Audition Information

Audition

Audition Procedure (New and Transfer Students)

The audition in your major performance area is a major component in determining whether or not you will be admitted into the College of Visual and Performing Arts as a music major/minor. Students intending to major/minor in music, regardless of concentration, must audition on an applied instrument or voice.

Auditions will take place in Presser Hall on the UMHB Campus. A specific audition time will be assigned for each auditionee prior to their audition date.

Audition Dates

January 26, 2013
February 9, 2013 (Prelude Weekend)
March 2, 2013
April 6, 2013

Audition Requirements by Performing Medium

Voice Principals:

One (1) art song in English - performed from memory
One (1) art song or aria (opera or oratorio/cantata) in a foreign language - performed from memory
The audition will also include sight-reading and pitch retention exercises.

Note: An accompanist will be provided at no charge. Recorded accompaniments are not permitted.

Piano Principals

2 pieces from memory: one (1) piece from the Baroque or Classical period, AND one (1) piece from the Romantic, Impressionistic, or Contemporary period. One of these pieces must be in a fast tempo.
Major/minor scales & arpeggios.
The audition will also include sight-reading exercises.

Instrumental Principals

Wind and String Instruments

Class 1 or Class 2 Solo from the Texas UIL Prescribed Music List (if the work has multiple movements, perform two movements that are contrasting in style), OR
Play two Region Etudes of contrasting styles.
From memory: perform major scales (through the first four flats and sharps) as many octaves as is comfortable to the player.
From memory: perform a chromatic scale the full range of the instrument as is comfortable to the player.
The audition will also include sight-reading exercises.

Note: An accompanist will be provided at no charge. Recorded accompaniments are not permitted.

Classical Guitar

Two contrasting pieces from the classical repertoire (on a nylon string guitar, no plectrum, with proper classical technique) The Studies of Sor, Carcassi, Brouwer are permitted
One movement of a Cello or Lute Suite by JS Bach
2 “Segovia Scales” of the player’s choice
A short sight-reading excerpt

Commercial Guitar

Two contrasting selections in the player’s primary style (Demonstration of Rhythm and Lead Guitar parts with UMHB staff accompaniment. *Applicant must bring charts to the audition)
One “chord melody” arrangement of the player’s choice
Demonstration of one 2 octave major and one 2 octave minor scale
A short sight-reading excerpt
One piece in the classical style (* If the applicant has no experience in the classical style, this requirement can be waived at the audition. However, all UMHB guitarists are required to complete a classical guitar proficiency as part of their degree plan.)

Percussion

One two-mallet solo/etude
One concert snare drum solo/etude
One four-mallet keyboard solo/etude (optional)
One timpani solo/etude (preferably on 4 kettles)
Sight-reading on keyboard, snare, and timpani Drum set (not required but if applicable).
Demonstrate knowledge of the following styles: Jazz, Latin, and Rock.

Note: It is highly suggested that all solos come from the Texas PML (Class 1 or 2)

Etudes should come from the following repertoire:

Snare Drum:

Modern School for Snare Drum, Morris Goldenberg
Advanced Snare Drum Studies, Mitchell Peters
Portraits in Rhythm, Anthony Cirone
The Solo Snare Drummer, Vic Firth

Keyboard (two mallet):

12 Etudes for 2 Mallet Marimba, Larry Lawless
Modern School for the Xylophone and Marimba, Morris Goldenberg
Masterpieces for Marimba, Thomas McMillan

Keyboard (four mallet):

Marimba: Technique through Music, Mark Ford
Impressions on Wood, Julie Davila

Timpani:

Musical Etudes for the Advanced Timpanist, Ron Fink
Exercises, Etudes and Solos for the Timpani, Raynor Carroll
The Solo Timpanist, Vic Firth

Planning to major or minor in music?

Complete the Online Application »