Music

Academic Information

Audition Dates & Requirements

Degree Tracks

Course Descriptions

Ensembles

Jury Information

Independent Study Forms

Music Student Information

Careers in Music

Department Information

PRESTO

Office Information

Admission and Audition Process

In addition to being officially accepted by Salisbury University, entering freshmen and transfer students wishing to major in music are required to pass a music audition in their chosen performing area before being accepted into the Department of Music, for all tracks. No audition is required to minor in music.

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.

Music Audition Dates

We will be offering three Saturday audition dates on January 19, February 2, and February 16, 2013. All other audition dates are scheduled by appointment only. Please contact Brooke Church, auditions coordinator for the Department of Music, at (410) 543-6385 or bwchurch@salisbury.edu for more information. Auditions are not scheduled until official confirmation is given.

When you contact the above 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.

Music Audition Requirements

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 short sight-reading exercise on your voice or instrument.
The completion of the Theory Advisory exam.*
Candidates are expected to provide a copy of all their music at the audition.
Instrumentalists will perform without accompaniment. The department will provide an accompanist for vocalists, if necessary.

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

Specific Audition Requirements for Auditions and Tracks

For Brass, Woodwinds, and Strings: Students entering into the B.A. in Music/Traditional, B.A. in Music/Teacher Certification or B.A. in Music/Technology tracks should prepare one or two pieces (excerpts, etudes, movements, solos), in contrasting styles. 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/Traditional, B.A. in Music/Teacher Certification or B.A. in Music/Technology tracks should prepare two pieces from the classical guitar repertoire, one of which may be an etude. Students wishing to audition into the B.A. in Music/Instrumental Performance track should prepare three contrasting pieces.

For Percussionists: Students entering into the B.A. in Music/Traditional, B.A. in Music/Teacher Certification or B.A. in Music/Technology tracks should prepare one or two pieces (excerpts, etudes, movements, solos), in contrasting styles, 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 Pianists: Students entering into the B.A. in Music/Traditional, B.A. in Music/Teacher Certification or B.A. in Music/Technology tracks should prepare two pieces of your choice, in contrasting styles. 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/Traditional, B.A. in Music/Teacher Certification or B.A. in Music/Technology tracks should prepare two pieces of your choice, in contrasting styles. 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/Traditional, B.A. in Music/Teacher Certification or B.A. in Music/Technology 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.

Further Information:

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 music audition and taken a Theory Advisory Test. 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.