Procedure for the Sophomore Audition
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Students are admitted to the music major with emphasis in performance by audition during the sophomore year of study. The sophomore audition generally occurs at the end of the second semester of sophomore year. Students who wish to audition must discuss their intent with the instructor as early as possible in their lesson enrollment. No student will be permitted to audition without the approval of the individual instructor. |
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The jury committee will consist of a minimum of three music faculty members, who will provide comments and evaluate the student on a pass/fail basis. The comments of the committee will be kept in the student’s file. Students are allowed access to the jury commentary but not the individual sources of comment. |
| Repertoire guidelines for the sophomore audition: |
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Vocalists: A program of five songs representing at least three languages and three different style periods, for a total of fifteen minutes of music. All repertoire must be memorized, with the exception of oratorio.
Instrumentalists: A program of three pieces of contrasting style for a total of fifteen minutes of music. (Pianists only: all repertoire must be memorized.) |
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In evaluating the student at the sophomore audition, the faculty committee will examine the following factors: |
| Mechanics – all students should have correct and accurate execution of pitches, rhythms, articulations, and tempi. Vocalists should exhibit an understanding of proper pronunciation and diction for each language. Students who fail to achieve this minimum requirement will not pass and should instead consider the music major with emphasis in theory or history. |
| Stage deportment
– All students should demonstrate a satisfactory level of ease with being
onstage and performing for an audience. This includes ability to
successfully perform under pressure, engage the audience, and overcome any
physical hindrances to performance (tension, stage fright, etc.). As an
integral part of the nature of performance, any student who is significantly
uncomfortable with public performance should reconsider the discipline. Pianists and vocalists should display reasonable facility in performing from memory. (While memorization is not required for other instruments, students are always encouraged to challenge themselves with memorization whenever possible.) |
| Interpretation and communication – students should demonstrate some understanding of different styles and characters in the music. Instrumentalists should be attentive to performance practice as it relates to contrasting musical styles and the ideas being communicated through their pieces; vocalists should be aware of the relationship between text setting, emotional content, and portrayal of character in their program. |
| The jury commentary will consist of a personal evaluation of the student’s performance in the sophomore audition. Problem areas as well as areas of strength will be identified in this commentary. It is the responsibility of the student – in conjunction with her private instructor – to plan for development and progress in these areas. |
| Students who receive the evaluation of “pass with reservation” are considered to be admitted on a probationary basis. The student will be given specific criteria upon which to improve by the time she performs the first jury of the following semester. The student and private instructor will keep an open dialogue regarding the student’s progress in order to ensure such improvement. If this improvement is not in evidence by the next jury, the committee reserves the right to refuse the student admittance. |
| Students who receive the evaluation of “fail” may only re-audition with the endorsement of the private instructor. Such re-audition may only occur once, and must occur within the subsequent semester to the initial audition. |