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Auditions

Become a Music Student

Audition Information

Audition registration for Fall 2024 is now open! Scheduled in-person audition dates are listed below. You can also audition virtually by sending us a video or scheduling a live online audition with us. Please fill out the Audition Application to register.

 

An entrance audition is required for admission to all music major and minor programs, with the exception of the Music Industry minor. Entrance auditions are only for those students who have applied and been accepted to the University. An early audition date is recommended as studios may fill quickly. A scholarship audition will also serve as an entrance audition.

Please note: Students who do not successfully complete an entrance audition will not be permitted to declare a music major or music minor when registering for classes during Advisement & Registration. The Music Industry minor, music certificate, and composition certificate do not require an entrance audition.

In-Person Audition Dates

  • Wednesday, November 15, 2023*+
  • Wednesday, February 21, 2024*+
  • Friday, March 1, 2024*
  • Friday, April 5, 2024

*Scholarship/Entrance audition day
+Music Preview Day

Wednesday auditions begin at 2:30 p.m.
Friday auditions begin at 1:00 p.m.

Note: Auditions for ensemble participation are separate from entrance auditions. Ensembles are open to all students and placement auditions are usually held the first week of classes in the Fall semester. Sign up sheets are typically posted at that time outside the ensemble directors’ offices.

Virtual Options for Auditions

Online auditions are available and encouraged! Virtual auditions will take place by either by a real-time online video call or by sending us pre-recorded video by email in any format. You may choose which option works best for you based on your individual circumstances. To register for an audition, please fill out our Audition Application.

Video Call Audition Procedures

Live Online Audition and Interview (via Skype, Google Duo, Zoom, etc.)

  1. Who IS allowed to Live Online Audition and Interview online?
    • Any applicant that meets the Technological and Room Requirements.
    • Any applicant that complies with the established Applied Audition Requirements by Area or Studio.
    • Those who have applied or been accepted to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
  2. Who is NOT allowed to Live Online Audition and Interview online?
    • Any applicant who does not meet the Technological and Room Requirements.
    • Those not accepted to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
  3. How to schedule a Live Online Audition and Interview.
    • Complete an Audition Application.
    • Confirm all Technological and Room Requirements can be met.
    • Confirm scheduled audition one week prior. (Applied area Chair will schedule audition and interview at a mutual agreed upon time.)
    • Note: Faculty may terminate audition at their discretion. (i.e. When applicant does not meet established Live Online Audition and Interview requirements)

Scholarship Eligibility

All applicants who successfully complete a Live Online Audition and Interview by March 1, 2024 may be eligible for scholarship.

Additional Requirements:

  1. Must meet the Scholarship Criteria.
  2. Online Music Theory Assessment must be completed within one week of the audition (the deadline is March 1 for students auditioning between Feb 25-Mar 1).
  3. Recommendation Letter must be received prior to your audition.
  4. Keyboard Placement Questionnaire must be completed prior to your audition.
  5. Complete a UW Oshkosh Scholarship General Application (https://uwosh.academicworks.com).
  6. Note: Any Live Online Audition and Interview completed after March 1, 2024 will not be considered for scholarship but will be eligible for admittance to UWO Department of Music.

 

Admittance to Department of Music

Applicant must:

  1. Comply with established Applied Audition Requirements by Area or Studio (see below).
  2. Complete Music Theory Assessment within one week of your audition.
  3. Complete Keyboard Placement Questionnaire.
  4. Scholarship applicants only: Submit a letter of recommendation from a private teacher and/or high school music director that addresses your musical background and ability.

Applied Audition Requirements By Area or Studio

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Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp)

  • Violin
    • Two contrasting pieces from WSMA * Class A solo list or comparable repertoire.
    • 3 minute excerpt from 42 Etudes for Violin by Rodolphe Kreutzer. Please choose from #6-42.
    • 3 Octave Major Scale in the key of B-flat, C, D, E-flat, E, or F (choose one)
    • 3 Octave Minor Scale (harmonic or melodic type) in the key of B-flat, C, D, E-flat, or E. Scales should be performed with the bowing of your choice.
  • Viola
    • Two contrasting solo pieces or movements. Suggested repertoire from J.S. Bach’s Cello Suites 1-3 or movements from Hoffmeister Concerto, Stamitz Concerto, J.C. Bach Concerto. Other repertoire permitted from the standard viola repertoire.
    • 3 Octave Major Scales in the keys of C, D, E, F, and G
  • Cello
    • Two contrasting solo pieces, or two contrasting movements from the same piece chosen from the WSMA * Class A solo list or from the standard cello repertoire.
    • 3 minute excerpt from a standard etude (Popper Op. 73 Preparatory to the High School of Cello Playing, Popper Op. 76 High School of Cello Playing, Schroeder 170 Foundation Studies Vol I II or III, Duport 21 Etudes, Franchomme 12 Etudes for Violoncello).
    • 3 Octave Major Scales in the key of C, G, D, F, or B-flat (pick 2)
  • Double Bass
    • Two contrasting solo pieces, or two contrasting movements from the same piece, or one etude and one contrasting solo piece.
    • 2 Octave Major scales in the key of F, G, A, B-flat, or C (pick 2)
    • Optional: demonstration of proficiency in jazz walking bass lines on a common jazz standard.
  • Harp

 

* Wisconsin State Music Association Solo/Ensemble List or equivalent. Students should work with their classroom music teachers to view the list.

Brass (French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium/Baritone, Tuba)

  • Solo from WSMA* Class A list or two etudes or studies in contrasting styles.
  • All major scales.

* Wisconsin State Music Association Solo/Ensemble List or equivalent. Students should work with their classroom music teachers to view the list.

Woodwinds (Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon)

  • Two solos, movements, or etudes in contrasting styles.
  • All major scales.
  • Chromatic scale — practical range.

Voice

  • Two memorized contrasting classical art songs – one in a foreign language. Solos may be taken from the WSMA* Solo/Ensemble List or equivalent.
  • The student will be vocalized by an instructor to determine characteristics such as range, vocal timbre, flexibility, vowel purity, and breath management.
  • All voice auditions MUST be accompanied. 

* Wisconsin State Music Association Solo/Ensemble List or equivalent. Students should work with their classroom music teachers to view the list.

Piano

  • Two memorized pieces in contrasting styles.
  • Major and minor scales, arpeggios, and broken chords.
  • Harmonization of a melody. Chords will be given.

Guitar

  • Classical Guitar
    • An etude from 20 studies by Fernando Sor or from 25 Melodious and Progressive Studies, Op. 60 by Matteo Carcassi.
    • One standard Classical guitar piece such as a sonata movement or concert piece.
    • 3 octave scales in the key of E, A, D, G, or C (pick 2)
    • A sight-reading excerpt may be given.
  • Non-Classical Guitar
    • Two pieces of contrasting style from any genre (must demonstrate competency in the genre).
    • 3 octave scales in the key of E, A, D, G, or C (pick 2)
    • A sight-reading excerpt may be given.

Percussion

  • WSMA* Class A rudimental or concert style snare drum solo.
  • WSMA Class A or equivalent keyboard solo (mallet instrument).
  • WSMA Class A or equivalent timpani or multiple percussion solo.
  • Major scales — 2 octaves.

 

* Wisconsin State Music Association Solo/Ensemble List or equivalent. Students should work with their classroom music teachers to view the list.

Music Theory Placement Test

All students auditioning for the music major or minor will complete a brief music theory placement test intended to help us place students in the most appropriate music theory section. The results will not be considered in admissions decisions. The short test will cover note names, basic rhythm notation, time signatures, major and minor key signatures, triads, and intervals. We recommend visiting the following websites to practice these skills:

Incoming transfer students are not required to take the diagnostic exam if they have earned college course credit with a grade of C or higher for any music theory and aural skills courses at the freshman level that are intended for music majors/minors. Transfer students should indicate any music theory and aural skills courses for which credit was earned on their audition application form.

AP Credit Policy

1)  Music Majors, Music Education Majors, and Music Minors
a.  Granted 3 crs. of Music 107 Music Theory 1 with a Nonaural Subscore of 3.
b.  Granted 3 crs. of Music 107 Music Theory 1 & 3 crs. of Music 108 Music Theory 2 with a Nonaural Subscore of 4 or 5.
c.  Granted 1 cr. of Music 173 Aural Skills 1 with an Aural Subscore of 3.
d.  Granted  1 cr. of Music 173 Aural Skills 1 & 1 cr. of Music 174 Aural Skills 2 with an Aural Subscore of 4 or 5.

2)  Students who are not Music Majors, Music Education Majors, or Music Minors (Music Industry Minors are included in this group)
a.  Granted 3 crs. of Music 102 music elective with a score of 3.
b.  Granted 3 crs. of Music 102 and 3 crs. Music 219 music electives with a score of 4 or 5.

Keyboard Placement Questionnaire

Music major applicants will be required to fill out an online keyboard questionnaire prior to their audition. Applicants without a keyboard background will be placed into beginning class piano.

Applicants with previous keyboard experience will be placed into the appropriate course according to the results of the questionnaire.

A placement exam may be required for those with significant keyboard experience. This placement exam will be given at the beginning of the semester and will include sight reading and an assessment of fundamental keyboard skills.

Accompanist Information – VOICE ONLY

In-Person Auditions: Accompaniment is required for voice auditions. You may bring your own, or request our staff accompanist for a small fee.

Online Auditions: Due to the nature of live video and subsequent logistics, we cannot provide an accompanist for online auditions. You must enlist your own or sing with a pre-recorded track. If you need assistant in finding pre-recorded tracks, please email herseya@uwosh.edu with the titles and keys of the pieces you will be singing.

Deadlines

Audition request forms for specific dates are only available online until 2 weeks before that date. Please contact the Music Department as soon as possible to inquire about the possibility of a late registration if you miss the deadline for a certain date.

In-person entrance auditions are not normally held once Spring semester ends on May 17, 2024 until Fall semester begins on September 4, 2024. A pre-recorded or live online audition outside of the official audition dates is often possible – please fill out the Audition Application and select your preferred option.

Students starting Fall 2024 may audition for Department of Music scholarships through March 1, 2024.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OSHKOSH
Music Department

(920) 424-4224
music@uwosh.edu

Arts & Communication Center
800 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh, WI 54901

(920) 424-4224
music@uwosh.edu
Arts & Communication Center

800 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh, WI 54901