Music, Theatre, and Dance: New Students / Auditions

All Undergraduate/Transfer/Graduate Students

Acceptance by the University is required before an audition can be scheduled. See below for procedures, scholarship deadlines, and 2012-2013 audition dates.

• Apply to University. (click “Admissions” for further information).
• FAFSA Deadlines for financial aid: February 15 (fall entry) and November 1 (spring entry).
• For talent scholarship consideration, auditions must be completed by March 1.
• DVD audition submissions are possible. Contact MTD department for details.
• Transfer students must complete a minimum 30 credits in music courses at Marywood. Transfer students in education must have GPA 3.0 minimum for acceptance.
• Freshmen education majors must have SAT 970 minimum score (Math/Reading combined)

Auditions 2012-2013

NOTE: For audition appointments, please contact MTD department chair (see email below).

Schedule the audition: Contact MTD department via email at mccusker@marywood.edu Please include the date you wish to audition, your name, address, phone, intended degree program, and major instrument. Audition requests should be made at least two weeks prior to audition date. Applicants will receive confirmation by return email.

The Audition Day: Appropriate professional attire is expected. Plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled audition time. Practice rooms are available for warm up. Bring one typewritten copy of your audition program to give to faculty judges (list all audition selections). NOTE: Please bring musical scores for audition committee. Due to copyright laws, please do not photocopy.

NOTE: WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR AUDITIONS
Please check the University main webpage for all information regarding closure for snow/ice conditions.

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GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ALL AUDITIONS:

Perform two contrasting works demonstrating technical skills and musicianship (see below for suggested repertoire by instrument). Applicants may bring an accompanist. Request for University accompanist can be made when scheduling the audition. Memorization of audition pieces is strongly recommended.

Do I need to audition?
BM music education, music therapy, music performance; BA arts admin/music; and BA music (musical theatre) must audition. Musical theatre audition includes acting and dance component (bring comfortable clothes and shoes). Theatre students will audition/interview with the program director.

MA in music education: Audition required. Applicants take department entrance exams in music theory and music history. Contact department chair to schedule graduate entrance exams.

Skills Assessment

Sight-Singing and Piano Sight-Reading: (during audition):
Evaluation of vocal sight-singing and piano skills for placement in music theory (aural skills and keyboard)

Written Theory placement test:
Identify music terms and symbols; key signatures, scales; common intervals and major/minor triads

Interview

During the audition, applicants will have the opportunity to meet with respective degree program director

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Scholarship Opportunities

Marywood University scholarship funds are available to students majoring in music and in theatre. Presidential and Endowed Scholarships from the University, as well as Talent Scholarships, are awarded to qualified applicants. Please note the scholarship eligibility cut-off dates when scheduling an audition.

Suggested audition repertoire (by instrument)

Vocal

1. Art song (in Italian, French, or German)
2. Contemporary English song (or American folk song)
   *BA Music (Musical theatre) degree applicants choose selections from Broadway musical genre

Keyboards

• Piano

1. Two stylistically contrasting solo works from standard classical piano repertoire (e.g.,: Bach prelude/fugue; Mozart or Beethoven sonata movement; contemporary work)
2. Major/minor scales, arpeggios (4-octaves)

• Organ

1. Classical work from standard organ repertoire
2. Two verses of a traditional hymn: (1) include appropriate introduction; (2) first verse played as written; second verse may be a re-harmonization or improvisation based on first verse
3. Technique exercises (facility on manuals and pedals)

Woodwinds & Brass

• Flute; Clarinet; Saxophone; Oboe; Bassoon
• Trumpet; French Horn; Trombone; Euphonium/Tuba
  

1. Two contrasting audition excerpts (technical v. lyrical skills) from standard winds repertoire Audition selections 3-5 minutes length. Excerpts may be major concerto, sonata, or solo work
2. Major/minor scales (2-octaves) with articulations as determined by audition committee

Percussion (demonstrate proficiency on multiple instruments)
Applicants should bring drum sticks and mallets.

• Snare Drum: Concert-style snare drum solo demonstrating concert rolls, flams, ruffs
• Drum Set (Optional): drum set proficiency in swing, rock, & Latin styles

• Keyboard Percussion/Mallets: Two-mallet solo from standard repertoire required (Optional: four-mallet solo demonstrating skill level)

• Timpani: Timpani solo on at least two timpani, including rolls. Demonstrate ability to tune timpani from a given piano reference pitch

Strings

• Violin; Viola; Cello; Harp; Double Bass
  

1. Two stylistically contrasting movements (technical v. lyrical) from standard classical repertoire demonstrating performance skills as soloist
2. Major/minor scales (2-octaves)

• Acoustic Guitar

1. Two stylistically contrasting solo pieces from standard classical repertoire
2. Major/minor scales (melodic minor form, 2- or 3-octaves)

• Electric Bass Guitar

1. Two contrasting jazz pieces, melody
2. An improvised bass line and bass solo
3. Major/minor scales, arpeggios (2-octaves)

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