School of Music
Audition Information
If you're planning to major or minor in music, you'll be required to audition for participation in most ensembles and for consideration for music scholarships before March 1st. You must have completed an audition and been accepted into the music program before you can register as a music major or minor. Music Ensemble Participation Scholarships are also available to non-music
majors for the following ensembles: University Choir, University Women's
Choir, University Wind Ensemble, University Men's Ensemble, String
Quartet, CCU Drumline, and University Handbell Ensemble.
General Guidelines for Music Auditions
- All students who sing or play a musical instrument are encouraged to audition for any ensemble.
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Auditions are required for acceptance as a music major or minor, for participation in any ensemble, and for scholarship consideration. Prospective music students should contact the School of Music at 303-963-3135 or music@ccu.edu to schedule an audition.
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Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be accepted by CCU in order to be eligible for any institutional financial aid, including music scholarships.
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Students should download and completed a Music Audition Form (PDF) prior to the scheduled audition date. A list of studied repertoire and at least one recommendation from the private teacher of record or the high school music teacher should be submitted at the time of the audition.
- If you are not able to audition in person, you may submit a
high-quality video audition either by DVD, YouTube, Vimeo, or another approved method. For video auditions, please see the additional guidelines for vocal, instrumental and piano auditions.
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Students who plan on pursuing a major or minor in music should prepare a minimum of two selections in varied styles (e.g. two classical pieces of contrasting styles, one classical and one popular selection, or one classical and one jazz, etc.). It is strongly recommended that pianists have at least one of their selections memorized. It is required that vocalists have both of their pieces memorized. Non-music majors auditioning for ensemble scholarships may substitute music from their current choir, band, or orchestra.
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Students will be requested to demonstrate technical skills including sight-singing and vocalizing for vocalists, sight reading and scales for instrumentalists, sight reading, scales/arpeggios/chords/cadences, and reading chord charts for pianists, and keyboard skills as appropriate.
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To be considered for a Music Scholarship award, all live auditions must be completed by March 1st, and all videotape submissions must be received by March 1st of the current academic year.
- Additional guidelines for specific instruments are below.