live Audition Dates
In order to see our campus and facilities and meet our faculty, students are encouraged to audition live, in-person on the following dates on campus:
- Thursday, August 8th, 2024
- Saturday, November 16th, 2024
- Saturday, February 8th, 2025
- Saturday, March 8th, 2025
- Saturday, April 12th, 2025
Video Auditions
Video auditions are evaluated on a rolling basis. If you submit a video between August and the day before the November audition date (by 5:00pm), your video will be evaluated on the November audition date. If submitted between the November audition date and the day before the February audition date (by 5:00pm), your video will be evaluated at the February audition date. If submitted between the February audition date and the day before the March audition date (by 5:00pm), your video will be evaluated at the March audition date. If submitted between the March audition date and the day before the April audition date (by 5:00pm), your video will be evaluated at the March audition date. If submitted after the April audition date but by May 1st, your video will be evaluated as received. We ask that if you cannot submit your video by May 1st, please audition in-person at the August audition date before classes begin in the Fall, or submit a video by the day before the August audition date (by 5:00pm).
If you choose to audition via video, please read how to create a quality video recording for submission.
To submit a video, upload your live, unedited recording (audio and video together, following the repertoire guidelines below) as either a YouTube video or a Google Drive file. Send the appropriate link to music@gcsu.edu (after you have filled out the form accessible above). Please make sure that the settings allow anyone with the link to view the video. If you wish your video to be evaluated at one of the above audition dates, please make sure your video has been submitted before 5pm of the Friday afternoon before the audition.
Audition Information
A) Entrance Audition:
To be accepted to the music program, each prospective incoming music major and minor, freshman or transfer, must successfully pass an entrance audition. The purpose of this audition/interview is to evaluate the student's level of preparation upon entering Georgia College and to acquaint the music faculty with the student's potential. The audition must be completed before a student can be placed in the proper coursework. The student may audition live, in-person, on one of the above dates or may submit a video performance. Either method will suffice to determine entrance to the program. If submitting a video, the student may be requested to perform a live follow-up audition (either via livestream or in-person) for scholarship consideration. Students auditioning live, in-person, will not need a follow-up audition for scholarship consideration. For those students who have not auditioned before registration, an audition date will be offered during the week before the semester begins, or they may audition during the regularly-scheduled audition dates found on the Music Department website. If students do not audition, they will be placed in pre-music-major coursework (which does not count toward the major). Any student not registered for applied lessons for more than two consecutive semesters must re-audition for acceptance into the program.
B) Requirements of the Entrance Audition/Interview:
Note: New age, popular, jazz, Christian contemporary, country, and other similar styles of music are not permitted for any audition.
Piano
Prepare two memorized solo compositions from contrasting time periods (i.e., Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century-present) and from the standard classical piano repertoire, one representing technical facility and one demonstrating lyrical playing. Applicants will also be asked to play all major scales (4 octaves, ascending and descending, hands together) and an excerpt of sight-reading.
Strings
Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass (Memorization Not Required)
Prepare two pieces for the audition—We suggest:
(1) one etude or solo piece of the student’s choice from composers such as Kreutzer, Dont, Rode, Mazas, Kayser, Sebastian Lee, Simandl, Bach, Paganini, Popper, Wolfhart, or any solo piece/ etude of a similar level.
(2) Also, prepare one movement from the standard repertoire such as a sonata, concerto, or show piece.
(3) Lastly, students will also be asked to play one major and one minor scale in two or three-octaves with the corresponding arpeggios and a brief excerpt of sight-reading. An accompanist is not required, but one may be provided upon request. Memorization is not required.
Guitar
Prepare two contrasting solos (or movements), or études, from contrasting time periods from the standard repertoire for your instrument, one demonstrating technical facility and one demonstrating lyrical playing. Diabelli, Pagannini, Sor, Carcassi, Giuliani, Carulli are great composers to start with; or any selection from Guitar Level Two Repertoire and Etudes (Royal Conservatory Music Development Program). Applicants will also be asked to play a position (across the neck) major scale. All audition requirements will be played using finger-style guitar technique and not a pick. An accompanist is not required, but one may be provided upon request. Memorization is not required.
Winds
Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, & Bassoon (Memorization Not Required)
Prepare two contrasting solos (or movements), or etudes, from contrasting time periods from the standard repertoire for your instrument, one demonstrating technical facility and one demonstrating lyrical playing. Applicants may also be asked to play several two-octave major scales with arpeggios, and a short sight-reading excerpt. An accompanist is not required, but one may be provided upon request. Memorization is not required.
Saxophone
Prepare two contrasting solos (or movements) or etudes, one demonstrating technical facility and one demonstrating lyrical playing. Suggested pieces include works by Eccles, Creston, Glazunov (two contrasting sections, instead of movements, required), Heiden, Maurice, and Rueff. Etudes may come from collections by Ferling, Lacour, or Voxman. If you have questions about the suitability of your repertoire, please contact Dr. Allen at andrew.allen@gcsu.edu. Applicants may also be asked to play scales, as well as a short sight reading excerpt. An accompanist is not required, but one may be provided upon request. Memorization is not required.
Brass instruments
Prepare two contrasting solos (or movements), or etudes, from the standard repertoire for your instrument, one demonstrating technical facility and one demonstrating lyrical playing. Applicants may also be asked to play several major scales with arpeggios, and a short sight reading excerpt. An accompanist is not required, but one may be provided upon request. Memorization is not required.
Percussion
All applicants must perform on snare drum, keyboard, and timpani. Drumset is optional, but encouraged. Sight reading may be requested on all required instruments.
Prepare the following:
One rudimental solo and one concert snare solo of the student's choice.
One mallet solo (e.g., Green ragtime solo or marimba solo) of student's choice
One four drum timpani solo piece (not Elliot Carter) of student's choice and demonstration of tuning capabilities
Drumset (optional)-Demonstration of various styles (e.g., Rock, Funk, Swing, Latin, etc.)
Voice
Prepare two memorized selections; (1) a classical art song in Italian, French, German, Spanish, or English; (2) another classical song, folk song arrangement, or lyrical musical theatre piece.
All selections must be accompanied by piano. An accompanist will be provided for a live audition; however, a singer may choose to use his/her own accompanist. Students will have the opportunity to briefly rehearse with the accompanist prior to the audition. Prospective students can reach out to Dr. Youngmi Kim (youngmi.kim@gcsu.edu) if they have any questions regarding audition pieces.
Examples of appropriate repertoire can be found in the following vocal publications:
24 Italian Songs and Arias of the 17th and 18th Centuries (Hal Leonard Publishing)
26 Italian Songs and Arias (Alfred Music Publishing)
30 Italian Songs and Arias of the 17th and 18th Centuries (Peters Edition)
The First Book of Solos Series (Hal Leonard Publishing)
Easy Songs for Beginning Singers (Hal Leonard Publishing)
Pathways of Song (Alfred Music Publishing)
Singer’s Library of Song (Alfred Music Publishing)
Standard Vocal Literature (Hal Leonard Publishing)
Folk Songs for Solo Singers (Alfred Music Publishing)
Prospective vocal students will also be asked to sight-read a short melodic and rhythmic passage to demonstrate musicianship skills.
OTHER INFORMATION
Students will be asked to fill out a form that summarizes their musical training and experience (i.e., method books used, studies and literature studied).