Audition Guidelines by Area
Voice
All voice students are required to present two selections of contrasting style with a comfortable level of difficulty. These selections should be of classical nature, either art songs or arias, and one must be in a foreign language. An audition specifically intended to qualify for the music theater program may include one selection from a Broadway musical. Pop and/or folk songs are not acceptable for an audition for any vocal concentration.
Vocalists must sing with a live accompanist at the piano. Taped accompaniments are not acceptable. Singers may bring their own accompanists, which is most desirable, or they may opt to request an accompanist. If a JMU accompanist is requested, rehearsal time will not be available, and singers must provide copies of the music at the audition. Vocalists may be asked to sight sing as part of the audition.
Instrumental
Instrumental students must prepare a minimum of two selections of contrasting styles and character that will demonstrate their technical and musical ability. These selections should be of a classical nature such as the standard solo repertoire listings on the state and national level, grade IV or above. Other comparable works are acceptable, such as movements of a sonata or concerto, or a classical etude. Memorization is not required. Students should be prepared to perform various scales and/or arpeggios. Instrumentalists may bring their own accompanist or perform without accompaniment.
Percussion
Percussionists should perform a prepared solo on snare drum (or multiple percussion that includes snare-drum technique) and keyboard (marimba, xylophone or vibes) and will be asked to sight-read on snare drum and marimba. A tympani solo is optional. If you want to show expertise on drum set, please bring a tape or CD of you performing with any ensemble to the audition.
- For percussion audition info/hints, go to
http://people.jmu.edu/delonerm/studio%20auditions.htm - You are also required to submit the Percussion Background Questionnaire
Visit the percussion website at http://jmupercussion.com
Piano
All piano students must prepare a minimum of two contrasting selections that will demonstrate their technical and musical ability. Pieces should be at the level of Beethoven, Mozart or Haydn sonatas; Bach preludes and fugues; and similarly representative works from the 19th and 20th century. Memorization is encouraged. Students should be prepared to play various scales and/or arpeggios. All auditioning piano students must provide a thorough repertoire list that will be placed in the candidate's file.
Guitar
The purpose of the audition is to evaluate musicianship, disposition and the ability to play classical guitar, weighed against the standards and needs of the School of Music. To make the audition a useful means of evaluation, it is of utmost importance that students choose pieces they can play well and that are well within their musical and technical abilities. Students are required to perform three pieces of classical guitar literature on a nylon-string instrument. Each selection must be chosen from a different style period (Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic or 20th century). Pieces selected must demonstrate the following techniques: slurs, arpeggios and scales.
Harp
Harp students should perform two contrasting solos and one standardorchestra excerpt of choice.
