Students pursuing a degree in music are required to meet audition and entrance requirements for acceptance into their desired music specialization area. This audition process is separate from those held for the South Carolina State University choral and instrumental groups. Students must exhibit demonstrated potential for a successful career in Music through basic proficiency on their chosen instrument and provide verification of solo or ensemble experience. Enrollment in music courses does not qualify a student as a Music major/minor. Official declaration of the Music major/minor will be granted only after the student has successfully met the audition and entrance requirements for the appropriate Music faculty.
Audition Requirements and How to Audition
Applicants unable to attend a live audition should send a VHS or DVD audition tapes to Attn: (Instrumental Professor-see names below) , Department of Visual and Performing Arts 300 College Street, NE Orangeburg, SC 29117 . Please clearly indicate your name, program applied to, contents of tape or CD and SCSU ID, if applicable.
For more information, Call the Department at 803-536-7176
Please contact the following to schedule a live audition and/or send notification that you will be sending an audition tape:
Piano: Dr. Edward Graham egraham@scsu.edu
Voice: Dr. Robert Grenier rgrenier@scsu.edu
Woodwinds: Jonovan Cooper JCoope20@scsu.edu
Upper Brass: Steven Reid SReid18@scsu.edu
Lower Brass: Joey Celmer JCelmer@scsu.edu
Percussion: James Orlick jorlick@scsu.edu
Strings: Dr. Julia Quick jquick@scsu.edu
Keyboard
Major/minor Scales, two octaves, parallel motion; perform two Classical works of contrasting style; sight-reading; have at least 2 to 3 years of previous piano lessons.
Voice
One or two prepared pieces; copies of the accompaniment should be provided; a repertoire list of solos sung should be provided.
Brass
Major/minor scales including arpeggios; two (2) contrasting etudes (lyrical, technical) demonstrating tone, intonation, range, flexibility and articulation.; two (2) contrasting pieces (classical, jazz); sight-reading
Woodwinds
All major scales, chromatic scale (particular range of instrument), prepared piece displaying lyrical and technical ability ( 1 piece with both or 2 different pieces), sight reading, or student’s All-State requirements.
Percussion
(1) musical selection from each of the listed areas: Mallet Instruments (Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone), Concert Snare Drum, Timpani, Drum-Set and/or Multi-Percussion.
Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone: All major scales, two octaves; (1) Two or Four Mallet Solo of your choosing, e.g. Suite Mexicana by Keith Larson, Andante Cantable by J.S. Bach, Unaccompanied Cello Suite by J.S. Bach, Yellow After the Rain by Mitchell Peters, Waves by Mitchell Peters, Three Pieces for Two Mallets by Jon Metzger, Double East by Jon Metzger, Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone by Morris Goldenberg.
Timpani: (1) timpani solo of your choosing, e.g., Eight Pieces for Solo Timpani by Elliot Cater, Modern Method for Timpani by Saul Goodman, Solos and Duets for Timpani by Garwood Whaley, Classic Symphonies for Timpani (Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven).
Snare Drum: All standard 40 drum rudiments, (1) concert snare drum of your choosing, e.g., Portraits in Rhythm by Anthony Cirone, Keiskleiriana 1 by Jacques Delecluse.
Drum-Set: demonstrate rhythmic and groove competency in the following styles: 4/4 swing at a variety of tempos, Jazz Pattern, Blue Pattern, Samba and Bossa Nova, Mambo, Afro-Cuban 6/8.
Strings
Major/minor scales, two contrasting styles of solos, i.e., Baroque, Romantic, Classical, and 20th Century.