Music Audition Tips
Private Study
It is generally unrealistic to expect that participation in high
school music programs alone will adequately prepare students to
enter college as a music major. Most successful applicants to college
music programs have studied music privately. That is not to say
that all of our entering students have studied privately while in
high school, but private music instruction can only help your chances
for a successful audition. If you have not studied privately you
are strongly encouraged to get some private lessons with a good
teacher before you audition.
The Audition
The audition is the single most important factor in deciding which
students will be accepted to The College of Saint Rose Music Department.
It is also how the music faculty decide who they will recommend
for talent scholarships. Here are several things you can do to improve
your chances for a successful college audition.
Select and develop audition repertoire as far as possible in advance
of your audition. Your junior year of high school is not too soon.
Be sure to observe the audition requirements.
Choose repertoire that demonstrates your ability to perform in
a variety of styles and tempos. Fast movements that demonstrate
your technical abilities as well as slow movements that demonstrate
good tone quality, intonation, and vibrato (if appropriate) would
be a good combination.
Choose repertoire that is appropriate to your level of expertise.
An easier piece played well will be more successful than a more
difficult piece played poorly.
Practice performing mock auditions for your music teacher(s) and
your friends.
Get a recording of the repertoire you will be performing. You may
have difficulty finding a recording at your local entertainment
store, but recordings of most traditional repertoire can be found
on-line at websites such as Amazon.com. Listen to the recording
many times while you follow your music. Try to perform along with
the recording. All of these things will help you to "internalize"
the music until it feels comfortable to you.
Choose something to begin your audition that you feel comfortable
with. You will probably be most nervous at the beginning of your
audition so start with something you are most confident with.
Be prepared to play several scales.
Submit all application materials to The Saint Rose Admissions Office
as far in advance of your audition as possible. Observe all deadlines
carefully.
Practice sight-reading so you will be able to sight-read effectively
at your audition.
Be sure to schedule your audition as far in advance as possible
by calling The College of Saint Rose Music Department Office at
518-337-2348.
Schedule your audition as early as possible in the school year.
If you wish to be considered for a Talent Scholarship it is mandatory
that you audition no later than February 1.
Tips for Your Audition Day
If you live a long distance from Saint Rose try to arrive the day
before your audition so you can get a good night's sleep.
There will be a meeting on your audition day for you and your parents/guardians
at 10:00 AM. Plan on getting to The Saint Rose Music Center at least
one hour before this meeting so you have plenty of time to warm-up
and get used to the surroundings.
Don't "over practice" in the days immediately preceding
your audition. Your want your "chops" to be at their strongest.
Bring a copy of your resume for the auditioning committee, even
if you have already submitted one with your application.
Remember that your audition begins the moment you enter the audition
room, not just when you begin performing your audition repertoire.
Dress professionally, speak confidently and respectfully, smile
and make eye contact with the adjudicators.
Don't worry about minor mistakes during the audition. The adjudicators
are not expecting a perfect performance-they are mainly interested
in your future potential.
You probably won't get to perform your audition repertoire completely
from the beginning to the end. The adjudicators may ask you to play
only certain sections of your music.
Audition Requirements
An audition with members of the Music department faculty is required
for everyone who wishes to major in Music at The College of Saint
Rose. For examples of appropriate audition repertoire please consult
the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) manual, Levels
IV, V, and VI, or the equivalent manual from another state music
education association.
Instrumentalists should prepare at least one solo from the
standard repertoire for their primary instrument.
Guitarists and bassists are encouraged, but not required,
to audition on acoustic instruments.
Percussionists who wish to major in Music Education should
demonstrate skills on at least two of the following percussion units:
snare drum, timpani, keyboard percussion, and multiple percussion.
Basic skills on drum set are desired but not required.
Percussionists desiring a concentration in Music Industry
should demonstrate their abilities on the drum set. Knowledge of
other percussion instruments is encouraged but not required.
Pianists are expected to demonstrate knowledge of scale
and arpeggio routines, perform at least two contrasting solos from
the standard repertoire and sight-read.
Organists will perform a solo organ selection, play a hymn,
demonstrate manual and pedal technique and sight-read.
Vocalists should be prepared to present two solos from memory
and to sight-read. One solo should be in English and the second
in another language. An accompanist will be provided for the audition
should a student not be able to bring his/her own.
The College of Saint Rose Music Department
432 Western Avenue, Albany, New York 12203
Phone: (518) 454-5178 •
FAX: (518) 454-2146
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