If you wish to perform with an accompanist, one will be made available to you at no cost. When you schedule your audition, please inform us that you would like to take advantage of that opportunity. You are also welcome to bring your own accompanist.

Specific suggestions for guitar majors: choose two solo works in contrasting styles/periods from the list below which best demonstrate your technical proficiency and musicality. Memorization recommended but not required. Total time limit: 10 minutes.

• Renaissance (i.e. Milan, Narvaez, Dowland)
• Baroque (i.e. Bach, Weiss, de Visee)
• Classical (i.e. Sor, Giuliani, Carcassi)
• Romantic (i.e. Tarrega, Arcas, Coste)
• Modern (i.e. Brouwer, Villa-Lobos, Koshkin)
• Jazz (Formal arrangement of jazz standard)

Students interested in the performance major should prepare three contrasting pieces from three of the above groups for a maximum playing time of 15 minutes. Memorization is expected.

Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies

Jazz auditions will be accompanied by a play along track or a live rhythm section when available.

• Instrumentalists (excluding Drum Set)
  • Prepare one selection that you have been working on or have performed in the past. It could be a tune, a transcribed solo, or a part from a jazz ensemble chart.
  • All Major scales and the Bb or F blues scale.
  • Improvise on a B-flat or F blues of your choice.
  • Sight-read a jazz etude specific to your instrument.
• Drum Set
  • Prepare one selection that you have been working on or have performed in the past. It could be a tune, a transcribed solo, or a part from a jazz ensemble chart.
  • Play the following styles: swing (w/sticks and brushes), bossa, and funk/rock.
  • Play the swing groove and a solo on a Bb or F blues of your choice.
  • Sight-read a big band drum set part.

We strongly recommend that all jazz studies applicants prepare for the audition under the guidance of a private instructor. For questions, contact Dr. Mark O'Connor, the Director of Jazz Studies.

Please prepare the following repertoire for your organ audition:

• One work by J.S. Bach (any work would be fine, including the Eight Little Preludes and Fugues, formerly attributed to J.S. Bach)
• One work from the Romantic Era
• One work from the 20th/21st century literature

You may also be asked to demonstrate a basic proficiency in hymn playing.

Please prepare one selection on all of the following instruments: 1. snare drum; 2. mallets (marimba, xylophone, or vibraphone); 3. timpani; 4. drum set (if you intend to participate in one of our jazz ensembles). You may also be asked to demonstrate proficiency in standard snare drum rudiments and/or sight-reading.

Memorization is strongly recommended but not required for all aspects of your audition.

Scale requirements: perform three major scales and three harmonic minor scales of your choice. The chosen scales are to be played hands together, four octaves ascending and descending in a steady tempo.

Choose two contrasting pieces from two of the following groups for a maximum playing time of 15 minutes:

• The first work should be EITHER from the Baroque period (e.g. an Invention, Sinfonia, Prelude and Fugue, or dance movement by J.S. Bach, a sonata by Scarlatti, etc.) OR the first movement of a Classical period sonata or sonatina (e.g. Franz Joseph Haydn, W.A. Mozart, Muzio Clementi, L. v. Beethoven, etc.).
• The second selection may be chosen from the Romantic, Impressionist, or Contemporary period.

We ask you to prepare two contrasting pieces for voice; one in Italian, French, or German, and a second in English. The two pieces should highlight different historical periods, tempos, and/or styles. In addition, please bring a letter of recommendation from a private voice instructor or musical director. You will be asked to sing scales, sight-read, and/or repeat interval patterns and melodic sequences to determine competency for theory placement.

Students who wish to major in vocal performance will also be asked to submit a complete repertoire list, an updated resume of performance experience, and a summary of foreign languages studied in school.

We ask you to prepare at least two examples from the standard repertoire for your instrument (solos or concerti preferred); one to demonstrate technical proficiency, and one to highlight expressive, lyrical playing. You may choose two movements from the same piece, though two different works is preferred. You will also be asked to play selected major scales (prepare all twelve), the chromatic scale over the range of your instrument, and sight-read.

If you are unsure about your repertoire selections or need suggestions, please contact the Applied Instructor for your instrument.

Audition days are exciting, full-day events! Please prepare to be here from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET (lunch provided). Our goal in having this full-day experience is to expose you to some of the unique aspects of being a part of UIndy because we value you as a prospective student and want you to have a great idea of what campus life is like. You will audition, complete a theory exam, and participate in other fun UIndy activities!

You will receive your audition time when you check in the morning of audition day.

UIndy offers competitive scholarship opportunities for music majors. You must be signed up before the priority deadline for scholarship consideration.

Please reach out to music@uindy.edu to chat with a member of the Music Department.

Yes, you may. While you will only have the ability to choose one primary instrument in your degree program, you are allowed to take secondary lessons for your other instrument.

Absolutely! In fact, we recommend it. You will get to participate in a number of activities throughout the day after your audition and we want you to be comfortable doing so.

Absolutely! Please note, your parent cannot be present during your audition or your theory exam, but they are more than welcome to tag along and participate in the other scheduled activities.

The UIndy Music Department is not able to accommodate remote auditions for students that live within the state of Indiana. If you live out of state or are an international student, please reach out to music@uindy.edu for options.

We highly recommend it to ensure the best audition experience, but you can bring your own accompanist. Please note, an exact audition time cannot be provided ahead of time. You must ensure that your accompanist has flexibility on the day you are looking to audition.

The music industry program has two program application options to select from:

1. Audition - declare a primary instrument/voice part and complete a Classical, Jazz, or Contemporary/Popular music audition.
2. Portfolio - submit a portfolio of your work.

Both application types require an interview with music faculty along with a theory exam and attendance at a scheduled audition day. 

Please review the B.S. in Music Industry main page for more information. 

Absolutely! The Music Department is full of well-trained, passionate, and experienced faculty members. They want to hear you play, regardless of where you feel your ability is currently. While auditioning can be nerve-wracking, our faculty, staff, and students work diligently to make sure you have an enjoyable auditioning experience.