Information for Music Applicants
There is an audition requirement, in addition to the other admissions requirements, if you are applying to any of the following programs:
Exceptional auditions may qualify you for scholarship funding that is distributed by the music faculty. If you are a recipient, these scholarships will appear on your financial aid award letter.
Auditions for admission are held from November to April in the Gerald G. Wilmot Hall of Music on Nazareth College’s campus. In addition, auditions are held in select cities throughout the northeast.
Registration
View available dates and register for a music audition online, or contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by phone, 800-462-3944 or 585-389-2860. Prior to attending the audition, all Music students must complete a Music Degree Supplement using SlideRoom. There is no fee for this supplement, but it is important to have this completed before you arrive to speed up the registration and audition process on the day of the event.
Audition Format
- Theory Placement exams are held at 8:30 a.m. First-year examinations normally require one hour; additional time is scheduled for junior-year placement. Junior-year placement is accomplished by examination only.
- Auditions are held after Theory Placement exams, between 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Time is provided for warm-up and a brief rehearsal.
- A personal interview follows the audition.
- Sight-singing and keyboard diagnostic examinations are scheduled within the remaining time.
- Music/Business applicants have the option to follow a different audition format. Click here for details »
Questions may be directed to Nancy Strelau, auditions coordinator and assistant professor of music: 585-389-2691 or nstrela1@naz.edu.
Audition Guidelines
General Music Requirements:
A theory placement exam, as well as sight-singing and piano proficiency exam, will be administered at the time of the audition to determine the appropriate classes for entering students.
Specific Requirements by Instrument
Piano
Two or three memorized works chosen from the standard Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Twentieth Century repertoire. Scales and arpeggios may be requested.
Organ
Sufficient study to perform from works comparable to the Gleason Method of Organ Playing, the Orgelbuchlein of Bach, Fiori Musicali of Frescobaldi, and the Choral Preludes of Brahms.
Voice
The entrance audition demonstrates the student's ability to sing in tune with good quality, correct rhythm, and musical intelligence. Students auditioning for the Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Music Therapy, Music Theory, Music History, and Bachelor of Arts degrees must present three pieces selected from the standard classical vocal repertoire suitable to the candidate's age and ability. Students auditioning for the Bachelor of Music in Performance must present four pieces. Audition repertoire for all degree programs must include at least two languages and contrasting historical styles. All selections must be memorized. Musical theater, jazz, or pop styles are not acceptable.
Brass and Woodwinds
All scales, as well as solo material which demonstrates the practical range of the instrument and a variety of slurring and tonguing techniques. Two solo pieces or movements of contrast in tempi are required.
Guitar
Scales in two or three octaves (Segovia) played with two or more of the following combinations: i m i m/ i a i a/ m a m a/ a m i/ i m a m; studies by Carcassi, Sor, Giuliani, Brouwer, et cetera; two pieces representing contrasting styles, such as works by Milan, Sor, Tarrega, Villa-Lobos, or Brouwer.
Strings
- A 3-octave major scale and related melodic minor scale with accompanying major and minor arpeggios of the applicants choice
- Two compositions or two contrasting movements from two different compositions. Selections must be of contrasting tempi or different time periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary).
- One Movement of an Unaccompanied Suite or Partita by J.S. Bach
- One Etude or Technical Study
Percussion
A short solo on each of the following instruments: snare drum, marimba, and timpani. Rudiments, scales and arpeggios, and timpani tuning will also be included. As a general guide, NYSMMA level V and VI solos are preferred with level IV acceptable in an area of less experience.
Sample literature includes: Rudimental Swing Solos by Wilcoxen; Portraits in Rhythm by Cirone; Three Dances for Snare Drum by Warren Benson; Violin Sonata in A Minor, movement I or III by Bach; Suite for Xylophone and Orchestra by David Carey; selections from Raggedy Ragtime Rags by Randy Eyles; Juniper by Kristen Shiner McGuire; Suite for Timpani by Dave Mancini; selections from The Solo Timpanist by Vic Firth; Seven Solo Dances for the Advanced Timpanist by George Frock; Sonata for Timpani by John Beck.
Those wishing to play drum set may do so as well during the audition day for the percussion faculty, schedule to be arranged.