Applying and Auditioning For Music Programs

Follow the steps below to complete your application to become an Undergraduate Music Major.

1) Apply to the university

2) Apply to the school

• Complete the Undergraduate Music Major Online Application and reserve your audition/interview date.

Students wishing to pursue the Bachelor of Music or the Bachelor of Arts, general track must complete an entrance audition. Students wishing to pursue the Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Concentration in Music Industry must sit for an entrance interview. The entrance audition/interview will also be used to determine scholarships for qualified students.

3) Audition/Interview to become a music major

Students reserve in-person audition slots through the online application.

• In-person Audition Dates (for Fall 2024):
• Statesboro:
  • Saturday, February 3, 2024 (All Areas)
  • Monday, February 19, 2024 (All Areas)
  • Saturday, March 2 2024 (Piano and Voice)
  • Friday, March 8, 2024 (Instrumental)
  • Friday, March 22, 2024 (All Areas)

• Interview Date for Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Concentration in Music Industry
• Armstrong:
  • Friday, December 1, 2023
  • Friday, March 1, 2024
  • Friday, April 19, 2024
• Video Audition Deadline (both campuses): April 30
• Please bring or send a copy of your transcript, your SAT or ACT scores and at least two letters of recommendation – one of which must be from your private teacher or music director.
• See the appropriate area below for audition requirements in your specific area.

4) Scholarships

• The Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music has scholarships available for new music majors. Offers are made by the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music Scholarship Committee, based on audition/interview results and academic qualifications. Typically, the Entrance Audition for admission as a music major also serves as the audition for a scholarship.  Through a substantial Endowment program, scholarships are available for continuing music majors, based on performance/academic excellence.  Carol A. Carter scholarships for new students are renewable for four years.

Fall Semester (priority deadline) February 1

5) University Application Deadlines:

• Fall Semester (final deadline) August 1
• Spring Semester December 1
• Summer Term April 1

Questions: Contact the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music.

Audition/Interview Dates

Statesboro Campus (auditions, all degrees except BA Music Industry):

Saturday, February 3, 2024 (All Areas)

Monday, February 19, 2024 (All Areas)

Saturday, March 2, 2024 (Piano and Voice)

Friday, March 8, 2024 (Instrumental)

Friday, March 22, 2024 (All Areas)

Armstrong Campus (interviews, BA Music Industry):

Monday, February 20, 2023

Friday, March 31, 2023

Friday, April 28, 2023

• Solo Repetoire
• Scales
• Sight Reading
• Pitch Matching
• Additional Info

Solo Repetoire

Prospective brass students wishing to be considered for entrance to the Georgia Southern University Department of Music as music majors must be prepared to play two pieces; one that demonstrates technical ability, the other emphasizing lyrical style (or two such contrasting sections from the same work).
In preparing for the audition, please note that you should select pieces that demonstrate your best levels of musicianship. The Department is looking for evidence of solid fundamentals in tone, intonation, tempo, rhythm, range, technique, and lyrical ability.
The following list of etudes and solos represents acceptable literature. It is offered as a source of suggestions; comparable works chosen outside this list may be substituted. NOTE: All-State Etudes are not appropriate audition material. Please bring two copies of your prepared music to your audition.

Trumpet Solo

Etudes:

• Arban: Characteristic Studies from Complete Conservatory Method
• Bousquet: 36 Celebrated Studies
• Brandt: 34 Studies
• Charlier: 36 Transcendental Etudes
• Hering: 23 Orchestral Studies for the Advanced Trumpeter
• Tull: Eight Profiles

Solos :

• Balay: Andante et Allegretto
• Corelli: Sonata VIII
• Goedicke: Concert Etude
• Handel/Fitzgerald: Aria con Variazioni
• Haydn: Concerto
• Hindemith: Sonate
• Hummel: Concerto
• Kennan: Sonata
• Ropartz: Andante et Allegro

Horn

Etudes:

• Gallay: 12 Studies for Horn, Opus 57
• Gallay: 22 Studies for Horn, Opus 58
• Kopprasch: 60 Selected Studies for Horn (Vol. 1 or 2)
• Pottag: Preparatory Melodies to Solo Work for French Horn

Solos:

• Glazounow: Reverie, Op. 24
• Hindemith: Sonata for Horn
• Mozart: Concerto No. 1or 3 (movement 1, no cadenza required)
• Saint-Saens: Morceau de Concert (any two pages)
• Strauss, Franz: Concerto, Op. 8
• Strauss, Richard: Concerto No. 1, Op. 11 (any movement)

Tenor Trombone/Euphonium

Etudes:

• Blume: 36 Studies for Trombone
• Kopprasch: 60 Selected Studies for Trombone
• Rochut: Melodious Etudes for Trombone, vol I
• Tyrrell: 40 Progressive Studies for Trombone
• Voxman: Selected Studies for Trombone

Solos:

• Barat: Andante et Allegro
• Boda: Sonatina for Trombone
• Galliard: 6 Sonatas for Trombone and Piano (vol 1 or 2) (any one of six)
• Guilmant: Morceau Symphonique
• Ropartz: Andante et Allegro

Bass Trombone/Tuba

Etudes:

• Bordogni: 43 Bel Canto Studies for Tuba (or Bass Trombone)
• Blazhevich: 70 Studies for BBb Tuba, vol I
• Fink: Studies in Legato for Bass Trombone and Tuba
• Pederson: Elementary Etudes for Bass Trombone
• Tyrrell: Advanced Studies for BBb Bass

Solos:

• Barat: Introduction and Dance for Tuba and Piano
• Capuzzi: Introduction and Rondo (adapted for Tuba and Piano – Catelinet)
• Haddad: Suite for Tuba
• Lebedev: Concerto in One Movement (Bass Trombone and Piano)
• Marcello: Sonata No. 5 in C Major (arr. for Tuba and Piano)
• McCarty: Sonata for Bass Trombone and Piano
• Ostrander: Sonata in G Minor for Bass Trombone Solo
• Spillman: Concerto
• Stevens: Sonatina

Scales

Trumpet

All major scales from memory; two octaves (to high C) preferred.
Chromatic scale from low F# to high C and back down.

Horn

All major scales from memory; two octaves preferred.
Chromatic scale from low F up to as high as you can play and back down.

Tenor Trombone/Euphonium

All major scales from memory; two octaves preferred.
Chromatic scale from low E up to as high as you can play and back down.

Bass Trombone/Tuba

All major scales from memory; two octaves preferred.
Chromatic scale from low E up to as high as you can play and back down.

Sight Reading

A short excerpt will be provided for potential music majors to perform. Sightreading is not a required component for those auditioning to be a music minor.

Pitch Matching

You will be asked to vocally match pitches by singing back a series of notes that we will play on piano.

Additional Information

Please bring or send in advance a copy of your transcript, your SAT or ACT scores, and at least two confidential letters of recommendation – one of which must be from your private teacher or music director. To reserve your place on the audition calendar, please submit the Online Application.

Purpose of Diagnostic Exams 
All undergraduate students in the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music at Georgia Southern must satisfy all of the four-semester Theory and Aural Skills course sequences during the first two years. Entering students, except those with transfer credit, take the diagnostic exams in Music Theory and Aural Skills, administered on the same dates as the auditions, to determine readiness for the sequences. Students whose exam results show that their level in either, or both, areas is less than satisfactory, will receive additional instruction in the problem area until a satisfactory level has been achieved.
It is important to highlight that these exams are only diagnostic and are not used by faculty to make decision on whether to accept a candidate or not.

Theory Diagnostic Exam
The Theory Diagnostic Exam takes about 50 minutes and includes questions related to Fundamentals of Rhythm, Pitch, Harmony, and Notation.


Preparing for the Theory Diagnostic Exam – Though most harmony books will be helpful for those interested in preparing for this exam, it is usually recommended to consult the book used in the theory course sequence. In this case: Harmony in Context (2nd ed.) by Miguel Roig-Francoli, especially Chapters A through E.

Aural Skills Diagnostic Exam
This exam is administered immediately following the Theory Diagnostic and takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Preparing for the Aural Skills Diagnostic Exam – In comparison with the Theory Diagnostic, this exam is more basic and general in the type of questions but also more extensive in regards to the skills required to complete it. It is difficult to recommend one source to prepare for it. Applicants with a background in music theory, sight singing, and/or music dictation will probably find this exam easy and straightforward. Those without such a background might find it challenging. In any case, students should remember that the goal of this examination is to assess their actual level of aural skills as they enter the music program.

1) Submit an application

Before beginning the application, be ready to upload:

• Scanned unofficial copies of transcripts from each college and university you have previously attended.
• A statement of purpose explaining why you want to complete this degree
• The email addresses of at least two people who will supply your letters of recommendation.
• Your resume

Graduate Admission Criteria

A prospective student who has earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and plans to take courses in the Music graduate program must be admitted under one of the following classifications:

1) Regular Admission

•  A completed Bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent.
•  A minimum 3.0 (4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average in undergraduate work.
• Two acceptable letters of recommendation.
• Satisfactory audition (performance and conducting), musical scores (composition), portolio (music technology), or teacher certification (music education).
• No GRE or other standardized test scores are required.

2) Provisional Admission 

Students may be admitted on a provisional basis if one or more of the requirements listed above are judged to be marginal. Specific provisions for exiting provisional status will be set in each case by the admissions committee and must be satisfied before proceeding past the first 12 semester hours of course work.

Additional Requirements

All students will be required to pass the Departmental Graduate Entrance Exam in Music Theory and Music History before proceeding past 12 hours into the degree. These exams are usually given just before the start of each semester.

2) Submit supplementary materials

Send all materials to the Director of Graduate Studies via email Dr. Gregory W. Harwood, gharwood@georgiasouthern.edu

M.M., Music Composition

Applicants should send a link to their composition portfolio or attach individual score files.

M.M., Conducting (Band, Choral, or Orchestral)

Applicants should send a link to an audition video. This must include three pieces in contrasting styles (one of them a cappella for choral conductors). Conducting students attending part-time will need to come to a satisfactory agreement with the conducting faculty about how the practical conducting requirement will be managed before being admitted (school ensemble, church choir, etc.).

M.M., Music Education

Applicants should scan and attach to their online application a copy of their teaching certification document or teaching license of your Certification in Music (Georgia Level 4 or its equivalent) or documents showing that they are eligible for certification or licensure.

M.M., Music Technology

Applicants should send a hyperlink to their portfolio showing examples of their best work in music technology.

M.M., Music Performance (Instrumental, Piano, or Vocal)

Applicants should either (1) contact the Director of Graduate Studies requesting that a live audition be arranged (be sure to include your specific instrument or voice type) OR send a link to a video recording of the audition or an actual video file via email to the Director of Graduate Studies..

The live or recorded auditions must follow these guidelines:

Instrumental: Satisfactory live or taped audition with three contrasting pieces from different periods. The audition committee may also request to hear scales or other technical material in a live audition. The String and Guitar area has specific requirements which are linked below.

Strings:  Download Specific audition requirements

Piano: Applicants must submit a list of repertory studied during previous four years and prepare a memorized program consisting of the following:

1. A contrapuntal baroque composition equivalent in difficulty to a three-voice fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier by Bach.
   2. A complete classical sonata, preferably by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven
   3. A romantic work.
   4. A work from the impressionist or contemporary period.
   5. Sight reading (at a live audition)

Vocal: Satisfactory live or taped audition with four contrasting pieces from different periods demonstrating acceptable proficiency in diction in English, German, French, and Italian. Vocal students are also expected to demonstrate basic undergraduate proficiency using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and fluency in basic keyboard accompanying skills, which may be done during a live audition or at a later time if a recorded audition is submitted.

3) Additional Requirements for International Applicants

All international transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES accredited evaluation service. This must be a course-by-course evaluation and must include a GPA converted to the American 4.0 system. The evaluation must come to the Georgia Southern Graduate Admissions Office electronically or in a sealed envelope directly from the agency.

International students whose undergraduate degree was done in a language other than English must have test scores from TOEFL, IELTS, or DuoLingo submitted directly to Graduate Admissions by the evaluation agency. For consideration to be admitted to the M.M. program, a minimum TOEFL score of 80, with subscores of at least 20 in both speaking and writing is required, or an IELTS scores of at least 6.5, with no single subscore below 6.0. International students who meet all other admission requirements but who are deficient in English will normally be conditionally admitted. Conditionally admitted students must successfully complete the highest level in the university’s English Language Program (ELP) and achieve a minimum score of 80 oFn the ELP’s standardized English proficiency exam prior to matriculating into the M.M. program and taking any music classes. ESL exit level for these students is a MTLEP score of 255, with no subsection lower than 80.

International students with a very high GPA (at least 3.5) may apply for consideration to receive an Out of Country Tuition Waiver.

4) Graduate Assistantships  

Georgia Southern University offers opportunities for students in graduate programs to contribute to the teaching and research of the college by working as Graduate Assistants. Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis based on academic record, musical skills, and the needs of the Department. If you have not yet received an Eagle ID number, you may enter all zeros to begin the application. A separate application to be considered for an assistantship is required

When you complete the Graduate Assistantship Application and are fully accepted into the M.M. program, you will automatically be considered for all assistantships and scholarships in the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music for which you are eligible.  In addition, you may want to consult the list of Vacant Assistantships mentioned on the College of Graduate Studies page and individually contact those for which you might be eligible.

The University has established March 1 as the priority deadline for applications for the following fall. This priority deadline is particularly important for students if they are considering applying for a graduate assistantship or any type of scholarship.

Deadlines:

• Fall Semester (priority deadline, especially important if you wish to be considered for an assistantship, and deadline for International Students) March 1
• Fall Semester (final deadline) July 1
• Spring Semester December 1
• Summer Term April 1 (Music Education concentration only)

Questions?:   Contact the Director of Graduate Studies

Fall 2023 Audition Information

Dr. Rick Mason, Director, rlmason@georgiasouthern.edu

The Georgia Southern University Jazz Ensemble is a “big band” of 16-22 members. It is open to all Georgia Southern students by audition.

Auditioned instruments include:

• Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Trombone and bass trombone
• Rhythm section: piano, guitar, bass, drums, and auxiliary percussion

Auditions date:

Saturday, August 12 (Annex)  

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Rhythm section (piano, bass, drums, guitar, aux percussion)

Sunday, August 13 (Foy 3052)

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Trombones

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Trumpets

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Saxes

Instructions:

Instructions:

• All musicians must perform the prepared music etudes for their instrument.

• If you are auditioning for Lead Trumpet, you will play both the Trumpet (Lead) and the Trumpet (Low) excerpts.

• If you are a trumpet player and not auditioning for a Lead spot, you will only play the Trumpet (Low) excerpt.

• All musicians (with the exception of drum set auditionees) will have prepared the following blues scales (concert pitch): C, G, F, D-flat.

• All musicians must be prepared to sight-read.

Prepared music download:

The Choral Audition process

WHEN?

Auditions for Southern Chorale and voice placement for University Singers occur the weekend before classes start each Fall Semester. Placement for U singers also occurs the weekend before the Spring Semester. Southern Chorale is a year-long commitment with the exception of Student Teachers who are allowed Fall admittance only. When unexpected events require a person to leave Southern Chorale auditions will be held for that student’s
voice part.

WHERE?

Auditions occur in the Foy Music Building on the Georgia Southern University campus room 4030 on the fourth floor. Building number 205 on the campus map.

WHO?

Anyone is welcome to audition for Southern Chorale and all are welcome to sign-up for University Singers. Again, there is no “audition” for acceptance into U Singer, just a voice placement, so a placement time is required.

HOW?

In August, you will find a link to a Google Doc via the Sing at Southern and Southern Chorale Facebook pages. On this online document, you will sign up (whether you are audition for Southern Chorale or doing voice placement for University Singers) for a 10 min time slot for your in-person audition on either Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. Call Backs for Southern Chorale occur on Sunday afternoon. A list of student who are invited to “Call backs” will be posted on the Sing at Southern and Southern Chorale Facebook pages. You must attend Call Backs in order to be considered for Southern Chorale. During these, you will take a Music Skills Test.

WHAT?

You do NOT need to have a solo prepared. The audition focuses on materials that you have not seen. Please, however, be ready to sing “My Country Tis of Thee”.

1. Application:
   You will receive this when you arrive from the choral assistant. Please arrive about 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time.
2. In Person Audition
   “You have to be brave enough to put it all on the line and try your hardest”
   a. Simple vocalizations to determine your natural voice, areas of strength and weakness, and find the voice that best serves the choir.
   b. “My County Tis of Thee”
3. sing at a given tempo unaccompanied in a couple of keys
4. sing a few bars straight tone
5. sing a few bars sotto voce (with a quiet undertone quality, as if singing to yourself)
6. sing a few bars loudly
7. perform a few short vocal exercises to help determine your natural voice range
   c. Aural Skills/tonal Memory
8. sing back a series of played pitches
9. a chord is played (only once) – sing the middle or top or bottom pitch
   d. Sight-Reading
10. You are given a sing line written in either treble or bass clef, I-IV-VI in the key area, and your starting pitch.
11. You have a about a minute to look over the example (best to sing out loud) and then you will be given the key area and starting pitch again.
12. You Sing!
13. The starting pitch will not be played again, nor any other pitches in the example.
    e. Before leaving, the candidate will be told when they can expect to hear back about how they did (posted on Facebook). Do not expect any feedback immediately following your audition.
14. Call Backs
    a. Usually men and women are first asked to come at separate times then will meet back all together
    b. I will give everyone a copy of a least two choral pieces for which you will sight-read and rehearse together
    c. You may be asked to sing a part by yourself or with another
    d. Music Skill Test
    This is a multiple-choice test taken aurally. Music examples will be played twice; you will indicate whether they were the same, if the rhythm was different or if a pitch was different.

Music Majors & Minors

Music Students auditioning for a Music Scholarship will have the opportunity to audition for the Georgia Southern Symphony. In addition to the audition requirements* for a specific degree program, students will be asked to prepare the following orchestral excerpts below:

Non-Music Majors

Non-Music Majors will have the opportunity to audition for the Georgia Southern Symphony by appointment. Students will be asked to prepare a scale/arpeggio (up to 4 sharps and 4 flats, 2-3 octaves), a short solo work that best demonstrates level of ability and the following orchestral excerpts below: