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Undergraduate Keyboard Audition Requirements

Piano | Jazz Piano | Organ

Piano

The following repertoire is recommended but works of similar difficulty may be substituted. Works are to be performed on acoustic piano.

  • Performance Major
    • Bach, an invention, 2- or 3-part or Prelude and Fugue from The Well Tempered Clavier
    • A movement from a Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven sonata.
    • A romantic work, such as a Chopin waltz, or one of the more difficult preludes.
    • A contemporary selection; for example, the Bartok "Rumanian Dances".
  • All other majors
    • Bach, one of the smaller preludes or fugues.
    • A movement from a Clementi, Kuhlau, or Dussek sonatina.
    • One of the easier Chopin preludes or a comparable work.
    • A contemporary composition by Kabalevsky or Bartok, or another 20th century composer.

Note
All applicants are expected to play from memory.

Jazz Piano

On Campus Audition

Please prepare a variety of selection and bring a list of audition pieces. Include improvisation on all selections. Your audition will be performed on acoustic piano.  Please prepare at least one from each of the following categories:

  • Ballad in tempo (standard, solo piano);
  • Swing tune (standard or jazz tune);
  • Latin tune (standard or jazz tune)

Also, you may be asked to sight read a piece

Bring a DVD or videotape which demonstrates your accompaniment abilities. Include a piece with at least one additional soloist: saxophone, trumpet, etc. (5 minutes).  In addition feel free to include any other material on this recording which you feel showcases your abilities in styles other than those represented at the audition (arrangements, compositions, electric keyboard selections, etc.)

Taped/Regional Audition

Include the following on acoustic piano with improvisation on all selections:

  1. Solo piano in ballad tempo, for example, Rainy Day, Stella by Starlight, etc. (4 minutes).
  2. One or two trio selections (with bass and drums), preferably one swing tune and one Latin tune (5-7 minutes).
  3. To demonstrate your accompaniment abilities, include a piece with at least one additional soloist: saxophone, trumpet, etc. (5 minutes). In addition feel free to include any other material on this recording which you feel showcases your abilities in styles other than those represented at the audition (arrangements, compositions, electric keyboard selections, etc.)

At the regional audition, item 1 should be performed live. Bring a DVD or videotape containing items 2 and 3.  All taped auditions must be submitted on DVD or videotape.

 
Organ

Prepare two compositions of contrasting style from different periods. Applicants will be asked to sight-read a four-part hymn.