We are looking forward to the opportunity to hear your audition! A few things that you should know to help you best prepare for your audition are outlined below. Be sure to read carefully and ask questions if you have them.

Students wanting to declare any music-related degree at Stetson must complete an audition on their principal instrument. These degrees include a Bachelor of Music in any performance area (piano, organ, voice, guitar, or orchestral instrument), a Bachelor of Music Education (either vocal or instrumental), other Bachelor of Music degrees (composition, music theory, technology, or outside field), Bachelor of Arts in Music, and a music minor.

All auditioning musicians, on any instrument and for any music-related degree, will:

1. Take a basic written theory exam on the day of their audition.
2. Strongly consider professional attire for the audition.
3. Provide the School of Music with a photograph of the musician (head and face only).
4. Provide the School of Music with a resume', transcript(s), and/or letter(s) of recommendation per the instructions of the music admissions counselor.
5. Have applied for admission to Stetson University (separate application from the School of Music School audition process) by the day of the admission.

Specific audition guidelines are detailed below.

Organ

Candidates for organ study should be able to play organ works such as: The Eight "Little" Preludes and Fugues of Bach, chorale preludes from Bach's Orgelbüchlein, the Chorale Preludes of Brahms, Op. 122, or works of comparable difficulty. Alternatively, proficient pianists with a desire to study organ should demonstrate proficiency by satisfactorily performing Two-Part Inventions of Bach, Sonatas by Beethoven or Mozart or works of comparable difficulty. Strong potential should be demonstrated in aural training.

Percussion

Candidates for percussion study should bring their own sticks, mallets, and music. Candidates should know all major scales (minors preferred as well), and be prepared to sight read on mallets and snare drum. The music chosen and prepared for the audition should represent the candidate's current playing ability on mallets (two and/or four mallets), snare drum (a concert solo or etude is required, additional rudimental solo optional), and timpani (tuning required). Performance on any other instrument in the percussion family is welcomed, but not required.

Piano

Candidates for piano study must demonstrate evidence reasonably justifying that they will satisfactorily complete a four-year degree program. They should have acquired systematic methods of practice and be able to play all major and minor scales and arpeggios, including dominant and diminished sevenths in moderately rapid tempo. Works corresponding in difficulty to the Sonatas of Clementi, Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven should have been studied. Repertoire for the audition should include:

1. A work from the Baroque style period (for example, from J.S. Bach a Two-or Three-Part Invention, a dance/movement from a Suite or Partita, or a Prelude and Fugue).
2. A movement from a Classical sonata (for example, Clementi, Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven).
3. A work from either the nineteenth or twentieth centuries.

Audition material must be performed from memory. Candidates may be asked to sightread and/or demonstrate scales and arpeggios.

String Instruments

Candidates should be able to play all major and minor scales three octaves.

Violin

Etude comparable in difficulty to Kreutzer, Mazas, or Dont. A movement from J.S. Bach Solo Sonata or Partita. Concerto from the standard repertoire, such as Bach, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Saint-Saens, Vieuxtemps, Dvorak, Bruch, Wieniawski, Paganini, Kabalevsky, Lalo, or Barber.

Viola

Studies comparable in difficulty to Fiorillo, Kreutzer, Bruni; concerti such as Hoffmeister, Stamitz or J.C. Bach and/or solo works of similar difficulty.

Cello

Studies comparable in difficulty to Popper, Schroeder and Duport. Candidates should have a movement of a Bach Suite and a movement from a standard concerto such as Boccherini, Saint Saens, Haydn C and Lalo.

Bass

Etude comparable in difficulty to Simandl 30 Etudes or Bille 18 Etudes and two contrasting movements from a standard sonata or concerto (can substitute two contrasting short works from the standard repertoire).

Guitar

Candidates for guitar study should be able to play all major and minor scales (Segovia Edition); studies corresponding in difficulty to those of Sor, Carcassi and Brouwer; and perform two contrasting solo works from memory. Candidates will be asked to sightread provided exercises and should demonstrate knowledge of the rudiments of music.

Voice

Candidates for voice study must prepare two contrasting songs in English, Italian, French, German, Latin, or Spanish with good diction, correct phrasing, and musical intelligence. Audition material must be performed from memory. Students will be asked to sight sing two or three brief lines of music as well as demonstrate other musicianship capabilities through basic rhythmic, ear training, and keyboard skill examples. An accompanist and rehearsal session will be provided upon request at no charge. A copy of the music must be provided for the accompanist. No taped accompaniments will be allowed.

Woodwinds and Brass

Candidates for study in the area of woodwinds and brass must demonstrate potential for completing the requirements of the degree program requested. All applicants should be able to play the chromatic and all major scales according to the current FBA requirements; scales performed with an extended range suitable to the specific instrument is encouraged. Repertoire for the audition may include studies or etudes equal to or above the level of FBA All-State requirements, sonata or concerto literature at grade level 5 or above, and orchestral excerpts. Please choose the repertoire appropriately to represent contrasting periods and musical style. All candidates for admission will be asked to sightread at the audition.

Composition

Candidates for study in composition must interview with the Director of Composition Studies before being admitted into the Bachelor of Music Theory and Composition degree program. If the candidate is unable to arrange an in-person meeting, the interview may be done over the telephone. Prior to the interview candidates should submit a portfolio containing at least two scores of their compositions with recordings if available. Composition candidates must also successfully complete a School of Music performance audition and present evidence reasonably justifying the expectation that they will satisfactorily complete the four-year degree.

Music Technology/Digital Arts

Stetson offers two degree programs in this area, a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Arts- Sound and a Bachelor of Music in Music Technology. In order to ensure that students are directed to the best program for their needs, applicants for both degrees must interview with the coordinator for this area, Dr. Nathan Wolek, before being admitted into the degree program. Prior to the interview, applicants must submit a one-page personal statement that explains 1) why they are interested in music technology, 2) details any prior experience with digital media and 3) describes their anticipated career goals.

Although it is not required, candidates may strengthen their application by including up to 3 digital media projects. Candidates for the BM must also audition on an instrument following the above guidelines, while candidates for the BA may audition at their option for scholarship consideration.

Jazz

Guitar, bass and keyboard applicants should be prepared to play major and minor scales two octaves and a technical etude. They should be able to play through a jazz standard and improvise.

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Audition Information

To schedule an audition, contact Camille Tolley by phone (386-822-8975) or email (music@stetson.edu), or use the online form.

Saturday audition days:
February 8, 2014
February 15, 2014
February 22, 2014 

Audition deadline: February 25