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
• Sight-reading

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.
• Sight-reading

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.
• Sight-reading

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

Piano

Performance Major

Select three of the following:

• One major Baroque work (such as Bach or Scarlatti), demonstrating memorization, contrapuntal awareness, technical proficiency, appropriate style and tempo
• One movement from a major Classical Sonata (such as Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Schubert), demonstrating memorization, technical proficiency, appropriate style and tempo
• One major work from the Romantic Era (such as Brahms, Debussy, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Ravel), demonstrating memorization, richness and control of sound, technical proficiency, appropriate style and tempo
• One work from the Contemporary Era (such as Copland, Barber, Bartók, Gershwin, Schoenberg), demonstrating memorization, technical proficiency, appropriate style and tempo
• Sight-reading demonstrating rhythmic and note accuracy
• Four octave Major and harmonic minor scales played at MM=138, demonstrating technical proficiency and correct fingering

All other music majors

Select two of the following:

• One major Baroque work (such as Bach or Scarlatti), demonstrating memorization, contrapuntal awareness, technical proficiency, appropriate style and tempo
• One movement from a major Classical Sonata (such as Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Schubert), demonstrating memorization, technical proficiency, appropriate style and tempo
• One major work from the Romantic Era (such as Brahms, Debussy, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Ravel), demonstrating memorization, richness and control of sound, technical proficiency, appropriate style and tempo
• One work from the Contemporary Era (such as Copland, Barber, Bartók, Gershwin, Schoenberg, Scriabin), demonstrating memorization, technical proficiency, appropriate style and tempo
• Sight-reading demonstrating rhythmic and note accuracy
• Four octave Major and harmonic minor scales played at MM=104, demonstrating technical proficiency and correct fingering

Voice

Performance Major

• Present five memorized, contrasting selections
• Selected repertoire must total no more than 20 minutes
• 1 Selection must be in French
• 1 Selection must be in German
• 1 Selection must be in Italian
• 1 Selection must be in English
• (another language may be performed, as long as the required four are represented)
• 1 Selection may be an aria

Music Education and BA/BS Majors

• Present four memorized, contrasting selections
• Selected repertoire must total no more than 20 minutes
• 1 Selection must be in English
• At least two other languages should be represented in the other three pieces (Italian, German and French are standard; other languages must be approved through your teacher)
• 1 Selection may be an aria

Commercial Music Major

• Present four memorized, contrasting selections (at least three different styles of music should be represented).
• Selected repertoire must total no more than 20 minutes
• For students on the Media Composition Track, at least two selections must be personal compositions.
• For students on the Music Technology and Production Track, personal compositions are acceptable, but not required.
• Students may accompany themselves, use pre-recorded accompaniment, or utilize a live accompanist.  

Strings

Performance major

• Two contrasting movements from an unaccompanied Bach solo sonata, partita, or suite, demonstrating technical accuracy, appropriate period style and tempo
• Two contrasting movements from a major Romantic sonata or concerto (such as Barber, Beethoven, Bruch, Franck, Hindemith, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Sibelius, Saint-Saëns, Wienawski), demonstrating richness of tone and vibrato, accurate intonation, fluid shifting, and mastery of bowings
• Memorization of at least one movement
• Sight-reading excerpt demonstrating pitch and rhythmic accuracy

All other music majors

• One movement from an unaccompanied Bach solo sonata, partita, or suite, demonstrating technical accuracy and appropriate period style
• One movement from a standard concerto or sonata (such as Bériot, Mozart, Sphor, Bach, Telemann, Vivaldi, Viotti), demonstrating clear tone, vibrato control, musical phrasing, accurate shifting, and bow control
• Memorization of at least one movement
• Sight-reading excerpt demonstrating pitch and rhythmic accuracy

Harp

Performance major

• Four-octave ascending and descending scale (hands together) and arpeggios (alternating hands)
• One orchestral cadenzas
• Two technical etudes from memory
• One solo piece from the standard classical harp repertoire from memory

All other music majors

• Four-octave ascending and descending scale (hands together) and arpeggios (alternating hands)
• One solo piece from the standard classical harp repertoire from memory

Guitar

Performance major

• Memorization of at least three etudes in contrasting style by Giuliani, Sor, Carcassi, Carulli, etc. demonstrating quality of tone, style, and tempo
• Right and left hands must be properly set producing quality tone
• One prelude by Bach, Ponce, Villa-Lobos or other work of comparable difficulty
• All Segovia Major, Minor, and Melodic minor scales
• Sight-reading excerpt demonstrating reading of multiple voices

All other music majors

• Memorization of at least one etude by Giuliani, Sor, Carcassi, Carulli, etc.
• One prelude by Ponce, Bach, Villa-Lobos or equivalent
• Sight-reading excerpt demonstrating ability to read in two voices

Electric Bass

Commercial Music major

• 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 8^th styles (Latin, rock, etc.).

 

 

Woodwinds (refer to categories 1 – 5 listed below)

Performance major

• Prepare four selections from three categories listed below
• Major and minor scales, memorized, in the pattern(s) and tempi assigned by the instructor
• Sight reading

 

Commercial Music major

• Prepare three selections from three categories listed below – or – two selections from the Commercial Performance
• category and one selection from a different category
• Major and minor scales, memorized, in the pattern(s) and tempi assigned by the instructor
• Sight reading

 

All other music majors

• Prepare three selections from three categories listed below
• Major and minor scales, memorized, in the pattern(s) and tempi assigned by the instructor
• Sight reading

 

Category #1

Unaccompanied Solo Work (Suggested 7-10 minutes)

• Two contrasting movements or one complete work with contrasting sections

 

Category #2

Accompanied Work (Suggested 7-10 minutes)

• Two contrasting movements or one complete work with contrasting sections
• Live performance with piano collaboration

 

Category #3

Work with Extended Techniques or Pre-recorded/Live Electronics (Suggested 2-5 minutes)

• One complete work or selections from a larger work
• Pre-recorded or live electronic accompaniment is dictated by the composer and does not include SmartMusic performances
• Live electronics could include looping, work with pedals, etc.

 

Category #4

Etudes/Studies (Suggested up to 5 minutes)

• One etude of technical and/or lyrical style

 

Category #5

Commercial Performance

• Transcribed solo (transcription completed by the student)
• Improvisation on pre-approved jazz standard
• Harmonically challenging pop song
• Original composition (7 minutes suggested duration)
• Other projects/performances as approved by instructor and woodwind coordinator

 

Woodwind students are required to demonstrate a variety of styles and time periods in their selected works. Consult with your instructor and the woodwind area coordinator to confirm your selections meet these criteria. All selections for sophomore review should be approved no later than the beginning of the semester in which you will complete your sophomore review.

 

Brass

Performance major

• Two contrasting movements from a standard work, demonstrating characteristic tone quality, articulation, tempo, style, and intonation OR single movement work with contrasting sections*
• Two contrasting movements from a standard work from a different time period*

*one of these may be substituted for a substantial etude from the standard etude repertoire, as assigned by instructor

• Sight-reading
• All major and all minor scales (natural, harmonic, and melodic) memorized, minimum 2 octaves

Music Education Majors

• One technical movement from a standard concerto or sonata, demonstrating characteristic tone, style, articulation, and technical proficiency*
• One lyrical movement from a standard concerto or sonata demonstrating characteristic tone, style, articulation, and technical proficiency*

*one of these may be substituted for a substantial etude from the standard etude repertoire, as assigned by instructor

• Sight-reading
• All major and all minor scales (natural, harmonic, and melodic) memorized, 2 octaves

Commercial Music

Classically focused commercial music majors may choose to prepare the same requirements listed for the music education degree. Those focused on contemporary music performance should prepare the following:

• One technical and one lyrical movement from a standard concerto or sonata, demonstrating characteristic tone, style, articulation, and technical proficiency OR one large, single-movement work with contrasting sections
• Commercial performance demonstrating characteristic tone, style, articulation, and technical proficiency as directed by applied instructor as appropriate for major, may include:
  • Transcribed solo (either published or transcribed by the student)
  • One or more approved jazz and/or contemporary (pop/rock/funk) tunes including melody and extended improvisation
• Sight reading
• All major and all minor scales (natural, harmonic, and melodic) memorized, 2 octaves

Percussion

Performance major

• One movement from an unaccompanied Bach solo sonata, partita, or suite, demonstrating technical accuracy, appropriate period style and tempo
• Performance of a technically and musically challenging solo or etude on two of the following three instrument categories: Marimba, xylophone, or vibraphone; Snare drum; and Timpani demonstrating a full, relaxed tone; stylistic accuracy; and technical mastery
• Excerpts from the standard orchestral and band repertoire will also be requested
• Sight-reading excerpt demonstrating pitch and rhythmic accuracy

All other music majors

• One movement from an unaccompanied Bach solo sonata, partita, or suite, demonstrating technical accuracy and appropriate period style
• Performance of a technically and musically challenging solo or etude on two of the following three instrument categories: Marimba, xylophone, or vibraphone; Snare drum; and Timpani demonstrating a full, relaxed tone; stylistic accuracy; and technical mastery
• Sight-reading excerpt demonstrating pitch and rhythmic accuracy

Keyboard Proficiency