Audition Requirements | Department of Music | BYU-Idaho

# Audition Requirements

Consideration for acceptance and scholarships are based on your audition and available to music majors and non-music majors alike. 
 
Please review the following audition instructions and contact the individual faculty if you want to schedule a Live Audition.

Not sure how to apply? View our application process page.

May 17, 2023 10:04 AM

Learn more about applications

## Brass Auditions

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Jon Klien 

1. A standard solo you play well.
2. A technical étude from Kopprasch, Alphonse or similar.
3. Those considering a major in horn performance should also perform 3 standard orchestral excerpts.

Schedule your live audition with Bryce Mecham 
 
Audition using the following material. 
 
****TECHNIQUE**** 
 
Scales: 

1. A chromatic scale in eight notes, ♩= 120, from the bottom to the top of your range and back.
2. Two major scales in flat keys AND two major scales in sharp keys, two octaves (within the normal range of the instrument) in sixteenth notes at a tempo of ♩= 96 m.m. or faster.
3. Sight-reading (for those performing live auditions).

****REPERTOIRE**** 
 
Two contrasting solos or solo movements*, to demonstrate: 

1. Technical facility: a technical movement or piece to demonstrate an advanced command of technical skills such as range, slide technique, rapid articulation, and flexibility.
2. Lyricism: a contrasting lyrical movement or piece to demonstrate an advanced command of musicality, expressiveness, and legato.

If you are interested in the Jazz Studies program, be prepared to play the following: 

1. The head from a traditional jazz tune (Charlie Parker Omnibook, Traditional Bebop Heads, or a comparable source may be used).
2. A lead chart from a big band tune. Range is not as important as an appropriate style.
3. A solo demonstrating your improvisation skills. Please provide a play-along CD. You may use your stereo.

*Suggested audition pieces include Guilmant, Morceau Symphonique; Barat, Andante et Allegro; Rimsky-Korsakov, Concerto; Telemann, Sonata in F; Saint-Saens, Cavatine; Galliard, Sonata No. 1; Marcello, Sonata in A Minor; David, Concerto; Serocki, Sonatina.

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Andy Allphin 
 
Scholarship money is available for some qualified candidates. Live audition is strongly preferred. Video audition may be submitted as well, so long as the audio and video clearly represent the playing of the candidate. In any case, please contact Dr. Allphin to discuss applying and auditioning. 
 
****Trumpet Admissions Scholarship Audition Requirements:**** 
 
Perform two contrasting pieces, one lyrical, one technical. In most cases, this refers to a solo work and an etude. An applicant could also perform common orchestral excerpts. 

- If you choose to perform your selections from solo literature, please choose from reputable composers of trumpet literature. Some examples could include: Arban, Arutunian, Balay, Bohme, Brandt, Clarke, Dello Joio, Enesco, Ewazen, Goedicke, Haydn, Hindemith, Hummel, Jolivet, Kennan, McKee, Ropartz, Stevens, Turrin, etc.
- If you choose to perform an etude, common etude books can include: Bordogni, Bousquet, Brandt, Charlier, Goldman, Longinotti, Nagel, Arban's Characteristic Studies, Stamp, etc.

For jazz audition requirements, please see "Jazz Trumpet" and/or "Lead Trumpet" in the Jazz Section below.

Schedule your live audition with Matt Moore 
 
Tuba and Euphonium scholarships are available for both music majors and non-majors. Live auditions are preferred but a YouTube link is also acceptable. Contact Brother Moore to schedule or for questions. Accompaniment is not required. 
 
Audition Requirements for Admissions and Scholarships: Two contrasting solos or solo movements to demonstrate: 

1. Technical facility: a technical movement or piece to demonstrate your technical skills such as range, sound, articulation, and flexibility.
2. Lyricism: a contrasting lyrical movement or piece to demonstrate your musicality, expressiveness, and legato playing.

For additional information or repertoire suggestions, contact Brother Moore directly at moorem@byui.edu or at 208-496-4969.

## Jazz Auditions

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Mark Watkins 
 
****Transcription or étude selected from the following or equivalent:**** 

- A transcription you have done of a notable jazz saxophonist. Examples include but are not limited to: 
 - Alto: Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderly, Phil Woods, Kenny Garrett, Gerald Albright
 - Tenor: Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker, Bob Mintzer
 - Baritone: Gerry Mulligan, Pepper Adams, Ronnie Cuber, Nick Brignola
- Charlie Parker Omni Book
- Jim Snidero Jazz Conception
- Lennie Niehaus Advanced Jazz Conception
- Bob Mintzer Blues and Jazz Etudes, Blues and Funk Etudes, or 12 Contemporary Etudes

****Improvisation with a backup track (such as Jamey Aebersold or Hal Leonard), sample tunes include but are not limited to:**** 

- Technical facility: a technical movement or piece to demonstrate an advanced command of technical skills such as range, slide technique, rapid articulation, and flexibility. 
 - All of Me
 - Autumn Leaves
 - Doxy
 - Killer Joe
 - Work Song
 - Satin Doll
 - Take the "A" Train
- Scales and arpeggios: all major scales full range (root up to F or F-sharp, down to low B-flat or B, back to root), eighth notes at MM=120, foundational jazz articulation (tongue the upbeat, slur to the downbeat); arpeggios full range 13571, foundational jazz articulation.

****Sources include:**** 

- jazzbooks.com
- jazzstandards.com
- learnjazzstandards.com

For more information contact: Dr. Mark Watkins

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Andy Allphin 
 
****Jazz Studies Program Audition and Scholarship Requirements**** 
 
Students interested in the Jazz Studies program on trumpet will also need to be accepted into the trumpet studio. Applicants should be prepared to play the following: 

- The head from a traditional jazz tune (Charlie Parker Omnibook, Traditional Bebop Heads, or a comparable source may be used).
- A lead chart from a big band tune. Range is not as important as an appropriate style, and understanding the jazz language.
- A solo transcription of your choice by a known jazz great that will be played by you.
- A solo demonstrating your improvisation skills. Please provide a play-along option. You may use a speaker in the audition.

Schedule your live audition with Bryce Mecham 
 
Students interested in the Jazz Studies program on trombone should be prepared to play the following: 

- The head from a traditional jazz tune (Charlie Parker Omnibook, Traditional Bebop Heads, or a comparable source may be used).
- A lead chart from a big band tune. Range is not as important as an appropriate style.
- A solo demonstrating your improvisation skills. Please provide a play-along CD. You may use your stereo.

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Kevin Meyer 

- Demonstrate ability to play a variety of styles - swing, big band, fusion, rock, and Latin.
- Perform a solo that demonstrates your technique/abilities to best advantage. Suggested solos: Houliff Drum Set Solos, Bruford When in Doubt, Roll!
- Demonstrate ability to play brushes, trade fours in any or all of the above styles, and to read figures from a big band chart or lead sheet.

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Aaron Miller

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Aaron Miller

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Aaron Miller

## Keyboard

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Daniel Kerr 
 
Auditions for admission (and scholarship, if applicable) my be played at any time on campus by making arrangements with Dr. Kerr. If distance precludes a campus visit, then the audition may be submitted by DVD or You Tube link. Be sure that the video shows both the organ keyboards as well as the pedalboard. A limited number of scholarships are available to qualified non-music majors to study the organ. 
 
****The audition for Admission should include the following elements:**** 

- Play an organ work of J. S. Bach, a work from another period, and a hymn.
- At the piano, play one major and one minor scale in parallel motion (four octaves) and contrary motion (two octaves) in sixteenth notes; quarter note = 80.
- Students with no organ background but strong piano skills can be considered for admission to an organ major by performing a keyboard work of J.S. Bach and a significant work from another period on the piano.

****The audition for Scholarship should include the following elements:**** 

- Play a larger-scale organ work of J. S. Bach (for instance, other than the so-called Eight Little Preludes and Fugues) or a large scale Bach chorale, a work from the standard organ repertoire from the 19th or 20th centuries, and a hymn.
- At the piano, play one major and one minor scale in parallel motion (four octaves) and contrary motion (two octaves) in sixteenth notes; quarter note = 92.

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Stephen Thomas 
 
Include in your audition the following memorized repertoire: 

- Prelude and Fugue from "Well-Tempered Clavier" by J.S. Bach
- Allegro movement from a Classical sonata (generally first or last movement)
- Significant selection from the 19th or 20th century

## Percussion

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Kevin Meyer 

Percussion students submitting a recorded audition should send it through an unlisted YouTube, Dropbox, or Google Drive link, demonstrating abilities in as many of the following categories as possible. Students may perform one or more of the following at the audition site. Students requesting a live audition should contact Brother Meyer at meyerke@byui.edu to schedule an appointment.

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Kevin Meyer 
 
Select an etude that includes rolls, flams, drags, and good dynamic contrast. Good concert style should be demonstrated using buzz (closed) rolls and performing with appropriate equipment for orchestral snare drum performance. 
 
Suggested method books: Cirone Portraits in Rhythm, Whaley Recital Solos for Snare Drum.

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Kevin Meyer 
 
Select a solo or etude that demonstrates your technique and musicianship to best advantage. 
 
Suggested method books for two-mallet: Goldenberg Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone or Whaley Musical Studies for the Intermediate Mallet Player. 
 
Suggested two mallet solos: Tanner Sonata for Marimba, Kreisler "Tambourin Chinois." 
 
Suggested method book for four-mallet: Howarth, "Simply Four". 
 
Suggested solos: Musser Etude, Op. 6, No. 9; Musser Etude, Op. 6, No. 10; Peters "Yellow After the Rain;" Peters "Waves." Vibes solos: Molenhof, "Music of the Day", Molenhof, "Vibe Songs."

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Kevin Meyer 
 
Select a solo or etude that demonstrates a variety of articulations, rolls, and dynamics and that includes tuning changes. 
 
Suggested method books: 

- Firth The Solo Timpanist
- Friese-Lepak Timpani Method
- Hinger Virtuoso Timpanist

Suggested solos: 

- Muczinski "Three Designs for Three Timpani"
- Kraft "Variations for King George"

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Kevin Meyer 

- Demonstrate ability to play a variety of styles - swing, big band, fusion, rock, and Latin.
- Perform a solo that demonstrates your technique/abilities to best advantage. Suggested solos: Houliff Drum Set Solos, Bruford When in Doubt, Roll!
- Demonstrate ability to play brushes, trade fours in any or all of the above styles, and to read figures from a big band chart or lead sheet.

## Strings

Scholarships for String players are available for music majors and non-music majors. Live audition is preferred, but recorded YouTube submissions are also acceptable.

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Dallin Hansen 

- Two major and two minor scales, three octaves. Please demonstrate both fast and slow tempos.
- Play a ten-minute program consisting of two contrasting solo pieces: one fast and technical, the other slow. A movement of unaccompanied Bach is strongly encouraged as one of the two selections.

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Kristina Horrocks 

- Two major and two minor scales, three octaves. Please demonstrate both fast and slow tempos.
- Play a ten-minute program consisting of two contrasting solo pieces: one fast and technical, the other slow.

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Robert Tueller 

- Two major and two minor scales, three octaves. Please demonstrate both fast and slow tempos.
- Play a ten-minute program consisting of two contrasting solo pieces: one fast and technical, the other slow.

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Aaron Miller 

- Two-octaves scales: E major, E melodic minor, F major, and B-flat major.
- Three-octave scales: G Major and G melodic minor.
- Play a ten-minute program consisting of two contrasting solo pieces: one fast and technical, the other slow.

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Alicia McQuay 

- One technical study or etude.
- Two contrasting solo pieces.

## Voice

Voice Auditions for Admissions and Scholarships

Schedule your live audition with Dr. David Olsen 

- You will sing one memorized, solo classical art song or opera aria, in any language, that shows your voice at its best. Do not sing a pop song, musical theatre piece, plain hymn, or choral part. A minimum competency in vocal production is required to successfully audition for admittance. Prior private vocal training is not a requirement but will likely strengthen your audition.
- A successful audition for admittance to the vocal/choral program will allow you to take Music 155 (Intro to Vocal Methods), which is the first semester of voice lessons for voice majors (including Choral Ed. majors).
- Seats in Music 155 are limited each semester; early submissions are given priority. Several seats will be reserved for students who are unable to submit materials in advance of their arrival at BYU-Idaho. Such students will be afforded a live audition opportunity as the semester begins, but would be well-advised to have a backup plan, in case taking Music 155 is not possible in their first semester.

Schedule your live audition with Dr. David Olsen 

- You will sing 2-3 selections, for a combined total of 8-10 minutes of music. Selections should demonstrate contrasting styles, moods, and/or tempos. At least one piece should be in a foreign language (typically Italian, German, or French). As with admission auditions, please only select pieces from the realms of solo classical art songs and opera arias.
- Sing your best piece first. If you feel your selections do not demonstrate the limits of your range, you may choose to add vocalizes at the end of your audition.
- Evaluation of your video audition is typically sufficient for the determination of scholarship awards and helps prevent incurring potentially significant travel expenses. But, if you would prefer to schedule a live audition (in addition to the video audition), please contact the vocal area coordinator, Dr. David Olsen, to arrange a date and time. A recorded audition receives equal consideration with a live audition.
- In the event you are not awarded a vocal scholarship, you will still likely qualify for admittance into the major and Music 155 (see above). Earlier submissions are given priority consideration for both scholarships and admittance.

## Woodwinds

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Nadine Luke 
 
Flutists interested in auditioning may do so in person or via an unlisted recording uploaded to YouTube. 
 
To schedule an audition time, or if you have any questions, please contact Dr. Nadine Luke at luken@byui.edu. 
 
Music scholarships are available for majors and non-majors. 
 
****To apply for admission to the music major only (not a scholarship), please prepare the following**** 

- Two contrasting solo pieces
- Two major scales of your choice (two octaves)
- Two melodic minor scales of your choice (two octaves)

****To apply for admission AND scholarship consideration, please prepare the following:**** 

- One movement from a piece by J. S. Bach, Telemann, or Handel
- The first movement of W. A. Mozart's Concerto in G, K. 313 or Concerto in D, K. 314 (cadenza optional)
- A composition that demonstrates tone quality and technical fluency from the 19th, 20th, or 21st century
- 2 major scales of your choice (two octave range)
- 2 melodic minor scales of your choice (two octave range)
- Three-octave chromatic scale

Schedule your live audition with Elizabeth Nelson 
 
Some limited scholarship funds are available to fine oboists who are not music majors who are willing to take lessons and participate in ensembles. Live on-campus audition is preferred, but YouTube and DVD submissions are acceptable. 
 
****Admissions Audition Requirements**** 
 
****Technique**** 

1. All major scales, two octaves (within the normal range of the instrument), in eighth notes, quarter note = 88 or faster. Slurred up and tongued down.
2. Chromatic scale, full range in eighth notes, quarter note = 88 or faster.

****Repertoire**** 

1. Two contrasting selections from the solo literature that demonstrate tone quality, technical fluency, articulation and musical expression.
2. Possible audition repertoire includes: Handel Sonatas, Schumann Romances, or All-State Excerpts.

Scholarship Audition Requirements are the same as admissions requirements.

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Adam Ballif 
 
Scholarships are available to music majors and non-music majors based on a scholarship audition. See requirements below. ****Live auditions are preferred****; YouTube links are also accepted. 
 
****Admissions Audition Requirements**** 
 
****Technique**** 

1. All major scales, two octaves (three when possible), all slurred and all tongued in sixteenth notes, quarter note = 88.
2. Chromatic scale, three octaves (low E to high E), all slurred and all tongued in sixteenth notes, quarter note = 88.

****Repertoire**** 

1. Two contrasting selections from the solo literature (Grade IV or higher) that demonstrate tone quality, technical fluency, articulation and musical expression.

****Scholarship Audition Requirements**** 
 
****Technique**** 

1. All major scales, two octaves (three when possible), all slurred and all tongued in sixteenth notes, quarter note = 88.
2. Chromatic scale, three octaves (low E to high E), all slurred and all tongued in sixteenth notes, quarter note = 88.

****Repertoire**** 

1. One movement from a standard clarinet concerto. Weber Concertino, Mozart Concerto, or Weber Concertos preferred.
2. Rose Etude or All-State Audition Excerpts.

Schedule your live audition with Dr. Mark Watkins 
 
Some limited scholarship funds are available to fine saxophonists who are not music majors who are willing to take lessons and participate in ensembles. Live on-campus audition is preferred. Video recorded submissions are acceptable for students where travel is prohibitive. 
 
****Technique**** 

- All major scales, slurred, full range of the instrument, quarter note = 88 or faster. For example, C major should start on C, ascend to palm key F, descend to low B, and resolve on C.
- Chromatic scale, low Bb to high F or F sharp (if the f sharp key is available), all tongued in sixteenth notes, quarter note = 88 or faster.

****Repertoire**** 

1. Two contrasting selections from the solo literature (Grade IV or higher) that demonstrate tone quality, technical fluency, articulation, and musical expression. If possible, include piano accompaniment.
2. Collections such as Himie Voxman's **Concert and Contest Collection** or Larry Teal's **Solos for the [Alto or Tenor] Saxophone Player** are accessible resources.
3. State Solo lists are additional resources for selecting literature.
4. These resources include compositions of varied levels--choose something challenging according to your current proficiency.

****For jazz saxophone audition requirements, please see the Jazz Section above.****

Schedule your live audition with Elizabeth Crawford 
 
****Technique**** 

- All major scales, full range in eighth notes, quarter note = 88 or faster.
- Chromatic scale, three octaves in eighth notes, quarter = 88 or faster.
- Sight reading (for those performing onsite auditions).

****Repertoire**** 

- Two contrasting selections from the solo literature (Grade IV or higher) that demonstrate tone quality, technical fluency, articulation and musical expression.