Auditions - School of Music | Montana State University

All applied studios require an audition and/or interview before a student may enroll in applied studies. The audition/interview generally takes place before or during the first week of classes. In most cases, if a student has auditioned and received a scholarship on an instrument, that is considered their studio audition and this requirement is waived.

Please contact the appropriate faculty member about placement in their studio: School of Music Faculty Directory

Woodwind and Brass

Two-octave major scales in instrument keys of E & A flat in 8th notes at 120 bpm. (oboe only one octave of A flat required)
Full range chromatic scale in quarter notes at 144 bpm
Two solos or etudes in contrasting styles of length 2-4 minutes each

Percussion

Must perform on at least 2 of the following:

Snares: published solo (rudimental or orchestral)
Keyboard: 2 or 4 mallet published solo
Timpani: published solo that best demonstrates your ability on technique and tuning
Drumset: demonstrate various styles, as well as chart reading and soloing

Piano and Guitar

Guitar: Two contrasting pieces or movements from the solo classical repertoire
Piano: Two solos in contrasting styles
Piano: D major & d harmonic minor - minimum 2 octaves, hands together ascending and descending

Voice

Two memorized contrasting art songs (one musical theater selection acceptable) with piano or recorded accompaniment. One selection must be in a foreign language. Auditions are heard during the final week of classes each semester as well as during the first week of classes at the start of fall semester. An accompanist is provided.

Strings

Two 3-octave scales; one major, one minor (Basses please prepare 2-octave scales)
Two contrasting works
- One movement of an unaccompanied solo or etude
- One movement from the standard concerto or sonata repertoire