Audition Information

2008-2009 Audition Dates:

• Dec 6th (Instrumental Only)
• Feb 21st
• March 28th
• April 18th

To Schedule an Audition (music majors and marching band)

1. Select one of the audition dates from the "Audition Dates" list.

2. Send an email to music@westliberty.edu which includes the following information:

Name
Instrument
Intended Major
Ensemble(s) of interest
Email
Phone Number
Parent/Guardian Name(s)
Mailing Address
Preferred Audition Date

You will be contacted within one week with a confirmation of your audition date and an assigned audition time. Students should prepare to keep the day free as audition times, tours, etc. may run into the afternoon.

Audition Requirements

Download the Audition Requirements as a PDF

In addition to meeting the regular college entrance requirements, students desiring to major in music must demonstrate talent in instrumental or vocal performance and should have had considerable experience in school or community musical organizations. A student should arrange for this audition at the same time he or she applies to the Office of Admissions.

BRASS | GUITAR | PERCUSSION | PIANO

ORGAN | VOICE | WOODWIND | MARCHING BAND

BRASS
1. Major scales through 4-flats and 4-sharps, the chromatic scale
2. Two contrasting etudes selected from the following, or from equivalent material:

TRUMPET
Complete Conservatory Method - J.B. Arban
Lyrical Studies - G. Concone
60 Selected Studies, C. Kopprasch
Melodious & Rhythmical Studies, J.L. Small

HORN
Lyrical Studies - G. Concone
60 Selected Studies - C. Kopprasch
Advanced Method, Vol. 1, H. Voxman (Rubank)

LOW BRASS
Melodious Studies - J. Rochut
Advanced Method, Vol. I - H. Voxman (Rubank)

3. A solo concert piece of the student's choosing that demonstrates both technique and musicality
4. Sight-reading and aural skills diagnostic exam as provided by the division

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GUITAR
1. Major scales through 4-flats and 4-sharps, the chromatic scale
2. Major, Minor, Diminished, and 7th chords, movable and first position shapes
3. An etude by Carcassi, Guiliani, Sor, Aguado, Carulli or the equivalent
4. A solo concert piece of the student's choosing that demonstrates both technique and musicality
5. Sight-reading and aural skills diagnostic exam as provided by the division

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PERCUSSION
Percussionists should prepare to audition in three areas:

MALLETS
1. Scales up to four sharps and four flats (two octaves)
2. Solo(s) or etudes in contrasting styles which best demonstrate technical ability and musicality
3. Sight-reading and aural skills diagnostic exam as provided by the division

SNARE DRUM
1. Basic technical demonstration of rolls at varying lengths and basic rudiments including flams, paradiddles, and ruffs
2. Two Solos (one rudimental and one orchestral) which demonstrate technical ability and musicality.
3. Sight-reading and aural skills diagnostic exam as provided by the division

OTHER
A solo or etude performed on one of the following: Timpani*, Drum Set, Multiple Percussion, or other percussion instrument(s) by arrangement. This category should exclude additional Mallet or Snare Drum pieces.
* NOTE: For those auditioning for Marching Band, ability to tune the Timpani is sufficient.

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PIANO
Prepare two compositions of contrasting styles, preferably from memory.
Sight-reading and aural skills diagnostic exam provided by the division.
Examples of Suggested Repertoire:

J. S. Bach - Two or Three-part Inventions
D. Scarlatti - keyboard sonatas
One or more movements taken from a Classical keyboard sonata by such composers as Franz J. Haydn, W. A. Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Muzio Clementi, etc.
F. Schubert - Impromptus, Moments Musicaux
F. Chopin - Preludes, Nocturnes, Waltzes
F. Mendelssohn - Songs Without Words
J. Brahms - Waltzes, Intermezzi, etc.
C. Debussy - Children's Corner Suite, Suite Bergamasque, etc.
S. Prokofieff - Visions Fugitives
B. Bartok - Mikrokosmos

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PIPE ORGAN
1. Perform a composition from the Baroque Era, preferably by Johann Sebastian Bach, such as a chorale prelude from the Orgelbüchlein, or one of the preludes and fugues.
2. Perform either:

a) a composition selected from the French romantic repertoire, OR
b) a composition from the 20th-century repertoire

3. Sight-reading and aural skills diagnostic exam as provided by the division

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VOICE
Prospective students in voice should be prepared to sing two or three songs from the standard vocal repertoire for their vocal audition. Songs of contrasting mood, tempo, and language are recommended. One of the songs may be from the musical theater repertoire. It is recommended, but not required, that students bring their own accompanists whenever possible. It is also recommended that students sing as many of their audition songs as possible from memory.

Criteria for acceptance as a music major in voice include the following:
1. An easily produced vocal tone of adequate size and pleasing quality;
2. Good vocal musicianship, as demonstrated by the ability to sing with good pitch and rhythmic accuracy, and to sing legato phrases in which dynamics are meaningfully employed;
3. Expressiveness, as demonstrated by the communication to the listener of the emotional content of the song being sung.

Recommended Literature:

TRADITIONAL ART SONG
An aria in Italian from 26 Italian Art Songs and Arias, edited Paton
An art song or aria from The First Book series (individual books are by voice part), edited Boytim

20TH CENTURY ART SONG
15 American Art Songs, compiled Arvin
20th Century Art Songs or Fundamentals in Singing, edited Paton

THEATER SONGS from any beginning theater songbook collection
The Singers' Musical Theater Anthology or Music Theater Classics.

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WOODWINDS
1. Major scales through 4-flats and 4-sharps, the chromatic scale
2. Two contrasting etudes selected from the following, or from equivalent material:

FLUTE
Melodious & Progressive Studies (Book 1, blue), Pub. Southern
18 Exercises, Berbiguier

OBOE
48 Famous Studies for the Oboe, W. Ferling

BASSOON
50 Bassoon Studies, Op. 8, Vol. 2, Weissenborn

CLARINET
32 Etudes, or 40 Etudes, Rose
Melodious & Progressive Studies (Book 1 or 2), Hite

SAXOPHONE
48 Famous Studies, W. Ferling
Selected Studies, H. Voxman (Rubank)

3. A concert piece of the student's choosing that demonstrates both technique and musicality
4. Sight-reading and aural skills diagnostic exam as provided by the division

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MARCHING HILLTOPPERS
Please visit the Marching Band page for details.

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