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Music Auditions

Before enrollment as a music major, students must audition for music faculty and demonstrate musical skill sufficient to indicate potential success as a music major. To register for an audition at UAFS, simply click on the link below to complete the online music audition registration form. Details about audition requirements are listed below.

Click here FOr Audition Form

Audition Dates (2024-2025)

Auditions for fall admission take place each spring semester. Prospective students are encouraged to audition on these scheduled dates, but alternate arrangements can be considered by emailing Music@uafs.edu. To begin scheduling your audition, please fill out the Music Audition Form online. Someone from the music office will contact you to finish setting up your audition date and time.

  • December 6, 2024
  • January 17, 2025
  • February 14, 2025
  • March 21, 2025
  • April 25, 2025

Should you have any inquiries, please call the music office at 479-788-7530 or email Music@uafs.edu. 

Music Scholarships

Every year the UAFS Department of Music and Theatre offers talent-based music scholarships to students.  While many of these students are majoring or minoring in music, scholarships are also awarded to students majoring in other subjects. All students who perform an audition will be considered for music scholarships.

Audition Requirements

Music faculty members will hold a short interview with the auditionee to help the faculty learn about the auditionee and why they want to pursue music study at the collegiate level. Basic aural and sight-reading skills will also be assessed.

Flute

  • Two contrasting etudes from "Selected Studies for Flute" by H. Voxman (or a comparable piece from the solo flute repertoire that displays both technical and lyrical playing)
  • Major and minor scales, two octaves
  • Sight-reading

Oboe

  • Two contrasting etudes from "Selected Studies for Oboe" by H. Voxman
  • Major and minor scales, one octave and two octaves where permitted
  • Sight-reading

Clarinet

  • Two contrasting etudes/works (one mainly lyrical and slow, the other primarily technical and fast). Works can come from etude books (e.g. "Artistic Studies, Book 1" edited by David Hite or "Select Studies for Clarinet" by H. Voxman) or from the standard clarinet repertoire.
  • Major and minor scales, two octaves minimum
  • Sight-reading

Saxophone

  • Two contrasting etudes/works (one mainly lyrical and slow, the other primarily technical and fast). Works can come from etude books (e.g. "Melodious and Progressive Studies" edited by David Hite, Ferling 48 Studies, or "Select Studies for Saxophone" by H. Voxman) or from the standard saxophone repertoire.
  • Major and minor scales
  • Sight-reading

Bassoon

  • Two contrasting etudes from "Practical Method for the Bassoon" by J. Weissenborn or comparable etudes/works
  • Major and minor scales
  • Sight-reading

French Horn

  • One selected etude from "Preparatory Melodies to Solo Work for French Horn" edited by Max P. Pottag
  • One selected etude from "Second Book of Practical Studies for French Horn" by Robert W. Getchell
  • A solo or etude of a similar level may be played in place of the Pottag or Getchell (not required)
  • Major and minor scales, one octave and two octaves where permitted
  • Sight-reading

Trumpet

  • One selected etude from "11 Studies for Trumpet" by Roger Voisin
  • One selected etude from "Second Book of Practical Studies for Cornet and Trumpet" by Robert W. Getchell edited by Nilo W. Hovey
  • A solo or etude of a similar level may be played in place of the Voisin or Getchell (not required)
  • Major and minor scales, one octave and two octaves where permitted
  • Sight-reading

Tenor Trombone

  • One selected etude from "40 Progressive Studies for Trombone" by H. W Tyrell
  • One selected etude from "Melodious Etudes for Trombone, Book 1" by Johannes Rochut
  • Major and minor scales, one octave and two octaves where permitted
  • Sight-reading

Brass Trombone

  • One selected etude from "20 Etudes for Bass Trombone with 'F' Attachment" by Lew Gillis
  • One selected etude from "Melodious Etudes for Trombone, Book 1" by Johannes Rochut
  • Major and minor scales, one octave and two octaves where permitted
  • Sight-reading

Euphonium

  • One selected etude from "40 Progressive Studies for Trombone" by H. W Tyrell
  • One selected etude from "Melodious Etudes for Trombone, Book 1" by Johannes Rochut
  • Major and minor scales, one octave and two octaves where permitted
  • Sight-reading

Tuba

  • One selected etude from "Second Book of Practical Studies for Tuba" by Robert W. Getchell, edited by Nilo W. Hovey
  • One selected etude from "24 Artistic Studies for Tuba" selected and edited by Frank Woodruff
  • Major and minor scales, one octave and two octaves where permitted
  • Sight-reading

Prospective students should be prepared to perform etudes on snare drum, keyboard (marimba or xylophone), and timpani. Sight-reading will be asked for both snare drum and keyboard. A demonstration of the student’s abilities on drumset is not required but encouraged. 

Snare

  1. Demonstration of basic rudiments (various rolls, flams, flam-taps, flam-accents, paradiddles, flam-paradiddles, drags/ruffs, single ratamacue, etc.)
  2. Two (2) contrasting etudes, one in concert style and one in rudimental style.
  3. Sight-reading 

Concert style etudes may be chosen from: 

  • Mitchell Peters’ Intermediate or Advanced Snare Drum Etudes“
  • Portraits in Rhythm” by Anthony J. Cirone
  • “Douze Etudes” by Jacques Delecluse
Rudimental style etudes may be chosen from:
  • Charley Wilcoxin’s “All American Drummer”
  • “14 Modern Contest Solos” by John Pratt

Keyboard

  1. Major and minor scales in 2 octaves
  2. One selected 2-mallet etude
  3. Sight-reading
  4. (Optional, but preferred: one selected 4-mallet etude)

2-mallet etudes may be chosen from:

  • "Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone" by Morris Goldenberg
  • Selections from Bach’s Violin Partitas and Sonatas / Cello Suites
  • “Rhythmical Articulation” by Pasquale Bona

4-mallet etudes may be chosen from:

  • Mark Ford’s “Marimba: Technique Through Music”
  • Julie Davila’s “Impressions on Wood”
  • “Yellow After the Rain” by Mitchell Peters
  • “Snowfall” by Blake Tyson
  • “Lost Mountain Sunrise” by Blake Tyson

Timpani

  1. One selected etude from "Musical Studies for the Intermediate Timpanist" by Garwood Whaley, or “Pedal to the Kettle” by Kirk Gay. 
  2. Tuning the timpani for your selected etude (please bring your own pitch-pipe or tuning fork). 

Optional Drumset:

  1. Demonstrate various styles such as:
    • Rock
    • Funk
    • Swing
    • Jazz Waltz
    • Bossa Nova
    • Samba
  2. Play along with tracks from Tommy Igoe’s “Groove Essentials”

Classical Guitar

  • The faculty expects to hear the audition on a classical guitar. Demonstrate knowledge of and proficiency in classical guitar technique including posture and right- and left-hand positions.
  • Scales: C, G, D, A, E major, A, D, E melodic minor. Two octaves — Segovia or Sagreras forms
  • Sight-reading: single-note lines, simple counterpoint, or chord study
  • Prepare one solo piece, choosing from:
    • "Sor etude no. 2 or no. 5" from "20 Etudes" (preferably Segovia edition)
    • Matteo Carcassi "Suite in C" from "Method for Guitar"
    • Any prelude by J.S. Bach.

Jazz Guitar

  • Prepare a jazz standard. Anything from Jamey Aebersold's play along "Maiden Voyage" (vol. 54) would work nicely.
  • Prepare a blues tune (pick from "Blue Monk," "Cool Blues," or "Billie’s Bounce")
  • Both selections should be played three times through the form — first time, chords; second time, head; third time, solo. Provide a pre-recorded track or bring a chart for a faculty member to accompany you.

Jazz Bass (electric or upright)

  • Prepare a jazz etude of your choice from the book, "Jazz Conception Bass" by Jim Snidero.
  • Prepare a blues tune. Pick from "Blue Monk," Cool Blues," or "Billie's Bounce." This tune should be played three times through the form — first time, accompaniment (walk); second time, head; third time, solo. Provide a pre-recorded track or bring a chart for a faculty member to accompany you.

  • Prepare one solo song in English, German, French, or Italian.
  • Songs should be performed from memory. 
  • An accompanist will be provided if needed. 
  • Please do not use a choral piece for this audition.
  • Your choir director can help you select an appropriate solo song.

Violin

  • One selection from Sixty Studies for the VIolin, Op. 45 Book 1 by Wohlfahrt, Schirmer edition
  • One selection from Etudes Speciales for the Violin, Op. 36 by Mazas, Schirmer edition
  • A contrasting movement from an unaccompanied Bach work may be played in place of the Wohlfahrt or Mazas
  • Major and minor scales, 2 octave, quarter note=100
  • Sight-reading

Viola

  • One selection from Sixty Studies for the Viola, Op. 45 Book 1 by Wohlfahrt, Schirmer edition
  • One selection from Etudes Speciales for the Viola, Op. 36 by Mazas, Schirmer edition
  • A contrasting movement from an unaccompanied Bach Suite may be played in place of the Wohlfahrt or Mazas
  • Major and minor scales, 2 octave, quarter note=100
  • Sight-reading

Cello

  • One selection from 170 Foundation Studies for Cello, Book 1 by Schroeder, Carl Fischer edition
  • One selection from Melodic Etudes, Op. 31 by Lee, International Edition
  • A contrasting movement from an unaccompanied Bach Suite may be played in place of the Schroeder or Lee
  • Major and minor scales, 2 octave, quarter note=100
  • Sight-reading

Bass

  • One selection from 30 Etudes by Simandl, Carl Fischer edition
  • One selection from New Method for Double Bass Vol. 1 by Simandl, Carl Fischer edition
  • A contrasting, unaccompanied work of similar level may be played in place of Simandl
  • Major and minor scales, 2 octave, quarter note=100
  • Sight-reading