Undergraduate Audition Information | Graduate Audition Information

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MUSIC AUDITIONS

An initial audition is required for applicants who wish to major in music. Auditions for the 2009-2010 academic year will be held on the following dates:  November 22, December 6, 2008, January 10, and February 7, 2009.   It is also possible to schedule an audition on a mutually convenient weekday when school is in session.  Applicants who live too far away to audition at Meredith may arrange to send a video or audio recording in lieu of a personal audition.  To schedule an audition, please contact the Music Office. 

Music Scholarship Auditions
To be eligible for music scholarships applicants must audition prior to February 7, 2009.  Once they have auditioned applicants may be invited to return to campus for scholarship consideration.  Those invited back will be asked to perform their audition pieces, minus etudes or scales, before faculty of the Music Department.  They will also be interviewed by a committee of music faculty.  Scholarship weekend for the 2009-2010 academic year will be Sunday and Monday, February 15-16, 2009.

An audition, a music theory exam, a keyboard placement exam and a personal interview are required for all students wishing to major in music. These help the music faculty to counsel and to place students in classes most appropriate for their musical development.

Music Theory Exam
At the time of their audition students who anticipate majoring in music are also asked to complete a music theory theory test. The test includes melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic aspects of music and its notation and is used primarily for planning the next year's theory classes according to students' abilities.

Keyboard Placement Exam
All Meredith undergraduate music majors must complete the piano proficiency exam by the end of their four years. Students are required to take classes in keyboard harmony to prepare for this exam. The keyboard placement diagnostic test is given during the audition process so that students know which classes to sign up for during their first semester at Meredith. This diagnostic test includes scales, harmonization and transposition abilities, as well as simple chorale playing.

Audition Requirements

Piano
Play three pieces, including:

1. a work from the Baroque era
2. a work from the Classic era
3. a work from either the Romantic, or the Contemporary eras

At least two of the works should be memorized. Scales and arpeggios as well as some sight-reading will be included.

Strings
Be prepared to play:

1. one three-octave scale
2. one etude
3. a piece of your choosing

Voice
Prepare two songs of contrasting nature which will show you to best advantage.

1. at least one should be classical music.
2. both should be memorized.
3. an accompanist will be provided, although you may bring your own accompanist if you wish.

Winds & Percussion
Be prepared to play at least two pieces of contrasting character, and at least one representative technical study/etude of your instrument.

Organ Play three pieces, including:

1. a work of Bach
2. a work by a composer other than Bach
3. a hymn

Note: If you are a prospective organ major, you may audition in piano if you wish. You should do so if you have had little or no prior formal organ instruction.