|
|
|
GENERAL INFORMATION All students applying to the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music to become Undergraduate Music Majors are required to have an audition or orientation, and to take theory and piano placement exams. An audition is required for Graduate applicants for admission in Performance, Conducting, Pedagogy, and Jazz. Graduate applicants must take proficiency examinations in music history and music theory. Graduate auditionees should email a resume to kayyager@memphis.edu a minimum of two weeks prior to your audition day. Basic Audition Instructions for undergraduates are: be prepared to perform two pieces of music on your primary instrument which are contrasting in style and showcase your musical and technical abilities. You will be asked to play scales and to sight read. Theory and Piano Placement Tests are “placement” in that they are given to provide the appropriate class for each student to begin study of theory and/or piano at the U of M. Students who take the theory placement test and do not place into Theory I (MUTC 1008/1010) will be advised to take an online basic music theory course during the summer. The online course must be passed successfully for acceptance into the first course of the School of Music’s theory sequence which is only offered in the fall semester. To be placed in Theory I, students must be able to write all major and minor key signatures in treble and bass clef, know all major and three forms of minor scales, and demonstrate an understanding of common rhythmic notation, including simple and compound meters and note and rest notation. Regarding undergraduate piano placements for music majors, students with no piano experience will not be asked to play. Students who have studied piano should prepare a piece that represents their level of playing; sight reading will be assessed as well. Non-music majors who have never had piano lessons and want to study piano may register for MUAP 1100 without auditioning. Non-music majors who do not read music and wish to begin study can register for MUTC 1001 without taking a theory placement test. MUTC 1001 is only offered during the spring semester. Students who declare major study in degree programs other than Music yet wish to further their musical knowledge and expertise, apply to attain a Music Minor. Music Minor applicants are required to take an audition and a theory placement exam, but no piano exam. The Music Minor program requires 21 credit hours of approved coursework: 6 credits Theory (1008,1009); 3 credits Music History (3301, 3302, 3303); 2 credits Large Ensembles; 6 credits Electives in Music; 4 credits Applied Music, instruction in voice or an instrument; and concert attendance totaling at least 25 approved concerts. Introductory instruction does not apply. Students who audition to take Applied Lessons and do not intend to major or minor in music are not required to take theory or piano exams except for voice applicants, who are required to take theory placement tests. All students studying voice at MUAP 1610 or 1611 levels must have passed MUTC 1001 or be concurrently enrolled in it during their first semester of study. All undergraduate students who take applied private lessons are required to perform in an ensemble; group lessons exempt. Students who wish to play in the Marching Band and do not plan to major or minor in music need to schedule an audition by calling the Band Office at 901.678.2263. Students must be prepared to perform two pieces of music that are contrasting in style, several major scales, and the chromatic scale. Students will also be asked to sight read. Music Business and Recording Technology applicants must meet academic standards required by the Music Industry division before attending a Music Industry Orientation/Audition Day to seek admission into Music Industry programs. Academic standards and admissions requirements are described in detail on the Music Industry page of the Music School website and in the Undergraduate Admissions Handbook. Area Specific Information Information which follows has been provided by music school divisions or by individual faculty members to further assist students with their audition preparation. If your instrument or division of interest does not follow, the general information above serves as a complete guideline for your audition preparation. Bassoon Audition Requirements and Repertoire BASSOON AUDITION REQUIREMENTS AND REPERTOIRE Undergraduate bassoonists should prepare two pieces of a contrasting style such as a slow and fast movement of a Galliard Sonata. Two movements from the Carl Maria von Weber Concerto in F major would be an option for the exceptional student. All major scales and the chromatic scale from the lowest note to the highest note are required. For graduate bassoonists, a selection from major works such as the Mozart Concerto, the Saint-Saens Sonata, the Weber Concerto in F Major, the Weber Andante and Rondo, or the Hummel Concerto would be appropriate. Major and minor scales are required. Graduate students should prepare two orchestral excerpts. Graduate students should also prepare the following orchestral excerpts: Mozart--Marriage of Figaro Overture, Ravel--Bolero, and Tchaikovsky--Sym. 4, Mvt. 2. Undergraduate—Cello Major and minor scales Master of Music—Cello An outer movement of a standard concerto Doctor of Musical Arts—Cello A complete concerto CHORAL CONDUCTING PROFICIENCIES AND REQUIREMENTS Master of Music The Master of Music in Choral Conducting represents an advanced level of knowledge and skill in the area of conducting. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in either Vocal Performance or Music Education, with an emphasis in choral conducting. In a few, rare instances, applicants may enter with a bachelor’s degree in a related area of music, but only through clear demonstrated competence in the area of conducting. Entrance requirements include a bachelor’s degree in Music Education or Vocal Performance (or, in rare instances, a related music degree), music theory and music history proficiency exams, a 45-minute videotape of a recent rehearsal and a videotape of a recent public performance. Prospective students will be asked to participate in an on-campus interview which will include a conducting audition, a sight-singing and pitch recognition examination, a piano skills audition, a vocal diction examination and a personal interview. A taped audition may be accepted in cases of international students or those with similar travel difficulties. In addition, prospective students must be accepted by the University of Memphis and by the School of Music to be accepted into the Master of Music degree program in choral conducting. For more information, please contact: Dr. Lawrence Edwards The Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting represents an advanced level of knowledge and skill in the area of conducting. Applicants must have a master’s degree in either performance or music education, with a specialty in conducting. In a few, rare instances, applicants may enter with a master’s degree in a related area, but only through clear demonstrated competence in the area of conducting. Entrance requirements include a master’s degree in conducting (or, in rare instances, a related music degree), music theory and music history proficiency exams, a 45-minute videotape of a recent rehearsal and a videotape of a recent public performance. Prospective students will be asked to participate in an on-campus interview which will include a conducting audition, a sight-singing and pitch recognition examination, a piano skills audition, a vocal diction examination and a personal interview. A taped audition may be accepted in cases of international students or those with similar travel difficulties. In addition, prospective students must be accepted by the University of Memphis and by the School of Music to be accepted into the Doctor of Musical Arts degree program in choral conducting. For more information, please contact: Dr. Lawrence Edwards CLARINET AUDITION REQUIREMENTS AND REPERTOIRE Undergraduate clarinetists should prepare two pieces that are contrasting in style (fast and slow). Selected pieces can be in the form of etudes or excerpts from concerti or sonatas (eg. Weber Concerto #1 or Concertino). Students are requested to read music at sight. Knowledge of major, minor, and chromatic scales are expected for entering freshmen, preferably memorized. Any student may send a preliminary audio or video medium, however, these do not stand in lieu of a live audition. Graduate applicants in clarinet should submit a repertoire list and perform contrasting movements of a sonata or concerto (eg. Mozart or Nielsen). They should demonstrate an awareness of orchestral and band excerpts. Major and minor scales should be played by memory. All students read music at sight and are tested for pitch recognition. Students may send a preliminary audio or video medium, however, these do not stand in lieu of a live audition. CLASSICAL GUITAR CLASS REGISTRATION INFORMATION MUAP 1551 is a private lesson for guitar majors or students who have the equivalent of two semesters of MUAP 1550, one hour a week with Dr. Lily Afshar. It is restricted and for more advanced students who are accepted only by audition. MUAP 1550 Guitar Introductory Instruction is a private lesson of 1/2 hour weekly for students who are accepted only by audition. The lesson time is set between the student and graduate assistant teacher after audition. MUSE 1118 is a class for non-music majors, for the person who has never played classical guitar and may not read music. No audition necessary. Students may address questions to Dr. Lily Afshar at lafshar@memphis.edu. CLASSICAL GUITAR AUDITION REPERTOIRE Undergraduate—Guitar
Master of Music—Guitar
Doctor of Musical Arts—Guitar
COMPOSITION DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS To be accepted as a Composition major, a student must audition and accomplish the following:
Until an applicant has achieved the above, he has not been fully accepted into the Composition program. The student who has a portfolio of written, possibly published and recorded pieces ready for presentation prior to audition, is encouraged to make an appointment with composition faculty for portfolio review. DOUBLE BASS AUDITION REPERTOIRE Undergraduate—Double Bass Major two octave scales Master of Music—Double Bass Two contrasting movements of a standard sonata or concerto Doctor of Musical Arts A complete concerto HARPSICHORD PRIVATE LESSON AUDITION REQUIREMENTS In most cases, keyboard players (organists, pianists, and harpsichordists) should be able to play at the minimum level of the Bach Inventions or other moderately difficult keyboard literature. Sight-reading will be checked. JAZZ AND STUDIO MUSIC AUDITION REQUIREMENTS Auditionees must be able to READ music: notes, chords and rhythms. Auditions and acceptance to the School of Music in the Jazz Division are heavily weighted on this. Auditionees are not accepted based on ear playing and/or guitar/bass tablature. Jazz and Studio Music Composition and Arranging Emphasis Submit three scores with cassette tapes of original compositions or arrangements as follows: Bebop or Contemporary bop style A performance audition on the student's applied instrument or voice will be required. Jazz and Studio Music Performance Emphasis - All Instruments and Voice
*not required of percussionists unless auditioning on mallet keyboard Jazz and Studio Music Performance -- Saxophone It is desirable that saxophonists double on flute, clarinet or both. Jazz and Studio Music Performance -- Vocalists Prepare at least one selection in the style of the great vocal jazz masters, eg., Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O'Day, Carmen McRae, Nat King Cole, Billy Eckstine, Jon Hendricks, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, or Joe Williams. Prepare at least one selection in the style of the contemporary vocal jazz artists, eg., Chaka Kahn, Tanya Maria, Flora Purim, Dianne Reeves, Elis Regina, Dianne Schuur, Harry Connick Jr., Michael Franks, Al Jarreau, or Bobby McFerrin. Prepare at least one selection in the style of any internationally recognized pop or R & B artist, eg., Regina Belle, Brandy, Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow, Sheena Easton, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Alanis Morissette, Joan Osborne, Al Green, Donnie Hathaway, Michael Jackson, Billy Ocean, Ray Parker Jr., Seal, James Taylor, or Stevie Wonder. Jazz and Studio Music Performance - Rhythm Section: Piano, Drumset, Guitar, Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass All rhythm players will be expected to accompany from a chord chart or lead sheet in the styles of Bop, Latin, Fusion, or jazz/rock, rock and pop. Drummers will be expected to demonstrate adequate knowledge of percussion rudiments, and in addition, examples of the following drum set patterns at various tempi: 1. Bebop and contemporary mainstream (using both sticks and brushes), 2. Jazz waltz, 3. Bossa nova and samba, 4. Salsa or Afro-Cuban, 5. Fusion, funk, or jazz/rock, 6. Ballads (brushes and sticks), 7. R & B and shuffle, 8. Rock and pop. Jazz and Studio Music Performance Audition Requirements - Undergraduate Jazz Guitar
Jazz and Studio Music Performance Audition Requirements - Graduate Jazz Guitar
Jazz Guitar Registration Information Intro to Jazz Guitar, MUAP 1550-01 is a class for non-music majors and Music Industry students that meets one hour per week. Students should be concurrently enrolled in theory or musicianship classes. Audition required. Undergraduate Jazz Guitar, MUAP 1552-003 - lower division, MUAP 4552-003 - upper division is a private, one hour weekly lesson for jazz guitar majors and advanced Music Industry majors. Students must be enrolled in a jazz ensemble and the Jazz Guitar Ensemble (MUAP 3504-011). Audition required. Graduate Jazz Guitar, MUAP 6551-011 or MUAP 7551-011, is a private, one hour weekly lesson for jazz guitar majors pursuing the Master of Music degree. Students must be enrolled in a jazz ensemble and the Jazz Guitar Ensemble (MUAP 7207-011). Audition required. Students may address Jazz Guitar questions to Chip Henderson at phendrsn@memphis.edu. ORGAN INSTRUCTION AUDITION REQUIREMENTS For Beginning Student--Organ Students auditioning for lower division undergraduate-level organ may audition on organ or on piano. If auditioning on organ, they should play 15-20 minutes of music, including a composition by Johann Sebastian Bach and a composition by a later composer. If auditioning on piano, they should play 15-20 minutes of music on a level of a Bach 3-part Sinfonia (Invention), an easier Mozart Sonata, Chopin, Nocturne, or Persichetti Poem for Piano. All auditions will include sight-reading. Organists' questions may be addressed to Dr. John David Peterson at jdpete@memphis.eduor 901.678.3769. For Transfer Student--Organ Students auditioning for upper division undergraduate level organ should play 20-30 minutes of music, including a composition by Johann Sebastian Bach and a composition by a later composer. Audition material should demonstrate the student's technical and musical proficiency. Students should bring to the audition a list of music that they have played. Organists' questions may be addressed to Dr. John David Peterson at jdpete@memphis.eduor 901.678.3769. PERCUSSION AUDITION REQUIREMENTS Percussion applicants should demonstrate proficiency in as many of the following areas as possible. Snare Drum Demonstrate rudiments
Keyboard Major and minor scales, two octaves Timpani Tuning of all intervals Undergraduate/Piano Performance
Undergraduate/Music Education
Undergraduate/Music Minor
Masters Piano Performance
D.M.A. Piano Performance
D.M.A. Collaborative Piano
Two or three Etudes/Solos of contrasting character should be prepared which best demonstrate your sound, range, and technique. The following repertoire is recommended but similar works may be substituted. Bachelor of Music - Trumpet (Performance) Technique: All major scales and arpeggios Bachelor of Music - Trumpet (Music Education and all other concentrations) Technique: All major scales and arpeggios For questions or assistance please email: Dr. Kyle Millsap – kmillsap@memphis.edu. TROMBONE AND EUPHONIUM AUDITION REQUIREMENTS Required
Optional
Undergraduate Tuba
Graduate Tuba All graduate level applicants should be able to demonstrate both the bass and contrebass tubas at the advanced level.
Voice Division Audition Information for Private Instruction All students will be heard by a committee of the voice faculty and other faculty as designated. Under special circumstances the head of the Voice division may hear and audition incoming students without an audition committee with approval of voice faculty members. Undergraduate—Voice
Master's—Voice One of each:
Songs are to be performed from memory except for the oratorio aria which may be performed with music. The audition committee will select repertoire to be heard from the prepared material. Applicants should submit undergraduate recital programs and/or a representative repertoire list of undergraduate literature performed by the applicant. Doctoral—Voice One of each:
Songs are to be performed from memory except for the oratorio aria which may be performed with music. Selections must be representative of the following stylistic periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century. The performance must demonstrate a high degree of artistic and technical achievement. Applicants must submit recital programs and a representative repertoire list. Course Information MUAP 1610.001 Private instruction in basic vocal production. Audition required. Permit required. All students studying voice at the MUAP 1610 or 1611 levels must have passed MUTC 1001 or be concurrently enrolled in it during their first semester of study. If MUTC 1001 is not passed, the student will not be allowed to continue voice study until the requirement is met. All students enrolled in voice MUAP 1610 - MUAP 4611 except for MUAP 1610.002, regardless of major, must be concurrently enrolled in an ensemble each semester of study. MUSE 1112 Vocal methods class for Music Education students other than those with voice or piano concentrations. No audition is required. MUAP 4611 Upper division vocal instruction. Undergraduate—Viola
Master of Music—Viola
Doctor of Musical Arts—Viola
Undergraduate—Violin
Master of Music—Violin
Doctor of Musical Arts—Violin
|
Visit the University of Memphis on  Facebook |
 YouTube |
 Twitter |