Plymouth State University Sites > Music > Audition Requirements

Audition Requirements

Prospective majors are asked both to apply to Undergraduate Admissions and to sign up for an audition by clicking on one of the dates below.

Saturday, February 15, 2020
Friday, March 6, 2020
Thursday, April 16, 2020

Note: Live auditions for admission to any music degree with voice as primary performance medium will be heard only on the dates stated above. Auditions/interviews for all other candidates can be arranged at other times throughout the academic year by contacting:

Dr. Jonathan Santore
Discipline Coordinator for Music
(603) 535-2232
jsantore@plymouth.edu

Those planning to enroll in any degree program (major, interdisciplinary major or minor) in music, theatre, or dance are required to arrange for an audition/interview.

Prospective students should schedule an audition/interview by March 30, 2020 in order to be guaranteed an opportunity for Fall 2020 departmental admission.

Talent Grants

All incoming first-year students in Music, Theatre and Dance will be considered for a limited number of Talent Grants to qualified first-year students in the performing arts. These awards, ranging in amounts up to $4500, are divided in two and credited toward fall and spring semesters, and are renewable annually. Please note that the earlier you audition for the department, the more competitive you will be for one of these grants.

BA, Music ALL OPTIONS Audition Requirements:

Piano Performance and Pedagogy Option

• Two or three solos of contrasting styles, memorized (total of ten minutes or less).
• Resumé of training and repertory list from previous 2–4 years
• Scales and sight-reading
• Brief test of basic music theory.

Voice Performance and Pedagogy Option

• Three solos of contrasting styles, memorized (total of seven minutes or less). Two must be classical; one may be musical theatre.
• Resumé of training and performing experience with lat of repertory studied and performed.
• Brief test of basic music theory.

Note: Vocal auditioners must submit their accompaniments to Dr. Adam Mayon two weeks before scheduled auditions through email at: apmayon@plymouth.edu

or by mail to the following address:

Plymouth State University

Attn: Adam Mayon

17 High St., MSC 37

Plymouth, NH 03264.

Contract Option

Please see the requirements for your specific performing medium listed below.

Music Technology Option

Please see the requirements for your specific performing medium listed below; in addition to those stated requirements, auditioners in Music Technology must also interview with:
Richard Pfenninger
Silver Center Rm 328
(603) 535-2311
rikp@plymouth.edu

BS, Music Education Audition Requirements:

Please see the requirements for your specific performing medium listed below.

Vocalists

• Two solos of contrasting styles, memorized (total of five minutes or less)
• Brief test of basic music theory

Note: Vocal auditioners must submit their accompaniments to Dr. Adam Mayon two weeks before scheduled auditions through email at: apmayon@plymouth.edu

or by mail to the following address:

Plymouth State University

Attn: Adam Mayon

17 High St., MSC 37

Plymouth, NH 03264.

Pianists

• Two solos of contrasting styles, memorized (total of 10 minutes or less)
• Scales and sight-reading
• Brief test of basic music theory

Guitarists

Classical

• Performance of a required composition (PSU-Required-Guitar-Audition)
• Performance of one other solo
• Major and natural minor scales, 1–2 octaves
• Single note sight-reading
• Brief test of basic music theory

Jazz

• Performance of a required composition (PSU-Required-Jazz-Guitar-Audition)
• Prepared jazz standard: melody and chords
• Major and natural minor scales, 1–2 octaves
• Major scale mode
• Chord symbol sight-reading
• Improvisation over a Bb blues
• Brief test of basic music theory

Bass guitarists

• Prepared jazz standard: melody and bass line
• Major and natural minor scales, 1–2 octaves
• Major scale mode
• Chord symbol sight-reading
• Improvisation over a Bb blues
• Brief test of basic music theory

Percussionists

• Prepared solos in two of the following three areas: timpani, mallets, and snare drum/set
• Rudiments and sight-reading
• Brief test of basic music theory

Saxophonists

Classical

• Two solos of contrasting styles (total of five minutes or less)
• All major scales and sight-reading
• Brief test of basic music theory

Jazz

• Prepared improv of a jazz standard, memorized (provide your own play-along CD)
• Prepared jazz etude
• Major and modal scales, 1–2 octaves, and sight-reading
• Brief test of basic music theory
• Two solos of contrasting styles (total of five minutes or less)
• Scales and sight-reading

Other Instrumentalists

• Two solos of contrasting styles (total of five minutes or less
• Scales and sight-reading
• Brief test of basic music theory