College of Arts & Sciences
where excellence meets opportunity
where excellence meets opportunity
Dr. Susan Tusing, Chair of Visual and Performing Arts Department
Dr. Kurt-Alexander Zeller, Coordinator of Music Division
Mrs. Delores Toothaker, Administrative Assistant, Phone:(678) 466-4750, Fax: (678) 466-4769
Online Music Audition Application Form
All prospective music majors must pass an entrance audition in order to be admitted into the music program.
Students may also be considered for a Spivey Music Scholarship at the time of the entrance audition. (Because Scholarship funds may be limited, students are encouraged to audition as early as possible.)
Scholarships are also available upon audition to non-music majors, for participation in major ensembles. Students interested in these participation scholarships may audition on the dates below.
All auditions consist of a performance (requirements below) and a brief interview.
Audition Dates are:
Saturday, November 5, 2011, 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, March 17, 2012, 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, April 14, 2012, 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012, 9:00 a.m.
To schedule an audition, prospective students will submit the following:
Online Music Audition Application Form
Letter of recommendation from a current music teacher or director
A copy of music for the staff accompanist (if applicable)
These items must be received or postmarked a minimum of one weeks before the audition date. Items may be faxed to (678) 466-4769 or mailed to:
Visual and Performing Arts Department
Clayton State University
2000 Clayton State Boulevard
Morrow, Georgia 30260
Students must bring a copy of their music (accompaniment score, if
applicable) to the audition.
Students who are unable to audition on campus because of distance may request a video-recorded audition by contacting the Chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Such requests will typically be honored only for out-of-state students who live more than 200 miles from campus. If approved, the student must submit the following:
Online Music Audition Application Form
Letter of recommendation from a current music teacher or director
A copy of the audition music (accompaniment score, if applicable)
DVD video recording that meets the audition repertoire requirements.
A phone interview will be scheduled after the recording has been reviewed. Students auditioning via video recording will not be considered for a Spivey Music Scholarship prior to enrollment at Clayton State. However, pending availability of funds, they may audition for a scholarship at the end of their first semester of enrollment.
Please Contact the Visual and Performing Arts Department to request additional information about auditions, scholarships, or admission into the music program.
Singers interested in auditioning for admission to a Music degree program or for a Spivey Scholarship should prepare two contrasting songs, memorized. The songs should demonstrate your ability to produce a healthy vocal sound and to communicate clearly. It is not necessary to audition with a song in a language other than English, but singers are welcome to do so if they wish; however, at least one of the songs should be in English. All vocal auditions must be performed with live accompaniment. You may bring your own pianist or request in advance to have CSU provide a pianist. (Request for an accompanist must be received, with copies of the music to be performed, one week before the audition date.)
Singers are asked to prepare an art song or other piece in a classical singing style for at least one selection. (An American standard or concert folksong arrangement may be substituted for a second classical piece.) Choral parts and vernacular commercial music styles (including rock, gospel, contemporary Christian or country) are not acceptable audition selections. There are many sources of appropriate audition repertoire and singers studying privately are encouraged to consult with their teachers, but the anthologies on the following list (many of which are sold in the CSU Bookstore) are composed of repertoire highly suitable for audition material for prospective students. Singers also will be asked to perform some sight singing and aural skills exercises at the audition.
Boytim, Joan Frey, ed. The First Book of [Soprano; Mezzo-Soprano/Alto; Tenor; Baritone/Bass] Solos. 4 volumes. New York: G. Schirmer, 1991.
Boytim, Joan Frey, ed. The First Book of [Soprano; Mezzo-Soprano/Alto; Tenor; Baritone/Bass] Solos, Part II. 4 volumes. New York: G. Schirmer, 1993.
Field, Eileen, ed. The Boosey & Hawkes 20th-Century Easy Song Collection. London: Boosey & Hawkes, 2000.
Paton, John Glenn, ed. 26 Italian Songs and Arias. 2 volumes: Medium-High and Medium-Low. Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Music, 1991.
Quilter, Roger, arr. Arnold Book of Old Songs. London: Boosey & Hawkes, 1921.
Pianists/organists should prepare two selections of contrasting style, chosen from two of the following:
Baroque, Romantic, Classical, and Impressionism/20th Century.
All pieces must be played from memory. You will also be asked to play a couple of major and harmonic minor scales (two octaves, hands together), and sight-read a short piece.
Instrumentalists (woodwind, brass, strings, percussion and guitar) should prepare two selections of contrasting style (i.e. one slow and lyrical, the other fast and technical). Contact the Instructor of your principal instrument or the Music office if you'd like help selecting specific repertoire.
Instrumentalists should be able to play all Major Scales from memory. You will also be asked to sight read.
©2011 Clayton State University
2000 Clayton State Boulevard · Morrow, GA 30260 · (678) 466-4000
A Senior Unit of the University System of Georgia