Band/Choir Audition Information
An audition is required for all entering undergraduate music majors for scholarship consideration and/or placement in an ensemble. Auditions are typically held on campus at advertised times and dates throughout the school year. Additional audition dates for incoming freshman or first-time students may be arranged by contacting the appropriate program director (Director of Bands, Director of Choral Activities).
Generally, auditions consist of prepared pieces selected by the student and sight-reading. Regarding prepared materials, music from two contrasting styles is preferred. (Technical and lyrical). Most students choose all-region audition music, all-state audition music, or music performed at a solo and ensemble competition. Contact the appropriate program director (Director of Bands, Director of Choral Activities) for specific repertoire requirements or more information.
Auditions for current and first-time students regarding specific performing ensembles are held on a semester basis. These ensembles include the Wind Symphony, Concert Band, Jazz One, Second Jazz Band, Third Jazz Band, Jazz Combos, or any other small ensembles. Jazz and Combo auditions will be held in August for Fall Semester placement and in January for Spring Semester placement. Wind Symphony and Concert Band auditions will be held in November for Spring Semester placement. Program directors and the Chair of the Division of Music reserve the right to schedule auditions as needed.
Ensembles in the Division of Music are ability-based groups and one’s position within an ensemble is not guaranteed. If a student does not audition and still wishes to participate in an ensemble, with the ensemble director’s permission, the student may enroll in the lowest ensemble and sit last chair in their respective section.
The UAM Chamber Choir is taken from the membership of the Concert Choir. Members must not only be accepted into the Concert Choir but must also pass another audition for Chamber Choir participation. This ensemble of 18-24 singers performs literature conducive to a small group and performs Bach cantatas, chansons, part songs, madrigals, and some of the more difficult chamber literature of the twentieth century. In addition to their scholarships for Concert Choir, Chamber Choir members enjoy extra financial aid for their talent and dedication.
The Musical Theatre Workshop is a class and performance ensemble exploring music for the stage. Stage techniques are taught and put into practice through a performance of scenes and shows from early Music Theatre to Opera and Operetta. Scholarships are available through audition.
Priority Scholarship (Level 1)
- Regular admission to the university.
- Chromatic Scale: Full range of the instrument.
- All Major Scales with arpeggios: Two or more octaves within the capability of the instrument.
- Prepared Material: Lyrical and Technical
- Sight Reading
Scholarship Consideration (Level 2)
- Regular admission to the university.
- Chromatic Scale: Full range of the instrument.
- Major Scales: At least 8 scales with arpeggios performed one or more octaves.
- Prepared Material: Lyrical and Technical
- Sight Reading
Band Participation (Level 3)
- Regular admission to the university.
- Chromatic Scale: Full range of the instrument.
- Major Scales: At Least 6 scales performed one or more octaves.
- Prepared Material: Lyrical and Technical
- Sight Reading
All scales should be performed at a minimum tempo of 112 bpm, eighth notes, to be considered for a scholarship.
Snare drum: Etude or solo (Ex. Portraits in Rhythm by Anthony Cirone, or Region Snare Etude), selected rudiments, sight reading.
Mallets: Prepared two-mallet or four-mallet marimba etude/solo (Ex. Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone by Morris Goldenberg, Sea Refractions by Mitchell Peters, or Region etude), selected scales, sight reading.
Drum Set: Selected grooves – Rock, Swing, Bossa Nova. Sight reading.
Opt. Timpani
Undergraduate Level (easy level and above)
Performance of a prepared jazz etude, transcription or substantial big band chart (not preferred, but accepted). The prepared piece may be in a style of the student’s choosing.
- Blues (12 bar) in any major key (i.e. Tenor Madness, Now’s the Time, C Jam Blues, Blue Monk, Straight No Chaser, Mr. P.C., etc.)
- One medium –or- fast-tempo swing piece, such as “All of Me,” by Seymour Simons / Gerald Marks or “All the things you are,” by Jerome Kern.
This portion of the audition should be prepared with the use of a backing track (Aebersold play-along, Band in a Box, IRealB, etc). link: Backing Tracks
Sight read a short excerpt written in either swing, bossa nova, or funk styles.
Major scales covering the full range of your instrument.
All scales should be performed at a minimum tempo of 112 bpm, eighth notes, to be considered for a scholarship.
All prospective choir participants must audition for either the Director of Choral Activities or the Director of Choirs. Priority for scholarship consideration will be given to Music Majors and in particular to Voice Majors. All students auditioning are eligible for Choir Scholarships.
Audition considerations:
- Admission to the University.
- Choir involvement in high school or church.
- Ability to read music.
- Proficiency in sight reading and with the use of Solfeggio.
- All-State or All-Region Choir participation.
- Familiarity with reading choral scores consisting of four-part (or more) voicing.
- Some priority of Scholarship may be given to needed voice types within the Choir.