumes. New York: G. Schirmer, 1991.

Boytim, Joan Frey, ed. The First Book of [Soprano; Mezzo-Soprano/Alto; Tenor; Baritone/Bass] Solos, Part II. 4 volumes. New York: G. Schirmer, 1993.

Paton, John Glenn, ed. 26 Italian Songs and Arias. 2 volumes: Medium-High and Medium-Low. Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1991.

Quilter, Roger, arr. Arnold Book of Old Songs. London: Boosey & Hawkes, 1921.

Piano

Pianists should prepare all major and minor (harmonic and melodic) scales, hands together, 2 octaves.  Minimum tempo of metronome marking 100 per every 4 notes. 

Perform two from the following three.  All pieces must be played from memory.  Inappropriate repertoire may result in an unsuccessful audition result.  Please inform Dr. Otaki of your audition pieces in advance if you are unsure.

  • A 2-part Invention, 3 part-Invention (Sinfonia), or a Prelude and Fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach
  • One movement of a sonata (not a sonatina) by F.J. Haydn, W.A. Mozart, or L.v. Beethoven. If you choose a short sonata by Haydn, you will be required to play all movements of the sonata. Please check with Dr. Otaki if you are unsure. 
  • A Romantic, Impressionistic, or 20th century piece from the standard classical piano solo concert repertoire

In addition, you will also be asked to sight-read a short piece.

Instrumental

Instrumentalists should be able to play all major scales from memory. You will also be asked to sightread. Woodwind, brass and string players should prepare two selections of contrasting style. Percussionists should play one piece each on timpani, snare drum, and a mallet instrument. Guitarists should play at least one classical piece; the other piece may be a jazz standard (finger style). 

Please contact Dr. Michiko Otaki to request additional information about auditions, scholarships, or admission into the music program.