Admissions Requirements

Audition Information

Students applying for admission to the Music Department must demonstrate, by audition, an outstanding level of performance on their instrument or voice. Students must register online for an audition date. Register Now!

Once you register for your audition date, please allow 2-3 weeks for your audition confirmation package to arrive by mail from your academic department. It is strongly recommended that all students appear on campus to audition. If you are unable to appear on campus, please contact fpa@rowan.edu or call 856.256.4548 for additional information.

Undergraduate Audition Requirements

COMPOSITION

• Music Composition

AUDITION PROCEDURES FOR SUBMITTING WORKS

1. The best scenario is to receive recordings of actual performances along
with hard copy scores.
2. The next best scenario is hard copy scores with mp3 recording.
3. The next best scenario is to email scores with mp3's recording.
4. The next best scenario is send hard copy of scores.
5. The next best scenario is to email scores only.

GUITAR

• Classical Guitar

Demonstrations of scales and arpeggios. If the prepared audition piece does not sufficiently demonstrate these areas, then material from Andres Segovia’s Major & Minor Diatonic Scales, published by Columbia and Mauro Giuliani’s 120 Daily Studies can be used.

Demonstration of music reading ability. (Material will be supplied at the audition)

A memorized piece from the repertoire of the classical guitar, played using the appropriate technique, of about five minutes duration.

KEYBOARD

• Organ

  Studies; One exercise from: Johnson-Instruction for Beginning Organists or Gleason Method of Organ Playing, or Bach- Orgelbuchlein(one Chorale prelude)

  3 Solos: One selection from Bach-Little Fugues and Preludes, or Bach-Prelude and Fugue in E Minor(Cathedral), or Mendelssohn-Sonata Movement, or Vierne-Berceuse of Arabesque (24 pieces in free style) Plus Sight-read a homophonic 4-part passage (8-16 measures).

• Piano (to be memorized)
  

Applicants for the performance track:

1. All major and minor scales.
   
2. One movement of a Beethoven (excluding Op.49), Haydn or Mozart Sonata(excluding K.545).
   
3. A work of advanced difficulty of one BY ONE the following composers: Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, or Liszt.
   
4. A Bach Prelude and Fugue from Well Tempered Clavier, Books I or II

Applicants for all other tracks:

1. All major and minor scales.
   
2. One movement of a Beethoven (excluding Op.49), Haydn or Mozart Sonata (excluding K.545).
   
3. A work of al least early advanced difficulty by one of the following composers: Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, or Liszt.
   
4. A Bach Prelude and Fugue from The Well Tempered Clavier or a 3-part Invention (Sinfonia) .

PERCUSSION

• Percussion

  For complete percussion audition information, go to Rowan University Percussion web site: http://rowanpercussion.wordpress.com

STRINGS

• Violin

  For applicants for the Bachelor of Arts degree:

  1. Technique: All major/minor scales and arpeggios in two octaves, vibrato and basic bowing techniques including tone production, detache, martele and spiccato. Scale books by Hrimaly or Galamian.
  2. Studies: Etudes by Mazas, Wolfhart, Whistler and Sevcik. Doublestops by Trott.
  3. Solos: Concertos by Accolay, Vivaldi, Tartini, Nardini or Bach. Sonatas by Handel, Corelli, Tartini and LeClair.

  For applicants for the Music Education degree:

  1. Technique: Major and minor scales in three octaves, advanced bowing techniques and double-stopping in thirds and octaves. Bowing studies in spiccato, sautille and loure; development of shifting and bowing skills together with technical variations for style periods.
  2. Studies: Etudes by Kreutzer, Fiorillo, Dont, Sevcik and scales by Hrimaly or Galamian. Double-stops by Trott, Flesch, Sevcik or Schradieck.
  3. Solos: Sonatas by Handel, Corelli, Mozart of Haydy. Concertos by DeBeriot, Spohr, Bach, Tartini, Mozart and Haydn.

  For applicants for the Performance Degree:

  1. Technique: Same as for music education.
  2. Studies: Same as for music education plus etudes by Gavinies.
  3. Solos: Unaccompanied sonatas and partitas by Bach, Prokofiev, unaccompanied sonata, concertos by Mozart, Vieuxtemps (Nos. 4 and 5), Kabalevsky, Vaughn, Williams, Mendelssohn, Saint-Saens (No. 3). Concert pieces by Kreisler, Sarasate and Wieniawski.

• Viola

  All major/minor scales and arpeggios.

Studies: Mazas-Special Studies, Kayser-36 Studies Etudes by Fiorillo, Rode or Kreutzer.

Solos: Mozart Sonatina, Handel Concerto, Handel Sonata (first and second movements), or selections from Doktor-Solos for the Viola Player.

• Cello

All major/minor scales and arpeggios.

Studies: Golterman-Concerto No. IV and Schroeder-Etudes, Vol I & II

Solos: Vivaldi-Sonatas, Ploch-Concerto in G, Marcello-Sonatas

• String Bass

Scales: All major and natural minor scales two octaves. Scales should be played with eighth notes at quarter note equals 100 beats per minute playing one, two and four notes per bow.

Studies: 1 etude chosen from the following: Simandl; 30 Etudes, Storch-Hrabe 57 Studies. (Applicant may choose a different etude of similar difficulty such as Bille, Kreutzer, Kayser).

Solos: 2 contrasting movements of a baroque sonata or other solo of similar difficulty such as Vivaldi Sonata #3 in A Minor, Marcello Sonata #5 in C Major, Gardoni Suite in Classical Style.

• Harp

Etude: Choose one etude from Pozzoli, "Studies of Medium Difficulty" (#5, #7, #10, #11, or #14), or Bach-Grandjany, "Etudes for Harp"

Solos: Choose one of the following: Sonata in C Minor (first movement), by Dussek, Theme and Variations, by Hadyn (arr. Salzedo), Theme and Variations, by Handel, Passacaille, by Handel (arr. Beon), Song in the Night, by Salzedo, First Arabesque, by Debussy, Vers La Source, by Tournier (or substitute a solo from the standard repertoire of equal or greater difficulty)

VOICE

• Voice

  Applicants for the Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance must sing three pieces. At least one must be in a foreign language.*
  

  Applicants for the Bachelor of Music Education-Vocal, Bachelor of Arts, and Music Minor must sing two pieces. At least one must be in a foreign language.*

  *While several opportunities for singing Musical Theater exist within the performance experiences offered at the university, Musical Theatre repertoire is not acceptable for the audition.

  Vocal Jazz Majors should prepare one classical piece and one Jazz standard to sing for the vocal faculty. This is in addition to your audition for the jazz faculty.

  All applicants will be expected to execute the above from memory with poise, good pitch, proper breathing, phrasing, and above all, demonstrate an expressive musicianship. An accompanist is provided for the audition.

WINDS

• Bassoon

  All Major scales
  
  Two contrasting etudes from either Milde Concert Studies and/or Weissenborn 50 Advanced Studies
  
  One of the following solo pieces (or equivalent to the following):
  1. Telemann Sonata in F minor.
  2. Mozart Concerto in Bb major, K 191 ( movements 1 and 2)
  3. Bourdeau Premier Solo
  
  Sight Reading

• Clarinet

  Applicants are required to prepare the following (applicants must audition on the B-flat soprano clarinet and/or on the A clarinet if necessary; auditioning on other utility clarinets are not necessary but optional):

  1. Major and minor (harmonic or melodic) scales (Ed. Majors: four sharps and four flats; Performance Majors: all) and chromatic scales in slur and tonguing from memory.
  2. Two contrasting etudes from Rose 32 Etudes or 40 Etudes.
  3. One of the following (or the equivalent to the following):
     1. Mozart Concerto in A major, K. 622 (1st or 3rd mvt; 2nd mvt)
     2. Weber Concertino, Op. 26
  4. Two contrasting orchestral excerpts of the applicant's choice (optional).
  5. Sight-reading

• Flute

Scales:
Majors up to 7 sharps and 7 flats, 2 octaves (3 octaves on C major )
Minors: A Minor, and minors up to 3 flats and 3 sharps (2 octaves) , all three forms
All scales to be played in quarter note =100

Etudes:
Two contrasting etudes from Cavally "Melodious and Progressive Studies," Vol. 1, or Andersen "24 Studies" op.33 or equivalent.

Pieces :
One Baroque sonata, all movements (example: any sonata by Handel, JS Bach,Vivaldi, Marcello, Vinci, Telemann, Locatelli, Platti, etc.)
PLUS
One selection from the following (or equivalent) :
Mozart "Concerto in G Major"
Hindemith "Sonate"
Poulenc "Sonata"
Chaminade "Concertino"
Enesco "Cantabile et Presto"
Faure "Fantasie"

Questions? Contact Dr. Tomasone, tomasone@rowan.edu

• Oboe

Solos: Choice of: Marcello concerto in C Minor, Handel Sonatas I, II, or III, Hindemith Sonata

Studies: Vade-Mecum or Barrett Book (two prepared exercises)

Major Scales

Show some reed-making ability

• Saxophone

Major scales in all 12 keys, preferably played on the full range of the saxophone starting on the tonic up to the highest note on the instrument (F or F# above the staff), down to the lowest note on the instrument (B or Bb below the staff), and then up again, ending on the tonic. Tempo should be at least =60M.M. slurred 16th notes.

Scales may also be played in the All State audition format with a legato tongue. F#, G, A and Ab scales may be played one octave but all others are to be played two octaves. (See minor scales for form). Tempo should be at least =80M.M.

Minor scales in all 12 keys. All three forms, natural, harmonic and melodic minor are to be played with a legato tongue in the All State format at =60M.M.

A chromatic scale slurred, played over the full range of the instrument from low Bb to high F or F# and back down to low Bb. Suggested tempo = 60M.M.

Major Triad Arpeggios slurred in 8th note triplets 1 octave for F#, G and Ab, 2 octaves for all other keys. Suggested tempo =60M.M.

Any etude from one of the following studies or a study of comparable difficulty: 27 Melodic and Rhythmic Etudes by J. L. Small, 27 Virtuoso Studies by Bassi, 48 Famous Studies by W. Ferling.

Any solo from New Jersey All State auditions for alto, tenor or baritone saxophone, or any solo from the classical saxophone literature of equal or greater difficulty.

 

BRASS

**The following repertory lists are of suggested audition material. The Brass Faculty does not expect to hear all of these works in an audition. Please pick two or three contrasting pieces or substitute works of similar musical standard and difficulty. If you have further questions please contact us. We can help.

• Euphonium-Baritone Horn

  Please prepare one study and one contrasting solo.

  Studies: Rochert-Melodious Etudes-Book I, Tyrrell-40 Progressive Studies for Trombone, or Arban- Characteristic Studies.

  Solos: Barat- Introduction and Dance, Bellstedt- Napoli, De Luca- Beautiful Colorado, Capuzzo-Andante et Rondo (arr. Catelinet), Curnow- Rhapsody for Euphonium, Guilmant- Morceau Symphonique, or similar-level solo.
  

• French Horn

Studies:  One or two Etudes from Kopprasch-60 Studies for Horn, Book Solo:  Mozart-Concerto No. 3, Mvt. I AND one contrasting piece of your choice
            

• Trombone

  Studies: Rochut-Melodious Etudes, Mantia-Trombone Virtuoso or Blazevich-Clef Studies.

  Solos: Galliard-Sonatas, Berlioz- Recitative and Prayer. Any of the NJ, NY, PA, DE All-State Solos.

• Trumpet

Studies: Arban-“Characteristic Studies” from Complete Conservatory Method, Bordogni 24 Vocalises, Bousquet-36 Celebrated Studies (also appears in the Saint Jacome Method).

Solos: Concerti by Haydn, Hummel, or Bohme: Sonatas by Hindemith, Kennan, or Stevens; Works by Bozza- Badinage, Caprice or Rustiques; Any coronet solo by H. L. Clarke or J.B. Arban. Any of the NJ, NY, PA, DE All-State High School Solos.

• Tuba

  Studies: Rochert-Melodious Etudes-Book I or Tyrrell-40 Advanced Studies (arr. Jacobs).

  Solos: Capuzzi-Andante and Rondo (arr. Catelinet), Marcello-Sonata No. 1 or Sonata No. 5.

JAZZ STUDIES

• Additional Audition Requirements for those intending to be Jazz Majors or Jazz Education Majors (Jazz Ed; K-12 Certification)

  All applicants for the Jazz Major at Rowan University must:

  1. Play all major, mixolydian and dorian scales ascending and descending.
  2. Improvise to an F blues. Medium swing tempo.
     
  3. Play Charlie Parker’s Donna Lee. It can be read, but it must be played start to finish without stopping.
  4. Play the melody and improvise to Duke Ellingtons’ Take the “A” Train (in concert C).
  5. Sight read a given piece of music.
  6. Prepare and perform an audition for the classical faculty following the guidelines for the classical audition.

  If you have questions about the jazz portion of the audition, please call Denis DiBlasio, Coordinator of Jazz Studies & Composition, (856) 256-4500, ext. 3528.

• Jazz (Vocal)

  Major, dominant (mixolydian) and minor scale, one octave only. Key(s) determined by a range of vocalist.

  Major seventh, dominant seventh, and minor seventh chord arpeggios either using solfeggio or any syllable as long as the pitches are accurate.

  Sight sing diatonic and chromatic intervals ascending and descending one octave accuratedly from (middle c) on piano, using solfeggio or “la” syllable. Octave of starting pitch will vary according to vacalists’ range.

  Jazz stantard: Vocalist must prepare one standard song and one jazz standard from the following list of tunes and must provide a lead sheet with chord changes for piano accompaniment for the song in his/her own key.

  • Standard Swing Ballads
  • All of Me
  • When I Fall in Love
  • On the Sunny Side of the Street
  • When Sunny Gets Blue
  • Pennies from Heaven
  • My Funny Valentine
  • Night and Day
  • God Bless the Child
  • There Will Never Be Another You
  • Stella By Starlight

  Jazz Standards (Scat singing is not mandatory)

  • It Don’t Mean a Thing (if it ain’t got that swing)
  • Doxy (scat)
  • Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
  • Perdido
  • Satin Doll
  • Now’s the Time (scat)
  • Mr. P. C. (scat)
  • Sunnymoon for Two (scat)
  • Blues In The Closet (scat)
  • “C” Jam Blues (scat)

Graduate Audition Requirements

Music Graduate Audition Application