Music Audition Information

For More Information and To Set Up an Audition
*Fall 2013 applicants are encouraged to audition by April 1, 2013.

*Auditions performed during the fall semester (mid-September to early December) are highly recommended. For talent award consideration, auditions must be completed by March 16, 2013.

Audition Information
Students intending to major in music, music education, music business, or music recording technology must successfully complete a music audition. The audition consists of the following components:

  • Visit with the department chair or program director to discuss the degree plan
  • Performance audition, including prepared selections, scale playing, and sight reading
  • Ear training and sight singing aptitude assessment

Auditions are heard Monday through Friday during regular business hours. For talent award consideration, the audition must be completed by March 16. Auditions performed during the fall semester (mid-September to early December) are highly recommended.

An audition must be completed prior to consideration of your Application for Admission by the Admission Advisory Committee.

Visit the Admissions page for application and admission information.

The audition must also be completed in order to register for music major courses.

The audition form can be completed online or downloaded and sent to the Music Department.

Requirements for Auditions
The following information is provided as guidelines to the student preparing for an audition. Please note that sight reading may be required in any performance area.

Piano Compositions may be selected from among the following composers: Bach; one movement of a sonata by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven; a work by Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann, Brahms; a work by Debussy, Ravel, Bartok, Prokofieff, etc.
Applicants for the bachelor of science degree in music education are urged but not required to play from memory. Applicants for the bachelor of art in music degree are expected to play at least two compositions for their audition, at least one of which must be from memory. One of these two must be selected from the above list and the other can be the applicant's own choice.
Organ A contrapuntal work, such as a Prelude and Fugue by Bach; a piece of a romantic or contemporary nature. Scales and arpeggios on the piano may be required. Keyboard proficiency equal to the piano major is expected.
Voice Music sung for the audition may be chosen from art song, oratorio, or sacred song repertoire. Contemporary gospel and musical theater selections are not acceptable as audition material for degree programs in voice.
Woodwinds (a) Show command of basic material such as major and minor scales, triads, and 7th chords. (b) Play an etude that shows highest technical level the student is capable of playing (a study from the Rose 32 Studies would be satisfactory). (c) Play a solo from the standard literature for the instrument which illustrates both technical and musical ability of the student (e.g., Von Weber, Concertino, op. 26; Rabound, Solo de Concours; Messager, Solo de Concours).
Brass (a) Sustained tones and lip slurs, utilizing the major portion of the playing register of the instrument. (b) Diatonic major scales in the following keys: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, G, D, A, and E. Correct fingering as shown in any standard method book should be used. French horn players should be familiar with the double horn and should know the Bb horn as well as the F horn fingerings. Baritone players should play in bass clef. A solo exhibiting the highest ability level attained. A movement from a concerto or sonata, a district band try out solo, or similar piece is suggested.
Strings (a) Demonstrate a knowledge of major and minor scales and arpeggios encompassing at least two octaves with various bowing styles. (b) Show competence in position playing and shifting. (c) Play an etude which illustrates the student's highest technical level. Example: Mazas, Kreutzer, Dont, Lee, Dotzauer, Schroedder, Simandl. (d) Perform a sonata or concerto movement. Example: Accolay, Bach, Corelli, Handel, Hindemith, Kabalevsky, Marcello, Mozart, Vivaldi, Wieniawski. String Bass majors also study Electric Bass—(a) Play major scales and arpeggios, two octaves, (b) Ability to read bass parts for stage and jazz band, (c) Play the melody and two-beat bass line from any popular music composition (e.g., Miles Davis, Harold Arlen, Duke Ellington, Richard Rodgers, Charlie Parker, Johnny Mercer). Tape recorded accompaniment may be used.
Guitar (a) Classical: two major or minor Segovia scales. Demonstrate fretboard knowledge with major, minor, and dominant 7th chords and arpeggios. Play a piece by Bach, Sor, Giulani, Carcassi, etc. (b) Jazz/Contemporary: two-octave major and minor scales. Demonstrate knowledge of Major 7, minor 7, and dominant 7th chords and arpeggios. Play chords and melody for a jazz standard (e.g., Davis, Porter, Parker, Ellington). Improvise over 12-bar blues chord changes.
Percussion (a) Drums: either a solo piece for snare drum or multiple percussion. (b) Keyboard percussion: major scales in all keys plus a solo piece or orchestral repertoire selections. (c) Timpani: a solo selection or symphonic repertoire selection. Candidates should perform in 2 of the 3 areas above, with Keyboard strongly recommended. Tape recorded accompaniment may be used.

Application Process
1. Application for admission to Lebanon Valley College:

Complete, sign, and date the application (available from the Admission Office or online).

Submit the non-refundable $30 application fee.

Submit an official copy of your high school transcript.

If you have taken any college courses, submit an official copy of your college transcript(s).

If you are, or have been enrolled in any post-secondary institution, you must submit a College Record Form, signed by the dean of students at the institution attended. This form will be mailed to you on receipt of your admission application or it is available online.


2. Application for admission to a music major:

Complete the audition as described on this page.

For full consideration, the audition should be performed by March 15.

No auditions will be heard after April 1.

Auditions during the fall semester are highly recommended.


3. Admission decisions are made after all required information and forms (including the results of your audition) have been received. Decisions on fall admission will be sent to applicants, on a rolling basis, beginning in mid-October. Spring semester decisions will be sent on a rolling basis beginning in mid- November.