A limited number of scholarships are available for students performing in the Concert Choir, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, String Orchestra, and for Pianists that can serve the Music Program as Accompanists.  Students who receive scholarships are responsible for enrolling in two successive semesters of Concert Choir MUS 2201, Wind Ensemble MUS 2203, Jazz Band MUS 2205, or String Ensemble MUS 2204 and fulfilling roles determined by the instructor.

Class attendance and a high standard of practice, leadership and performance are expected. Our choral and instrumental scholarships are part of the university’s student service awards. Duties may also include the organization and direction of sectional practices outside of class-time.

These annual scholarships will be granted at the beginning of the academic year. For incoming freshmen, any scholarships awarded will be awarded to accepted, committed, enrolled incoming freshmen.

Auditions can be completed live on campus, via online through apps such as zoom or skype, or through video submission via youtube or Vimeo. Auditions must be completed by May 1 prior to the academic year the scholarship is awarded. Please contact the appropriate professor to discuss the best option for you.

For live auditions, you are welcome to bring an accompanist or recording to accompany you, but accompanists are not required for the audition. For jazz auditions, the accompaniment can be in the form of any music-minus-one or Aebersold background tracks.

 

Music Service Award Audition Requirements

Concert Band

Wind and Brass

• A short prepared lyrical piece of your choice
• A short prepared technical piece of your choice

Percussion

• Demonstrate proficiency on snare and/or one mallet instrument

Jazz Band

Wind and Brass

• Improvise two choruses over a standard blues progression in any key.
• Perform head then improvise two choruses of a jazz standard in any key.
• Lead players need to display competence in the upper register either through improvisation or a prepared piece.

Piano and Guitar

• Improvise two choruses over a standard blues progression in any key.
• Perform head then improvise one chorus and then comp on the second chorus of a jazz standard in any key, in any style other than blues.

Bass

• Display proficiency walking in the following styles: medium tempo blues, up tempo swing, moderate rock, any latin style. 

Drums

• Display proficiency in the following styles: medium tempo blues, up tempo swing, moderate rock, any latin style.

Concert Choir

Choose a standard vocal warm-up, scale or arpeggio based, start at the bottom of your vocal range and go to the top. Sing a piece of your choosing from memory. This can be done with a track, live accompaniment, or a Capella. 

String Orchestra

Play an excerpt of a piece of your choosing. Show your technical skills such as: Vibrato, Shifting, Double and Triple Stops, etc. These are not all required, but help in knowing your current skill level.