In addition to being officially accepted by Salisbury University, entering freshmen and transfer students are required to pass an audition in their chosen performing area before being accepted into the Department of Music. However, all students indicating an interest in majoring in music are admitted provisionally (Pre-Music Major) to the Department of Music by the Salisbury University Admissions office. Full admission to the major (Music Major) is not attained until the student has successfully passed a performance audition and taken a Theory Advisory Test.

Follow the two-step application process listed below.

1. Submit an application to Salisbury University. Apply to Salisbury University at http://www.salisbury.edu/apply/

2. Complete the music audition process below

Although the Department of Music has a rolling music audition process, we strongly urge music auditions for freshman year students be

completed by March 1st.

The Department of Music works with Salisbury University’s admissions office to review and assess applicants who exhibit the strongest potential for success at the University. Both academic background and talent are among the factors that are considered in the final decision

Please visit http://www.salisbury.edu/iara/Profile/newstudents.html to see where you might fall within the Admissions New Student Profile

Dates

*Auditions are scheduled by appointment only. Please contact the Department of Music at (410) 543-6385 or kmnoble@salisbury.edu for more information. Auditions are not scheduled until official confirmation is given.

Music Audition Requirements

The Department of Music has a rolling audition policy and audition times can be arranged at our mutual convenience. Most students and their parents coordinate the audition with one of the University Open Houses. Specific audition requirements for each instrument are listed below. In addition to musical talent, prospective students must be competitive for general admission to the university based on the strength of academic work, grade point average, standardized testing, and good school and community standing. Full admission to the major (Music Major) is not attained until the student has successfully passed the music audition which is comprised of the following

● Filling out and submitting the following Audition Form (word doc)

● A formal audition and interview with the applied faculty (see specific repertory guidelines and requirements below).

● A sight-reading exercise on your voice or instrument from a short excerpt of late elementary/early intermediate level

● The completion of the Theory Advisory exam*

● Students are required to take 2 semesters of piano study, so a piano placement evaluation will be given during your first semester of acceptance into the program.

*Note: Transfer students go through the same audition process for applied study placement and may be asked to complete a theory placement exam.

For Instrumentalists including Brass, Woodwind, and Strings: Students entering into the B.A. in Music and B.A. in Music/ Teacher Certification tracks should prepare one or two pieces (excerpts, etudes, movements, solos), in contrasting styles, which best show your proficiency. Students wishing to audition into the B.A. in Music - Instrumental Performance track should prepare at least two pieces. Some knowledge of major and minor scales is expected.

For Classical Guitarists: Students entering into the B.A. in Music, B.A. in Music/ Teacher Certification track or the B.A. in Music Technology should prepare two pieces from the classical guitar repertoire, one of which may be an etude, which best show his/her proficiency. Students wishing to audition into the B.A. in Music - Instrumental Performance track should prepare three pieces in contrasting styles. All candidates will be asked to sight read a short piece, and discuss their knowledge of classical guitar repertoire, and their musical interests. Candidates are asked to please bring their music scores to the audition. A footstool will be provided.

For Percussionists: Students entering into the B.A. in Music or B.A. in Music/ Teacher Certification tracks should prepare one or two pieces (excerpts, etudes, movements, solos), in contrasting styles, which best show your proficiency on percussion instruments (including Mallets, Tympani or Snare). Students wishing to audition into the B.A. in Music - Instrumental Performance track should prepare at least two pieces. For all students, the audition will also include sight reading on marimba and snare drum; timpani and drum set solos are encouraged but optional.

For Pianists: Students entering into the B.A. in Music and B.A. in Music/ Teacher Certification tracks should prepare two pieces of your choice, in contrasting styles, which best show your proficiency. At least one of the pieces must be memorized. Students wishing to audition into the B.A. in Music - Instrumental Performance track, should have three pieces prepared, two of which must be memorized. A movement of a composition is considered to be one piece. Knowledge of major and minor scales should be demonstrated at the audition for all tracks.

For Organists: Students entering into the B.A. in Music and B.A. in Music/ Teacher Certification tracks should prepare two pieces of your choice, in contrasting styles, which best show your proficiency. For students wishing to audition into the B.A. in Music -Instrumental Performance track, there should be three pieces prepared, two of which must be memorized. A movement of a composition is considered to be one piece. In addition, students will be asked to sight read a hymn. Piano skills will be evaluated.

For Vocalists: Students entering into the B.A. Music and B.A. in Music/ Teacher Certification tracks should prepare two pieces of your choice, one in English and one in a foreign language. For students wishing to audition into the B.A. in Music - Vocal Performance track, there should be three pieces, one in English and the other two in at least one other language. For all tracks, audition pieces should be selected from the art song repertoire. Memorization is required of all vocalists.

Candidates are expected to provide a copy of all audition materials. Instrumentalists will perform without accompaniment. The department will provide an accompanist for vocalists, if necessary.

Further Information:

When you contact the above contact person, please provide your name, instrument, and possible dates which would be convenient for you to audition. We will then establish a convenient date and time with the respective faculty. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. While some students may successfully complete an audition prior to their first semester enrollment at SU and immediately be accepted into the music major program, other students may choose to stay in the pre-music program while preparing for their music audition which should occur sometime during their first year of applied study at Salisbury University. Prior to completing their audition, pre-music students may consider the following:

    ● Sign up for Applied Study (MUSA 390) under their appropriate instrument
    ● Elect to take a Theory Advisory Test for placement in either Introduction to Music Theory (MUSC 201) or Theory I (MUSC 203) or simply sign up for Introduction to Music Theory (MUSC 201).
    ● Enroll for any core music courses in which they have met the prerequisite.
    ● Decide what track they wish to pursue.

Academic advisement for all pre-music students and all students who have attained full admission to the music program will begin the freshman year.