Department of Music Auditions and Awards
Music major candidates must complete an audition to be accepted into the Department of Music, and to be considered for a talent award. Students interested in the Music Participation Award must also complete an audition.
Auditions for 2009-2010 are listed below. You will be on campus from approximately 8:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. You will have the opportunity to meet faculty and students.
2009-2010 Musical Theatre Audition Dates
- Friday, December 2, 2009
- Saturday, January 16, 2010
- Saturday, January 23, 2010
- Saturday, February 27, 2010
- Saturday, March 6, 2010
2010 Music Audition Dates
- Thursday, January 21, 2010
- Tuesday, February 2, 2010 (special emphasis on piano; auditions on all other instruments and voice will also take place)
- Thursday, February 18, 2010
- Tuesday, March 2, 2010
- Thursday, April 1, 2010
- Saturday, April 10, 2010 (Participation Award auditions only)
If you live too far from campus to audition in person, a video or audio-taped audition will be given careful consideration. By request, students may audition on College Visitation Days.
Audition Requirements
An accompanist will be provided when appropriate, or auditionees may bring their own accompanist.
Strings: Perform two contrasting selections demonstrating technical aspects (left hand accuracy, shifting and bowing skills) and expressive playing (bow control and vibrato) as well as general musicianship. String players should be prepared to perform major scales up to four sharps and four flats in two or three octaves. There may be sight reading. Additional information regarding the audition, including specific instructions for guitarists, will be mailed with the audition confirmation letter.
Woodwinds and Brass: Prepare two pieces (either two solos, or a solo and an etude.) in contrasting styles. All major scales and a two-octave chromatic scale, as well as sight-reading, will be part of the audition. Playing from memory is not required. At least one piece with accompaniment is encouraged, but not required. Additional information regarding auditions will be mailed with the audition confirmation letter.
Percussion: Prepare your materials in three areas of percussion; one solo should be from the OMEA Solo and Ensemble Class A contest list or the equivalent. Playing from memory is not required.
Keyboard: Two pieces, preferably memorized, in contrasting styles (for example, a Bach Prelude and Fugue and a movement of a classical sonata). A third contrasting piece is optional. All major and harmonic minor scales. Sightreading will be included in the audition. Please bring music resume and repertoire list.
Musical Theatre: See Theatre and Dance. An audition for musical theatre will also qualify the auditionee for consideration as a music major.
Voice: Prepare two memorized pieces in contrasting styles. One piece should be performed in a foreign language. Selections from the art song and operatic repertoires should be emphasized, although one folk song arrangement or musical theatre piece may be included. Students auditioning for the Bachelor of Music in Performance degree must present classical repertory.
Additional considerations for all auditionees:
- In order to get as complete a musical profile as possible, auditionees also may be asked to sight read during the audition, and will also complete music theory, music history, sight-singing and piano proficiency tests, as well as a music aptitude test.
- Auditionees are strongly encouraged to provide original music for their accompanists at the audition. If originals are not available, please bring very clear, readable copies in correct page order in a 3-ring binder
- There are special talent awards available for string players and participation awards for non-majors.
To arrange your audition, contact Conni Birri in the Department of Music at CBirri@otterbein.edu or (614) 823-1508.
The Department will notify students of their acceptance as music majors within two weeks of their audition date.
