Menu

Auditioning and interviewing for the Music Department

Admission to the Music Department is by audition only. Students applying for admission into the Music Department at Indiana University Southeast to pursue either a B.A. or B.S. degree in Music—as well as those applying for a music scholarship—must attend one of the Music Department's Audition Days.

Upcoming Auditions

Audition days consist of the audition and interview. Students must submit our online Music Application for Admission and/or Scholarship. Auditions will not be scheduled until this form has been submitted. In addition to the application form, students should submit:

  • At least one letter of recommendation from their current applied teacher
  • An official copy of their most recent school transcript

These materials should be mailed or submitted to the Music Department Office by the deadline above.

Audition Requirements for Various Degree Concentrations

All students applying for admission to the Music Department must complete a performance audition regardless of the student's intended degree concentration. However, the performance standards and requirements do vary depending on which concentration the student intends to pursue.

Suggested Audition Repertoire

For guidelines of acceptable audition repertoire, you can download our Suggested Repertoire Guide. This guide is meant as a recommendation—repertoire listed is suggestive of a general skill level expected. Other music similar in difficulty is acceptable.

B.A. in Music – Performance or B.S. in Music – Music Education

Performance: Vocal

Students should prepare two songs of contrasting style, one preferably in a foreign language. At least one of the songs should be memorized. A selection from musical theatre is acceptable. Voice auditions must be accompanied. Following the presentation of solo material, the candidate will be asked to demonstrate basic pitch and rhythmic sight-reading ability. Vocal performance candidates may also be asked to sightread an excerpt of vocal music.

Performance: Instrumental (Keyboard)

Candidates in Piano or Organ should be prepared to play—either from score or memory—no less than two pieces. They should be varied, both as to period and style. The candidate should also be prepared to play major and minor scales and arpeggios. Some basic pitch matching exercises will be asked of the candidate. Students may be asked to sightread an intermediate level keyboard piece.

Performance: Instrumental (Non-Keyboard)

Instrumentalists should prepare two shorter selections in contrasting styles from the standard literature (or one longer work) that best display musical accomplishments. Major scales and chromatic scales may also be requested. Instrumentalists are not required to perform with accompaniment or by memory. Percussionists should prepare a snare drum solo and basic rudiments, and either a timpani or mallet instrument solo. Some basic pitch matching exercises will be asked of the candidate.

Other Music Education Requirements

Students who have a successful audition/interview and a high school GPA of at least 2.0 will be admitted to the Music Department/School of Arts & Letters as a Pre-Music Education major in either the Vocal/General Music Track or the Instrumental Music Track.

After completing the requirements noted below, they should apply for additional admission to the School of Education. (It is recommended that students do this at the earliest opportunity after meeting requirements noted below). Once they are successfully admitted into the School of Education students become full Music Education majors.

  • Overall GPA in college matriculation of at least 2.5
  • No grade in a music course of less than 2.0 (C)
  • Completion of EDUC-F200 with an earned grade of at least 2.0 (C)
  • GPA in professional education courses of at least 2.5
  • Completion of ENG-W131, ENG-W231 and SPCH-S121 with a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) in each course
  • Completion of the general education Quantitative Reasoning course with a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) – (M110 or higher)
  • Passing scores on the CASA test or other state-approved alternatives based on Indiana standards (ACT Composite (no writing) Score of 24 or pre-2016 SAT score total of 1100 on Verbal and Math)
  • Acceptable recommendations from instructors and field experience teachers in EDUC-F200 and the music education faculty advisor
  • Additionally, once admitted to the School of Education, students in the Music Education program are expected to earn a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) in each required music course with a minimal overall GPA in music classes and professional education courses of 2.5 and maintain an overall college GPA of 2.5.

B.A. in Music – Composition, both tracks

Music Composition

Acceptance into the Music Composition program is based on both an interview/portfolio review and an audition. Candidates should perform one representative work on their primary instrument/voice and also present a portfolio of at least two scores (with recordings, if possible) of their original compositions. Scores should demonstrate the candidate's creativity and ability to realize his or her ideas with accuracy and in accordance to conventional notational practices. Candidates should be able to discuss their influences and music interests as they relate to the field of composition. Some basic pitch matching exercises will be asked of the candidate.


B.A. in Music or B.S. in Music – Audio Production

Audio Production

Acceptance into the Audio Production program is based on an interview and a demonstration of the candidate’s fluency on a particular instrument or voice. This program is not a performance oriented degree; therefore, the level of performance does not need to reflect the same level of skill as a performer required of those interested in a performance major.

However, since it is a music degree, we require that candidates have some facility on a musical instrument or voice and can demonstrate basic literacy in conventional music notation. Candidates should be prepared to discuss reasons why they wish to pursue the B. S. in Audio Production. Support materials (CD recordings, creative work, past editing projects, etc.) are helpful, but not necessary for admittance into the program. Some basic pitch matching exercises will be asked of the candidate.


B.A. in Music or B.S. in Music – Music Business

Music Business

Acceptance into the Music Business program consists of both an interview and an audition on the candidate's primary instrument or voice. Because the Music Business concentration is not a performance-oriented degree, the level of performance does not need to reflect the same level of performance skill as performance or music education majors.

However, since it is a music degree, we require that candidates have previous training on a musical instrument or voice and can demonstrate basic literacy in conventional music notation. Candidates should be prepared to discuss reasons why they wish to pursue the Music Business concentration or B.S. in Music/Music Business. Some basic pitch matching exercises will be asked of the candidate.

Sound Engineering

Acceptance into the Music Industry/Sound Engineering program is based both on an interview and a demonstration of the candidate's fluency on a particular instrument or voice. Because the Music Industry concentration is not a performance oriented degree, the level of performance does not need to reflect the same level of performance skill as required for performance majors.

However, since it is a music degree, we require that candidates have some facility on a musical instrument or voice and can demonstrate basic literacy in conventional music notation. Candidates should be prepared to discuss reasons why they wish to pursue the Sound Engineering track. Support materials (CD recordings, creative work, past editing projects, etc.) are helpful, but not necessary for admittance into the program. Some basic pitch matching exercises may be asked of the candidate.


Recorded Auditions

Students who do not live within a 300-mile radius of Indiana University Southeast may submit a recorded audition. Students who submit a recorded audition may only be provisionally accepted. Students deemed qualified will still be required to perform a live audition at some point prior to the start of the semester. Recorded auditions should be of excellent audio quality.

Accompanists

Vocal auditions must be accompanied. Accompanied instrumental auditions are preferred, but not required. You must provide your own accompanist if one is needed for your audition. Noted below is a list of accompanists who are sometimes available to accompany Music Department auditions. If you are unable to provide your own accompanist, you may wish to contact one of these accompanists. Be advised that you should contact an accompanist as far in advance of your audition as possible (minimum one week prior to the audition). You will be responsible for negotiating the accompanist's fee with the accompanist directly.

Accompanists
Name Email
Jessica Dorman jldorman@iu.edu
Jennifer Johanningsmeier jmjohann@ius.edu
Ann Niren aniren@ius.edu

Campus Events

CAB Meeting

CAB Meeting

March 19th, 2024

All day event

Employer Table Tuesday- German American

Employer Table Tuesday- German American

March 19th, 2024

11:15 AM - 1:15 PM

CSF Tuesday Lunch Bible Study

CSF Tuesday Lunch Bible Study

March 19th, 2024

12:15 PM - 1:00 PM

Spectrum Spring 2024 Meetings

Spectrum Spring 2024 Meetings

March 19th, 2024

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

See All Events » Submit an Event »

Indiana University Southeast

4201 Grant Line Rd.
New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 941-2333

View the website in Español