Prior to matriculation all applicants must:

demonstrate their music performance ability through presentation of an entrance audition.

demonstrate their basic knowledge of music by taking a music fundamentals test before beginning the study of Music Theory.

Both the entrance audition and the music fundamentals test are administered the third Monday of January, the last Saturday in February and the beginning of each semester.

All prospective freshmen who present an entrance audition before March 15th are eligible to be considered for an Arts Society Music Scholarship.

Prior to acceptance as a major in an undergraduate music degree program each applicant must:

demonstrate performance ability sufficient for placement
into First Year Applied Music; and

successfully complete the first semester of Music Theory and
the first semester of Ear-training and Sight-singing.

Auditions for entrance and scholarship consideration are administered on the third Monday of January and the last Saturday of February. An audition appointment can be scheduled by returning an Audition Request Form to the Department of Music office. If circumstances prevent the presentation of a campus audition on either of these dates, an appointment on an alternative date may be requested or an unedited recording may be submitted. Applicants should prepare for their auditions according to the following guidelines:

Voice

Prospective voice majors should perform two (2) contrasting pieces from the standard art song/recital repertoire. Memorization is required. One piece should be in a language other than English. Specific repertoire is not required; however, students who wish guidance in choosing appropriate audition material are encouraged to contact Clarity James (cjames@radford.edu) well in advance of their audition date. Auditions are evaluated for quality, potential and musicianship. If a student's accompanist is not able to attend the audition, an accompanist will be provided if advance notice is given.

Winds

Wind players should prepare at least two (2) contrasting works that demonstrate tone quality, technique and musicality. Performance with an accompanist is optional. In addition, students should be prepared to play all major scales and a chromatic scale. The demonstration of basic sight-reading ability is expected. Students who wish guidance in choosing appropriate audition material are encouraged to contact Al Wojtera (awojtera@radford.edu) well in advance of their audition date.

Percussion

Percussionists should prepare at least two (2) etudes or solos on either snare drum, keyboard percussion (xylophone, marimba or vibes), timpani, or a combination of these. Students should be able to demonstrate solid snare drum fundamentals and/or keyboard scales and arpeggios. The demonstration of basic sight-reading ability in at least one of these areas is expected. Students who wish guidance in choosing appropriate audition material are encouraged to contact Al Wojtera (awojtera@radford.edu) well in advance of their audition date.

Strings

String players should prepare two contrasting works or movements that demonstrate tone quality, technique and musicianship. Performance with an accompanist is optional. An accompanist will be provided if advance notice is given. Students who wish guidance in choosing appropriate audition material are encouraged to contact Eugene Fellin (efellin@radford.edu) well in advance of their audition date.

Guitar

Guitarists should prepare all major scales (two and three octaves with cadences) and two (2) contrasting solos that demonstrate quality of tone, technique and musicality. One piece may be an etude. The demonstration of basic sight-reading ability is expected. Students who would like guidance in choosing appropriate audition materials are encouraged to contact Robert Trent (rstrent@radford.edu) well in advance of their audition date.

Keyboard

Keyboard students should perform two pieces from two different style periods in the standard classical repertoire. Works by Bach, Handel or Scarlatti (Baroque); Mozart, Haydn or Beethoven (Classical); Chopin Schubert or Schumann (Romantic); and Bartok, Debussy or Kabalevsky (20th-century/Contemporary) are suggested. Memorization is required for pianists but not for organists. The demonstration of basic sight-reading ability is expected. Prospective organ majors should have a strong piano background. Previous organ study is not required and students may audition on piano. Students who would like guidance in choosing appropriate audition materials are encouraged to contact David Phillips (dphillip@radford.edu) well in advance of their audition date.