Music and Theatre Audition Information
Auditions are required for acceptance as a music/theatre major or minor, for participation in any ensemble, and for music scholarship consideration.
All students who sing, play a musical instrument, or act are encouraged to audition for any CCU ensemble.
Audition process
Students must complete a Music Audition Form prior to the desired audition date. A list of studied repertoire and at least one recommendation from the private teacher of record or the high school music teacher must be submitted at the time of the audition.
Students will be requested to demonstrate technical skills:
- Vocalists: Sight-singing and vocalizing
- Instrumentalists: Sight-reading and scales
- Pianists: Sight-reading, scales/arpeggios/chords/cadences, keyboard skills, and reading chord charts
- Music Theater: Requires one monologue and one music theatre song.
- Theater: Requires two monologues of contrasting styles.
Students who plan on pursuing a major or minor in music or theatre 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 ensembles may substitute music from their current choir, band, or orchestra.
You must provide your own accompanist or accompaniment track for your audition.
For Dance Auditions
You do not have to audition to be accepted into the dance minor, but you do have to audition for scholarship consideration and if you are hoping to be placed in the intermediate/advanced ensemble without taking the pre-req. The guidelines for auditions are below:
Please prepare two contrasting dance selections for your audition. At least one selection should be ballet, and can either be a short (1-2 minute) classical variation (on demi-pointe) or a center or across the floor combination (adagio, petit allegro, waltz, grande allegro, etc., 4 8-counts in length). The second piece should be a solo, approximately 1 minute in length, whatever style and choreography you feel shows you to your best advantage as a dancer and a performer.
You may choreograph your own selections or use choreography by someone else; if you use
someone else’s choreography, please credit the choreographer(s) on your audition form. If you choose to dance ballet for your solo as well as the ballet technique sample, please make sure your variation and combo show some contrast— e.g., if your solo is more slow/lyrical, choose a more up-tempo variation or an allegro combo; if your solo is more dynamic and high-energy, consider performing an adagio or a waltz for your combo.
Please have your music cut to the correct length for solos and variations. Music for technical combos does not need to be cut to fit. You should bring your music ready to play on a phone or MP3 player; an aux cord and iPhone jack converter will be available. You may also email your music as an attachment in MP3 format to erin.buterbaugh@gmail.com.
Unable to audition in person?
If you are unable to audition in person, we encourage you to arrange a live Zoom audition through the music office. If that is not possible, you may submit a high-quality video audition.
Video Audition Guidelines
Music and Theatre scholarships
To be considered for a music or theatre scholarship award, all live auditions must be completed and all video submissions must be received by March 1st of the current academic year.
Ensemble participation scholarships are available to non-music majors for the following ensembles: University Choir, University Women's Choir, University Symphonic Band, Men's Chorus, String Quartet, CCU Drumline, University Handbell Ensemble, and theatre participation.
