Undergraduate Vocal Auditions

Prescreen Audition Requirements

• Submit your university application.
• Submit your prescreen audition recording through Acceptd.
• Prescreen guidelines:
  • Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos.
  • There should not be a separate “slate” video. Instead, slates are to appear at the beginning of each piece.
  • The proper slate for a song is to share your name, the song title, and show in which it appears, if applicable.
  • The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright (for Music Theater auditions only).
• Submit your prescreen audition materials by Oct. 1 to be notified of an invitation to the live callback auditions by Oct. 15. Only students who submit prescreen by Oct. 1 will be eligible for the November audition dates.
   
• Submit your prescreen audition materials by Dec. 1 to be notified of an invitation to the live callback auditions by Jan. 7.
• The deadline for all Music Theater and Vocal Performance degree prescreen auditions is Dec. 1.

Vocal Requirements

Applicants must submit three classical or art songs

• One piece must be in English
• One piece must be an early Italian piece (e.g., a selection from 24 Italian Songs and Arias of the 17th and 18th Centuries)
• One song of the applicant’s choice
• Each song file should be 60-90 seconds (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
• Students must sing to live or recorded accompaniment. No "a cappella" singing.
• Songs should be filmed in a 3/4 shot which means the top of the head to the knees should be visible in the frame.

Final Audition Requirements

Students must prepare 3 classical or art songs

• One piece must be in English
• One piece must be an early Italian piece (e.g., a selection from 24 Italian Songs and Arias of the 17th and 18th Centuries)
• One piece of the applicant’s choice
• Pieces will be performed in their entirety

An accompanist will be provided free of charge at the on-campus national audition dates. In addition to the original music, one copy of the music must be supplied for the accompanist, hole punched, and in a three-ring binder. You will meet with the accompanist briefly prior to your scheduled audition time. All sheet music must be easily readable.

You are not required to perform the songs you submitted for prescreening. Vocal Performance applicants may be asked to sing all or part of their prepared repertoire for the callback. Applicants must prepare entire pieces (not 16 bars or a "cut").

Prescreen Requirements

• Submit your university application.
• Submit your prescreen audition recording through Acceptd.
• Prescreen Guidelines:
  • Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos.
  • There should not be a separate “slate” video. Instead, slates are to appear at the beginning of each piece.
  • The proper slate for a song is to share your name, the song title, and show in which it appears, if applicable.
  • The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright (for Music Theater auditions only).
• Submit your prescreen audition materials by Oct. 1 to be notified of an invitation to the live callback auditions by Oct. 15. Only students who submit prescreen by Oct. 1 will be eligible for the November audition dates.
   
• Submit your prescreen audition materials by Dec. 1 to be notified of an invitation to the live callback auditions by Jan. 7.
• The deadline for all Music Theater and Vocal Performance degree prescreen auditions is December 1st.

Vocal Requirements

Students should prepare 2 contrasting pieces.

• One song should be a ballad and one song should be uptempo as to contrast style
  • One song should be written prior to 1970. This song can be either the uptempo or the ballad (student’s choice).
  • One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.
• Each song file should be 60-90 seconds (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
• Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre-recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing (meaning, singing without music).
• One of the two songs (student's choice) should be filmed in a full frame shot to see your full range of expression, and the other one in a close-up shot (top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame).

Monologue Requirements

• Two 60-90-second contrasting monologues
  • One Contemporary (written after 1950); Contemporary monologues should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.
  • One Classical (written pre-1950); Classical monologues should be filmed in a “full body” shot which means the top of the head to the feet on the floor should be visible in the frame. Classical monologues must have heightened language. Playwrights may include Shakespeare, Molière, Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Middleton, Thomas Kyd, Aristophanes, or contemporary adaptations of classical plays that still employ heightened language.
• Monologues must be from a published play.
• Monologues cannot be from musicals, television shows, or movies.
• Each monologue file should be 60-90 seconds in length (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)

Dance Requirements

• 30-60 seconds of dance in whatever dance discipline you feel most confident. This may include, but is not limited to jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, or dance styles beyond American and Euro-western styles.
• All dance media should be filmed in a “full body” shot taking care to keep the student’s entire body in the frame at all times.
   
• Applicants do not need to slate in any dance media.
• Regardless of which style of dance you execute, the choreography and the movement should be story-driven and connected to the music where the applicant is dancing with a sense of purpose.
• Please use steps, movement, and physical vocabulary that you are familiar with and can execute well. To the best of your ability, move your body fully. Please include at least one turn, one jump, and one kick (or other suitable rotation, elevation, and extension that works for your body).
• Dance media can be self-choreographed, but must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance so long as you are clearly featured on your own.
• All choreography must be performed to music; please no “a cappella” dance media.

A Wildcard Video

• This media can be ANYTHING you want: a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument that you play, another song in a different style, etc.
• “What do you want us to know about you?” and “What makes you unique?”

Final Audition Requirements

Vocal

• Two 60-90 second contrasting music theater selections
• One song should be written prior to 1970 and one piece should be written after 1970 and contrast in style of the first
• You are not required to sing the songs you submitted for prescreening

Monologue

• Two 60-90-second contrasting monologue selections
• Monologues must be from a published play
• Please have both monologues memorized and performance-ready
• You are not required to perform the monologues you submitted for prescreening

In-Person Dance Call

• Applicants who are invited for the in-person auditions will participate in a live dance call
• No prior dance experience is necessary
• Please bring a change of clothes and shoes that you would be comfortable dancing in for the live dance call

An accompanist will be provided free of charge at the on-campus national audition dates. In addition to the original music, one copy of the music must be supplied for the accompanist, hole punched, and in a three-ring binder. You will meet with the accompanist briefly prior to your scheduled audition time. All sheet music must be easily readable.

Prescreen Requirements

Applicants interested in the Music Theater and Vocal Performance Double Major must submit a prescreen that includes the requirements of both degrees. The requirements are as follows:

Vocal Performance

• One piece must be in English
• One piece must be an early Italian piece (e.g., a selection from 24 Italian Songs and Arias of the 17th and 18th Centuries)
• One song of the applicant’s choice
• Each song file should be 60-90 seconds (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
• Students must sing to live or recorded accompaniment. No "a cappella" singing.
• Songs should be filmed in a 3/4 shot which means the top of the head to the knees should be visible in the frame.

-AND-

Music Theater

Vocal Requirements

Students should prepare 2 contrasting pieces.

• One song should be a ballad and one song should be uptempo as to contrast style
  • One song should be written prior to 1970. This song can be either the uptempo or the ballad (student’s choice).
  • One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.
• Each song file should be 60-90 seconds (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
• Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre-recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing (meaning, singing without music).
• One of the two songs (student's choice) should be filmed in a full frame shot to see your full range of expression, and the other one in a close-up shot (top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame).

Monologue Requirements

• Two 60-90-second contrasting monologues
  • One Contemporary (written after 1950); Contemporary monologues should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.
  • One Classical (written pre-1950); Classical monologues should be filmed in a “full body” shot which means the top of the head to the feet on the floor should be visible in the frame. Classical monologues must have heightened language. Playwrights may include Shakespeare, Molière, Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Middleton, Thomas Kyd, Aristophanes, or contemporary adaptations of classical plays that still employ heightened language.
• Monologues must be from a published play.
• Monologues cannot be from musicals, television shows, or movies.
• Each monologue file should be 60-90 seconds in length (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)

Dance Requirements

• 30-60 seconds of dance in whatever dance discipline you feel most confident. This may include, but is not limited to jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, or dance styles beyond American and Euro-western styles.
• All dance media should be filmed in a “full body” shot taking care to keep the student’s entire body in the frame at all times.
   
• Applicants do not need to slate in any dance media.
• Regardless of which style of dance you execute, the choreography and the movement should be story-driven and connected to the music where the applicant is dancing with a sense of purpose.
• Please use steps, movement, and physical vocabulary that you are familiar with and can execute well.
• Dance media can be self-choreographed, but must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition, or other performance so long as you are clearly featured on your own.
• All choreography must be performed to music; please no “a cappella” dance media.

Final Audition Requirements

Vocal Performance

Students must prepare 3 classical or art songs

• One piece must be in English
• One piece must be an early Italian piece (e.g., a selection from 24 Italian Songs and Arias of the 17th and 18th Centuries)
• One piece of the applicant’s choice
• Pieces will be performed in their entirety

An accompanist will be provided free of charge at the on-campus national audition dates. In addition to the original music, one copy of the music must be supplied for the accompanist, hole punched and in a three-ring binder. You will meet with the accompanist briefly prior to your scheduled audition time. All sheet music must be easily readable.

You are not required to perform the songs you submitted for prescreening. Vocal Performance applicants may be asked to sing all or part of their prepared repertoire for the callback. Applicants must prepare entire pieces (not 16 bars or a "cut").

-AND-

Music Theater

Vocal Requirements

• Two 60-90 second contrasting music theater selections
• One song should be written prior to 1970 and one piece should be written after 1970 and contrast in style of the first
• You are not required to sing the songs you submitted for prescreening

Monologue Requirements

• Two 60-90-second contrasting monologue selections
• Monologues must be from a published play
• Please have both monologues memorized and performance-ready
• You are not required to perform the monologues you submitted for prescreening

In-Person Dance Call

• Applicants who are invited for the in-person auditions will participate in a live dance call
• No prior dance experience is necessary
• Please bring a change of clothes and shoes that you would be comfortable dancing in for the live dance call

An accompanist will be provided free of charge at the on-campus national audition dates. In addition to the original music, one copy of the music must be supplied for the accompanist, hole punched, and in a three-ring binder. You will meet with the accompanist briefly prior to your scheduled audition time. All sheet music must be easily readable.

Final Music Theater Audition Requirements

Vocal

• Two 60-90 second contrasting music theater selections
• One song should be written prior to 1970 and one piece should be written after 1970 and contrast in style of the first
• You are not required to sing the songs you submitted for prescreening

Monologue

• Two 60-90-second contrasting monologue selections
• Monologues must be from a published play
• Please have both monologues memorized and performance-ready
• You are not required to perform the monologues you submitted for prescreening

Dance

• You will receive an email with a video tutorial for a dance audition two weeks before your audition
• Please email Thalia Hernandez a YouTube link to your final dance audition video by your audition day and time
• If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

Prescreen auditions are not required for Composition applicants. Students must still submit an application through Acceptd before they audition on campus.

Composition applicants are required to sing two contrasting classical or art songs. One selection must be in English.

Composition auditions require the submission of a portfolio of original compositions and recordings. In addition, students will interview with the Composition faculty.

Prescreen auditions are not required for Music Education applicants. Students must still submit an application through Acceptd before they audition on campus.

Vocal Music Education applicants are required to sing two contrasting classical or art songs. One selection must be in English.

In addition, Music Education applicants will interview with the Music Education faculty.

Applicants for the Music Education program are required to submit a one-page resume, which lists the applicant’s age-appropriate activities in music teaching such as: school section leader, choral instructor in religious communities, summer teaching activities in camp or other youth programs, volunteer activities, or any other sustained activity that demonstrates an age-appropriate interest in teaching or nurturing others. The applicant is also encouraged to list any special recognition or awards that have been received for their musical and/or academic achievements.

• Submit your university application.
• Submit your prescreen audition recording through Acceptd.
• Prescreen Guidelines:
• Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media. No continuous videos.
• There should not be a separate “slate” video. Instead, slates are to appear at the beginning of each piece.
• The proper slate for a song is to share your name, the song title, and show in which it appears, if applicable.
• The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright (for Music Theater auditions only).
• Submit your prescreen audition materials by Oct. 1 to be notified of an invitation to the live callback auditions by Oct. 15. Only students who submit prescreen by Oct. 1 will be eligible for the November callback audition dates.
• Submit your prescreen audition materials by Dec. 1 to be notified of an invitation to the live callback auditions by Jan. 7.
• The deadline for all Music Theater and Vocal Performance degree prescreen auditions is Dec. 1.

Students applying for our BA degree may choose either the Music Theater vocal requirements or the Vocal Performance requirements for the audition.

Prescreen Requirements

Vocal Performance Requirements

• One piece must be in English
• One piece must be an early Italian piece (e.g., a selection from 24 Italian Songs and Arias of the 17th and 18th Centuries)
• One song of the applicant’s choice
• Each song file should be 60-90 seconds (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
• Students must sing to live or recorded accompaniment. No "a cappella" singing.
• Songs should be filmed in a 3/4 shot which means the top of the head to the knees should be visible in the frame.

-OR-

Music Theater Vocal Requirements

• Two 60-90 second contrasting Music Theater selections
• One song should be a ballad and one song should be uptempo as to contrast style
• One song should be written prior to 1970. This song can be either the uptempo or the ballad (student’s choice).
• One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.
• Each song file should be 60-90 seconds (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
• Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre-recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing (meaning, singing without music).
• One of the two songs (student's choice) should be filmed in a full frame shot to see your full range of expression, and the other one in a close-up shot (top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame).

Final Audition Requirements

Students invited for a callback for the BA degree must audition in the same concentration as their prescreen submission. For example, if a student submits a prescreen using the Music Theater requirements, they must use the Music Theater requirements for their callback audition.

Vocal Performance Requirements

• One classical or art song in English
• One classical or art song in early Italian (e.g., a selection from 24 Italian Songs and Arias of the 17th and 18th Centuries)
• One song of the applicant's choice
• Pieces will be performed in their entirety

Vocal Performance applicants may be asked to sing all or part of their prepared repertoire for the callback. Applicants must prepare entire pieces (not 16 bars or a "cut").

-OR-

Music Theater Requirements

• Two 60-90 second contrasting music theater selections
• One song should be written prior to 1970 and one piece should be written after 1970 and contrast in style of the first
• Please have the full versions of both pieces memorized and performance-ready
• You are not required to sing the songs you submitted for prescreening

An accompanist will be provided free of charge at the on-campus national audition dates. In addition to the original music, one copy of the music must be supplied for the accompanist, hole punched and in a three-ring binder. You will meet with the accompanist briefly prior to your scheduled audition time. All sheet music must be easily readable.

Applicants may audition for multiple degree tracks if they have multiple interests or are interested in a double major. Applicants must prepare and participate in all the elements of each program's audition requirements. If requirements overlap, the applicant need not prepare two selections.

For example:

Applicants interested in both Vocal Performance and Vocal Music Education must submit a prescreen for the Vocal Performance and follow the requirements for the Vocal Music Education application.