Ensemble Auditions

Ensemble placement auditions occur at the beginning of each semester. Download the excerpts for your instrument and sign up for an audition below. If you want to join an ensemble but missed the auditions, you should contact the Music Department. It may still be possible to perform in one of our groups.

Entrance Auditions

*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, as listed HERE.

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)

Thomas Keck, Department Chair, NC 753, thomas.keck@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

Maddy Tarantelli, Brass, maddyt@uvu.edu, NC 745, 801-863-6537

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 

Scholarship Audition Repertoire Requirements

Piano

• One major or minor Baroque work (such as Bach or Scarlatti), demonstrating memorization, appropriate style and tempo
• One movement from any Classical Sonata (such as Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Schubert), demonstrating memorization, appropriate style and tempo
• One major or minor work from the Romantic Era (such as Brahms, Debussy, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Ravel), demonstrating memorization, appropriate style and tempo
• Four octave Major and harmonic minor scales played at MM=96, demonstrating technical proficiency and correct fingering
• Sight-reading demonstrating rhythmic and note accuracy

Piano (Commercial Music)

• Two pieces from different classical style periods
• One jazz transcription or improvisation
• Sight-reading in classical and contemporary music styles (including chord charts)
• One octave, hands together Major, minor (all forms), and modal scales
• Composition (Composition emphasis only--may be a performance, recording and/or score in any instrumentation)

Strings

• 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)

Harp

• 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

Guitar

• An etude or piece from any period/composer
• Basic sight-reading
• Major and Minor scales (any fingering)

Electric Bass

• One piece from the Victor Wooten collection, Gary Willis collection, Jaco Pastorius collection, or other formidable contemporary bassist
• One movement from a Cello Suite by Bach (1, 2, or 3)
• Sight-reading standard notation
• Improvisation over standard harmonic progressions from the contemporary idiom. Proficient bass line construction in swing and straight 8th styles (Latin, rock, etc.)

Woodwinds

• 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

Brass

• One lyrical solo or etude demonstrating tone quality, phrasing, and musicianship
• One fast piece or etude demonstrating technical ability
• Sight-reading

Voice

• Two contrasting, memorized, art songs, one of which may be an aria. One must be in French, German, or Italian. You must provide your own accompanist.

Voice (Commercial Music)

• Two contrasting, memorized selections in at least two different genres. One of the selections may be your own composition.
• You must bring your own pre-recorded track, accompanist, or be prepared to accompany yourself.

Commercial Music

Students should prepare two contrasting pieces in any of the following formats:

• An original composition score in PDF format and MP3 sound recording
• Final mix of a Pro Tools or Digital Performer file
• Final mix in a MP3, MP4, WAV, or AIFF format

Sophomore Review performance proficiencies

Current sophomore review performance proficiencies can be found in the UVU Music Student Handbook.

Keyboard Proficiency