Auditions and Applications
All prospective music majors must successfully pass an entrance audition to be admitted as a music major at Clayton State. At these auditions, students will also be considered for scholarship assistance.
Music Entrance Exam Audition Application Form
Audition Dates for admittance for Fall 2008
semester will be held on:
Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 9:00 AM
Friday, August 8, 2008, 9:00 AM
To insure consideration for scholarship audition as early as possible.
Deadline for submission of materials is two weeks prior to audition date.
Contact the Department of Music to request further information.
Students who are admitted to the music program will be asked to take placement exams in music theory, aural skills and piano before their first semester of enrollment.
For full scholarship consideration, students should audition during one of the Spring dates.
Audition Guidelines
Voice
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.
Keyboard
Pianists/organists should prepare two selections of contrasting style, chosen from two of the following:
Baroque, Romantic, Classical, and Impressionism/20th Century.
Memorization is not required. 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.
Instrumental
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 Department 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.
Composition
Prospective composition majors must audition in one of the areas listed above and will study applied music in that instrument or voice. Composition studies will begin in your second year at Clayton State. Prospective composers should contact Dr. Chris Arrell, Clayton State University's Director of Composition and Theory.