Audition Information

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Audition/Scholarship Dates for 2009-2010:

Music Department auditions at Albion College are intended solely for the purpose of scholarships. All students are eligible for scholarships, regardless of their major.

The Albion College Music Department does not hold auditions to become a music major. Any student interested in being a music major may do so. Sophomore juries are used to help advise/direct students into appropriate areas of  the curriculum. Visit the curriculum link to learn more about the various majors offered.

Scholarship Amounts and Requirements:
Department scholarships range from $500 to $2500 and each has a requirement that the student perform in one of the department's major ensembles (concert choir, jazz ensemble, marching band/symphonic band, or symphony orchestra). Although students are assigned to one of these ensembles based on their abilities and the ensemble's needs, the music department encourages all students to participate in more than one. In addition to the ensemble requirement, students accepting scholarships of $1750 or higher are also expected to take private lessons on their instrument/voice. Once awarded, all scholarships are guaranteed for all four years of college as long as all requirements are fulfilled.

The Westbrook Scholarship:
The Music Department also offers the Westbrook Scholarship to students majoring in music who show outstanding potential as a musician and leader/role model for others in the department. For more information on the Westbrook Scholarship and an application, visit the Westbrook Scholarship link.

Audition Expectations

Below is a suggested list of repertoire for each instrument. While we encourage students to perform music which best showcases their abilities, this will provide an example of the type of audition the Albion College Music Department expects from incoming first-year students. In addition to the prepared materials, a brief sight-reading exercise is expected.

Audition Logistics:
Every audition takes between 15 and 20 minutes. Due to the limited amount of time, and the large number of auditions on most dates, you may be asked to stop short of completing your solos/etudes. Plan on between 6 and 8 minutes of prepared music, 2-4 minutes of sight-reading, and an interview with the audition committee of between 8-10 minutes.

Accompanists:
The Albion College Music Department makes every effort to provide each student with an accompanist for their audition. Each student is allotted time to rehearse with the accompanist prior to their audition. If you have your own accompanist, you are welcome to bring them. You must bring music for the accompanist! This is not provided.

Specific Audition Suggestions

Select an instrument to see the suggestions, or scroll down.

VOICE
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NOTE: Select two to three total to prepare. English text required. French, German, and Italian encouraged only if currently studying privately. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Visit the MSVMA website for a list of appropriate solos for auditioning.

MSVMA Approved Solo List

NOTE: Pop music is strongly discouraged.

PIANO
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Scales
Play major and harmonic minor scales (four octaves), parallel motion through 4 sharps and 4 flats.

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Bach, J.S. - Two or Three Part Inventions. Any.
Bach, J.S. - Suite. Any.
Beethoven - Sonata. Any sonata, any movement.
Haydn - Sonata. Any sonata, any movement.
Mozart - Sonata. Any sonata, any movement.
Chopin - Any piece.
Debussy - Any piece.
Liszt - Any piece.

NOTE: Pop music and show tunes are strongly discouraged. If you are interested in jazz, and intend to audition in that area, please consult with Dr. James Ball, director of the Albion College Jazz Ensemble.

HARP
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Scales
Play major and harmonic minor scales (full range), through 4 sharps and 4 flats.

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. One from each category or two from one category. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Corelli - Giga
Dussek - Sonatina IV
Grandjany - Fantasie on a Theme by Haydn
Hasselmanns - Brook
Naderman - Sonata I
 

Recommended Ensemble Pieces:
Grandjany - Aria in Classic Style
Dittersdorf - Concerto for Harp. 1st movement.
Mozart - Concerto for Harp and Flute. 1st movement.

VIOLIN
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Scales
Play major and melodic minor scales (two to three octaves where practical) through 4 sharps and 4 flats.

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. One from each category or two from one category. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Accolay - Concerto
Bach - Concerto No. 1 in a-minor
Bach - Partita. One movement from any partita.
Handel - Sonata. Any.
Kreisler - Preludium and Allegro
Viotti - Concerto No. 23
Vivaldi - Concerto in g-minor
 

Recommended Etudes:
Kayser
Kreutzer - 42 Studies. Any.
Sitt
Whistler - Prep to Kreutzer. Any.
Wohlfahrt, Op. 45

VIOLA
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Scales
Play major and melodic minor scales (two to three octaves where practical) through 4 sharps and 4 flats.

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. One from each category or two from one category. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Bach - Cello Suite. Any movement.
Marais - Four French Dances
Marcello - Sonata in G-Major
Telemann - Concerto in G-Major
Vivaldi - Concerto in d-minor
 

Recommended Etudes:
Kayser
Kreutzer - 42 Studies. Any.
Sitt
Whistler - Prep to Kreutzer. Any.
Wohlfahrt, Op. 45

CELLO
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Scales
Play major and melodic minor scales (two to three octaves) through 4 sharps and 4 flats.

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. One from each category or two from one category. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Bach, J.S. - Cello Suites 1, 2, or 3. Any movement.
Bach, J.S. - Prelude. Any.
Breval - Sonata in G-Major. Any movement.
Dvorak - Concerto. Any movement.
Elgar - Concerto. 1st or 2nd movement.
Haydn - Concerto in C-Major. 3rd movement.
Haydn - Concerto in D-Major. 1st or 3rd movement.
Saint-Saens - Concerto. Any movement.

Recommended Etudes:
Grutzmacher - Book 2 (Nos. 13 through 24). Any.
Popper - High School of Cello Playing

STRING BASS
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Scales
Play major and melodic minor scales (two to three octaves) through 4 sharps and 4 flats.

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. One from each category or two from one category. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Capuzzi - Concerto in F. Any movement.
Corelli - Sonata. Any.
Johnson - Lento and Zapateado
Marcello - Sonata. Any.

Recommended Etudes:
 

NOTE: If you are interested in jazz, and intend to audition in that area, please consult with Dr. James Ball, director of the Albion College Jazz Ensemble.

FLUTE
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Scales
Play major and melodic minor scales (two octaves) through 4 sharps and 4 flats.

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. One from each category or two from one category. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Bach - Sonatas. Any.
Bloch - Suite Modale
Cavally - 24 Short Concert Pieces. Any.
Handel - Sonatas. Any.
Hindemith - Sonata. Any movement.
Mozart - Concertos in D-Major or G-Major. Any two movements.
Various - Flute Music by French Composers. Any piece.

Recommended Etudes:
Andersen - Op. 41. 21 or higher.
Berbiquier - 18 Studies
Boehn
Cavally - Melodius and Progressive Studies
Kohler

OBOE
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Scales
Play major and melodic minor scales (two octaves preferably) through 4 sharps and 4 flats.

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. One from each category or two from one category. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Albinoni - Concerto. Any movement.
Handel - Concerto. Any movement.
Hindemith - Sonata. Any movement.
Schumann - Three Romances
Telemann - Any Sonata.
Vivaldi - Concerto. Any movement.

Recommended Etudes:
Barrett - Any melodic study.

CLARINET
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Scales
Play major and harmonic minor scales (up to two octaves where practical) through 3 sharps and 3 flats.

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. One from each category or two from one category. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Hindemith - Sonata. Any two movements.
Mozart - Clarinet Concerto, K. 622. 2nd movement, and either 1st or 3rd movement.
Rabaud - Solo de Concours
Schumann - Fantasy Pieces, Op. 73. Any two movements.
Weber - Concertino
 

Recommended Etudes:
Cavallini - 32 Caprices
Rose - 32 Etudes
Rose - 40 Studies

SAXOPHONE
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Scales
Play major and harmonic minor scales (two octaves) through 4 sharps and 4 flats.

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. One from each category or two from one category. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Bozza - Impromptu et Danse
Bozza - Improvisation et Caprice
Creston - Sonata. Any movement.
Debussy/Rousseau - Rhapsody
DuBois - Concerto. Any movement.
Hartley - Concerto
Heiden - Sonata
Hindemith - Sonata
Ibert - Concertino da Camera

NOTE: Original solo saxophone literature is preferred.

Recommended Etudes:
Ferling/Mule - 48 Studies
Berbiguier/Mule - 18 Studies

NOTE: If you are interested in jazz, and intend to audition in that area, please consult with Dr. James Ball, director of the Albion College Jazz Ensemble.

BASSOON
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Scales
Play major and melodic minor scales (two to three octaves) through 4 sharps and 4 flats.

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. One from each category or two from one category. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Galliard - Sonata. Any.
Hindemith - Sonata. Any movement.
Mozart - Concerto, K. 191. Any movement.
Philips - Concertpiece
Stevens - Three Pieces. Any movement.
Weber - Concerto. Any movement.

Recommended Etudes:
Milde - Concert Studies. Any.
Weissenborn - 50 Bassoon Studies or Practical Method for Bassoon. Any.

TRUMPET
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Scales
Play major and melodic minor scales (up to two octaves where practical) through 4 sharps and 4 flats.

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. One from each category or two from one category. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos (with or without accompaniment):
Balay - Prelude et Ballade, or similar piece.
Barat - Any piece.
Clarke - Bride of the Waves, or similar piece.
Haydn - Concerto in E-flat. Any two movements.
Hindemith - Sonata. Any two movements.
Hummel - Concerto. Any two movements.
Kennan - Sonata. Any two movements.
 

Recommended Etudes:
Arban - Characteristic Studies. Any study.
Clarke - Any characteristic etude or study.
Hering - Any etude.

NOTE: If you are interested in jazz, and intend to audition in that area, please consult with Dr. James Ball, director of the Albion College Jazz Ensemble.

FRENCH HORN
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Scales
Play major and melodic minor scales (two octaves) through 4 sharps and 4 flats.

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. One from each category or two from one category. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Dukas - Villanelle
Heiden - Sonata
Hindemith - Sonata
Mozart - Concertos 1, 2, 3, or 4, or Concerto Rondo. Any 2 movements.
Saint-Saens - Romance

Recommended Etudes:
Kopprasch
Maxime-Alphonse

TROMBONE
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Scales
Play all major and melodic minor scales through 3 sharps and 3 flats (two octaves where possible).

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. One from each category or two from one category. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Barat - Andante and Allegro
David - Concertino
Grondahl - Concerto. Any movement.
Guilmant - Morceau Symphonique
Jacob - Concerto. Any movement.

Recommended Etudes: (anything by)
Blazhevich
Rochut
Tyrrell

NOTE: If you are interested in jazz, and intend to audition in that area, please consult with Dr. James Ball, director of the Albion College Jazz Ensemble.

EUPHONIUM
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Scales
Play major and melodic minor scales (two octaves when possible) through 4 sharps and 4 flats.

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. One from each category or two from one category. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Barat - Introduction and Dance
Guilmant - Morceau Symphonique
Mozart - Concerto for Bassoon. 1st or 3rd movement.

Recommended Etudes:
Arban
Fink
Rochut
Tyrell
Voxman
 

TUBA
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Scales
Play major and melodic minor scales (two octaves where possible) through 4 sharps and 4 flats.

NOTE: Select two total to prepare. One from each category or two from one category. Must be contrasting (technical and lyrical). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted.

Recommended Solos:
Curnow - Concertino
Gregson - Tuba Concerto. 1st movement.
Haddad - Suite for Tuba. 1st movement.
Vaughan-Williams - Concerto in f-minor

Recommended Etudes:
Arban
Blazevich
Bordogni
Fink
Tyrell

PERCUSSION
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NOTE: Select two total to prepare (one pitched and one non-pitched). These are recommendations only. Other solos or etudes of equal difficulty may be substituted. Solos with 2 mallets are required. 4 mallets are optional. The timpani skill level test is also required of students interested in music as a major.

Recommended Snare Solos/Etudes:

NOTE: A multiple percussion work may be substituted for the rudimental snare drum demonstration.  Arrangements must be made in advance if there are additional instruments needed for a set-up.  It is recommended that the student bring their own smaller instruments. 

Recommended Mallet Solos:

Timpani Skill Level Test:
Demonstrate current ability to match/sing pitches and scales, tune timpani without the aid of a tuner, basic timpani stroke, dampening technique, rolling (single stroke), knowledge of drum sizes and ranges.

NOTE: These skills are not required for acceptance, but are part of the audition to assess current ability level.  However, the ability to sing and match pitches is required of music students in general and part of the timpani curriculum for percussion students.

Recommended Timpani Etudes (optional):
Goodman - Modern Method for Timpani
Peters - Fundamental Method for Timpani

Drum set (optional):
It is recommended to demonstrate as many drumming styles as to your current ability level - i.e.: rock, jazz/swing, funk, Latin.  You may also choose to perform a transcription of a jazz tune or of another style which accurately represents your current ability level.

NOTE: If you are interested in jazz, and intend to audition in that area, please consult with Dr. James Ball, director of the Albion College Jazz Ensemble.