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:
Voice: Dr. Robert Grenier - rgrenier@scsu.edu
Woodwinds: Mr. John Robinson - Jrobin23@scsu.edu
Band: Mr. Eddie Ellis - eellis@scsu.edu
Choirs: Dr. Richard Beckford – rbeckford@scsu.edu
Upper Brass: Steven Reid sreid18@scsu.edu
Lower Brass: Joey Celmer jcelmer@scsu.edu
Percussion: Jay Ware rware1@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
Snare Drum, Mallets, and Timpani are required. Drum Set is optional, but strongly recommended.Snare Drum
- One rudimental solo/etude from Pratt, Wilcoxon, Rothman, or equivalent (published works only).
- One orchestral solo/etude from Delecluse, Cirone, Peters, Goldenberg, or equivalent (published works only).
Mallets
- All major scales and arpeggios, the chromatic scale (two octaves).
- One solo/etude from Goldenberg, Stout, Abe, J.S. Bach, Creston, Musser, Rosauro, or equivalent (published works only). A 4-mallet solo is preferred though not required (published works only).
Timpani
- Demonstrate tuning ability (tune a given pitch and/or interval on any drum).
- One prepared solo/etude for 3-4 timpani from Goodman, Carter, Vic Firth, Peters, Delecluse, Schinstine, or equivalent (published works only).
Drum Set (optional, but strongly recommended)
1. Demonstrate the following styles with either a metronome or (preferably) a play-along track (e.g. “Essential Styles” Book 1):
- Swing
- Funk/Rock
- Bossa Nova
- Samba
- Ballad (with brushes)
Strings
Major/minor scales, two contrasting styles of solos, i.e., Baroque, Romantic, Classical, and 20th Century.