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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Music Skills Assessment & Written Theory Diagnostic

All students auditioning for Music (BA) must complete a music skills assessment as part of their audition schedule. This assessment involves sight-singing, tonal memory and rhythmic skills. Interview results are used in conjunction with academic criteria, applied audition results and music skills assessment results to determine admission to the program. 

A computerized theory diagnostic will also be given. The results of this diagnostic will only be used for theory placement purposes should the applicant be accepted and choose to attend Shenandoah.

Audition Requirements

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

Bassoon

Two contrasting études (from Weissenborn, Milde, Ferling, etc.) and one solo work demonstrating level of proficiency (a single movement is acceptable). Scales (major required, major and harmonic minor preferred) and sight-reading are required.

Cello

Two contrasting works that display technical and musical ability plus one étude of appropriate difficulty. For performance applicants, one of the selections must be a movement of a standard concerto.

Clarinet

Two contrasting pieces or movements – one demonstrating technical ability and one demonstrating lyricism and expression. These pieces may be drawn from the standard clarinet literature – études (e.g. Rose études), sonatas (e.g. Saint-Saëns, Brahms, Poulenc) and/or concertos (e.g. Weber, Mozart). Those students whose primary instrument is bass clarinet should prepare the same repertoire as listed for the standard b flat clarinet on bass clarinet, as well as one movement/etude of your choice on the b flat clarinet.

Contemporary Music Guitar (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, or 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 guitar, electric guitar, or electric bass: 

• 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

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 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

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.

Euphonium

One étude and one solo demonstrating contrasting styles and current level of proficiency. Scales and sight-reading are required.

Flute

Two pieces in contrasting styles demonstrating technical ability and expression (e.g., a Mozart concerto, Nielsen concerto or Hindemith Sonata). Please also prepare one standard orchestral excerpt of any style or period.

Guitar

Three pieces of contrasting styles, time periods and/or geographic origins, chosen from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Spanish, Latin American and Contemporary repertoires. (Students should contact their admissions counselor with any questions they may have about suitable audition repertoire.) While applicants may be asked to play examples of their scale and arpeggio work, the primary focus will be on the performance of the three prepared pieces. The applicant may also be asked to demonstrate sight-reading skills.

Harp

Two solos from contrasting periods, one or both memorized, and one orchestral excerpt demonstrating technical proficiency and musical ability. Also, one etude and two scales and arpeggios in major and minor keys of the player’s choice. Sight-reading is required.

Horn

First movement of a horn concerto by Mozart, Richard Strauss or Franz Strauss, or an equivalent piece from the standard horn solo repertoire. Also, one additional solo or étude of your choice. All major scales (two octaves, as possible) and a demonstration of sight-reading are required.

Jazz Bass (Electric or Upright)

Prepare four required tunes, as listed and detailed below:

• Bb Blues: Four choruses. Walk for the first two choruses, then solo two choruses.
• Oleo (Bb): Three choruses. Play the melody, walk one chorus, solo one chorus.
• Latin (e.g. Black Orpheus, Desifinado, etc.): Play the melody, one chorus of bass line, solo one chorus.
• Tune of Choice: Three choruses. Play the melody, one chorus of bass line, solo one chorus.

Upright bassists should demonstrate use of the bow on at least one of the four required tunes. Sight-reading and major and harmonic minor scales are required for all auditionees. All applicants must provide a recorded accompaniment (such as the “iReal” app, an online backing track, or something similar) for the jazz portion of the audition. Amps are provided for electric guitar and electric bass auditions.

Jazz Guitar

Two jazz pieces including:

1. One jazz solo ballad such as “Misty” or “I Can’t Get Started,” where the melody and chords are voiced together
2. One jazz medium-tempo selection demonstrating melody, improvisation and comping. Major scales and sight-reading of notation and chord symbols are required. All applicants must provide a recorded accompaniment (such as the “iReal” app, an online backing track, or something similar) for the jazz portion of the audition.

Jazz Piano

• Blues (F), four choruses. Play an appropriate blues head (Billie’s Bounce, Au Privave, Straight No Chaser, etc.), improvise two choruses, and then “comp” the last chorus to the ending.
  • Music: Tuning note and F Blues 
  • PDF: Chord Changes Jump to description of Blues Changes PDF
• “Body and Soul” (D flat), two choruses. Play the entire melody on the first chorus. On the second chorus, improvise over the first two A sections and the bridge, and then play the melody on the last A section to the ending.
  • Music: Body and Soul 
• “Ladybird” (C), four choruses. Play the melody one time, improvise two choruses, and then “comp” the last chorus to the ending.
  • Music: Ladybird 
• Rhythm Changes (B flat), three choruses. Play an appropriate melody (Oleo, Anthropology, etc.), and then improvise two choruses to the ending.
  • Music: Rhythm Changes
  • PDF: Rhythm Changes

Jazz Saxophone

One fast and one slow classical étude (e.g. Voxman Selected Studies or W. Ferling 48 Études) and two jazz standards demonstrating melody and improvisation and showing basic knowledge of jazz style. Major scales (in eighth notes, quarter = 80) and sight-reading are also required. All applicants must provide a recorded accompaniment (such as the “iReal” app, an online backing track, or something similar) for the jazz portion of the audition.

Jazz Trombone

One prepared classical solo (grade 5-6) or two classical études of equal difficulty and two jazz standards in contrasting styles, demonstrating melody and improvisation. Major and minor (natural, harmonic and melodic) scales and sight-reading are also required. All applicants must provide a recorded accompaniment (such as the “iReal” app, an online backing track, or something similar) for the jazz portion of the audition.

Jazz Trumpet

An étude (e.g. Arban Characteristic Studies), first or third movement of a major work for trumpet (e.g. Haydn or Hummel concerto, Hindemith or Kennan sonata) or a complete trumpet solo (e.g. Carnival of Venice, Bride of the Waves). Two jazz standards demonstrating melody and improvisation, scales and sight-reading are required. All applicants must provide a recorded accompaniment (such as the “iReal” app, an online backing track, or something similar) for the jazz portion of the audition.

Oboe

• One movement from a sonata or concerto from the standard oboe repertoire and one Barret Grand Study. Major and minor scales and sight-reading are required.
• Also prepare the exposition of the Mozart Concerto in C and two orchestral excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire.

Percussion

All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in all three primary percussion areas. Students should select repertoire that best represents their current technical and musical skills. In addition to the prepared repertoire below, sight-reading (on mallets and snare drum) and major scales (mallets) may be asked.

• Snare drum: Required — one concert or rudimental solo/etude.

• Keyboard Percussion: Required — one 2-mallet solo or one 4-mallet solo

• Timpani: Required — one solo/etude

Piano

A memorized program of a minimum of 20 minutes, to include a work from the Baroque era, a Classical sonata and the remainder consisting of works from the Romantic and/or later eras. A demonstration of a thorough knowledge of major and minor scales and arpeggios is also required.

Saxophone (Alto)

One étude from the W. Ferling 48 Famous Studies and one of the following:

• Paul Creston, Sonata for Alto Saxophone, movements 1 and/or 3
• Jacques Ibert, Concertino da Camera for Alto Saxophone, movements 1 and/or 3.

Sight-reading and all major and minor scales (performed on full range of the instrument in sixteenth notes at quarter = 100) are required.

Trombone

One étude and one solo demonstrating level of proficiency. Scales and sight-reading are required.

Trumpet

Seven to 10 minutes of solos, études and/or excerpts that demonstrate lyrical and technical ability. Scales (to demonstrate agility and range) and sight-reading are also required.

Tuba

One étude and one solo demonstrating contrasting styles and current level of proficiency. Scales and sight-reading are required.

Viola

A concerto movement or concert solo and a contrasting work (such as an unaccompanied Bach, concert piece, sonata movement or contemporary work). An Etude that demonstrates the applicant’s highest level of technical proficiency.

Violin

A concerto movement or concert solo, a contrasting work (such as an unaccompanied Bach, concert piece, sonata movement or contemporary work), and an étude or caprice demonstrating level of proficiency. Scales in three octaves are required.

Voice

Two memorized songs from standard classical solo voice repertoire, one in English and one in another language. Material should be appropriate to the applicant’s voice and current musical development. Musical Theatre selections or contemporary pop/rock music are not appropriate for the voice performance audition.