The Music Department requires an audition for all students who wish to pursue a music major at Southwestern. A prospective student's audition serves both as an admission and a scholarship audition. Students who are not admitted into the major program on the basis of the audition are welcome to participate in all activities of the Music Department for which they qualify; if they still wish to pursue the major they may re-audition for the Department after they begin their studies at Southwestern.

Please also note that admission into the major program does not guarantee a music scholarship.

Spring Audition Dates for enrollment Fall 2010

• Saturday - Sunday, February 6 - 7, 2010
• Saturday - Sunday, February 27 - 28, 2010

Please call The Sarofim School of Fine Arts 512-863-1504 or email Allison Fannin, secretary, to receive a scholarship application and arrange an audition

Music Scholarship (for students majoring in music)

• Awards range from $3500-$12,000 per year
• Private lesson fee waiver
• Renewable annually up to four years

Audition Requirements

Woodwinds, Brass and Strings

Two selections representing different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth-century). One selection only may be an etude; a program of two etudes is NOT acceptable. Memorization of at least one of the selections is encouraged, but not required. Solos that are written with piano accompaniment must be performed with live accompaniment at the audition--an accompanist will be provided. If a student wishes to use an SU accompanist, music for accompaniments must be received no later than a week before the scheduled audition date.

Percussion

Three selections which highlight timpani, mallets, and snare drum. i.e., one solo or etude on each instrument (2 or 4 mallets for keyboard percussion). Students should be prepared to demonstrate knowledge of tuning timpani. The Music Department can provide a snare drum, timpani and marimba for auditions; any special equipment needs must be communicated to the Fine Arts Secretary well in advance of the audition date.

Piano

two complete works representing different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth-century). Memorization is required.

Voice

a program of art songs and/or operatic arias totaling three selections. At least one, and preferably two, of the works performed must be in one or more of the standard foreign languages: Italian, French, or German. Memorization is required.

Performance Award (for students not majoring in music, performing in ensembles)

• Awards up to $2,500 per year
• Private lesson fee waiver
• Renewable annually up to four years

Audition requirements:

• Woodwinds, Brass & Strings - Two selections, each representing different stylistic periods
• Percussion - Ten minutes from repertoire that highlights two of the following: timpani, mallets, snare drum
• Voice - Two art songs by memory≈

Non-major performance awards will not be available in the following area for 2010-2011: Harp

Students wishing a non-major Performance Award for 2010 -2011 in these areas will be evaluated by recording ONLY:

• Soprano voice
• Piano (only for students with exceptional ability and experience in jazz improvisation or accompanying)
• Guitar (only for students with exceptional ability and experience in jazz improvisation)

Students who send recordings should request an audition form beforehand and enclose it with the recording, stating clearly for what type of award they are applying. Recordings sent without sufficient identifying information will not be evaluated.

Non-major students may audition for a Performance Award in ONLY ONE performance area. Only one award will be made to any student, of an appropriate amount based on major/non-major status. Students cannot receive two music scholarships in different performing areas, or a music major scholarship and a non-major performance award. Complete compositions, etudes, or movements of sonatas or concertos must be prepared--fragments of works are not acceptable.

Performance with piano accompaniment, if a composition calls for it, is required for prospective music majors desiring a music scholarship. For non-majors who are applying for a P.A., accompaniment is optional, though recommended. Any audition that does not meet all of the criteria for a music scholarship audition listed on the web site (i.e., number of pieces, performance with accompaniment, etc.) will be considered a non-major P.A. audition and awards will be made accordingly (i.e., the maximum possible award will be $2500 per year).

A live audition cannot be guaranteed if a student cannot appear on one of the scheduled audition days. Requests made after February 10, 2010 for live auditions on the final weekend in February 2010 will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Any student who cannot schedule a live audition is advised to send a CD recording or cassette tape of their audition program as soon as he or she is able. NO individual live auditions will be heard after the last scheduled official audition date. Recordings received after the last audition date will be listened to and evaluated and awards made based on available funds. Students are advised to audition, or send a recording, as early as possible in the spring semester for full consideration.

STUDENTS WHO SUBMIT REQUESTS FOR AUDITION TIMES IN FEBRUARY OR MARCH 2010 WILL NOT BE SCHEDULED WITHOUT HAVING SUBMITTED A FORMAL APPLICATION TO SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

Eligibility requirements

Candidates must apply for general admission to Southwestern University separately, and must have an active application to Southwestern University in order to schedule an audition. However, they need not have been accepted yet, in order to audition. Please note that, although recommendations will be made following a student's audition, admission to Southwestern must be granted in order to receive the award. An individual student's admission status may not be determined until after the final audition deadline in March.

Recipients of Department of Music scholarships and Performance Awards may also be eligible for additional assistance such as academic scholarships. In addition, recipients may apply for University need-based aid. For more information, please click: FINANCIAL AID MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS or call 1-800-252-3166.

Any financial aid offer from Southwestern University will be void as of May 1, 2010 if a student accepts financial aid from another college or university.