Audition Requirements
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 majors are asked both to apply to Undergraduate Admissions and to sign up for an audition by clicking on one of the dates below:
JANUARY 30, 2021
FEBRUARY 27, 2021
MARCH 26, 2021
APRIL 24, 2021
The above audition dates will be virtual only. Audition material must be received two weeks prior to your selected audition date and will be pre-screened by faculty. If you pass this portion of the audition, you will be invited to interview with faculty via ZOOM on your selected audition date.
Once we have received notice from Admissions that you have signed up for an audition, you will receive information from us on how to submit your audition materials.
Please see below for the audition requirements in the BA Music Options-Music Technology or Contract.
If you have any questions regarding your music audition, please contact:
Dr. Jonathan Santore
Discipline Coordinator for Music
jsantore@plymouth.edu
Talent Grants
Incoming first-year students in Music, Theatre and Dance may be considered for a limited number of Talent Grants to qualified first-year students in the performing arts. Awards are subject to availability each academic year. When available, 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:
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
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
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