Music

Scholarship Auditions

Music Department Admission & Scholarship Auditions

Southwestern offers scholarships for both music majors and those who intend to minor in music or major in another subject called performance awards. We believe that all students who have a passion for music should continue their lessons and participate in ensembles while in university. By auditioning, you will have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the Sarofim School of Fine Arts, explore the music programs and ensemble participation options available, and meet the faculty of the Music Department.

For Music majors

The audition at Southwestern serves as both a formal audition into the Music major and an audition for the Sarofim Scholarship in Music. All music major auditions are by invitation after viewing of submitted audition files.

Instructions coming soon.  Video submission deadline is January 17, 2025

APPLY NOW! MUSIC MAJOR APPLICATION

For non-majors

The audition serves as the audition for a performance award. 

Steps

1) The first step for auditions is to register for the audition below.

Dates are February 22, March 8, April 12, 2025

2) Please double-check the audition requirements by instrument below.

Important Dates for Auditions

  • January 17, 2025: Video Submission of preliminary auditions for Music Majors
  • February 22, 2025: Auditions for Majors and Minors or non-majors
  • March 8, 2025: Auditions for Majors and Minors or non-majors
  • April 12, 2025: Auditions for all non-majors

REGISTRATION

Coming Soon!

Students who require a fully virtual audition will need to reach out to FineArtsAdmissions@southwestern.edu and request permission and steps for submission.

Please reach out to FineArtsAdmissions@southwestern.edu if you have any questions.

Instrument Audition Requirements

  • Voice

    Major Audition Requirements

    • A program of art songs and/or operatic arias totaling three selections.
    • At least one, and preferably two, of the works performed must be in one or more of the standard foreign languages: Italian, French, or German.
    • Memorization is required.
    • Demonstration of sight-reading is required (music will be provided).

    Non-Major Audition Requirements

    • Two art songs by memory.
    • Demonstration of sight-reading is required (music will be provided).
  • Percussion

    Major Audition Requirements

    • Three compositions, one for each of the following instruments: timpani, mallets, and snare drum: i.e., one solo or etude on each instrument (2 or 4 mallets for keyboard percussion).
    • Students should be prepared to demonstrate knowledge of tuning timpani.

    Non-Major Audition Requirements

    • Ten minutes from repertoire that highlights two of the following: timpani, mallets, snare drum.

    The Music Department can provide a snare drum, timpani and marimba for auditions; any special equipment needs must be communicated by emailing FineArtsAdmissions@southwestern.edu at least four business days before the audition date.

  • Guitar

    Major Audition Requirements

    • Two complete works (a movement of a standard sonata is considered a complete work) representing different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth­-century).
    • Memorization is required.

    Non-Major Audition Requirements

    • Two complete pieces of contrasting style periods (one piece may include popular styles that demonstrate skills at improvisation and/or arranging). One movement of a multi-movement work such as a sonata or suite is acceptable.
    • Memorization is recommended, but not required.
  • Piano

    Major Audition Requirements

    • Two complete works (a movement of a standard sonata is considered a complete work) representing different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth­-century).
    • Memorization is required.
    • Demonstration of sight-reading is required (music will be provided).

    Non-Major Audition Requirements

    • Two complete pieces of contrasting style periods. One movement of a multi-movement work such as a sonata or suite is acceptable.
    • Memorization is recommended, but not required.
    • Students will be asked to sight-read a short piece or accompaniment, which will be provided at the audition.
  • Strings

    Major Audition Requirements

    • Two selections representing different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth­-century).
    • One selection only may be an etude; a program of two etudes is NOT acceptable.
    • Memorization of at least one of the selections is encouraged, but not required.

    Non-Major Audition Requirements

    • Two selections each representing different stylistic periods.
    • One of these (only) may be a standard or region etude.

    Solos that are written with piano accompaniment must be performed with live accompaniment at the audition—an accompanist will be provided. If a student wishes to use an SU accompanist, music for accompaniments must be received no later than two weeks before the scheduled audition date. Sent to Laura Sewell at sewelll@southwestern.edu.

  • Brass

    Major Audition Requirements

    • Two selections representing different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth­-century).
    • One selection only may be an etude; a program of two etudes is NOT acceptable.
    • Memorization of at least one of the selections is encouraged, but not required.

    Non-Major Audition Requirements

    • Two selections each representing different stylistic periods.
    • One of these (only) may be a standard or region etude.

    Solos that are written with piano accompaniment must be performed with live accompaniment at the audition—an accompanist will be provided. If a student wishes to use an SU accompanist, music for accompaniments must be received no later than two weeks before the scheduled audition date. Sent to Laura Sewell at sewelll@southwestern.edu.

  • Woodwinds

    Major Audition Requirements

    • Two selections representing different stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth­-century).
    • One selection only may be an etude; a program of two etudes is NOT acceptable.
    • Memorization of at least one of the selections is encouraged, but not required.

    Non-Major Audition Requirements

    • Two selections each representing different stylistic periods.
    • One of these (only) may be a standard or region etude.

    Solos that are written with piano accompaniment must be performed with live accompaniment at the audition—an accompanist will be provided. If a student wishes to use an SU accompanist, music for accompaniments must be received no later than two weeks before the scheduled audition date. Sent to Laura Sewell at sewelll@southwestern.edu.

  • Financial Assistance

    Recipients of Sarofim Scholarship in Music and Performance Awards may also be eligible for additional assistance such as academic scholarships. In addition, recipients may apply for University need-based aid. For more information, please go to Financial Aid/Merit scholarships or call 1-800-252-3166. 

    Any financial aid offer from Southwestern University will be void as of May 1, 2020 if a student accepts financial aid from another college or university.

Candidates who receive the Sarofim Scholarship or the Performance Award are eligible for additional assistance, including Southwestern merit scholarships.

For any questions regarding auditions, please contact FineArtsAdmissions@southwestern.edu.

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