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Admissions and Auditions
To participate in the University of Missouri - St. Louis Music Department, students must meet the requirements of admissions into the university. University admissions information can be reached at 314-516-5461 or through the applying link to the left.
University of Missouri-St. Louis Music Department Auditions
The University of Missouri - St. Louis Department of Music offers three audition formats:
1. entrance auditions for potential music majors,
2. music ensemble scholarship auditions for music and non-music majors, and
3. ensemble membership auditions.
Entrance Auditions
To be admitted into the University of Missouri - St. Louis Department of Music, the potential music major is required to audition on their primary music instrument. Audition times can be reserved by calling one of the appropriate faculty members listed below.
Voice
For Voice Auditions, please contact Prof. James Henry at (314) 516-6607
Entrance Audition Requirements
- The potential music major is requested to sing two songs, contrasting in nature. One selection should come from the classical literature sung in English, Italian, German, or French and the other a Broadway or Jazz selection
- Demonstrate sight singing ability
- Participate in a personal interview
- Offer letter(s) of recommendation to support the student’s musical background and potential
String Instruments
For String Auditions, please contact Prof. John McGrosso at (314) 516-4917
Entrance Audition Requirements
- The potential music major is requested to perform two contrasting selections of choice (OR) perform one selection from the Missouri Music Educators Association solo contest list or a similar approved list
- perform selected major and minor scales and arpeggios
- demonstrate sight reading ability, if requested
- offer letter(s) of recommendation in support of the student’s musical background and potential
Wind and Brass Instruments
For Wind and Brass Auditions, please contact Prof. Gary Brandes at (314) 516-2263 (BAND)
Entrance Audition Requirements
- The potential music major is requested to perform two contrasting selections of choice (OR) perform one selection from the Missouri Music Educators Association solo contest list or a similar approved list
- perform selected major and minor scales and arpeggios
- demonstrate sight reading ability, if requested
- offer letter(s) of recommendation to support the student’s musical background and potential
Percussion
For Percussion Auditions, please contact Prof. Matt Henry at (314) 516-7970
Entrance Audition Requirements
1. Rudiments – Demonstrate at least 6 rudiments. Rudiments should be played from open (slow) to closed (fast) and back to open demonstrating control, endurance, and proper sticking.
Required Rudiments:
a. Double stroke roll
b. Multiple bounce roll
c. Flam tap
2. One solo or etude on snare drum (rudimental or concert style) demonstrating technique and musicality.
3. Scales -- major scales and one form of minor scales (natural, harmonic, melodic) two octaves in eighth notes at quarter note = 100
4. One solo or etude on a keyboard percussion instrument (xylophone, vibraphone, or marimba) or timpani demonstrating technique and musicality.
5. Demonstrate basic ostinato patterns on the following small percussion instruments:
a. Claves
b. Maracas
c. Guiro
6. Sight-reading (snare and mallets)
7. Encouraged Additional Options: demonstrate knowledge of other percussion instruments including but not limited to:
a. Drum set
b. Congas
c. Keyboard Improvisation
Guitar
For Guitar Auditions, please contact Prof. Alan Rosenkoetter at (314) 935-5542
Entrance Audition Requirements
- The potential music major is requested to perform two contrasting selections of choice (OR) perform one selection from the Missouri Music Educators Association solo contest list or a similar approved list perform selected major and minor scales and arpeggios
- demonstrate sight reading ability, if requested
- offer letter(s) of recommendation to support the student’s musical background and potential
Piano
For Piano Auditions, please contact Prof. Alla Voskoboynikova at (314) 516-4198
Entrance Audition Requirements
- The potential music major is requested to perform two contrasting selections of choice (OR) perform one selection from the Missouri Music Educators Association solo contest list or a similar approved list perform selected major and minor scales and arpeggios demonstrate sight reading ability, if requested offer letter(s) of recommendation to support the student’s musical background and potential
Organ and Hapsichord
For Organ and Harpsichord Auditions, please contact Dr. Barbara Harbach at (314) 516-7776
Entrance Audition Requirements
Keyboard and guitar students will be admitted to the BM: Music Education program only by successful audition for and full participation in applied voice (six hours) and University Singers [for those seeking vocal/choral certification]; or, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble or Orchestra [for those seeking instrumental certification]. This is in addition to the requirement for a successful keyboard or guitar audition and does not impact the other BM or BA in Music degrees
Music Ensemble Scholarship Audition
The results of this audition are used to determine the amount of a student's ensemble scholarship. For music majors, the results of the entrance audition are used to determine scholarships. For non-music majors the requirements of the music ensemble scholarship audition are somewhat less formal.
The student is requested to. . .
1. perform a selection of choice that demonstrates the student's performance level on their chosen instrument.
2. demonstrate level of sight reading
3. offer any letter(s) of recommendation in support of the student's musical background and potential.
4. participate in a personal interview.
Ensemble Membership Audition
The results of this audition are used to determine the student's placement within an auditioned music ensemble. The results of either the entrance audition or the ensemble scholarship audition can be used for ensemble membership placement. For non-music majors not requesting an entrance audition or a scholarship audition, the ensemble membership audition is less stringent.
Vocal
The student is requested to . . .
1. sing a selection of choice OR sing My Country Tis of Thee OR vocalize from low to high
2. demonstrate the level of music reading ability
3. demonstrate level of tonal memory
4. participate in a personal interview
Jazz
The student is requested to . . .
1. play scales -- all major, dominant, dorian, and locrian scales two octaves in eighth notes at quarter note = 100
2. perform two jazz standards of contrasting tempo (ballad and up tempo) and styles (swing, latin, etc…) for jazz combo and one jazz standard for the jazz ensemble
3. sight-reading will be required based upon jazz ensemble and/or combo literature (with style interpretation)
4. improvisation (required for combo and solo chairs in jazz ensemble)
5. play a jazz blues progression on piano (combo audition only)
Band
Orchestra
The student should be prepared to . . .
- perform two contrasting selections or orchestra excerpts (OR) perform one work or complete movement from the MSHSAA solo contest list or a similar approved list
- perform selected major and minor scales and arpeggios
- demonstrate sight reading ability, ir requested
