School of Music Guides:Audition Materials
Bassoon Studio
Undergraduate
Audition Requirements
- All Major Scales and a Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Two contrasting etudes (slow and fast) or portions of solo repertoire (lyrical and technical)
- Sight-read a short musical example
- Students interested in auditioning as a performance major should also be prepared to perform a movement or movements from a standard concerto, sonata or significant solo repertoire. Please contact the applied faculty member for your instrument with any questions.
Graduate
Audition and interview to gain acceptance to the program and be eligible for graduate assistantships and scholarships. *Applicants for the Graduate Summer Music Education Cohort will submit a link to video footage of their teaching in lieu of an audition. Send a link for the video footage to the Music Education Coordinator at [email protected]. Audition Requirements
- All Major Scales and a Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Two contrasting etudes (slow and fast) or portions of solo repertoire (lyrical and technical)
- Sight-read a short musical example
- Students interested in auditioning as a performance major should also be prepared to perform a movement or movements from a standard concerto, sonata or significant solo repertoire. Please contact the applied faculty member for your instrument with any questions.
Clarinet Studio
Undergraduate
Audition Requirements
- All Major Scales and a Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Two contrasting etudes (slow and fast) or portions of solo repertoire (lyrical and technical)
- Sight-read a short musical example
- Students interested in auditioning as a performance major should also be prepared to perform a movement or movements from a standard concerto, sonata or significant solo repertoire. Please contact the applied faculty member for your instrument with any questions.
Graduate
Audition and interview to gain acceptance to the program and be eligible for graduate assistantships and scholarships. *Applicants for the Graduate Summer Music Education Cohort will submit a link to video footage of their teaching in lieu of an audition. Send a link for the video footage to the Music Education Coordinator at [email protected]. Audition Requirements
- All Major Scales and a Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Two contrasting etudes (slow and fast) or portions of solo repertoire (lyrical and technical)
- Sight-read a short musical example
- Students interested in auditioning as a performance major should also be prepared to perform a movement or movements from a standard concerto, sonata or significant solo repertoire. Please contact the applied faculty member for your instrument with any questions.
Flute Studio
How Do I Apply?
- All music majors and minors must be accepted both by the university and by the School of Music through an audition. More audition and application material is available on the School of Music website.
What should I prepare?
- Audition material should consist of two contrasting works. All-state etudes, solos, and band/orchestra excerpts are recommended.
- Candidates will be asked to perform at least three major scales from memory (two octaves preferred) and any minor scales that they may know.
- There will be a sight-reading component.
Tips for a Successful Audition
- Consider preparing material that presents you in the best possible way. Play music that you want to play rather than what you think the committee wants to hear.
- Be musical, show us what you can do, it’s okay if you make a mistake! We are looking for inspired musicians rather than technical wizards.
- Dress like a professional, your appearance is a direct reflection of you; consequently, your appearance can say a lot about your attitude and aptitude. Remember, this is our first and possibly only impression of you.
Guitar Studio
Undergraduate Audition Requirements
- All Major Scales and a Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Two contrasting etudes (slow and fast) or portions of solo repertoire (lyrical and technical)
- Sight-read a short musical example
- Students interested in auditioning as a performance major should also be prepared to perform a movement or movements from a standard concerto, sonata or significant solo repertoire. Please contact the applied faculty member for your instrument with any questions.
Graduate Audition Requirements
Audition and interview to gain acceptance to the program and be eligible for graduate assistantships and scholarships.
*Applicants for the Graduate Summer Music Education Cohort will submit a link to video footage of their teaching in lieu of an audition. Send a link for the video footage to the Music Education Coordinator at [email protected]
Audition Requirements
- All Major Scales and a Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Two contrasting etudes (slow and fast) or portions of solo repertoire (lyrical and technical)
- Sight-read a short musical example
- Students interested in auditioning as a performance major should also be prepared to perform a movement or movements from a standard concerto, sonata or significant solo repertoire. Please contact the applied faculty member for your instrument with any questions.
Horn Studio
Undergraduate Audition Requirements
- All Major Scales and a Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Two contrasting etudes (slow and fast) or portions of solo repertoire (lyrical and technical)
- Sight-read a short musical example
- Students interested in auditioning as a performance major should also be prepared to perform a movement or movements from a standard concerto, sonata or significant solo repertoire. Please contact the applied faculty member for your instrument with any questions.
Graduate Audition Requirements
Audition and interview to gain acceptance to the program and be eligible for graduate assistantships and scholarships.
*Applicants for the Graduate Summer Music Education Cohort will submit a link to video footage of their teaching in lieu of an audition. Send a link for the video footage to the Music Education Coordinator at [email protected]. Audition Requirements
- All Major Scales and a Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Two contrasting etudes (slow and fast) or portions of solo repertoire (lyrical and technical)
- Sight-read a short musical example
- Students interested in auditioning as a performance major should also be prepared to perform a movement or movements from a standard concerto, sonata or significant solo repertoire. Please contact the applied faculty member for your instrument with any questions.
Oboe Studio
Undergraduate
Audition Requirements
- All Major Scales and a Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Two contrasting etudes (slow and fast) or portions of solo repertoire (lyrical and technical)
- Sight-read a short musical example
- Students interested in auditioning as a performance major should also be prepared to perform a movement or movements from a standard concerto, sonata or significant solo repertoire. Please contact the applied faculty member for your instrument with any questions.
Graduate
scholarships. *Applicants for the Graduate Summer Music Education Cohort will submit a link to video footage of their teaching in lieu of an audition. Send a link for the video footage to the Music Education Coordinator at [email protected]. Audition Requirements
- All Major Scales and a Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Two contrasting etudes (slow and fast) or portions of solo repertoire (lyrical and technical)
- Sight-read a short musical example
- Students interested in auditioning as a performance major should also be prepared to perform a movement or movements from a standard concerto, sonata or significant solo repertoire. Please contact the applied faculty member for your instrument with any questions.
Oboe Studio
Undergraduate
Snare Drum
- One concert style solo or etude
Keyboard
- One 2-mallet or 4-mallet solo or etude
- Sight-reading a 2-mallet etude
Timpani
- One solo or etude
- Demonstrate knowledge of tuning
Drum-Set (Optional)
- Demonstrate 2-4 styles
Please prepare materials that will best demonstrate your abilities. Examples of appropriate repertoire include all-region etudes and solos from solo and ensemble competitions Please contact Dr. Zator with any questions regarding the appropriate repertoire. Graduate Snare Drum
- One concert style solo or etude
Keyboard
- One 4-mallet solo
- Sight-reading a 2-mallet etude
Timpani
- One solo or etude
Drum-Set
- Demonstrate 2-4 styles
Please prepare materials that will best demonstrate your abilities. Solo repertoire should be at a senior recital level. Please contact Dr. Zator with any questions regarding the appropriate repertoire.
Saxophone Studio
Undergraduate Audition Requirements
- All Major Scales and a Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Two contrasting etudes (slow and fast) or portions of solo repertoire (lyrical and technical)
- Sight-read a short musical example
- Students interested in auditioning as a performance major should also be prepared to perform a movement or movements from a standard concerto, sonata or significant solo repertoire. Please contact the applied faculty member for your instrument with any questions.
Graduate Audition Requirements
Audition and interview to gain acceptance to the program and be eligible for graduate assistantships and scholarships.
*Applicants for the Graduate Summer Music Education Cohort will submit a link to video footage of their teaching in lieu of an audition. Send a link for the video footage to the Music Education Coordinator at [email protected]. Audition Requirements
- All Major Scales and a Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Two contrasting etudes (slow and fast) or portions of solo repertoire (lyrical and technical)
- Sight-read a short musical example
- Students interested in auditioning as a performance major should also be prepared to perform a movement or movements from a standard concerto, sonata or significant solo repertoire. Please contact the applied faculty member for your instrument with any questions.
Trombone Studio
Undergraduate Audition Requirements
- All Major Scales and a Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Two contrasting etudes (slow and fast) or portions of solo repertoire (lyrical and technical)
- Sight-read a short musical example
- Students interested in auditioning as a performance major should also be prepared to perform a movement or movements from a standard concerto, sonata or significant solo repertoire. Please contact the applied faculty member for your instrument with any questions.
Graduate Audition Requirements
Audition and interview to gain acceptance to the program and be eligible for graduate assistantships and scholarships.
*Applicants for the Graduate Summer Music Education Cohort will submit a link to video footage of their teaching in lieu of an audition. Send a link for the video footage to the Music Education Coordinator at [email protected]. Audition Requirements
- All Major Scales and a Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Two contrasting etudes (slow and fast) or portions of solo repertoire (lyrical and technical)
- Sight-read a short musical example
- Students interested in auditioning as a performance major should also be prepared to perform a movement or movements from a standard concerto, sonata or significant solo repertoire. Please contact the applied faculty member for your instrument with any questions.
Trumpet Studio
AUDITION INFORMATION
The first step in the admissions process is to contact me! I strongly encourage you to come to campus for a visit, take a lesson, and chat with me about what we do here at A&M-Commerce. You should also contact the University Admissions Officeto arrange an official campus tour, meet with financial aid, housing, and other departments that can help your transition to university life. Of course, you'll also need to apply to the university, submit your SAT/ACT scores, send transcripts, etc. The Admissions Department's website provides easy access to the entire process.
In addition to being accepted to the university, prospective music majors must also be admitted to the School of Music. Music admission is based on a Music Application and a live audition, though recorded auditions (video preferred) may be accepted from applicants for whom travel to Commerce is impractical. Music scholarship awards are also determined in large part on this audition, so it's imperative that you show us your best efforts!
Repertoire – Your audition should include 5-10 minutes of music (solos, etudes, and/or orchestral excerpts are acceptable) that shows your playing at its best. I don't have a required list of pieces but I do need to hear examples of your slow/lyrical playing as well as your technical skills. I also need to hear major scales (from memory, if possible) and I'll ask you to sight read. Prospective Graduate students and music performance majors should also prepare three standard orchestral excerpts. If you just have no idea of what to prepare just contact me and I can help!
The School of Music has scheduled Audition Days in the spring to make the whole process easy. We'll have representatives from the School and University on-hand to answer your questions and give tours of the building and campus. While I can hear auditions by appointment I strongly suggest you make plans to audition on one of our official Audition Days.
Audition Application and Dates
Tuba/Euphnium
AUDITION INFORMATION
How Do I Apply?
- All music majors and minors must be accepted both by the university and by the School of Music through an audition. More audition and application material is available on the School of Music website.
What Should I Prepare?
- Audition material should consist of two contrasting works. All-state etudes, solos, and band/orchestra excerpts are recommended.
- Candidates will be asked to perform at least three major scales from memory (two octaves preferred) and any minor scales that they may know.
- There will be a sight-reading component.
Tips For a Successful Audition
- Consider preparing material that presents you in the best possible way. Play music that you want to play rather than what you think the committee wants to hear.
- Be musical, show us what you can do, it’s okay if you make a mistake! We are looking for inspired musicians rather than technical wizards.
- Dress like a professional, your appearance is a direct reflection of you; consequently, your appearance can say a lot about your attitude and aptitude. Remember, this is our first and possibly only impression of you.
Concert Ensemble
CONCERT ENSEMBLE AUDITION INFORMATION-FALL 2023 (READ ME FIRST!)
Please read the above Informational PDF.
Please click HERE to download the audition material for your instrument.
Jazz Ensemble
JAZZ ENSEMBLE AUDITION INFORMATION-FALL 2023 (READ ME FIRST!)
Please read the above Informational PDF.
Please click HERE to download the audition material for your instrument.