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Audition Requirements and Music Theory Requirements/Fundamentals

All applicants for the BA program with a major in music or the BMus/MMus programs must (a) satisfy the general academic requirements for admission to the University and (b) present a successful audition on a principal instrument or voice.  The audition requirements for the various programs are listed in the links that follow.  Applicants may schedule an audition on one of the dates listed below by contacting the Department of Music at (313) 577-1795.

Prospective students must complete and submit an Audition Request Form (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).

2008-9 Year Audition Dates
November 2, 2007 - CLOSED
February 8, 2008 - CLOSED
March 7, 2008 - CLOSED
Thursday, May 1, 2008 - Deadline to register April 22, 2008

If you need assistance completing the audition request form call, (313) 577-1795 or send an e-mail to music@wayne.edu.

 

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
CONCENTRATION:

CONCENTRATION:

Where repertoire is listed, it is intended only to suggest a level of technical and musical difficulty. Applicants are welcome to prepare other appropriate works for the audition. Faculty hearing the audition may ask to hear movements or sections rather than complete works.

 

Master of Music in Conducting
Contact: Prof. Dennis J. Tini
(313) 577-2545
aa5272@wayne.edu

Interview required. Please bring resume and undergraduate transcript(s). In general, applicants should have:

  • a Bachelor of Music degree in choral music, conducting, vocal music education, vocal performance, piano, organ, church music, or in a related concentration with extensive choral conducting experience
  • a strong undergraduate background in theory, analysis, music history, ear training, and piano / keyboard
  • strong writing, research, and interpersonal communication skills
  • knowledge of diction in at least three foreign languages (German, French, Italian, Latin)

Audition requirements include:

  • open-score reading (SATB) at the piano
  • one prepared piano piece at the intermediate level, e.g., a two-part Invention or Sinfonia by Bach, or a movement from a Mozart or Beethoven sonata
  • one vocal selection from the standard art song repertoire of any historical period

 

Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Theory/Composition
Contact: Dr. James Hartway
Director of Theory/Composition
(313) 577-1771
ac2554@wayne.edu

Bachelor of Music in Theory/Composition

Junior standing, interview required. Please bring transcript and examples of compositions. Admission to the Composition/Theory programs will be based primarily on grades in written theory, ear training, counterpoint, and related courses.

Master of Music in Theory/Composition

Interview required. Please bring transcript and portfolio of compositions (composition majors) or papers (theory majors). Admittance to graduate programs in Composition and Theory will be based on portfolios as well as undergraduate grades in written theory, ear training, counterpoint, and related courses.

 

Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, Master of Music in Jazz Performance 
Contact: Professor Chris Collins
Director of Jazz Studies
(313) 577-1780
ac4080@wayne.edu

ALL INSTRUMENTALISTS

  • major and minor scales
  • one prepared piece (applicant's choice)
  • sight reading
  • improvisation
  • theory placement examination
  • supply head charts for combo accompaniment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR:

DRUMMERS (FULL SET)

  • demonstrate ability to play different styles - bossa nova, Latin, jazz waltz, straight time, contemporary pop styles
  • demonstrate reading abiity

GUITAR, BASS (ELECTRIC OR ACOUSTIC)

  • read chord symbols
  • students should bring their own chords (amp is provided)

KEYBOARD PLAYERS, WOODWIND, BRASS PLAYERS

  • demonstrate technical ability and range

 

Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Music Education
Instrumental Music Ed
Dr. Terese Volk
(313) 577-2674
ag7658@wayne.edu

Vocal Music Ed
Dr. Abigail Butler
(313) 577-2673
ag7752@wayne.edu

Bachelor of Music in Music Education

BRASS, STRING, AND WOODWIND PLAYERS

  • chromatic, major and minor scales
  • two prepared pieces (concert pieces, etudes, or movements of a sonata or concerto) in contrasting styles
  • sight reading
  • theory placement examination

PERCUSSIONISTS

  • theory placement examination
  • demonstrate percussion skills on snare drum, marimba or xylophone, and timpani, as follows:

Snare Drum

- long roll, open-closed-open, pp-ff-pp
- 5,7,9,13,17-stroke rolls
- flams, flam accent no. 1 & 2, ruff, paradiddles, ratamaque, flam tap
- sight reading
- solo piece (may be rudimental or not for snare drum only)

Marimba or Xylophone

- major scales, two octaves, keys of C,F,G,D,E,A,Bb,Eb,Ab
- chromatic scale
- major and minor arpeggios, two octaves, for each of above keys
- sight reading
- two or three-mallet solo

Timpani

- for two drums, tune major 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, 7ths; minor 3rds, 6ths; octaves
- perform page 19 in the Goodman Timpani Method plus any two exercises for two or three drums
- sight reading

VOCAL MUSIC EDUCATION APPLICANTS

Master of Music in Music Education

  • Must have undergraduate degree in music education and teaching certificate. Interview/Audition required.

 

Bachelor of Music in Music Business
Contact: Prof. Dennis J. Tini
(313) 577-2545
aa5272@wayne.edu

All Music Business candidates must supply a one-page professional resume along with a statement of your career objectives prior to your audition. Click here to view other preferred entrance requirements for Music Business candidates.

CLASSICAL GUITARISTS

  • one prepared piece (for example, studies by Sor, Brouwer, or Noad)
  • major and minor scales in several positions
  • sight reading
  • theory placement examination

CLASSICAL BRASS, STRING, AND WOODWIND PLAYERS

  • chromatic, major and minor scales
  • two prepared pieces (concert pieces, etudes, or movements of a sonata or concerto) in contrasting styles
  • sight reading
  • theory placement examination

CLASSICAL PERCUSSIONISTS

  • theory placement examination
  • demonstrate percussion skills on snare drum, marimba or xylophone, and timpani, as follows:

Snare Drum

- long roll, open-closed-open, pp-ff-pp
- 5,7,9,13,17-stroke rolls
- flams, flam accent no. 1 & 2, ruff, paradiddles,ratamaque, flam tap
- sight reading
- solo piece (may be rudimental or not for snare drum only)

Marimba or Xylophone

- major scales, two octaves, keys of C,F,G,D,E,A,Bb,Eb,Ab
- chromatic scale
- major and minor arpeggios, two octaves, for each of above keys
- sight reading
- two or three-mallet solo

Timpani

- for two drums, tune major 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, 7ths; minor 3rds, 6ths; octaves
- perform page 19 in the Goodman Timpani Method plus any two exercises for two or three drums
- sight reading

CLASSICAL PIANO PLAYERS

  • two prepared pieces in contrasting styles. The minimum acceptable level is early intermediate, e.g., standard compositions such as Bach's Little Preludes, Clementi's Sonatinas, or short compositions of the 19th and 20th centuries)
  • sight reading of a simple piece
  • theory placement examination

CLASSICAL VOCALISTS

  • two prepared songs in contrasting styles
  • sight reading of two simple songs with words, numbers, syllables, or neutral syllables
  • theory placement examination

ALL JAZZ INSTRUMENTALISTS

  • major and minor scales
  • one prepared piece (applicant's choice)
  • sight reading
  • improvisation
  • theory placement examination

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR:

JAZZ DRUMMERS (FULL SET)

  • demonstrate ability to play different styles - bossa nova, Latin, jazz waltz, straight time, contemporary pop styles
  • demonstrate reading abiity

JAZZ GUITAR, BASS (ELECTRIC OR ACOUSTIC), KEYBOARD PLAYERS

  • read chord symbols

JAZZ WOODWIND, BRASS PLAYERS

  • demonstrate technical ability and range

 

Bachelor of Music in Music Technology
Contact: Thomas Court
(313) 993-7550
aa6520@wayne.edu

  • Instrumental or vocal audition - see requirements for Music Management (this page).
  • Interview with program director to assess preparedness for studies in engineering technology, recording techniques, MIDI and computer-based music production

 

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Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Performance

Brasswinds
Contact: Prof. Douglas Bianchi
Director of Bands and Woodwinds
(313) 577-2615
ad3364@wayne.edu

Bachelor of Music

  • chromatic, major and minor scales
  • two prepared pieces in different historical styles, including one entire concerto, sonata, or suite
  • two prepared etudes in contrasting musical styles
  • sight reading
  • theory placement examination

Master of Music

  • three prepared pieces in different historical styles, including at least one entire concerto, sonata or suite
  • three contrasting orchestral excerpts

Guitar (classical)
Contact: Lee Dyament
(313) 577-2614
ad7674@wayne.edu

Bachelor of Music

Applicants should demonstrate technical ability consistent with the satisfactory completion of method books such as Frederick Noad: Book 1 - Solo Guitar Playing, Julio Sagreras Book 1, or similar methods.

  • perform from memory studies and/or etudes such as those by Aguado, Brouwer, Carcassi, Giuliani, Sor, and Tarrega
  • major and minor scales in several positions
  • demonstrate knowledge of chord types in several positions
  • sight reading
  • theory placement examination

Master of Music

  • three prepared pieces representing at least two different historical styles

Examples:

  • Renaissance - works by Narvaez, Dowland, Milan
  • Baroque - a suite by J.S. Bach
  • Classical - larger works by Tarrega, Albeniz, Granados
  • Contemporary - works by Ponce, Brouwer, Henze

Harp
Contact: Prof. Robert Conway
(313) 577-2676
ad4914@wayne.edu

Bachelor of Music

  • two prepared solos in contrasting musical styles
  • scales and arpeggios (or representative etudes)
  • sight reading
  • theory placement examination

Master of Music

  • three prepared solos or concerto movements representing at least two different musical eras, or two solos and one substantial orchestral harp part, e.g., Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique or Wagner's Fire Music. At least one piece should be memorized.

Organ
Contact: Dr. Norah Duncan IV
(313) 577-1775
ac8468@wayne.edu

Bachelor of Music

  • two prepared pieces in contrasting musical style, performed on either organ or piano
    • if on organ, selections should be at the level of J.S. Bach's simpler Preludes or standard hymns
    • if on piano, selections should be at the level of Bach's two-part Inventions or a simpler sonata by Mozart
  • chromatic, major and minor scales and arpeggios, two octaves (piano only)
  • sight reading of hymns (organ only)
  • theory placement examination

Master of Music

  • three standard organ works representing at least two different historical styles

Examples:

  • Baroque - noels by Daquin, a Leipzig prelude and fugue by Bach
  • Romantic - movements from the symphonies of Widor or Vierne
  • Contemporary - pieces by Alain

Percussion
Contact: Prof. Douglas Bianchi
Director of Bands and Woodwinds
(313) 577-2615
ad3364@wayne.edu

Bachelor of Music

  • theory placement examination
  • demonstrate percussion skills on snare drum, marimba or xylophone, and timpani, as follows:
  • snare drum
    • long roll, open-closed-open, pp-ff-pp
    • 5,7,9,13,17-stroke rolls
    • flams, flam accent no. 1 & 2, ruff, paradiddles,ratamaque, flam tap
    • sight reading
    • solo piece (non-rudimental)
  • marimba or xylophone
    • major scales, two octaves, keys of C,F,G,D,E,A,Bb,Eb,Ab
    • chromatic scale
    • major and minor arpeggios, two octaves, for each of above keys
    • sight reading
    • three or four-mallet solo
  • timpani
    • for two drums, tune major 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, 7ths; minor 3rds, 6ths; octaves
    • perform page 19 in the Goodman Timpani Method plus any two exercises for two or three drums
    • sight reading

Master of Music

  • three prepared pieces, one each on snare drums, mallets, and timpani
    • snare drum: non-rudimental solo
    • keyboard: four-mallet solo
    • timpani: four-drum solo that displays tuning
  • sight reading on all three instruments

Piano
Contact: Dr. Robert Conway
Director of Piano Division
(313) 577-2676
ad4914@wayne.edu

Bachelor of Music

  • chromatic, major and minor scales and arpeggios, four octaves
  • from memory, three works representing any three historical styles. Examples:
    • Baroque - a sinfonia or prelude and fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier by Bach; a sonata by Scarlatti
    • Classical - a less difficult sonata by Beethoven, Haydn or Mozart
    • Romantic - standard work of medium difficulty, e.g., an intermezzo by Brahms; a mazurka, prelude, waltz, or nocturne by Chopin; a selection from Songs Without Words by Mendelssohn; an impromptu by Schubert
    • Impressionistic - a standard work of medium difficulty by Debussy, Faure, or Ravel
    • Contemporary - a piece from Bartok's Mikrokosmos, Books V or VI; Schoenberg, Op. 19; Prokofiev Sarcasms
  • sight reading
  • theory placement examination

Master of Music

  • chromatic, major and minor scales and arpeggios, four octaves
  • from memory, four works representing at least three historical styles. Examples:
    • Baroque - an English suite, French suite, partita, toccata, or the Italian Concerto by Bach; sonatas by Scarlatti
    • Classical - a sonata by Beethoven, Haydn or Mozart
    • Romantic - standard works by Brahms, Chopin,Liszt, Schubert, Schumann, Rachmaninoff, etc.
    • Impressionistic - standard works by Debussy, Faurè, Ravel
    • Contemporary - major work by a composer working in a 20th-century idiom

Strings
Contact: Prof. Kypros Markou 
(313) 993-4303
aa0952@wayne.edu

Bachelor of Music

  • chromatic, major and minor scales
  • two prepared pieces (concert pieces, etudes, or movements of a sonata or concerto) in contrasting styles
  • sight reading
  • theory placement examination

 

  • Graduate Certificate in Orchestral Studies
    • a program for advanced performers who wish to pursue intense training in the art of orchestral playing and in audition techniques

Master of Music

  • three prepared selections representing a variety of historical periods and styles. Selections must be approved by the Director at the time the audition is scheduled

Voice
Contact: Prof. Abigail Butler
(313) 577-2673
ag7752@wayne.edu

Bachelor of Music

Master of Music

        •   Vocal Performance Audition Requirements 
      
Applicants should bring a resume, including a repertoire list, and a short biographical sketch.

  • a minimum of three memorized selections, including one one from operatic literature, one from oratorio literature, and one 20th century art song. It is suggested that an addition art song in French, Italian, or German be prepared.
  • sight singing

Woodwinds
Contact: Prof. Douglas Bianchi
(313) 577-2615
ad3364@wayne.edu

Bachelor of Music

  • chromatic, major and minor scales
  • two prepared pieces in different historical styles, including one entire concerto, sonata, or suite
  • two prepared etudes in contrasting musical styles
  • sight reading
  • theory placement examination

Master of Music

  • three prepared pieces in different historical styles, including at least one entire concerto, sonata or suite
  • three contrasting orchestral excerpts
  • sight reading

 

THEORY REQUIREMENTS AND FUNDAMENTALS
Required Coursework in Music Theory: Fundamentals and Schedule
All students who enroll in the Department of Music are required to take the following sequence of courses:

1st year   2nd year   3rd year
Fall term Winter term Fall term Winter term Winter term
         
Theory I Theory II Theory III Theory IV Analytic Techniques
         
MUT 1140 MUT 1160 MUT 2140 MUT 2160 MUT 5997
         
Ear Training I Ear Training II Ear Training III Ear Training IV  
         
MUT 1150 MUT 1170 MUT 2150 MUT 2170  
         
Piano Skills I Piano Skills 2      
         
MUA 1795 MUA 2795      

The Department of Music assumes that all entering students have a basic familiarity with music fundamentals:

Fundamentals

-ability to read music in treble and bass clefs and in standard time signatures
-knowledge of major and minor scales and key signatures
-some familiarity with intervals and triads
-ability to identify notes correctly on the keyboard
-understanding of basic keyboard fingerings for major scales

Aural Skills

-match a given pitch with voice
-read musical notation (simple sight reading)
-recognize basic musical sonorities by ear
-(major and minor scales, major and minor triads)

Students who do not feel confident with any of the above skills are encouraged to review this material before entering their degree program; this can be done independently or as a review course. MUT 1100 Elementary Music Theory and MUA 1710 Piano Class are typically offered during the Spring/Summer term and would be an excellent review of the material listed above. The textbooks used for this course are: Harder/Steinke, Basic Materials in Music Theory, 10th edition (Prentice Hall, 2002), and Hershal Pyle, University Piano Series, Book I (Campus Publications: Bradenton, FL, 1974). Additionally, practice with ear training software can often be beneficial; check online for programs such as Musica Practica and MacGAMUT.

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February 8, 2008 (audition request form deadline: January 22)
March 7, 2008 (scholarship deadline; audition request form deadline: February 19)