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(this information may be downloaded as a pdf file)
General Information
All students applying to the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music to become Undergraduate Music Majors are required to have an audition or orientation, and to take theory and piano placement exams.
An audition is required for Graduate applicants for admission in Performance, Conducting, Pedagogy, and Jazz. Graduate applicants must take proficiency examinations in music history and music theory. Graduate auditionees should email a resume and repertoire list to kayyager@memphis.edu a minimum of two weeks prior to your audition day.
Basic Audition Instructions for undergraduates are: be prepared to perform two pieces of music on your primary instrument which are contrasting in style and showcase your musical and technical abilities. You will be asked to play scales and to sight read.
Theory and Piano Placement Tests are “placement” in that they are given to provide the appropriate class for each student to begin study of theory and/or piano at the U of M. Regarding undergraduate piano placements for music majors, students with no piano experience will not be asked to play. Students who have studied piano should prepare a piece that represents their level of playing; sight reading will be assessed as well.
Non-music majors who have never had piano lessons and want to study piano may register for MUAP 1100 without auditioning. Non-music majors who do not read music and wish to begin study can register for MUTC 1001 without taking a theory placement test.
Students who declare major study in degree programs other than Music yet wish to further their musical knowledge and expertise, apply to attain a Music Minor. Music Minor applicants are required to take an audition and a theory placement exam, but no piano exam. The Music Minor program reauires 21 credit hours of approved coursework: 6 credits Theory (1008/1009); 3 credits Music History (3301, 3302, 3303); 2 credits Large Ensembles: 6 credits Electives in Music; 4 credits Applied Music, instruction in voice or an instrument; and concert attendance totaling at least 25 approved concerts. Introductory instruction does not apply.
Students who audition to take Applied Lessons and do not intend to major or minor in music are not required to take theory or piano exams except for voice applicants who are required to take theory placement tests. All students studying voice at MUAP 1610 or 1611 levels must have passed MUTC 1001 or be concurrently enrolled in it during their first semester of study. All undergraduate students who take applied private lessons are required to perform in an ensemble; group lessons exempt.
Students who wish to play in the Marching Band and do not plan to major or minor in music need to schedule an audition by calling the Band Office at 901.678.2263. Students must be prepared to perform two pieces of music that are contrasting in style, several major scales, and the chromatic scale. Students will also be asked to sight read.
Music Business and Recording Technology applicants must meet academic standards required by the MusicIndustry division before attending a Music Industry Orientation/Audition Day to seek admission into Music Industry programs. Academic standards and admissions requirements are described in detail on the Music Industry page of the Music School website and in the Music Industry Admissions Handbook
Area Specific Information
Information which follows has been provided by music school divisions or by individual faculty members to further assist students with their audition preparation. If your instrument or division of interest does not follow, the general information above serves as a complete guideline for your audition preparation.
Bassoon Audition Requirements and Repertoire Cello Audition Repertoire Clarinet Audition Requirements and Repertoire Classical Guitar Class Registration Information Classical Guitar Audition Repertoire Composition Degree Program Requirements Double Bass Audition Repertoire Harpsichord Private Lesson Audition Requirements Jazz and Studio Music Audition Requirements Organ Instruction Audition Requirements Percussion Audition Information Trumpet Audition Requirements Voice Division Audition and Class Information Viola Audition Repertoire Violin Audition Repertoire
BASSOON AUDITION REQUIREMENTS AND REPERTOIRE
Undergraduate bassoonists should prepare two pieces of a contrasting style such as a slow and fast movement of a Galliard Sonata. Two movements from the Carl Maria von Weber Concerto in F major would be an option for the exceptional student. All major scales and the chromatic scale from the lowest note to the highest note are required.
For graduate bassoonists, a selection from major works such as the Mozart Concerto, the Saint-Saens Sonata, the Weber Concerto in F Major, the Weber Andante and Rondo, or the Hummel Concerto would be appropriate. Major and minor scales are required. Graduate students should prepare two orchestral excerpts. Graduate students should also prepare the following orchestral excerpts: Mozart—Marriage of Figaro Overture, Ravel—Bolero, and Tchaikovsky—Sym. 4, Mvt. 2.
CELLO AUDITION REPERTOIRE
Undergraduate—Cello
Major and minor scales An étude Two works contrasting in tempo and style
Master of Music—Cello
An outer movement of a standard concerto Two contrasting movements from one of Bach’s Suites for solo cello An étude by Popper or Piatti
Doctor of Musical Arts—Cello
A complete concerto A complete Bach Suite for solo cello An additional work of contrasting style
CLARINET AUDITION REQUIREMENTS AND REPERTOIRE
Undergraduate clarinetists should prepare two pieces that are contrasting in style (fast and slow). Selected pieces can be in the form of etudes or excerpts from concerti or sonatas (eg. Weber Concerto #1 or Concertino). Students are requested to read music at sight. Knowledge of major, minor, and chromatic scales are expected for entering freshmen, preferably memorized. Any student may send a preliminary audio or video medium, however, these do not stand in lieu of a live audition.
Graduate applicants in clarinet should submit a repertoire list and perform contrasting movements of a sonata or concerto (eg. Mozart or Nielsen). They should demonstrate an awareness of orchestral and band excerpts. Major and minor scales should be played by memory. All students read music at sight and are tested for pitch recognition. Students may send a preliminary audio or video medium, however, these do not stand in lieu of a live audition.
CLASSICAL GUITAR CLASS REGISTRATION INFORMATION
MUAP 1551 is a private lesson for guitar majors or students who have the equivalent of two semesters of MUAP 1550, one hour a week with Dr. Lily Afshar. It is restricted and for more advanced students who are accepted only by audition.
MUAP 1550 Guitar Introductory Instruction is a private lesson of 1/2 hour weekly for students who are accepted only by audition. The lesson time is set between the student and graduate assistant teacher after audition.
MUSE 1118 is a class for non-music majors, for the person who has never played classical guitar and may not read music. No audition necessary.
Students may address questions to Dr. Lily Afshar at lafshar@memphis.edu.
CLASSICAL GUITAR AUDITION REPERTOIRE
Undergraduate—Guitar
- Major and Minor Segovia or Shearer scales (two or three octaves)
- Three contrasting pieces from three different periods (memorized)
Master of Music—Guitar
- Major and Minor Segovia or Shearer scales (three octaves)
- Two contrasting movements from one of Bach’s Sonatas, Suites, or Partitas (memorized)
- Two additional works of contrasting style (memorized)
Doctor of Musical Arts—Guitar
- A complete Bach Suite, Sonata, or Partita (memorized)
- A movement of a Concerto (memorized)
- A work from the 20th or 21st Century (memorized)
COMPOSITION DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
To be accepted as a Composition major, a student must audition and accomplish the following:
- Audition and be accepted by applied faculty on an instrument or voice at the music education or performance skill level
- Complete MUTC 1008/1010
- Complete MUAP 1100
- Complete MUTC 2501
- Be recommend for acceptance into MUTC 2502 by the Composition faculty
Until an applicant has achieved the above, he has not been fully accepted into the Composition program. The student who has a portfolio of written, possibly published and recorded pieces ready for presentation prior to audition, is encouraged to make an appointment with composition faculty for portfolio review.
DOUBLE BASS AUDITION REPERTOIRE
Undergraduate– Double Bass
Major two octave scales Two contrasting movements of a standard sonata or concerto, or two contrasting études
Master of Music—Double Bass
Two contrasting movements of a standard sonata or concerto One movement of a work from an additional style period
Doctor of Musical Arts
A complete concerto Two contrasting movements from one of Bach’s Suites for solo cello
HARPSICHORD PRIVATE LESSON AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
In most cases, keyboard players (organists, pianists, and harpsichordists) should be able to play at the minimum level of the Bach Inventions or other moderately difficult keyboard literature. Sight-reading will be checked. Harpsichord questions should be addressed to Angeline Case-Stott at acase@memphis.edu or 901.678.3784.
JAZZ AND STUDIO MUSIC AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Auditionees must be able to READ music: notes, chords and rhythms. Auditions and acceptance to the School of Music in the Jazz Division are heavily weighted on this. Auditionees are not accepted based on ear playing and/or guitar/bass tablature.
Jazz and Studio Music Composition and Arranging Emphasis
Submit three scores with cassette tapes of original compositions or arrangements as follows:
Bebop or Contemporary bop style Latin, fusion or ballad style Pop or commercial style
A performance audition on the student’s applied instrument or voice will be required.
Jazz and Studio Music Performance Emphasis - All Instruments and Voice
- *Major scales in all keys, ascending and descending in eighth notes at metronome marking quarter note=80
- *Minor scales in the key of c,g,d,b, and a
- *The following basic jazz modes, Dorian, Lydian and Mixolydian on C,G,F,D,B, and A
- *Arpeggios on major and minor triads
- *Arpeggios on major and minor seventh and dominant seventh chords
- Improvise on a basic twelve-bar Blues progression (12 bar solos for drummers)
- Perform standard jazz composition in at least two styles, one must be bop or swing (4 bar solos for drummers).
- Vocalists prepare songs that illustrate three styles. See below.
- Sight reading in several styles from jazz band or jazz choir literature to be provided by auditioning faculty
*not required of percussionists unless auditioning on mallet keyboard
Jazz and Studio Music Performance – Saxophone
It is desirable that saxophonists double on flute, clarinet or both.
Jazz and Studio Music Performance – Vocalists
Prepare at least one selection in the style of the great vocal jazz masters, eg., Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O’Day, Carmen McRae, Nat “King” Cole, Billy Eckstine, Jon Hendricks, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, or Joe Williams.
Prepare at least one selection in the style of the contemporary vocal jazz artists, eg., Chaka Kahn, Tanya Maria, Flora Purim, Dianne Reeves, Elis Regina, Dianne Schuur, Harry Connick Jr., Michael Franks, Al Jarreau, or Bobby McFerrin.
Prepare at least one selection in the style of any internationally recognized pop or R & B artist, eg., Regina Belle, Brandy, Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow, Sheena Easton, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Alanis Morissette, Joan Osborne, Al Green, Donnie Hathaway, Michael Jackson, Billy Ocean, Ray Parker Jr., Seal, James Taylor, or Stevie Wonder.
Jazz and Studio Music Performance - Rhythm Section: Piano, Drumset, Guitar, Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass
All rhythm players will be expected to accompany from a chord chart or lead sheet in the styles of Bop,Latin, Fusion, or jazz/rock, rock and pop.
Drummers will be expected to demonstrate adequate knowledge of percussion rudiments, and in addition,examples of the following drum set patterns at various tempi: 1. Bebop and contemporary mainstream (using both sticks and brushes), 2. Jazz waltz, 3. Bossa nova and samba, 4. Salsa or Afro-Cuban, 5. Fusion, funk, or jazz/rock, 6. Ballads (brushes and sticks), 7. R & B and shuffle, 8. Rock and pop.
Jazz and Studio Music Performance Audition Requirements - Undergraduate Jazz Guitar
- Major scales (3 octaves)in all keys, ascending and descending in eighth notes at metronome marking quarter note=80
- The following basic jazz modes, Dorian, Lydian and Mixolydian in the keys of C,G,F,D,Bb, and A
- Ability to play basic chord voicings for major 7th, minor 7th, dominant 7th, minor seven flat 5 (half diminished 7th) and fully diminished 7th.
- 2 Octave arpeggios for major 7th, minor 7th and dominant 7th chords
- Improvise on a basic twelve-bar Jazz Blues in the keys of C, F, B flat or G. Download PDF file
- Perform a standard jazz composition in at least two styles, one must be bop or swing. Download PDF file
- Sight reading grade 3 charts (chord progressions and melodic lines) in several styles (swing, bop, latin, contemporary) from jazz band literature (material will be provided by auditioning faculty).
Jazz and Studio Music Performance Audition Requirements - Graduate Jazz Guitar
- Major scales (and derived modes) in all keys, 3 octaves, ascending and descending in eighth notes at metronome marking quarter note=100 to 120.
- Harmonic minor and jazz minor (melodic minor ascending) scales(and derived modes)in all keys, 3 octaves, ascending and descending in eighth notes at metronome marking quarter note=100 to 120
- Ability to play chord voicings for major 7th, minor 7th, dominant 7th, minor seven flat 5 (half diminished 7th) and fully diminished 7th and their extensions (9th, 11th, 13th, etc) or alterations (#9, flat 9, #5, etc).
- 2 Octave arpeggios for major 7th, minor 7th and dominant 7th, minor seven flat 5 (half diminished) and fully diminished 7th chords.
- Improvise on a basic twelve-bar Jazz Blues in the keys of C, F, B flat or G. Download PDF
- Perform a standard jazz composition in at least two styles, one must be bop or swing. Download PDF
- Sight reading grade 4 and higher charts (chord progressions and melodic lines) in several styles (swing, bop, latin, contemporary) from jazz band literature (material will be provided by auditioning faculty).
Jazz Guitar Registration Information
Intro to Jazz Guitar, MUAP 1550-01 is a class for non-music majors and Music Industry students that meets one hour per week. Students should be concurrently enrolled in theory or musicianship classes. Audition required.
Undergraduate Jazz Guitar, MUAP 1552-003 - lower division, MUAP 4552-003 - upper division is a private, one hour weekly lesson for jazz guitar majors and advanced Music Industry majors. Students must be enrolled in a jazz ensemble and the Jazz Guitar Ensemble (MUAP 3504-011). Audition required.
Graduate Jazz Guitar, MUAP 6551-011 or MUAP 7551-011, is a private, one hour weekly lesson for jazz guitar majors pursuing the Master of Music degree. Students must be enrolled in a jazz ensemble and the Jazz Guitar Ensemble (MUAP 7207-011). Audition required.
Students may address Jazz Guitar questions to Chip Henderson at phendrsn@memphis.edu.
ORGAN INSTRUCTION AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
For Beginning Students—Organ
Students auditioning for lower division undergraduate-level organ may audition on organ or on piano. If auditioning on organ, they should play 15-20 minutes of music, including a composition by Johann Sebastian Bach and a composition by a later composer. If auditioning on piano, they should play 15-20 minutes of music on a level of a Bach 3-part Sinfonia (Invention), an easier Mozart Sonata, Chopin, Nocturne, or Persichetti Poem for Piano. All auditions will include sight-reading. Organists’ questions may be addressed to Dr. John David Peterson at jdpete@memphis.edu or 901.678.3769.
For Transfer Students—Organ
Students auditioning for upper division undergraduate level organ should play 20-30 minutes of music, including a composition by Johann Sebastian Bach and a composition by a later composer. Audition material should demonstrate the student’s technical and musical proficiency. Students should bring to the audition a list of music that they have played. Organists’ questions may be addressed to Dr. John David Peterson at jdpete@memphis.edu or 901.678.3769.
PERCUSSION AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Percussion applicants should demonstrate proficiency in as many of the following areas as possible.
Snare Drum
- Demonstrate rudiments
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- Long roll-closed; pianissimo crescendo to fortissimo; decrescendo to pianissimo
- Flam, flam tap, and accent
- Demonstrate reading knowledge from Goldenberg’s Modern School for Snare Drum, Cirone’s Portraits in Rhythm or similar snare drum method
- Sight-reading
Keyboard
Major and minor scales, two octaves Any selection from Bach’s Two Part Inventions top part only, or Bach’s a minor Violin Concerto, third movement, or any of the 39 etudes found in the Goldenberg Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone Sight-reading
Timpani
Tuning of all intervals Technical proficiency on 3 timpani at the level of Mitchell Peter’s Scherzo for Three Timpani, Garwood Whalley’s Statement for Timpani, or three timpani exercises from the Goodman or Friese-Lepak timpani methods Sight-reading
TRUMPET AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Two or three Etudes/Solos of contrasting character should be prepared which best demonstrate your concepts of sound, range, and technique. The following repertoire is recommended but similar works may be substituted.
Bachelor of Music—Trumpet (Performance)
Technique: All major scales and arpeggios Etudes: Charlier, Etudes Transcendantes; Longinotti, Studies in Classical and Modern Style; Concone, Lyrical Studies; Brandt, 34 Studies Solos: Hindemith, Sonate; Kennan, Sonata; Haydn, Concerto; Chance, Credo
Bachelor of Music—Trumpet (Music Education and all other concentrations)
Technique: All major scales and arpeggios Etudes: Bousquet, 36 Celebrated Studies; Getchell, Second Book of Practical Studies; Brandt, 34 Studies; Arban, Characteristic Studies Solos: Haydn, Concerto (2nd movement); Goeyens, All’ Antica; Balay, Prelude et Ballade; Barat, Fantasie en E ; Goedicke, Concert Etude
For questions or assistance please email: Dr. David Spencer - dspencer@memphis.edu.
TROMBONE AND EUPHONIUM AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Required
- All Major Scales and arpeggios
- 2 octave chromatic scale
- 2 prepared contrasting solos, 2 movements of a multi-movement solo, or 2 contrasting etudes
Optional
- Minor scales - natural, harmonic, and/or melodic
- Orchestral excerpts (trb.)
- Band excerpts (euph.)
Representative Prepared Material
- Etudes: Melodious Etudes - Bordogni/Rochut; Forty Progressive Studies - Tyrell; Studies in Legato -Fink
- Solos: Solos for the Trombone Player - ed. H.C. Smith (for euphonium, too); Morceau Symphonique - Guilmant; Andante and Allegro - Barat; Andante and Allegro - Roparts; Sonata #1 - Galliard
VOICE DIVISION
Voice Division Audition Information for Private Instruction
All students will be heard by a committee of the voice faculty and other faculty as designated. Under special circumstances the head of the Voice division may hear and audition incoming students without an audition committee with approval of voice faculty members.
Undergraduate—Voice
- Two solos, one English or one American art song plus one foreign art song or aria. Selections should be memorized. Each auditionee should bring sheet music as a pianist will be provided. Auditionees may bring their own pianists.
- A sight reading test
- A pitch recognition test
- A rhythm recognition test
- Other material as required
Master’s—Voice
One of each:
- An Early Italian Aria/Art song
- German Lied
- French Melodie
- 20th Century Art Song in English
- Operatic Aria in the original language
- Oratorio Aria
Songs are to be performed from memory except for the oratorio aria which may be performed with music.
The audition committee will select repertoire to be heard from the prepared material. Applicants should submit undergraduate recital programs and/or a representative repertoire list of undergraduate literature performed by the applicant.
Doctoral—Voice
One of each:
- An Early Italian Aria/Art song
- German Lied
- French Melodie
- 20th Century Art Song in English
- Operatic Aria in the original language
- Oratorio Aria
Songs are to be performed from memory except for the oratorio aria which may be performed with music. The selections must be representative of the following stylistic periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century. The performance must demonstrate a high degree of artistic and technical achievement. Applicants must submit recital programs and a representative repertoire list.
Auditions consist of:
- Two pieces of classical music contrasting in style. Selections should be memorized. Each auditionee
- should bring sheet music as a pianist will be provided. Auditionees may bring their own pianists.
- A sight reading test
- A pitch recognition test
- A rhythm recognition test
- Other material as required
Course Information
MUAP 1610.001 Group instruction in basic vocal production. Audition required. Permit required. MUAP 1610.002 Group instruction for students who want to learn how to sing — basic vocal production. For students who have not had private voice instruction. For those with limited reading ability. Permit required. MUAP 1611 Private instruction for voice majors and concentrations. With rare exception, a non-voice major will be allowed to study at this level, when studio space permits.
All students studying voice at the MUAP 1610 or 1611 levels must have passed MUTC 1001 or be concurrently enrolled in it during their first semester of study. If MUTC 1001 is not passed, the student will not be allowed to continue voice study until the requirement is met. All students enrolled in voice MUAP 1610 – MUAP 4611 except for MUAP 1610.002, regardless of major, must be concurrently enrolled in an ensemble each semester of study.
MUSE 1112 Vocal methods class for Music Education students other than those with voice or piano concentrations. No audition is required.
MUAP 4611 Upper division vocal instruction.
VIOLA AUDITION REPERTOIRE
Undergraduate—Viola
- An étude
- Two works contrasting in tempo and style
Master of Music—Viola
- Two contrasting movements from one of Bach’s Suites for solo viola
- A movement from one of the major viola concertos such as Bartok, Walton, or Hindemith Der Schwanendreher
- An additional work of contrasting style
Doctor of Musical Arts—Viola
- A complete Bach Suite for solo viola
- A movement from one of the major viola concertos such as Bartok, Walton, or Hindemith Der Schwanendreher
- An additional work of contrasting style
VIOLIN AUDITION REPERTOIRE
Undergraduate—Violin
- All major and minor three-octave scales and arpeggios
- Two works contrasting in style and tempo. Applicants for the performance degree should prepare an outer movement of a standard concerto and a movement from one of Bach’s Sonatas or Partitas for solo violin.
Master of Music—Violin
- An outer movement of a standard concerto from the 19th or 20th century
- Two contrasting movements of one of Bach’s Sonatas or Partitas for solo violin
- An additional work of contrasting style
Doctor of Musical Arts—Violin
- An outer movement of a standard concerto from the 19th or 20th century
- A complete Bach Sonata or Partita for solo violin
- The first movement of a Mozart concerto
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