Music

Audition Information

The music audition serves two purposes: entrance for music majors into any degree program, and scholarships for any qualified student, regardless of major.  Auditions take place in the Phillips Fine Arts Building. 

Audition Requirements

Candidates audition before a music faculty committee that will evaluate technique, musicianship, tone quality, and sight-reading ability. Prepare carefully for your audition in order to perform as well as possible.  An accompanist will be provided at no charge for on-site vocal auditions for scheduled audition days.

 

Instrumentalists

Please prepare two shorter selections in contrasting styles from the standard literature (or one longer work) that best display musical accomplishments. Major scales, chromatic scales, and arpeggios may also be requested. Instrumentalists are not required to perform with accompaniment. Percussionists should prepare a snare drum solo and basic rudiments, and either a timpani or mallet instrument solo.

 

Percussion

Please prepare pieces on Snare Drum both rudimental and concert styles.  All auditions include sight reading. 

 

For rudimental solos refer to the following books: 

The All-American Drummer – Charlie Wilcoxon.  Prepare one solo in2/4 and 6/8 respectively.  14 Rudimental Solos – John Pratt. Prepare any one solo from this text.

 

Concert Solos can be from any of the standard texts:

Portraits in Rhythm – Anthony Cirone, Intermediate Snare Drum Solos – Mitchell Peters, The Concert Snare Drum – Vic Firth, Modern School for Snare Drum – Morris Goldenberg (any selection from any of the Etudes beginning on page 44.), Douze Etudes – Jacques Delecluese (1,2,3,6,7) 

 

Please do not play on a high-tension corps style snare drum.  A GMS Concert Snare Drum is available for your audition.

 

Mallet Percussion Audition:

Major Scales and Arpeggios, two-mallet solo of your choice, four-mallet solo optional.

 

Timpani Audition:

Prepare a two-drum solo. Recommended texts: Modern Method for Timpani – Saul Goodman, Concepts for Timpani – John Beck, any state contest list solo.

Drum Set Audition: play the following styles listed below:

Traditional Rock (Chuck Berry, Little Richard) 4/4.
Progressive Rock (Late period Beatles, Yes, Pink Floyd)
Hard Rock (Van Halen, etc…)
Jazz (Swing, Jazz Waltz, Be-Bop) Differentiate the styles if you need to play the grooves with an iPod that is acceptable.
Funk (James Brown Funk and Simple Funk)
Latin (Bossa Nova- Carlos Jobim is a good reference for this style, Samba- play a basic samba, Advanced Samba – play a Maracatu, Baiao or Maxixe)

Your drum set solo should demonstrate your ability to play in time and create ideas based on rhythmic development and not just “flashy licks”. Think of this as a composition based on the technical vocabulary you have developed over your years of playing the drums.  If you wish to use an accompaniment track it is acceptable.  Sight reading on drum set will consist of a page from the book of a Broadway show.

If you wish to audition from a distance please use the following media:

DVD standard format, we need to see your hands moving.  Please feel free to prepare an introduction to your audition.  If you send a CD please have a list of the prepared pieces in the jewel box.  If you have a myspace.com page that has video of you performing and you wish to submit that as part of your audition, please be certain the quality of the performance is at a standard you would be proud to present in any environment.

If you have any further questions please contact Professor Steve at (904)256-7360 or gsteve@ju.edu

Pianists

1.  One work by J. S. Bach (a Prelude and Fugue, a Sinfonia (or Three-Part Invention), two Two-Part Inventions, one movement of a Suite or Partita).

 

2.  One movement of a Sonata by Haydn, Clementi, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert ... OR ... one work from the Romantic Period (Chopin, Brahms, Schumann, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, etc.)

 

3.  One work from the 20th or 21st century (Debussy, Bartok, Ravel, Schoenberg, Berg, Webern, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Messian, Ginastera, etc.)

 

ALL works MUST be performed from memory (except a work from the 21st century - bring extra copies of the score).  Sight-reading WILL be required.  For clarification of the above, or for any other questions, please call Prof. Scott Watkins at 904-256-7388.

 

String Candidates:

Please be prepared to play the following for both live and remote (recorded) auditions:

 

Major scales and melodic minor scales (three octaves) and arpeggios, and two contrasting selections representing different style periods.  One may be an étude such as:

 

Violin/viola:  Kreutzer, Rode, Gaviniès, Dont (opus 35), Fiorillo
Viola:  Campagnoli
Cello:  Schroeder, Dotzauer, Popper
Bass:   Simandl, Sturm

 

Concerto movements and/or solo Bach movements preferred.  Memorization encouraged.  Sight reading possible. Accompanist available ONLY at local (on campus) auditions. 

 

Vocalists

Please prepare a minimum of two art songs or arias. It is recommended that one of these is in Italian and one in English.  If the vocalist cannot bring an accompanist, one will be provided.  Accompanist fee of $30 is charged for summer auditions only.

 

Music Theatre Vocalists

1.  Music theatre auditionees must prepare one Broadway show tune and one art song.  A selection from the twenty-four Italian Songs and Arias would be appropriate, or an art song in English.

2.  Two contrasting monologues, each not to exceed two minutes in length.

3.  Be prepared to discuss your previous dance experience for dance placement.  If you desire to be considered for a 200 level or higher dance class, you should let us know before the audition so arrangements can be made for an evaluation during your visit.

 

Auditions for Transfer Students

The Music Faculty Auditions Committee (Vocal, Instrumental or Keyboard) will evaluate at the time of audition:

 

1. Number of hours of applied music completed at an accredited institution,
2. Repertoire covered and level based on the Assessment Handbook of the Music Division,
3. Students ability to sight read (and remember pitch for singers)
4. Other technical proficiencies and make recommendations on the audition form as to suggested major and level of enrollment in the lower or upper division.  If the faculty recommends enrollment in the lower division, the student will be required to take MU 200 before enrolling in the upper division.

 

Transfer students should bring to the audition:

1. A list of repertoire studied on the college level
2. A list of technical studies
3. Musical performance résumé
4. A transcript (if possible)

Theory Placement Exam

All prospective music majors are required to take a theory placement exam that will be given prior to the start of the fall semester. The exam will evaluate note reading, scales, keys, intervals and chords.

 

Click here to download helpful Music Theory review information.

 

Audition Dates for 2007 - 2008

Music auditions for will be held from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon on the Jacksonville University campus on the following Fridays:

 

October 12, 2007

November 16, 2007

December 7, 2007

January 25, 2008

February 29, 2008

March 14, 2008 (NEW DATE!)

April 4, 2008

 

To schedule an audition, contact JU Admissions at (904) 256-7000.