Audition Requirements
Purpose
The purpose of the undergraduate audition in music is to evaluate your background and
determine your potential as a music student (major, principal, minor, non-major). It is
used as an assessment tool and is designed as a guide for your professor as you begin
studying at Bob Jones University. The audition is taken when you arrive for your first
semester. One to three faculty members will be present for the audition. Locations for
the audition will be listed in your Schedule of Classes.
Please remember that the audition process is used to help you to begin your study with a
good understanding of what will be expected of you. You will be given an opportunity to
ask questions of the faculty audition committee. The audition is intended as the first
step in effective communication between you and the faculty.
Music instruction is available to all full-time students in Bob Jones University. Each
year hundreds of students—music majors, music minors, and students from other
fields—take advantage of this unique opportunity to develop their God-given
talents through study with talented artist-teachers. All students desiring to take music
lessons must audition, except those who take piano lessons for the first time.
Voice
Performance
Students who wish to pursue a degree in voice performance should prepare two selections,
sacred or secular, preferably from memory. Students who have had prior vocal training
should present literature that represents their current level of work, such as English
or foreign art songs or arias from opera or oratorio. An accompanist will be provided.
Principals, Minors, and Non-Majors
Voice principals (church music majors and music education majors), voice minors, and
non-majors should prepare one selection demonstrating their ability. An accompanist will
be provided.
Piano
Performance
Students who wish to pursue a degree in piano performance should perform from memory a
Baroque work, a sonata movement from the Classic period, and one work from the 19th or
20th centuries. The applicant should also submit a list of past repertoire and should
expect to sight-read and play major scales. Level of audition pieces should be at least
VII-VIII (Celebration Series).
Principals
Piano principals (piano pedagogy majors, church music majors and music education majors)
should perform from memory two pieces, each from a different style period (Baroque,
Classic, Romantic, Impressionistic, and Contemporary). Level of audition pieces should
be at least VI (Celebration Series).
Minors and Non-majors
Piano minors should perform two pieces, preferably from memory.
Organ
Majors and Organ Principals
Students who wish to pursue an organ major or a major in church music or music education
with an organ principal should be prepared to play two pieces representing two of the
major musical style periods (Baroque, Classic, Romantic, Impressionistic, and
Contemporary) on the piano or organ, preferably with one piece from memory.
Sight-reading will be included in the audition. Organ students are expected to have a
good piano background (up through Bach Two-Part Inventions, and/or sonata movements from
the Classic and Romantic periods). The applicant should also submit a list of past repertoire.
Minors and Non-majors
Organ minors and non-majors should prepare one piece (either on the piano or organ).
Sight-reading will be included in the audition. Organ students are expected to have a
good piano background (up through Bach Two-Part Inventions, and/or sonata movements from
the Classic and Romantic periods).
Hymn Playing
Students auditioning for hymn playing lessons must demonstrate the ability to read hymns
at sight. Pianists with intermediate ability may be placed in the basic Hymn Reading
course. Those with above-average sight-reading ability and some experience in chording
and improvising will be assigned to Hymn Playing. Piano skills of approximately Grade IV
level are expected for the latter course.
Instruments
Instruction is offered in Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet,
Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, Cornet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, and Percussion.
Performance Major
Students who wish to pursue an instrument major should be prepared to play two pieces
that demonstrates their best ability. Scales and sight-reading will also be included in
the audition. The applicant should also submit a list of past repertoire.
Principal
Students who wish to pursue a major in church music or music education with an instrument
principal should be prepared to play one piece, preferably secular, that demonstrates
their best ability. Scales and sight-reading will also be included in the audition. The
applicant should also submit a list of past repertoire.
Music Minors and Non-majors
Music minors should prepare one piece, sacred or secular. Scales and sight-reading will
also be included in the audition.
Music Organizations
Any undergraduate student at Bob Jones University is eligible to participate in the
various official musical organizations (vocal and instrumental) through auditions.
Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester and require performance of a solo
piece, scales (for instrumentalists), and sight-reading. Music majors are required to
participate in a music group each semester. Music minors must participate in a music
group for four semesters.
Specific Organizations
