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Audition Requirements 

UNDERGRADUATE STUDY 

  Piano performance, pedagogy and accompanying applicants:   

Pianists interested in auditioning for all piano degree programs at Shenandoah should prepare repertoire representing three musical periods. Selections should demonstrate the students preparation for intensified study in piano.

Repertoire suggestions: 

Baroque Literature  Selected works from  J.S. Bachâs Well Tempered Clavier, a French or English Suite.  Sonatas by Soler or Scarlatti.  
Classical Literature A sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven
Romantic  Literature Selected works by Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, Schubert, Mendelssohn or Brahms. 
Twentieth Century Selected works by Debussy, Ravel, Ginastera Villa Lobos, Copland, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff or Barber.

  • Performance curriculum students should perform all selections from memory.

  • Accompanying applicants must also perform one vocal and one instrumental accompaniment. The applicant is responsible for  providing appropriate soloist for the audition.  To make arrangements to have a soloist available for you, please contact Margie Sobczynski in the Admissions Office. 

  • In addition, each prospective student should expect to demonstrate his or her technical background and training by playing selected major and minor scales and arpeggios. Sight Reading concludes the audition process.

  All other piano applicants (all non-performance curricula): 

Pianists interested in auditioning for all piano degree programs at Shenandoah should prepare repertoire representing three musical periods.

Repertoire suggestions:

Baroque Literature  Selected works for Bachâs  Little Preludes, Inventions or Sinfonias.  Sonatas by Soler or Scarlatti.  
Classical Literature A sonata or sonatina by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi, Kuhlau or Kuhnau.  
Romantic  Literature Selected works by Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, Schubert, Mendelssohn or Brahms. 
Twentieth Century Selected works by Debussy, Ravel, Ginastera Villa Lobos, Copland, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff or Barber

  • Students auditioning for a performance curriculum should perform all selections from memory.

  • Composition applicants: Also submit a portfolio of compositions (one or more written works)

  • Jazz piano applicants: Must perform a jazz audition. See the ãAudition Guidelinesä or the University Catalog for details. 

  • Organ applicants: Major and minor scales. on piano, a Bach two-part invention or a movement of a Classical sonata. on organ, one of Bachâs Eight Little Preludes and Fugues, and a Romantic or 20th-century selection. 

  • Church music applicants: Must also perform sightreading of accompaniments, sightreading of a simple tune. Choral experience helpful. 

  • Composition applicants: Also submit a portfolio of compositions (one or more written examples of applicantâs work) and interview with the Composition faculty.

GRADUATE STUDY

  • Piano accompanying applicants: One vocal and one instrumental accompaniment. 

  • Dance accompanying applicants: Ten minutes of music in contrasting styles. Applicant must demonstrate proficiency in sightreading and/or improvisation, and may be asked to accompany a dance technique class. 

  • Performance applicants: Prepare a program of 30 minutes of music in contrasting styles. Technique and sightreading. 

  • Arts administration and music education applicants: No audition required.

Click here for an online application to Shenandoah University.

Admissions Information:
Margie Sobczynski
Conservatory Admissions
Shenandoah University
1460 University Drive
Winchester, VA 22601-5196
800-432-2266
msobczyn@su.edu