School of Music Guides: Music Auditions For 2026
- Saturday, February 21st
- Saturday, March 7th
- Saturday, March 21st
- Saturday, March 28 (Non-Major Auditions)
Other dates available upon request
Back to menuAudition Requirements and Forms
Voice Studio
Undergraduate
Graduate
Audition Requirements
- Sing 2 pieces: One in English and one in a Foreign Language. If you are interested in a concentration in Musical Theatre, you may perform a third piece from a Musical.
- Sight-reading
- Vocalization
- Theory Diagnostic Test (For incoming Freshmen only)
Keyboard Studio
Undergraduate
Graduate
Audition Requirements
- Three memorized pieces in contrasting styles (Baroque, Classical, romantic, Impressionism, 20th or 21st Century)
- Major and minor scales (Selection)
- Arpeggios (Selection)
- Sight-reading
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 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 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
Undergraduate
Graduate
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
- 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
- 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
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.
Percussion Studio
Undergraduate
Audition Requirements
- 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
Audition Requirements
- 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
- 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
- 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
Undergraduate
Graduate
Audition Information
The first step in the admissions process is to contact Dr. Daniel Kelly at [email protected]! He strongly encourages you to come to campus for a visit, take a lesson, and chat with him about what we do here at East Texas A&M. You should also contact the University Admissions Office to 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.
Tuba/Euphonium Studio
Undergraduate
Graduate
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.
Pride Marching Band
Music Majors
Students who have formally auditioned and been accepted to the School of Music are automatically accepted in The Pride Marching Band.
Non-Music Majors
In one video file (it DOES NOT have to be one continuous take), please record yourself performing each of the following. (Make sure the device is positioned closely enough in order to see embouchure, fingers, slides, etc.)
- Please clearly introduce yourself by stating your first name, last name, your current school and your intended major (Non-music majors are always welcome to audition for The “Pride” Marching Band).
- Perform one etude or solo with contrasting styles (i.e. one lyrical, one technical), or two contrasting etudes or solos.
If you do not have access, or have a question regarding the appropriateness of your excerpt(s), please feel free to contact us by email ([email protected]). We will be happy to help.
Please see the final tab below for video upload instructions.
In one video file (it DOES NOT have to be one continuous take), please record yourself performing each of the following.
Please clearly introduce yourself by stating your first name, last name, your current school, and your intended major (Non-Music majors are always welcome to audition for The Pride Marching Band).
Battery – A short solo demonstrating your abilities – no longer than 2 1/2 minutes. This can be anything from something you wrote to your favorite excerpt from your last marching show. Also, include your own exercises demonstrating:
- 8’s
- Accent tap
- Double beat
- Triple beat
- Diddle and roll exercises
- Basic flam accent and flam tap exercise
You may perform these on a drum pad if your intended instrument is not available to you. Tenors, you may perform your part on a single pad as well; ignore any cross-overs. Basses, you may perform your intended part on a single pad as well, matched grip. The metronome must be audible. Stand when you perform and place your camera so we may see your whole body. Mark time while you perform.
Front Ensemble – All keyboard percussionists should include a short 2- and/or 4-mallet solo or excerpt from a longer piece. You should also be prepared with exercises demonstrating:
- 2-mallet scales and arpeggios (major, minor, and chromatic)
- 4-mallet dexterity and blocked chords (vibes – Burton grip, marimba – Stevens grip)
Piano performers should submit a short solo or etude demonstrating their technical abilities, as well as basic scale exercises. Rack percussionists can submit the same material as either keyboard or battery percussionists.
Videos should be submitted no later than August 1. Following your video submission, a member of the percussion staff will review the video and respond with the results and additional information. Should you have any questions regarding the audition process, instrument access limitations, etc., please contact Dr. Brian Zator, Professor of Percussion, at [email protected] or Lauren Teel, Director of Marching Percussion, at [email protected]. Additional details will be sent to percussionists this summer.
Please also feel free to contact the band office with any additional questions at [email protected].
Please see the final tab below for video upload instructions.
In one video file (it DOES NOT have to be one continuous take), please record yourself performing each of the following:
Please clearly introduce yourself by stating your first name, last name, your current school, and your intended major (Non-Music majors are always welcome to audition for The Pride Marching Band).
In order to join the Pride Color Guard, there is no prior experience necessary. All we do ask is that you try the following. If you have been in a color guard before please use your best technique and submit.
- Perform 50 Right Drop Spins
- Perform 50 Left Drop Spins
- Perform 50 counts of Double Time or Peggy Spins
- Display knowledge of Cones/Carves
- Learn both ETAMU Fight Song and Texas Our Texas and perform them
(no music needed) - Display any basic tosses you have knowledge of
You can find the YouTube video of the fight song located at this link.
Videos should be submitted no later than August 1. Following your video submission, a member of the band staff will review the video and respond with the results and additional information.
Should you have any questions regarding the video process, equipment access limitations, the audition process, etc., please feel free to contact the band office at [email protected].
Please use one of the following options to submit your audition video:
- Create a Dropbox link to your video
- Create an Unlisted YouTube link to your video
- Create a Google Drive link to your video
Please fill out this brief form where you will enter your audition video link, and submit your audition.
You will receive an automated reply letting you know we have received your video link.
We thank you for your cooperation and patience. Please know our goal is to help you through this process in order to get you information on admission and scholarships as soon as possible. If you have any questions or encounter any difficulties, please feel free to contact us.
Go Lions!