Audition Requirements

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS BY MUSIC PROGRAM AND INSTRUMENT

An audition is required for students wishing admission into the Bachelor of Music program whether they wish to focus on classical performance or jazz performance, as outlined below. NOTE: Admission is based on the successful completion of the audition process, and academic acceptance to the University of Windsor. The audition includes:

• Performance of technique and repertoire on one major instrument
• Written theory test (Note: This is a placement test; students failing this test but passing the audition will be recommended for admission but required to take a remedial theory course.) Incoming first year students should have completed Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Advanced Rudiments or equivalent.
   

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM

1. Honours Bachelor of Music

Requirements: Audition performance at the level outlined below for individual instruments/voice.

2. Honours Bachelor of Arts in Music

Audition required for performance instruction and ensemble participation only, not for admission into the program. The audition for the Diverse Musics and Practices course comprises a demonstration of musical ability on any instrument and in any style, or the submission of a portfolio of creative work.

3. Bachelor of Arts, Double Major

Audition required for performance instruction and ensemble participation only, not for admission into the program.
 

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS BY INSTRUMENT/VOICE

PLEASE NOTE: For all instruments/voice, students may choose to perform a jazz/pop piece which demonstrates an equivalent level of proficiency. Students wishing to enrol in the Diverse Musics and Practices course may request an audition on any of the spring audition dates.
 

KEYBOARD

Piano

Grade 9 RCM equivalency required for piano majors.
Technique: major and minor scales in all keys; block and broken chords in 4-note form; major and minor arpeggii and diminished sevenths in all inversions; major and harmonic minor scales in octaves.
Repertoire: Three memorized pieces, from three different style periods. Pieces should be of a level comparable to: Bach, Three Part Inventions, Little Preludes and Fugues; Beethoven, Sonata Op. 79; Schumann, Romances Op. 28,. Debussy, Golliwogg's Cakewalk.

Organ

Three pieces at a level comparable to: J.S. Bach, Eight Short Preludes and Fugues, Prelude and Fugue in E minor ('The Little"), Little Organ Book; Brahms, Eleven Choral Preludes, Op. 122; Schroeder, Little Preludes and Intermezzi, Op. 9; Vierne, Twenty-Four Pieces in Free Style, Bk. 1.
 

VOICE

Three contrasting pieces, in English and at least one other language, at approximately Grade 8 RCM level. Choose songs equivalent to: Caldara, Alma del core; Handel, Where'ere You Walk, Brahms, Sonntag Morgen; Britten (arr.) Salley Gardens.
 

WOODWINDS

Major, minor, and chromatic scales and arpeggii, up to 4 sharps and flats, and selections from the materials below:

Flute

One study from Boehm 24 Caprices for Flute, Op.26, Kohler Etudes, Op. 33, Bk 2, or Berbiguier 18 Etudes (5, 6, 9, 10, 16, 17, or 18). Two contrasting movements from the Baroque or Classical Period. One other work from the 20th century or 21st century.

Oboe

One study by Ferling or Barret. One of the Handel Sonatas or Concerti, and one of the Paris Conservatoire solos.

Clarinet

Bassoon

One étude from Weissenborn, Studies Book 1; Jancourt, 26 Melodic Studies. One contrasting piece of the candidate's choice. Candidates are expected to have a knowledge of the rudiments of reed making.

Saxophone

One étude from J.L. Small, Melodious and Rhythmic Studies; Voxman Selected Studies, Ferling 48 Etudes. Two contrasting movements of a work such as Rueff, Chanson et passepied,- Heiden, Sonata; Bach, Sonata #, Handel Sonata #3.
 

BRASS

Trumpet

Major and minor scales up to 4 sharps and flats. Two contrasting pieces of the candidate's choice. One etude of the candidate's choice at a level comparable to : Concone, Lyrical Studies for Trumpet or Horn.

Horn

Major and minor scales up to 4 sharps and flats. Two contrasting pieces of the candidate's choice. One etude of the candidate's choice at a level comparable to: Kopprasch, Sixty Selected Studies.

Trombone and Euphonium

All Major Scales - At least 4 of which are two octaves tongued and slurred. One Bordogni Etude from Book 1. One Kopprasch Etude from Book 1. One Etude that includes the tenor clef from Blazhevich Clef Studies. One movement from a concerto from the Romantic period, one contrasting movement from the 20'th century.

Tuba

Major and minor scales up to 4 sharps and flats. Two contrasting pieces of the candidate's choice. One etude of the candidate's choice at a level comparable to: Bordogni, Legato Etudes (King); Blazhevich, 70 Studies (vol. 1); Kopprasch, 60 Selected Studies; Concone, Legato Etudes, ed. Jacobs
 

PERCUSSION

Three instrument areas are required for a successful audition into the percussion studio.

1. One snare drum solo piece in an orchestral or rudimental style, (examples: etudes from Anthony J. Cirone’s Portraits in Rhythm or Jacques or Délécluse’s Douze Etudes.
2. One Keyboard Percussion solo (marimba, xylophone or vibraphone) for two mallets and/or four mallets (examples: etudes from Morris Goldenberg’s Modern School for Xylophone, Vibraphone and Marimba or Thomas McMillan’s Masterpieces for Marimba.
3. One piece for Timpani such as an etude from Saul Goodman’s Modern School for Tympani. A multiple percussion (set up piece) may be substituted for a work on timpani. Other areas of percussion such as drum set styles and world music styles/technique are encouraged, but must be presented in conjunction with the three required audition areas.
    

STRINGS

Orchestral instruments - All major and minor scales. Two contrasting movements, from a Baroque or Classical sonata or concerto. One Romantic or twentieth century movement. Technical facility through fifth position. Cellists and bassists should demonstrate knowledge of thumb positions; violinists and violists should be familiar with double-stop playing.
 

Classical Guitar

Major and minor scales up to 4 sharps and flats, with cadences. Knowledge of fretboard harmony. One Renaissance or Baroque dance by Dowland or Bach, equivalent to Bach's Bourrée in e minor, BWV 996. One short twentieth century work. One study by Sor, Carcassi or Aguado.

Auditioning students should play at a minimum of RCM equivalent Grade 6 in sight reading, technique, and repertoire for entry into the Bachelor of Music program and a minimum RCM grade 8 if planning a Performance focus.

Audition Requirements for Jazz/Pop Studies

All applicants for Applied Jazz Pop Lessons must present the following:

1. Two prepared works in Jazz/Pop idiom with appropriate accompaniment (if applicable).
2. Demonstrate satisfactory sight-reading ability with lead sheets and music notation.
3. Demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of scales and chord symbols.

The following are more specific guidelines by instrument area:

Vocal

Auditioning vocalists will present 2 prepared pieces (Example: a jazz standard and a popular selection/show tune) with accompaniment.  The student should demonstrate an established vocal tone with technical and stylistic potential.  The student should demonstrate satisfactory sight-reading ability, knowledge with traditional and lead sheet notation and a basic familiarity of key vocal performance figures in the jazz and popular idiom.

Instrumental

The Auditioning student will present 2 contrasting prepared pieces in a jazz idiom demonstrating technical and stylistic potential with accompaniment if applicable. The student should have satisfactory sight-reading ability and knowledge with traditional and lead sheet notation.  The student must be able to demonstrate all major and minor scales (including melodic and harmonic). The student will also be asked to perform at sight, introductory level solo and/or comping improvisation over a basic chord changes.

Drum Set/Percussion

Auditioning drummers must demonstrate a number of drum set styles with satisfactory time, flow, and rhythmic vocabulary such as: swing/bop, bossa nova, samba, an Afro-Cuban based style, and rock/pop.
The student must have melodic percussion ability and should prepare 2 jazz “head chart” melodies on vibraphone or marimba.  The student should be familiar with major and minor scales as well as basic sight-reading.
Demonstration of other jazz/pop percussion (congas, bongos, timbales, etc.) is encouraged but may not substitute drum set and keyboard percussion requirements.

Apply for your Audition now on-line!