Audition & Placement

An entrance audition is required for admission into the Music Education or Music Performance options of the Music Program at California State University, Dominguez Hills. During the audition students will also be considered for scholarship awards. If a student is unable to attend this audition date, they are asked to contact the Music Department in order to schedule an individual audition.

Due to the spread of COVID 19, live auditions will not be held on campus. Potential students are being asked to submit a video audition instead. Videos may be in the form of a published or unpublished YouTube video or sent using a file-sharing service such as Hightail. Send all video links or files to Dr. Scott Morris at ssmorris@csudh.edu. Applications and audition videos must be received by Wednesday, February 24, 2021.

To be accepted into the Department of Music, students must also apply and be accepted for admission to the University. Information on how to apply to CSUDH is available here: Future Students

Please note that the Priority Application dates are October 1, 2020 to December 4, 2020 for freshmen and transfer students. The university does not accept late applications. To schedule an audition, complete and submit the audition application no later than the deadline indicated on this page. If you have any further questions, please contact the CSUDH Department of Music by emailing Dr. Scott Morris at ssmorris@csudh.edu.

Audition Application

AREA REQUIREMENTS

Each area of study has its own unique set of requirements. Any questions about specific requirements should be directed to the Area Supervisors listed below.

NOTE: These audition requirements are for transfer students preparing to enter the music program at the 200 or 300 level. First-time freshmen (in all areas) only need to prepare the following:

• Two pieces in contrasting styles
• Scales (two octaves where possible, major and natural or melodic minor)

Voice

Voice (jazz and contemporary)

Voice students should present two songs of contrasting style.

Voice (classical)

Voice students should present two songs of contrasting style, one of which must be an art song or aria in a language other than English.

Questions about the voice audition requirements should be directed to Professor Kendra Vuk at kvuk@csudh.edu.

Woodwinds and Brass (Jazz and Contemporary)

Applicants must prepare:

Scales - Play the following scale types in at least two different keys:

• Major
• Minor (Dorian preferred)

Play the following songs with an instrumental accompaniment such as a live band or a play-a-long track such as iReal (for smartphones) or Jamey Aebersold.

• A 12-bar blues in either the key of Bb or F
• A tune of your choice – play the melody and improvise (Good choices include: Autumn Leaves, Summertime, Maiden Voyage, Mr. P.C.
• A transcription by a master performer on your instrument

Questions about jazz and contemporary woodwinds and brass audition requirements should be directed to Dr. Teodross Avery at teavery@csudh.edu.

Woodwinds and Brass (Classical)

Brass (upper and lower)

Applicants must prepare:

Two selections of contrasting periods/styles from the standard repertoire such as a movement from a standard sonata or concerto.

Technique

• Major scales (two or three octaves when applicable)
• An unaccompanied etude

Classical Saxophone

Auditions can be played on alto, tenor, baritone, or soprano saxophone. All saxophonists entering in classical saxophone performance are required to play alto saxophone for individual instruction.

Two selections in contrasting style (separate pieces, movements from a single piece, or études)

Select one solo and perform two movements:

• Henri Eccles/ Sigurd M. Rascher : Sonata (1st and 2nd movement, or 1st and 4th movement)
• Paule Maurice: Tableaux de Provence (1st, 2nd, and 3rd movement, or 4th and 5th movement)
• George Frederick Handel / Marcel Mule : Sonata No.1 (1st and 2nd movement)

Technique

• Scales: major, minor, and chromatic (two or three octaves when applicable)
• Etudes: Two contrasting (fast-slow) selections from the Ferling 48 Studies or comparable etudes

Note: Saxophone auditions do not need to be played from memory. You may use sheet music for reference

Woodwinds (clarinet, flute, oboe, and bassoon)

Applicants must prepare:

Two selections of contrasting periods/styles from the standard repertoire such as a movement from a standard sonata or concerto.

Technique

• Major scales (two or three octaves when applicable)
• An unaccompanied etude

Questions about the woodwinds and brass audition requirements should be directed to Dr. Kathleen Janert at kjanert@csudh.edu

Piano

Classical- All Memorized:

Applicants must prepare

• J.S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue (at least 3 voice) from Well-Tempered Clavier
• A piece or movement in a contrasting style

Jazz

Applicants must prepare:

• Blues head with LH comping and at least one chorus of improvisation
• Contrasting style (standard, ballad, Bop, etc.) with LH comping and at least one chorus of improvisation

Questions about the piano audition requirements should be directed to Dr. Stephen Moore at sfmoore@csudh.edu.

Classical Strings (violin, viola, cello, double-bass, and harp)

Applicants must prepare:

• Two selections in contracting styles with or without an accompanist from the standard repertoire
• Major and minor scales
• Standard etude

Questions about the strings audition requirements should be directed to Dr. Scott Morris at ssmorris@csudh.edu.

Bass (jazz and contemporary)

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Ability to create walking jazz & modern bass lines and explain the approach chosen.
• Understanding of all the features of the bass & how they work together to create notes
• Ability to play a basic major, minor, & other scales
• Understanding of basic diatonic harmony including the ability to play intervals from a root

Guitar

Contemporary or Jazz Guitar

Students applying for degrees in Music Performance or Music Education with guitar (non-classical) as their primary instrument must demonstrate the following skills at a satisfactory level before the start of their first semester of study:

• Play the following scales in steady rhythmic time with both straight eighth and swing; eighth notes (two octaves): C major, A minor, G major, E minor, major pentatonic, minor pentatonic
• Play basic major and minor chords related to a major key. EXAMPLE: C major = CM, Dm, Em, FM, G7, Am, Bdim
• Perform two well-known tunes (jazz/pop/blues) in contrasting styles accompanied by backing tracks
• Demonstrate the ability read simple melodies
• Experience playing in a rock or jazz band and/or school orchestra/choir/band

Classical Guitar

Applicants must prepare:

• Two pieces of contrasting styles
• Giuliani’s 120 studies, Op. 1, numbers 1-50 (do not need to be memorized)
• Segovia’s Diatonic Major and Minor Scales (sharp keys only)

Percussion

Percussion (jazz and contemporary)

Applicants must prepare:

• Two pieces in contrasting styles such Jazz, Rock, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and Funk accompanied by a backing track
• A rudimental snare drum etude/study

Percussion (classical)

Applicants must prepare:

• Two selections in contrasting styles
• Standard etude

Composition

Students applying to the Composition option must submit two original, fully notated works. Applicant must also supply audio recording of submitted works. Traditional recordings, MIDI files, or video links are all acceptable. Noted scores should be mailed or emailed before the audition date to Dr. Jonathon Grasse at jgrasse@csudh.edu. Once accepted, composition students are also eligible for the New Century Music Scholarship in Composition.