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.
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 1st; November 30th for freshmen and transfer students. The university does not accept late applications and there are no Spring semester admits.
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 or by calling (310) 243-2049.
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.
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)
Transfer students preparing to enter the music program at the 200 or 300 level only need to prepare the following:
Guitar
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
Questions about jazz and contemporary guitar audition requirements should be directed to Dr. Scott Morris at ssmorris@csudh.edu.
Voice
Voice students should present two songs of contrasting style
Questions about voice audition requirements should be directed to Professor Kendra Vuk at kvuk@csudh.edu
Woodwinds and Brass
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.
Suggestions 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.
Percussion
Two pieces in contrasting styles such Jazz, Rock, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and Funk accompanied by a backing track
A rudimental snare drum etude/study
Questions about jazz and contemporary percussion audition requirements should be directed to Professor Efa Etoroma at eetoroma@csudh.edu
Bass
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
Questions about bass audition requirements should be directed to Professor Trevor Ware at tware@csudh.edu.
Guitar
Two pieces of contrasting styles.
Giuliani’s 120 studies, Op. 1, numbers 1-50 (does not need to be memorized)
Segovia’s Diatonic Major and Minor Scales (sharp keys only).
Questions about classical guitar audition requirements should be directed to Dr. Scott Morris at ssmorris@csudh.edu
Voice
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 voice audition requirements should be directed to Professor Kendra Vuk at kvuk@csudh.edu
Woodwinds and Brass
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 woodwinds and brass audition requirements should be directed to Dr. Kathleen Janert at kjanert@csudh.edu.
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.
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)
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
Questions about classical saxophone audition requirements should be directed to Dr. Chika Inoue at cinoue@csudh.edu
Brass (High and Low)
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 woodwinds and brass audition requirements should be directed to Dr. Kathleen Janert at kjanert@csudh.edu
Percussion
Two selections in contrasting styles
Standard etude
Questions about percussion audition requirements should be directed to Dr. Kathleen Janert@kjanert@csudh.edu.
Piano
Note: All piano auditions must play from memory.
Transfer at the 200 level:
J.S. Bach: Two- or Three-Part Invention.
A piece or movement in a contrasting style.
Transfer at the 300 level:
J.S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue (at least 3 voice) from Well-Tempered Clavier
A piece or movement in a contrasting style
Questions about piano audition requirements should be directed to Dr. Stephen Moore at sfmoore@csudh.edu.
Classical Strings (violin, viola, cello, double-bass, and harp)
Two selections in contracting styles with or without an accompanist from the standard repertoire
Major and minor scales
Standard etude
Questions about strings audition requirements should be directed to Dr. Kathleen Janert at kjanert@csudh.edu
Composition
Two original, fully notated works.
An 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.
Questions about composition audition requirements should be directed to Dr. Jonathon Grasse at jgrasse@csudh.edu