Contemporary Musicianship & Entrepreneur Development (CMED)

Audition & Interview Requirements

Audition	Portfolio Review	Program Interview	Music Skills Assessment	Music Theory Diagnostic
An audition paneled by Conservatory Faculty members.	A review by Conservatory Program Faculty members of submitted artistic creations. Portfolio must be submitted a minimum of 2 weeks prior to interview.	An interview paneled by the Conservatory Program Faculty members for the degree of application.	A short, in-person assessment of an individual’s ability to clap, count, and sing basic rhythms.	A computerized theory diagnostic that assesses an individual’s music theory knowledge. This diagnostic is used only for theory class placement purposes.
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Interview Requirements

Prospective Contemporary Musicianship & Entrepreneur Development (BA) students will complete an interview with the Director of Contemporary Music. The interview will assess the student’s oral communication skills, leadership potential, musical knowledge, goals and other elements that may contribute to success in the profession. Interview results are used in conjunction with academic criteria, applied audition results and music skills assessment results to determine admission to the program.

Audition Requirements

Please see the appropriate section below for your chosen instrument specialization.

Cello

Students who want to continue classical study but pursue a degree in CMED are also encouraged to apply. The audition requirements will follow those already listed for each instrument in the Classical Idiom section. The interview and audition process will include the Director of Contemporary Music and faculty from the appropriate instrumental area.

Note: the CONTEMPO ensemble will perform a wide variety of music outside of classical and not all pieces will require your instrument.

Contemporary Music Electric Bass

Two songs/pieces, each approximately 2 minutes in length, of contrasting styles and genres (Pop, R&B, Latin, Soul, Country, etc.) on acoustic or electric guitar:

• One song/piece in a slower tempo to demonstrate your expression and touch on the instrument
• A second song/piece in a faster tempo to demonstrate technique and energy
• If desired, you may include a third original composition

Contemporary Music Guitar

Two songs/pieces, each approximately 2 minutes in length, of contrasting styles and genres (Pop, R&B, Latin, Soul, Country, etc.) on bass guitar:

• One song/piece in a slower tempo to demonstrate your expression and touch on the instrument
• A second song/piece in a faster tempo to demonstrate technique and energy
• If desired, you may include a third original composition

Contemporary Music Keyboard

Two songs/pieces, each approximately 2 minutes in length, of contrasting styles and genres (Pop, R&B, Latin, Soul, Country, etc.) on piano or keyboard:

• One song/piece in a slower tempo to demonstrate your expression and touch on the instrument
• A second song/piece in a faster tempo to demonstrate technique and energy
• If desired, you may include a third original composition

Contemporary Music Voice

Two songs of contrasting styles and genres (Pop, R&B, Latin, Soul, Country, etc.), each approximately 2 minutes in length, in which you accompany yourself on either acoustic/electric guitar or piano/ keyboard, or sing along to an accompaniment track:

• One song in a slower tempo to demonstrate your expressivity
• A second song/piece in a faster tempo to demonstrate technique and energy

Double Bass

Two works in contrasting styles from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary periods (e.g. Eccles and Bottesini) that demonstrate the applicant’s highest level of technical proficiency and musical expression.

Percussion

Two songs/pieces, each approximately 2 minutes in length, of contrasting styles and genres (Pop, R&B, Latin, Soul, Country, etc.) on drum set:

• One song/piece in a slower tempo to demonstrate your expression and touch on the instrument
• A second song/piece in a faster tempo to demonstrate technique and energy
• If desired, you may include a third original composition

Saxophone

Students who want to continue classical study but pursue a degree in CMED are also encouraged to apply. The audition requirements will follow those already listed for each instrument in the Classical Idiom section. The interview and audition process will include the Director of Contemporary Music and faculty from the appropriate instrumental area.

Note: the CONTEMPO ensemble will perform a wide variety of music outside of classical and not all pieces will require your instrument.

Songwriting

Two contrasting original songs, each approximately 2 minutes in length, in which you accompany yourself on either acoustic/electric guitar or piano/keyboard:

• One song in a slower tempo to demonstrate your vocal expression and touch on the instrument
• A second song/piece in a faster tempo to demonstrate technique and energy
• If desired, you may include as an optional third song a cover song arranged to fit your style and voice

Trombone

Students who want to continue classical study but pursue a degree in CMED are also encouraged to apply. The audition requirements will follow those already listed for each instrument in the Classical Idiom section. The interview and audition process will include the Director of Contemporary Music and faculty from the appropriate instrumental area.

Note: the CONTEMPO ensemble will perform a wide variety of music outside of classical and not all pieces will require your instrument.

Trumpet

Students who want to continue classical study but pursue a degree in CMED are also encouraged to apply. The audition requirements will follow those already listed for each instrument in the Classical Idiom section. The interview and audition process will include the Director of Contemporary Music and faculty from the appropriate instrumental area.

Note: the CONTEMPO ensemble will perform a wide variety of music outside of classical and not all pieces will require your instrument.

Viola

Students who want to continue classical study but pursue a degree in CMED are also encouraged to apply. The audition requirements will follow those already listed for each instrument in the Classical Idiom section. The interview and audition process will include the Director of Contemporary Music and faculty from the appropriate instrumental area.

Note: the CONTEMPO ensemble will perform a wide variety of music outside of classical and not all pieces will require your instrument.

Violin

Students who want to continue classical study but pursue a degree in CMED are also encouraged to apply. The audition requirements will follow those already listed for each instrument in the Classical Idiom section. The interview and audition process will include the Director of Contemporary Music and faculty from the appropriate instrumental area.

Note: the CONTEMPO ensemble will perform a wide variety of music outside of classical and not all pieces will require your instrument.