Contemporary Christian Music Auditions
Contemporary Christian Music applicants should audition on their strongest instrument.
VOCALISTS
- Three memorized selections (total)
- At least one non-contemporary selection in Latin, Italian, German or French
- One slow tempo contemporary selection
- One up-beat tempo contemporary selection
- One musical theatre selection may be used in substitution for a contemporary selection
- All selections chosen should demonstrate the immediate vocal and musical abilities of the student.
- All selections performed must be printed and published works.
- All selections must be accompanied by piano. Applicants are encouraged to bring their own accompanist; however, if needed, a staff accompanist can be provided.
- A sight-reading examination will be administered.
PIANISTS
- At least two selections from the following: (All selections must be memorized.)
- J.S. Bach: Invention, Sinfonia or Prelude & Fugue
- Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven: a sonata movement
- A nineteenth-century piece by Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, Mendelssohn, etc.
- An impressionistic or twentieth-century piece (Debussy, Bartók, Prokofieff, etc.)
- Be prepared to play all major and minor scales and arpeggios, four octaves.
- Be prepared to demonstrate your ability to play from a chord chart.
GUITARISTS
- One of the 20 Studies by Fernando Sor (Degovia Ed.) OR One of the 25 Melodic & Progressive Studies, Op. 60 by Matteo Carcassi.
- One Selection fro Albums 3 or 4 of the Royal Conservaotry, Guitar Repertoire and Studies.
- Major and minor scales, two octaves (a PDF file of fingerings is available on request).
- One contemporary piece played as a solo or with accompaniment track. This should reflect the student's ability to play melodically as well as demonstrating chored knowledge. Do not simply strum an accompaniment to a song.
- Be prepared to demonstrate your ability to solo and/or sight read from a chord chart.
BASS GUITAR: CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC major only
- Major and minor swcales, one octave (a PDF file of fingerings is available on request).
- One jazz ballad from "The Real Book," e.g. Autumn Leaves, music by Joseph Kosma; lyrics by Jacques Prevert; English lyrics by Johnny Mercer.
- One Latin jazz standard, e.g. Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars) by Antonio Carlos Jobim.
- One rock standard, student's choice.
- Selections must be performed with a piano accompaniment. Students may use an accompaniment track for the rock standard. Fully notated piano reductions are required for all songs using a Cornerstone University staff accompanist.
DRUMMERS
All percussion instruments will be provided. Students should supply their own mallets and sticks.
- Solo or etude on two of the following instruments: snare drum, timpani, keyboard (marimba or xylophone).
- Demonstration of various styles on drumset, such as rock, Latin and jazz. One example must be with piano or recorded rhythm sections accompaniment.
- Beprepared to listen to a song excerpt and attempt to imitate the drum beat.
- A sight-reading examination will be administered.
Singer/Songwriters are encouraged to prepare one of their original songs for the audition.
No pre-recorded accompaniments will be accepted for any solo vocal or instrumental audition.
RECORDED AUDITIONS
Students for whom performing an on-campus audition is prohibitive (for example international students), may request to submit their auditions on a high quality VHS tape or DVD (No audio cassette or compact disk permitted). Please send your requests to: music@cornerstone.edu
AUDITION ACCOMPANISTS
Applicants requiring an accompanist are strongly encouraged to bring their own; however, a staff accompanist will be available upon request. Applicants requesting a staff accompanist must include photocopies of their audition selections and a staff accompanist fee of $10.00 (personal checks only) with the audition application form. Applicants will have an opportunity to meet with the staff accompanist prior to the audition.
