All applicants to the School of Music are required to successfully audition on their primary instrument. Additionally, applicants to the Composition or Music Therapy programs will interview for those programs.
Auditioning for the Fredonia School of Music
The school does not specify audition repertoire; rather, we encourage you to consult with your teacher to choose good literature that you can perform well. Bear in mind that the purpose of the audition is to gather evidence of both current ability and the potential to complete the preferred degree program. Thus, we look for pitch accuracy, correct and steady rhythm, physical coordination, the ability to make expressive musical statements, and disciplined work habits.
- Instrumental auditions must be unaccompanied.
- Vocalists who audition in person: we will provide a piano accompanist for you at no additional cost. There will be no rehearsal, but you will have the chance to confer with the accompanist prior to your audition.
- Vocalists who audition via video: you must sing with piano accompaniment. If this is not possible, use recorded accompaniment (available at websites like Appcompanist.com)
Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree in Performance are expected to demonstrate a higher level of proficiency than applicants for other programs.
Students wishing to be considered for music scholarships must audition no later than February.
Specific audition requirements by instrument/area
Bassoon | Cello | Clarinet | Euphonium | Flute | Guitar
Harp | Horn | Oboe | Piano | Percussion | Saxophone | String Bass
Trombone | Trumpet | Tuba | Violin | Viola | Voice
and
Collaborative Piano | Composition | Music Therapy | Sound Recording Technology | BA Jazz Studies
Brass (trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba) & Woodwind except flute (clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon)
Perform two contrasting selections—single-movement pieces or movements from sonatas or concertos showing technique, tone and musicianship. Also be prepared to play all major scales and a chromatic scale (two octaves).
Flute
Perform at least two contrasting selections — single-movement pieces or movements from sonatas or concertos representing different periods of music. One of the selections must be Baroque or Classical (such as Bach or Mozart). Also be prepared to perform all major scales and a chromatic scale, all at least 2 octaves.
Strings, Guitar, and Harp
Violin
Perform two contrasting works. These two selections may be movements from larger works (e.g. a movement of unaccompanied Bach or a first movement of a standard concerto at level of Viotti, Mozart, or Bruch) or shorter, complete works (e.g. a showpiece by Sarasate or Kreisler). In addition, prepare one etude or caprice by Mazas, Dont, Kreutzer, Rode, etc. Prepare two 3-octave scales and arpeggios (major, harmonic and melodic minor)—one in G, A, B-flat, C, D, or E, and one in A-flat, B, D-flat, E-flat, F, or F-sharp.
Viola
Perform two contrasting works (one slower, one faster) from different time periods (one baroque, the other classical, romantic, or modern). Examples: a movement from a Bach cello suite, plus a movement from a concerto by Hoffmeister or Walton. Choose two scales (major, melodic and harmonic minor) and their arpeggios (major and minor) and play them in three octaves.
Cello
Perform two contrasting and complete movements from the standard repertoire. Pieces could include movements from a Bach cello suite, a movement from a standard concerto or baroque or classical sonata, or an etude or virtuoso piece by Duport, Popper or Piatti. All major and melodic minor scales in at least three octaves.
Bass
Perform two or three contrasting movements or pieces showing facility through at least sixth position. The selections should demonstrate musical use of vibrato, and basic bowings such as legato, detaché and martelé. Perform two-octave scales and arpeggios in major and melodic minor in at least two different keys. NOTE: electric bass may NOT be used for the audition.
Guitar
For your audition, please prepare a major and a minor two-octave scale, and two contrasting solo guitar pieces that best represent your style, or choose two contrasting pieces in different styles:
- Solo classical piece or etude: Select from the works of composers such as Bach, Sor, Carcassi, Tarrega, Brouwer, or similar pieces from the classical guitar repertoire.
- Fingerstyle piece: Perform a piece using standard or alternate tunings, akin to the styles of Michael Hedges, Andy McKee, Antoine Dufour, Tommy Emmanuel, or Leo Kottke.
- Jazz chord-melody arrangement: Prepare a solo guitar arrangement that showcases your jazz chord-melody technique.
- Single melodic line guitar solo: Present a jazz or fusion piece, focusing on the melody, transcribed solo, and/or improvisation.
If you have any questions regarding your audition or need further information, please contact Dr. Felipe Vargas Magdaleno at felipe.magdaleno@fredonia.edu
Harp
Perform two contrasting movements (slow and fast) from a sonata or concerto that demonstrates technique, tonal control and general musicianship. Perform representative scales and arpeggios.
Percussion
Perform a solo and required materials on each of the following: snare drum, mallets, and timpani The audition does not include multiple percussion. Jazz track students will be required to complete the undergraduate audition material and additionally audition on drum set for Dr. Weiser. The solo for one of the instruments must be upper-level in difficulty (NYSSMA level 5 or 6), while the others may be more moderate (NYSSMA level 3 or 4). Additional requirements:
- Snare drum: in addition to the solo, everyone will be asked to play from the 26 basic rudiments and sight-read. Students who choose snare drum as their advanced area should play both 1) a rudimental solo with open rolls and precise rudimental stickings and 2) an orchestral-style solo or etude to demonstrate closed orchestral style rolls.
- Mallets: in addition to a 2-mallet solo, everyone must play all major scales and major arpeggios in any form for two octaves, and sight-read. Students who choose mallets as their advanced area may want to play both a 2- and a 4-mallet solo.
- Timpani: in addition to the solo (this can be for 2 or more timpani), everyone must demonstrate ability to tune the instruments for the selected solo, using a pitch pipe, tuning fork, or piano to get the pitches. The solo does not have to have tuning changes within the piece. Sight-reading is also required.
- Note: Percussion students must bring their own sticks, mallets, and copies of music to the audition. Students are encouraged to communicate with Dr. Stonefelt in preparation for the audition for clarification of the materials and procedures in any of the three percussion areas. Call 716-673-5832 or email Karolyn.Stonefelt@fredonia.edu.
- We welcome both in-person and virtual auditions.
Piano
Perform three memorized solos in contrasting styles (e.g. Baroque, Classical, Romantic). Major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios in four octaves (all keys for Performance applicants, keys starting on white notes for others). Please note: If you are submitting a video audition, please record the following scales: E major & E harmonic minor and G major & G harmonic minor. Please play four octaves of both scales and arpeggios.
Voice
- Music Performance and Music Education degree applicants: 4 memorized selections chosen from the standard classical vocal literature
- All other degrees: 3 memorized selections chosen from the standard classical vocal literature
NOTE: The selections must include at least two languages and contrasting styles. Appropriate languages are English, Italian, German, French, and Spanish. Note: musical theatre, jazz, or other styles are not acceptable.
Additional procedures:
Collaborative Piano
Composition
All applicants must audition for the School of Music on their primary instrument or voice (see specific requirements above). The audition-day schedule for Composition applicants will include (in addition to the audition on your primary instrument) a private interview with the head of the degree program. Those who audition off-campus will be contacted by the School of Music about a phone or online interview once audition results are known.
Composition applicants must also submit a portfolio of 3-5 written scores (and recordings if available) to the Head of Composition (Dr. Deemer). We prefer that they be sent via email (scores as PDFs, recordings as MP3s) to Dr. Deemer (deemer@fredonia.edu) before the audition day. Hard copies may be brought to the audition day interview, however.
Music Therapy
All applicants for the BS in Music Therapy must audition for the School of Music on their primary instrument or voice first (see specific requirements above). Once applicants pass the audition successfully, an interview with the head of Music Therapy program will be scheduled. For any questions, please contact Dr. Heeyoun K. Cho at heeyoun.cho@fredonia.edu.
Sound Recording Technology (SRT)
Audition for the School of Music on your primary instrument or voice (see specific requirements above). A private interview is not required for admission to the degree program in Sound Recording Technology.
BA Jazz Studies
In addition to satisfying the classical audition requirements (see specific requirements above), applicants for the BA in Jazz Studies major must also perform 2-3 varied jazz selections in contrasting styles (ballad, waltz, swing, straight 8th-note, etc.). Each selection must include improvisation. If the audition is via video, each selection must be recorded in a separate file with a combined total length of no more than 15 minutes. Recordings that feature the applicant as a soloist in a small group are preferred, although recordings with backing tracks are also acceptable. Questions? Email Nick.Weiser@fredonia.edu
Applicants interested in the B.F.A. Musical Theatre degree program must complete the Musical Theatre audition form available through the Department of Theatre and Dance. Contact the Department of Theatre and Dance for more information at 716-673-3596 or theatre.dance@fredonia.edu. An audition with representatives of the School of Music and Department of Theatre and Dance is required.