*If you are auditioning for the B.M. Commercial Music degree, you must complete a
performance audition with your respective area coordinator according to the guidelines
below AND you must submit additional materials.
Guidelines and Portfolio Submission
Piano
Performance Major (All repertoire must be memorized)
- One major Baroque work
- One or more movements from a major Classical Sonata
- One major work from the Romantic Era
- Sight-reading
- Four octave, hands together Major and harmonic minor scales played at MM=126
Other music majors (All repertoire must be memorized- BA/BS in Music, Integrated Studies,
AS in Music) (Piano is not a valid Music Education emphasis)
- One Baroque work
- One movement from a major Classical Sonata
- One work from the Romantic Era
- Sight-reading
- Four octave, hands together Major and harmonic minor scales
Hilary Demske, Piano, NC 742, 801-863-7360, hilary.demske@uvu.edu
Piano Commercial Music Major
There are two audition rounds for Commercial Music/Piano Emphasis Majors. The first
round, with Hilary Demske, assesses general piano technique and classical music proficiency.
The second round, with David Baker, assesses commercial and jazz proficiency. Students
requesting both audition rounds on the same day should send a preliminary DVD or internet
link of their Round 1 material to Hilary Demske.
Hilary Demske, Piano, GT337b, 801-863-7360, hilary.demske@uvu.edu
David Baker, Jazz Performance, NC 720, 801-863-5643, david.baker@uvu.edu
Voice
Performance Major
- One memorized classical art song or aria in English
- One memorized classical art song or aria in Italian, German or French
Commercial Music Major
- Present two contrasting, memorized selections in at least two different genres.
- Students may accompany themselves, bring an accompanist, or bring a pre-recorded track.
Other Music Majors (Music Education, BA/BS in Music, Integrated Studies, AS in Music)
- Two contrasting, memorized classical art songs, one of which may be an aria. One
must be in French, German, or Italian.
Melissa Heath, Voice, NC 723, 801-863-5307, melissa.heath@uvu.edu
Strings
Performance Major
- One movement from an unaccompanied Bach solo sonata, partita, or suite
- One movement from a standard concerto or sonata, such as Bériot, Mozart, Sphor, Bach,
Telemann, Vivaldi, Viotti
- One major and one minor 3-octave scale, student's choice
- A jazz improvisation or transcription (optional – recommended for bass players)
(applicant must supply backtrack for audition)
- Sight-reading of an orchestral excerpt (live audition) – Additional etude or short
piece (recorded audition)
Other Music Majors (Music Education, BA/BS in Music, Commercial Music, Integrated
Studies, AS in Music)
- One slow piece or etude demonstrating tone quality and vibrato
- One fast piece or etude demonstrating technical ability, proficiency with higher positions
and standard bowing techniques (spiccato, martelé, etc.)
- One major and one minor 3-octave scale, student's choice
- A jazz improvisation or transcription (optional – recommended for bass players)
(applicant must supply backtrack for audition)
- Sight-reading of an orchestral excerpt (live audition) – Additional etude or short
piece (recorded audition)
Donna Fairbanks, Violin and Viola, NC 750, 801-863-6538, donna.fairbanks@uvu.edu
Cheung Chau, Cello and Bass, NC 749, 801-863-5488, cheung.chau@uvu.edu
Harp
Performance Major
- Four-octave ascending and descending scale (hands together) and arpeggios (alternating
hands)
- Two selections from different style periods, demonstrating memorization, appropriate
tempo and technical ability
- Harpists may use a UVU harp for the audition or bring their own harp
Other Music Majors (Music Education, BA/BS in Music, Commercial Music, Integrated
Studies, AS in Music)
- Two selections from different style periods, demonstrating appropriate tempo and technical
ability
- Harpists may use a UVU harp for the audition or bring their own harp
Janet Peterson, Harp, NC 625, janet.peterson@uvu.edu
Guitar
Performance Major (Classical)
- Two contrasting etudes by Giuliani, Sor, Carcassi, Carulli, or equivalent
- Major and Minor scales (Segovia)
- Sight-reading – Single line melody
Other Music Majors (BA/BS in Music, Commercial Music, Integrated Studies, AS in Music)
(Music Education excluded)
- An etude or piece from any period/composer
- Basic ability to sight reading
- Major and Minor scales (any fingering)
David Baker, Commercial Music Coordinator, NC 720, david.baker@uvu.edu
Electric Bass
Commercial Music Major
- All major and minor scales (two octaves)
- A prepared piece that demonstrates significant technical skill
- Sight-reading
David Baker, Jazz Performance, NC 720, 801-863-5643, david.baker@uvu.edu
Woodwinds
Performance Major
- One movement from an unaccompanied solo or etude
- One movement from a standard concerto or sonata, such as Mozart, Weber, Chaminade,
Debussy, Brahms, Schumann, Krommer, Spohr, Stamitz, Vaughan-Williams, Creston
- Sight-reading of a standard excerpt
Other music majors (Music Education, BA/BS in Music, Commercial Music, Integrated
Studies, AS in Music)
- One slow piece or etude demonstrating tone quality and expression
- One fast piece or etude demonstrating technical ability and proficiency with articulation
- Sight-reading of a standard excerpt
Jeffrey O'Flynn, Woodwinds, NC 751, 801-863-8810, jeffrey.oflynn@uvu.edu
Brass
Performance Major
- One movement from a standard concerto or sonata
- Two contrasting etudes or 2-3 contrasting orchestral excerpts of your choice
- Sight-reading
Other music majors (Music Education, BA/BS in Music, Commercial Music, Integrated
Studies, AS in Music)
- One lyrical solo or etude demonstrating tone quality, phrasing, and musicianship
- One fast piece or etude demonstrating technical ability
- Sight-reading
Ryan Nielsen, Brass, RNielsen@uvu.edu, NC 744, 801-863-5931
Percussion
Performance Major
Snare Drum
- Concert etude/solo required (Peters, Cirone, Vic Firth, Delecluse, or equivalent)
- Rudimental etude/solo required (Wilcoxon, Pratt, or equivalent)
- Sight reading
Keyboard (marimba, xylophone, or vibraphone)
- 2 mallet solo/etude required (Zivkovic, Goldenberg, Hatch, Koshinski, Green, JS Bach, or equivalent) memorized
- 4 mallet solo required (Abe, Sammut, Peters, Smadbeck, Schmitt, Stout, or equivalent) memorized
- 2 mallet sight reading
Timpani
- Demonstrate tuning ability
- Etude/Solo required (Lepak, Vic Firth, Goodman, Carroll, or equivalent)
Optional
- Drumset (Styles: Rock, Funk, Swing, Latin)
- World Percussion (congas, djembe, frame drum, steel pan, etc…)
- Orchestral Excerpts on Snare Drum, Timpani, Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Crash Cymbals,
Tambourine, and/or Triangle
Music Education, Commercial Music, and BA/BS
Snare Drum
- Concert etude/solo required (Peters, Cirone, Vic Firth, Delecluse, or equivalent)
- Rudimental etude/solo recommended (Wilcoxon, Pratt, or equivalent)
- Sight reading
Keyboard (marimba, xylophone, or vibraphone)
- 2 mallet solo/etude required (Zivkovic, Goldenberg, Hatch, Koshinski, Green, JS Bach, or equivalent) memorized
- 4 mallet solo recommended (Abe, Sammut, Peters, Smadbeck, Schmitt, Stout, or equivalent) memorized
- 2 mallet sight reading
Choose at least ONE of the following
- Timpani (Lepak, Vic Firth, Goodman, Carroll, or equivalent)
- Drumset (Styles: Rock, Funk, Swing, Latin)
- World Percussion (congas, djembe, frame drum, steel pan, etc…)
Associates in Music and Music Minor
- One solo or etude on each of the following instruments you are comfortable on: snare
drum, marimba, timpani, and/or drumset styles demonstration
- Sight reading
- Players at all levels are welcome to audition
Shane Jones, Percussion, NC 722, 801-863-5408, shane.jones@uvu.edu
Commercial Music Entrance Requirements
Students applying for the B.M. in Commercial Music at UVU must submit a portfolio
in addition to their performance audition. Portfolios should include 1-2 examples
of materials that represent your work/interest in the commercial music field.
Portfolio submissions could include original songs (notated with melody and chords),
original scores (notated on staff paper), a demo of work in a digital audio workstation
(final mix or mockup), a CV, and/or accompanying audio or explanations when appropriate.
Other materials that will be considered, but are weighted less would include
recordings/videos of you performing in a contemporary genre, chord charts without
notation, or recordings/mixes produced outside of a digital audio workstation.
Proficiency in a notation software/digital audio workstation is preferred but
not required. All applications will be reviewed. Experience on a primary instrument
is also considered for acceptance.
Our Music Technology Certificate is available to all incoming students and does
not require an audition or portfolio review.
David Baker, Jazz Performance, NC 720, 801-863-5643, david.baker@uvu.edu
Commercial Music Portfolio Submission Form
