Audition

Voice

Any student seeking to major or minor in vocal music or concentrate in musical theatre (B.A. in Theatre) at ETSU and all students seeking vocal music scholarships (including non-music majors) must complete the following steps: 

1. Apply to East Tennessee State University

*To be eligible for all scholarships, you must FIRST be accepted by the university at large.

2. Complete the Online Application Form for the ETSU Department of Music

*This form is also used for Musical Theatre

*You will receive a confirmation email when the application has been submitted. If you do not, submit it again. 

3. Select your audition date and time:

Click on the date that you wish to audition. On the spreadsheet that opens, add your name and information to the time of your choice. 

Thursday, November 16, 2023
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Saturday, March 2, 2024

VIDEO AUDITIONS are allowed only if you live more than 150 miles from campus, but in-person auditions are strongly encouraged. If you would like to submit a video audition instead of attending Music Days, email Dr. Alan Stevens

4. Prepare to audition

To prepare for a successful audition, be sure to follow the repertoire guidelines outlined below: 

Audition Requirements for Admission to the Bachelor of Music, Vocal Performance:

Two memorized and accompanied selections in contrasting styles:

• One American or British art song (no Musical Theatre)
• One foreign-language art song or aria (Italian, German, or French)
• Sight reading
• Tonal memory exercises
• Range vocalizations
• See Policies Below

Audition Requirements for:

• Admission to the Bachelor of Music, Vocal Music Education 
• Admission to the Bachelor of Arts, Vocal Performance

Two memorized and accompanied selections in contrasting styles:

• One in English (may be Musical Theatre)
• One foreign-language art song or aria (Italian, German, or French) 
• Sight reading
• Tonal memory exercises
• Range vocalizations
• See Policies Below

Audition Requirements for Admission to Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a Musical Theatre Concentration:

Three components:

• Sing one up-tempo musical theatre selection that is a maximum of four minutes in length.
• Sing one lyrical musical theatre selection that is a maximum of four minutes in length. This selection may be a classical art song or aria.
• Perform one monlogue that is a maximum of 45 seconds. 
• See Policies Below

Keep in mind that all three components will be timed. You will be asked to stop if you exceed the prescribed time limits. 

Audition Requirements for Admission to the Bachelor of Arts, Contemporary Music Performance:

Two memorized and accompanied selections in contrasting styles:

• Choose two pop/contemporary pieces that demonstrate your abilities. Show two contrasting styles. 
• ONE of your pieces may be an original composition, but one must be a familiar/popular song. 
• Musical Theatre repertoire is not recommended, but is acceptable. 
• You may accompany yourself if you have a secondary area (such as guitar or piano) but you may not use amplification or recorded accompaniment. Auditions must be entirely acoustic.
• Sight Reading
• Tonal memory exercises
• Range vocalization
• See Policies Below
  
  
  
  
  
  

Audition Requirements for:

• Admission to Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Concentration in Composition OR Music History, Vocal Emphasis
• Admission to Minor in Music, Vocal Emphasis
• Non-Music Majors or Minors auditioning for Vocal Scholarships

Two memorized and accompanied selections in contrasting styles:

• Preferably at least one song must be an art song or aria in English or a foreign language (Italian, German, or French), but English art songs are acceptable
• Music theatre selections are acceptable
• MOST repertoire is acceptable, but pop songs are discouraged
• Sight reading (not required for minors or non-majors)
• Tonal memory exercises
• Range vocalizations
• See Policies Below

Audition Policies for ALL Vocal Auditions:

Audition Accompanist:
It is strongly recommended that you bring your own accompanist with whom you have rehearsed. If you cannot provide your own accompanist, one will be provided for you. Please bring the original music for the accompanist to use or an approved and legal copy. It is highly unlikely there will be time for you to rehearse with your accompanist before the audition. For this reason, please consider the difficulty of your accompaniment when selecting repertoire and requesting an ETSU accompanist (request on the Scheduling Form, Step #3)

Audition Attire:
This is a professional audition. Think of it as an interview! Please dress appropriately for the audition. We recommend avoiding jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, and casual clothes. Represent your professionalism. 

Audition Repertoire:
All vocal selections must be published for solo voice and piano. You may NOT use choral music, original songs, or recorded accompaniment.

It is recommended that Performance and Education majors, as well as Non-Major Scholarship auditionees, choose repertoire from the following, but it is not strictly limited to these collections:

• 28 Italian Songs and Arias of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, for high, medium high, medium, medium low, and low voice. G. Schirmer, Inc., distributed by Hal Leonard Corporation
• 26 Italian Songs and Arias, medium high or medium low voice, John Glenn Paton, editor. Alfred Publishing Co.
• The First/Second/Third/etc. Book of Solos for soprano, mezzo-soprano/alto, tenor, and baritone/bass, complied by Joan Frey Boytim. G. Schirmer, Inc., distributed by Hal Leonard Corporation
• Standard Vocal Literature Series, Hal Leonard Corporation
• Pathways of Song Vocal Series, compiled and edited by Frank Laforge and Will Earhart. Alfred Publishing Company
• The Young Singer Series, compiled and edited by Richard D. Row, Carl Fischer Music
• Folk Songs for Solo Singers, compiled and edited by Jay Althouse, Alfred Publishing Co.
• The Singer's Music Theatre Anthology Series, Hal Leonard Corporation

Students Auditioning to major in Vocal Jazz Studies may audition from Real Books, leadsheets, or published editions of jazz repertoire.

5. After your audition:

• You will receive an email notifying you of your acceptance to or rejection from the ETSU Department of Music or Department of Theatre no later than a month after the audition date. Email contact will be made through the address entered on the Vocal Audition Form (step #2 above). Be sure your email is accurate!
• Information regarding music or theatre scholarships which have been awarded will arrive in a separate email. 
• If you are accepted and awarded a scholarship you must return the appropriate acceptance forms by the stated due date. Failure to do so may forfeit your admission and/or all scholarship awards. 
• Once you have returned your acceptance forms, you will receive further information via email on how to prepare for the coming year. An academic adviser will be assigned to you, and you may contact him/her with questions. 
• ETSU will provide you with information about the university at large and the required University Orientation for all incoming students.

Questions about auditioning as a non-music major for scholarships?
Contact Dr. Alan Stevens:
stevensae2@etsu.edu 

Questions about Vocal Performance?
Contact Karen Smith:
smithke@etsu.edu 

Questions about Vocal Music Education?
Contact Dr. Lauren Ramey:
rameyle@etsu.edu 

Questions about Musical Theatre?
Contact Dr. Bradley Fugate
fugatebk@etsu.edu

Questions about Contemporary Music Performance?
Contact Martin Walters
waltermb@etsu.edu 

Questions about Composition? 
Contact Dr. Neal Endicott
endicottn@etsu.edu 

Questions about Music History? 
Contact Dr. Alison Deadman
deadmana@etsu.edu 

 Piano

Any student seeking to major or minor in piano at ETSU and all students seeking piano scholarships (including non-music majors) must complete the following steps: 

1. Apply to East Tennessee State University

*To be eligible for all scholarships, you must FIRST be accepted by the university at-large.

2. Select an audition date:

When completing the Application form (Step 3), you will be asked to choose which date you will audition. Make sure you have this planned out before you move to Step 3. Check your calendar and select from the following:

Thursday, November 16, 2023
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Saturday, March 2, 2024

VIDEO AUDITIONS are allowed if you live more than 150 miles from campus, but in-person auditions are strongly encouraged. If you would like to submit a video audition instead of attending Music Days, select "Video Audition" on the Application Form. You will receive an email with instructions for submitting your application via video.  

3. Complete the Online Application Form for the ETSU Department of Music

*You will receive a confirmation email when the application has been submitted. 

*You will be contacted within ten days with information about the time for your scheduled audition on the date you selected. 

4. Prepare to Audition for the ETSU Department of Music

To prepare for a successful audition, be sure to follow the guidelines outlined below: 

PIANO: (Bachelor of Music in Music Education or Performance)

Two contrasting pieces from memory:

• One Sonata Allegro (fast) movement by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert
• One substantial work from the 19th century or later
• Sight reading
• Scales

*Additional requirements for scholarships listed below 

PIANO: (Contemporary Music Performance) 

• Two contrasting pieces in pop or jazz styles, from memory
• Demonstrate basic improvisational skills
• Sight reading
• Scales preferred, but not required

PIANO: Minor

Two contrasting pieces from memory:

• One work or movement by J.S. Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert
• One work or movement by a composer from the 19th century or later
• Sight reading
• Scales
• Interview with ETSU piano faculty

*Additional requirements for scholarships listed below

 Audition Policies for ALL Piano Auditions:

On the day of audition, you need to:

• Provide a copy of scores of your audition repertoire (originals strongly recommended)
• Provide a comprehensive list of repertoire that you have studied previously 

PIANO SCHOLARSHIPS: Bachelor of Music

In addition to the admission repertoire, please prepare the following:

• One original work by J. S. Bach
• One Sonata Allegro (fast) movement by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert
• One virtuosic étude
• One substantial work from the 19th century or later 

5. After your audition:

• You will receive an email notifying you of your acceptance to or rejection from the ETSU Department of Music no later than a month after the audition date. Email contact will be made through the address entered on the Department of Music Online Application Form (step #2 above). Be sure your email is accurate!
• Information regarding music scholarships which have been awarded will arrive in a separate email.
• If you are accepted as a music major or minor and/or you are awarded a scholarship you must return the appropriate acceptance forms by the stated due date. Failure to do so may forfeit your admission and/or all scholarship awards.
• Once you have returned your acceptance forms, you will receive further information via email on how to prepare for the coming year. An academic adviser will be assigned to you, and you may contact him/her with questions.
• ETSU will provide you with information about the university at large and the required University Orientation for all incoming students.

Questions?

Contact Dr. Eva Polgar for Bachelor of Music (classical piano studies)

 

Contact Martin Walters for Contemporary Music Performance (contemporary piano studies)
waltermb@etsu.edu

Woodwinds

Any student seeking to major or minor in music at ETSU and all students seeking music scholarships for participatin in concert ensembles (including non-music majors) must complete the following steps. 

Note: This process does not apply to students interested only in Marching Band. For information about Marching Band participation and scholarships, follow the guidelines HERE.

1. Apply to East Tennessee State University

*To be eligible for all scholarships, you must FIRST be accepted by the university at-large.

2. Select an audition date:

When completing the Application form (Step 3), you will be asked to choose which date you will audition. Make sure you have this planned out before you move to Step 3. Check your calendar and select from the following:

Thursday, November 16, 2023
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Saturday, March 2, 2024

VIDEO AUDITIONS are allowed if you live more than 150 miles from campus, but in-person auditions are strongly encouraged. If you would like to submit a video audition instead of attending Music Days, select "Video Audition" on the Application Form. You will receive an email with instructions for submitting your application via video.  

3. Complete the Online Application Form for the ETSU Department of Music

*You will receive a confirmation email when the application has been submitted.

*You will be contacted within ten days with information about the time for your scheduled audition on the date you selected.

4. Prepare to Audition for the ETSU Department of Music

To prepare for a successful audition, be sure to follow the guidelines outlined below:

FLUTE

Repertoire

Two contrasting selections: 

• The first should be slow and lyrical to demonstrate phrasing and tone
• The second should be a faster selection demonstrate technical skills

Repertoire can be chosen from:

• A sonata, concerto, concert piece, or etude from the standard flute repertoire . (Examples of etude selections include Anderson, Demersseman, Drouet, and Gariboldi)

Additional Requirements

• Sight reading
• Prepare all 12 major scales, 2 octaves
• Chromatic scale, 2 octaves

For questions about auditioning on flute, please contact Dr. Roya Farzaneh

Note that many appropriate audition selections are available for free download on imslp.org 

OBOE

Repertoire
Two contrasting selections. The first should be slow and lyrical to demonstrate phrasing and tone. The second should be a faster selection to demonstrate technical skills.

Repertoire should be chosen from:
Barret Complete Method
Ferling 48 Famous Studies
Rubank Advanced Method
OR a sonata, concerto, or concert piece from the standard repertoire

Additional Requirements:

• All 12 major scales, range from low B flat to high E flat
• One octave: G, A flat, A
• Two octace: B flat, B, C, D flat, E flat, E, F, F#, G flat
• Chromatic scale from low B flat to high E flat
• Sight reading excerpts

For questions about auditioning on oboe, please contact Dr. Heather Killmeyer 

BASSOON 

Repertoire
Two contrasting selections. The first should be slow and lyrical to demonstrate phrasing and tone. The second should be a faster selection to demonstrate technical skills.

Repertoire should be chosen from:

• Weissenborn Method Milde Concert Studies
• OR a sonata, concerto, or concert piece from the standard repertoire

Additional Requirements

• All 12 major scales, range from low B flat to high G (above middle C)
• One octave: A flat, A
• Two octaves: B flat, B, C, D flat, D, E flat, E, F, F#/G flat, G
• Chromatic scale from low B flat to high G (above middle C)
• Sight reading excerpts

For questions about auditioning on oboe, please contact Dr. Heather Killmeyer 

CLARINET

Repertoire
Two contrasting selections:

• The first should be slow and lyrical to demonstrate phrasing and tone.
• The second should be a faster selection to demonstrate technical skills.

Repertoire can be chosen from:

• Rose 32 Etudes
• OR a sonata, concerto, or concert piece from the standard repertoire

Additional Requirements

• All 12 major scales (at least 2 octaves)
• Chromatic Scale (at least 2 octaves)
• Sight reading excerpts

For questions about auditioning on clarinet, please contact Dr. Lisa Perry 

SAXOPHONE

Repertoire
Two contrasting selections:

• The first should be slow and lyrical to demonstrate phrasing and tone.
• The second should be a faster selection that demonstrates technical skills.

Repertoire should be chosen from works or etudes from the standard saxophone repertoire. Etudes can be selections from Ferling, Rossari, Voxman, Hite, or comparable studies.  Examples of appropriate works include (but are not limited to):

• Lantier - Sicilienne
• Eccles - Sonata
• Bozza - Aria
• Teal - Solos for the Alto Saxophone Player

Additional Requirements

• Sight reading
• 12 major scales (2 octaves)
• Chromatic scale (2 octaves)
• OPTIONAL: Jazz etude or improvisation on a tune of your choosing

 For questions about auditioning on saxophone, please contact Dr. Brian Rodesch

5. After your audition:

• You will receive an email notifying you of your acceptance to or rejection from the ETSU Department of Music no later than a month after the audition date. Email contact will be made through the address entered on the Department of Music Online Application Form (step #2 above). Be sure your email is accurate!
• Information regarding music scholarships which have been awarded will arrive in a separate email.
• If you are accepted as a music major or minor and/or you are awarded a scholarship you must return the appropriate acceptance forms by the stated due date. Failure to do so may forfeit your admission and/or all scholarship awards.
• Once you have returned your acceptance forms, you will receive further information via email on how to prepare for the coming year. An academic adviser will be assigned to you, and you may contact him/her with questions. 
• ETSU will provide you with information about the university at large and the required University Orientation for all incoming students.

Questions?

Contact the faculty member for your instrument listed above! 

Brass

Any student seeking to major or minor in music at ETSU and all students seeking music scholarships for participatin in concert ensembles (including non-music majors) must complete the following steps.

Note: This process does not apply to students interested only in Marching Band. For information about Marching Band participation and scholarships, follow the guidelines HERE.

Jazz majors should view the "Jazz Studies" tab for audition requirments.

1. Apply to East Tennessee State University

*To be eligible for all scholarships, you must FIRST be accepted by the university at large

2. Select an audition date:

When completing the Application form (Step 3), you will be asked to choose which date you will audition. Make sure you have this planned out before you move to Step 3. Check your calendar and select from the following:

Thursday, November 16, 2023
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Saturday, March 2, 2024

VIDEO AUDITIONS are allowed if you live more than 150 miles from campus, but in-person auditions are strongly encouraged. If you would like to submit a video audition instead of attending Music Days, select "Video Audition" on the Application Form. You will receive an email with instructions for submitting your application via video.  

3. Complete the Online Application Form for the ETSU Department of Music

*You will receive a confirmation email when the application has been submitted.

*You will be contacted within ten days with information about the time for your scheduled audition on the date you selected.

4. Prepare to Audition for the ETSU Department of Music

To prepare for a successful audition, be sure to follow the guidelines outlined below: 

TRUMPET

Repertoire
Any solo from the standard repertoire that represents your performance level. Examples of appropriate composers include Arutunian, Barat, Haydn, Hummel, Neruda, Hindemith, Kennan   

AND

Any etude that represents your best performance level. Examples include etudes by Arban, Bordogni, Bousquet, Charlier, Concone, Werner, Wurm

Additional Requirements

• All major scales (two octaves, where appropriate)
• Chromatic scale (at least two octaves)
• Sight reading excerpts 

For questions about auditioning on trumpet, please contact Dr. Brett Long 

TROMBONE

Tenor Trombone

Repertoire

• A single-movement solo piece or a movement from a concerto or sonata in the standard repertoire. Examples include Morceau Symphonique by Guilmant, Cavatine, by Saint-Säens, Sonata by Hindemith or Concertino by David

OR

• One lyrical etude from Melodious Etudes for Trombone, by Bordogni/Rochut 
• One technical etude from 40 Progressive Studies by Tyrell

Additional Requirements

• All twelve major scales (two octaves, where appropriate)
• Chromatic scale (at least two octaves, F2 to F4, preferably up to B-flat 4)
• Sight-reading

BASS TROMBONE
Repertoire

• A single-movement solo piece or a movement from a concerto or sonata in the standard repertoire. Examples include Rock by Raph, Sonata by McCarty, or Drei Leichte Stücke by Hindemith

OR

• One lyrical etude from Melodious Etudes for Bass Trombone, by Bordogni/Ostrander
• One technical etude from Advanced Studies for Bb Bass, by Tyrell

Additional Requirements

• All twelve major scales (two octaves, where appropriate)
• Chromatic scale (Bb1 to F4, preferably up to B-flat 4)
• Sight-reading

For questions about auditioning on trombone, please contact Dr. Justin Waller 

EUPHONIUM

Repertoire

• Option 1: One lyrical etude from Rochut/Bordogni “Melodious Etudes for Trombone” AND one technical etude from Tyrell “40 Progressive Etudes” or Voxman “Selected Studies from Trombone/Baritone”

• Option 2: A standard euphonium solo or movements (lyrical & technical) from a solo, such as:

Barat “Introduction & Dance”
Capuzzi “Andante et Allegro”
Clarke (any)
Jacob “Fantasia”
Guilmant “Morceau Symphonique”
Marcello “Sonata in F Major”
Saint-Seans “Morceau de Concert”

Additional Requirements

• All 12 major scales, minimum 2 octaves
• Sight reading excerpts

For questions about auditioning on euphonium, please contact Dr. Steph Frye-Clark 

TUBA

Repertoire

• Option1: One lyrical etude from Bordogni “43 Bel Canto Studies for Tuba” AND one technical etude from Blazhevich “70 Studies for Tuba” or Tyrell “Advanced Studies for Tuba”
• Option 2: A standard tuba solo or movements (lyrical & technical) from a solo, such as: 

Barat “Introduction & Dance”
Gregson “Concerto for Tuba”
Haddad “Suite for Tuba”
Hartley “Unaccompanied Suite”
Hindemith “Sonata for Tuba”
Vaughan Williams “Six Studies in English Folksong”

Additional Requirements

• All 12 major scales, minimum 2 octaves
• Sight reading excerpts

 For questions about auditioning on tuba, please contact Dr. Steph Frye-Clark

HORN 

Repertoire

• Option 1: Choose twoetudes from any of the following to demonstrate technical and lyrical playing:
  • Pottag/Schantl "Preparatory Melodies for Solo Work"
  • Clark/Bordogni "Melodious Etudes for Horn"
  • Georg Kopprasch "Sixty Studies, op. 6"
  • Maxime-Alphonse "200 etudes nouvelles"
  • Kling "40 Characteristic Etudes"
• Option 2:  A standard horn solo, or movement(s) from a larger work, showcasing both lyrical and technical skills, such as:
  • Mozart, Horn Concerto (any)
  • Haydn, Concerto No. 1
  • Beethoven, Sonata, Op. 17
  • Richard Strauss, Concerto #1
  • Saint-Saens, Morceau de Concerto
  • Saint-Saëns, Romance

Additional Requirements

• All 12 major scales
• Sight reading excerpts

For questions about auditioning on horn, please contact Elliott Stanger

5. After your audition:

• You will receive an email notifying you of your acceptance to or rejection from the ETSU Department of Music no later than a month after the audition date. Email contact will be made through the address entered on the Department of Music Online Application Form (step #2 above). Be sure your email is accurate!
• Information regarding music scholarships which have been awarded will arrive in a separate email.
• If you are accepted as a music major or minor and/or you are awarded a scholarship you must return the appropriate acceptance forms by the stated due date. Failure to do so may forfeit your admission and/or all scholarship awards.
• Once you have returned your acceptance forms, you will receive further information via email on how to prepare for the coming year. An academic adviser will be assigned to 
• ETSU will provide you with information about the university at large and the required University Orientation for all incoming students.
• A letter explaining the time, date, and location of the required Department of Music Orientation will be sent to you over the summer. (Note: this is SEPARATE and in ADDITION to the University Orientation.)

Questions?

Contact the faculty member for your instrument listed above!

Strings

Any student seeking to major or minor in music at ETSU and all students seeking music scholarships (including non-music majors) must complete the following steps: 

1. Apply to East Tennessee State University

*To be eligible for all scholarships, you must FIRST be accepted by the university at large

2. Select an audition date:

When completing the Application form (Step 3), you will be asked to choose which date you will audition. Make sure you have this planned out before you move to Step 3. Check your calendar and select from the following:

Thursday, November 16, 2023
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Saturday, March 2, 2024

VIDEO AUDITIONS are allowed if you live more than 150 miles from campus, but in-person auditions are strongly encouraged. If you would like to submit a video audition instead of attending Music Days, select "Video Audition" on the Application Form. You will receive an email with instructions for submitting your application via video.  

3. Complete the Online Application Form for the ETSU Department of Music

*You will receive a confirmation email when the application has been submitted.

*You will be contacted within ten days with information about the time for your scheduled audition on the date you selected.

4. Prepare to Audition for the ETSU Department of Music

To prepare for a successful audition, be sure to follow the guidelines outlined below:

VIOLIN

Perform Each of the Following:

• One movement of the Sonatas and Partitas by J. S. Bach
• Any etude best demonstrating your technical abilities (Mazas, Dont, Kreutzer, Rode, Paganini, etc.)
• 1st movement of a concerto (Haydn, Mozart, de Bériot, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Wieniawski, Lalo, Tchaikovsky, Barber, Sibelius, etc)

To audition as a violin minor (non-music major):

• Prepare two contrasting works best representing your abilities
• Three octave scale of your choice

For questions about auditioning on Violin, please contact Dr. David Kovac 

VIOLA

Perform Each of the Following:

• One movement of the Suites for Cello (arranged for viola) by J. S. Bach
• Any etude best demonstrating your technical abilities (Wohlfahrt, Hoffmeister, Kayser, Mazas, Dont, Kreutzer, Rode, Paganini)
• 1st movement of a concerto (Stamitz, Hoffmeister, Handel, J. C. Bach, Teleman, Walton, Hindemith, Bartok, etc.)

To audition as a viola minor (non-music major):

• Prepare two contrasting works best representing your abilities
• Three octave scale of your choice

For questions about auditioning on Violin, please contact Dr. David Kovac 

CELLO 

Perform Each of the Following:

• One movement of the Cello Suites by J. S. Bach
• Any étude that best represents your technical abilities (Duport, Franchomme, Schroeder Popper, Piatti)
• 1st movement of a concerto (Boccherini, Saint-Saëns, Vivaldi, Haydn, Lalo, Elgar, Schumann, Dvoák)

To audition as a cello minor (non-music major):

• Prepare two contrasting works best representing your abilities

For questions about auditioning on Cello, please contact Dr. Max Geissler

BASS: Classical

Repertoire: 
Two solos or movements in contrasting styles that demonstrate your best performance ability.

Additional Requirements:

• Major scales in two octaves
• Minor scales in two octaves

For questions about auditioning on Bass (classical or contemporary), please contact Katelyn Adams

GUITAR

To audition for the:
Bachelor of Music, Instrumental Performance 
Bachelor of Music Education, Instrumental/General

Prepare the following:

• Play 1 etude from the Segovia edition “20 studies for guitar” by Fernando Sor or 1 etude from Mateo Carcassi op. 60.
• Choose 2 contrasting pieces from the classical guitar repertoire that best represent you.
• Choose 1 jazz standard to play in place of 1 of the classical pieces. If the student chooses to play a jazz standard, they will be expected to play the melody, accompany, and improvise over the standard.
• Play 2 octave Major/Minor scales (Natural, Melodic, and Harmonic)
• Sight reading 

 
To audition for the: 


Bachelor of Arts, Performance 

• 
   Play one etude from the Segovia edition “20 studies for guitar” by Fernando Sor or 1 etude from Mateo Carcassi op. 60.
• Choose 1 piece from the classical guitar repertoire that best represents you.
  • You may choose 1 jazz standard to play in place of the classical piece. If you choose to play a jazz standard, you will be expected to play the melody, accompany, and improvise over the standard.
• Play 2 octave Major/Natural Minor scales. 
   

To audition for the:  
Bachelor of Arts, Contemporary Music Performance
Bachelor of Arts, Composition
Bachelor of Arts, Music History

 

• Choose 2 contrasting contemporary pieces (Jazz, Pop, Country, Rock...) that best showcase your ability on the instrument.
  • One of the choices may be an original composition.
• Play 2 octave Major/Natural Minor scales. 
   
  
  

For questions about auditioning on Guitar, please contact James West

5. After your audition:

• You will receive an email notifying you of your acceptance to or rejection from the ETSU Department of Music no later than a month after the audition date. Email contact will be made through the address entered on the Department of Music Online Application Form (step #2 above). Be sure your email is accurate!
• Information regarding music scholarships which have been awarded will arrive in a separate email.
• If you are accepted as a music major or minor and/or you are awarded a scholarship you must return the appropriate acceptance forms by the stated due date. Failure to do so may forfeit your admission and/or all scholarship awards.
• Once you have returned your acceptance forms, you will receive further information via email on how to prepare for the coming year. An academic adviser will be assigned to you, and you may contact him/her with questions. 
• ETSU will provide you with information about the university at large and the required University Orientation for all incoming students.

Questions?

Contact the faculty member for your instrument listed above!

Recorded Auditions:

Recorded auditions are STRONGLY discouraged, and acceptable only for students who live 150 miles (or more) from campus. Please contact the professor listed above for each instrument with questions about submitting a recorded audition. 

Percussion

Any student seeking to major or minor in music at ETSU and all students seeking music scholarships for participatin in concert ensembles (including non-music majors) must complete the following steps.

Note: This process does not apply to students interested only in Marching Band. For information about Marching Band participation and scholarships, follow the guidelines HERE.

Jazz majors should view the "Jazz Studies" tab for audition requirments.

1. Apply to East Tennessee State University

*To be eligible for all scholarships, you must FIRST be accepted by the university at large

2. Select an audition date:

When completing the Application form (Step 3), you will be asked to choose which date you will audition. Make sure you have this planned out before you move to Step 3. Check your calendar and select from the following:

Thursday, November 16, 2023
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Saturday, March 2, 2024

VIDEO AUDITIONS are allowed if you live more than 150 miles from campus, but in-person auditions are strongly encouraged. If you would like to submit a video audition instead of attending Music Days, select "Video Audition" on the Application Form. You will receive an email with instructions for submitting your application via video.  

3. Complete the Online Application Form for the ETSU Department of Music

*You will receive a confirmation email when the application has been submitted.

*You will be contacted within ten days with information about the time for your scheduled audition on the date you selected.

4. Prepare to Audition for the ETSU Department of Music 

If you are auditioning to be in the Bachelor of Music concentrations (Percussion Performance  or Music Education) you should prepare at least one solo or etude for snare drum, keyboard percussion, and timpani (Requirements listed below). Any additional material prepared will demonstrate knowledge and preparedness and benefit your audition.

If you are auditioning to be in the Bachelor of Arts concentrations you should prepare two solos in the style of your strongest area of percussion. For example, if you want to study drumset primarily, prepare two drumset solos, or play along with recordings to best demonstrate your skillset. Drumset students should expect to be asked to perform various styles like swing, funk, samba, bossa nova, etc.; If you want to study marching percussion, prepare two solo works for your marching instrument. Marching percussion students should expect to perform any of the 40 rudiments (slow-fast-slow); mallet players should expect to play any of the 12 major scales and arpeggios.

All students auditioning will sight read on their primary instrument for the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts.

SNARE DRUM

• Any concert snare drum solo or etude from:
  • "Portraits in Rhythm" by Anthony Cirone
  • "Intermediate Snare Drum Studies" by Mitchell Peters
  • All-State audition material
  • Similar solo repertoire
• Optional: Rudimental solo from "14 Modern Contest Solos" by John Pratt (or similar) 

KEYBOARD PERCUSSION

Required:

Any mallet solo or etude.

Recommended: 

Any four-mallet marimba solo or etude from the following:

• Mitchell Peters
• Mark Ford
• Julie Davila
• Alice Gomez
• Gordon Stout
• Eric Sammut
• Adam Hopper
• Blake Tyson
• Matthias Schmitt
• Paul Smadbeck
• Or similar composers

Additional Options:

Any two mallet solos or etudes from the following:

• “TWO” by Gene Koshinski
• 
  “Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone” by Morris Goldenberg
• 
  All-State audition material
  Similar solo repertoire
• 
  
  
  
  
  A vibraphone solo from “Mirror From Another” by David Friedman or a similar composer 

TIMPANI

Any solo or etude from:

• "Modern Method for Timpani" by Saul Goodman
• “Exercises, Etudes and Solos for Timpani “ by Raynor Carroll
• Similar solo repertoire 

SIGHT READING & SCALES

Be prepared to sight read on snare drum and marimba during your audition.

Prepare all 12 major scales and arpeggios. 

MULTIPLE PERCUSSION/DRUM SET

Multiple percussion pieces can be performed if you have been working on multiple percussion performance with a private teacher. 

Drum set can be played at the audition. Typically, this should be a demonstration of various styles including Jazz, Rock, Funk, Latin and any other styles that have been studied previously. Works written for solo drum set can also be performed. 

World percussion, including congas, djembe, steel pan, etc. may also be performed to help demonstrate knowledge beyond fundamental percussion areas.

Please contact Dr. Matthew Geiger in advance if you plan to play any world percussion instruments. 

Audition Policies for All Percussion Auditions: 

The above etudes and pieces are only suggestions that would be appropriate. The varied experience of each student will determine the level of music that can and should be performed. It is always recommended that the student discuss appropriate material with their teacher.

The audition should demonstrate the best technical and musical ability of each student on the various instruments. The difficulty of the literature is not as important as the overall musical presentation!  

5. After your audition:

• You will receive an email notifying you of your acceptance to or rejection from the ETSU Department of Music no later than a month after the audition date. Email contact will be made through the address entered on the Department of Music Online Application Form (step #2 above). Be sure your email is accurate!
• Information regarding music scholarships which have been awarded will arrive in a separate email.
• If you are accepted as a music major or minor and/or you are awarded a scholarship you must return the appropriate acceptance forms by the stated due date. Failure to do so may forfeit your admission and/or all scholarship awards.
• Once you have returned your acceptance forms, you will receive further information via email on how to prepare for the coming year. An academic adviser will be assigned to you, and you may contact him/her with questions. 
• ETSU will provide you with information about the university at large and the required University Orientation for all incoming students.
• A letter explaining the time, date, and location of the required Department of Music Orientation will be sent to you over the summer. (Note: this is SEPARATE and in ADDITION to the University Orientation.)

Questions?

Contact Dr. Matthew Geiger