Undergraduate MusicAudition Requirements

For a guitar audition, prepare select repertoire and scales that demonstrate your musicianship and technique. Applicants for a guitar scholarship must:

Perform three memorized pieces of contrasting style from any of the following collections:

• “Twenty Studies for the Guitar” by Fernando Sor and Andres Segovia (arr.).
• “25 Etudes Op. 60 for the Classical Guitar” by Mateo Carcassi.
• “Etudes Simples (Estudios Sencillos) for Guitar” by Leo Brouwer.
• “Classical Guitar Repertoire and Etudes Level 3” by The Royal Conservatory (Bridges).

Perform by memory any selected two or three octave major, harmonic minor and melodic minor scales. Available resources include:

• “Diatonic Major and Minor Scales” by Andres Segovia.
• “Guitar Technique” by The Royal Conservatory (Bridges).
• “The Virtuoso Guitarist Method for Guitar, Volume 1” by Matt Palmer.

Play at sight an exercise that is of the equivalent level as outlined in “Preparatory Guitar Repertoire and Studies” by The Royal Conservatory (Bridges).

For a percussion audition, prepare two works that demonstrate your technique and musicianship. Choose two excerpts, etudes or solo works in contrasting styles on any of the following instruments:

• Snare drum (rudimental or concert).
• Timpani.
• Marimba.
• Vibraphone.
• Xylophone.

While the excerpts you choose may be performed on the same instrument, the demonstration of your abilities on two instruments is highly encouraged. Major and melodic minor scale demonstration highly recommended. The length of your selections should not exceed more than 10 minutes total.

For a piano audition, prepare a total of two songs, selecting one song from each of the following categories:

• A selection from the Baroque, Classical or Romantic era.
• A selection from the Impressionistic period, 20th century or a jazz, sacred or modern composition.

Pieces should demonstrate your interpretative ability, technique, musicianship and sight-reading proficiency. Memorization is expected, and the length of your selections should not exceed more than 10 minutes total. Be prepared to demonstrate major and minor scales.

For a vocal audition, prepare two songs in contrasting styles. Choose one song from each of the following categories:

• Art song, operatic or oratorio aria (English or a foreign language).
• Music theatre, sacred, popular or jazz.

Songs should demonstrate interpretive ability, vocal technique and general musicianship. Memorization of the music is expected, and solo and ensemble competition pieces are acceptable. An accompanist will be provided if needed. Sight-reading proficiency and pitch matching will be evaluated.

For a wind instrument audition, prepare a full-range chromatic scale and two contrasting selections from these categories:

• A movement from a sonata, concerto or comparable composition.
• A solo piece that is appropriate for high school solo and ensemble festival.
• A standard solo etude.

The selections should demonstrate your musicality, tone and technique. They should not exceed more than 10 minutes total. Be prepared to demonstrate major and melodic minor scales.

Cornerstone accepts these woodwind and brass instruments: flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone and tuba.