Graduate Audition Requirements — Music

Graduate Audition Requirements — Music

The audition for graduate degrees in music may be presented in person or may be submitted on videotape. The audition requirements for our various graduate degrees are listed below. Auditions are generally limited to 15 minutes except for the audition in voice where the repertoire specified may cover more than 15 minutes. All applicants are asked to include a list of literature studied during undergraduate work, and this should be submitted at the time of the audition.

Those who wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship should audition before the middle of December. Applicants must be approved for graduate school before they can be considered for a graduate assistantship.

Voice

Candidates for the Master of Music degree in voice performance or the Master of Arts degree in fine arts with voice as primary concentration should prepare six songs, and the repertoire is listed below.

  1. Three songs in foreign language (one each in French, German, and Italian)
    • One (and only one) of these may be an aria.
    • If an aria is used, it must be written after 1750.
  2. Two songs in English of contrasting mood and style—it is possible that one of the two English songs may be an aria. If so, then the other English song would be an art song.*
  3. One conservative gospel song or hymn (This selection should avoid songs reflecting contemporary popular styles.)

    Note: All voice selections must be performed from memory.

    * If the aria is chosen from an English work, then the three foreign songs must be from song literature, not from operatic or oratorio sources. One of the categories, (1) or (2), must contain an aria.

Candidates for the Master of Music degree in church music (voice principal) should prepare five songs, and the repertoire is listed below.

  1. One foreign language song
  2. One oratorio aria
  3. One English/American anthem
  4. One English/American art song (or second foreign language song)
  5. One conservative gospel song or hymn (This selection should avoid songs reflecting contemporary popular styles.)

    Note: All voice selections must be performed from memory.

Candidates for the Master of Arts degree in fine arts (music as secondary concentration) should prepare four songs, and the repertoire is listed below.

  1. One foreign language song
  2. Two additional songs chosen by the performer
  3. One conservative gospel song or hymn (This selection should avoid songs reflecting contemporary popular styles.)

    Note: All voice selections must be performed from memory.

Candidates for the Master of Music Education degree (voice principal as an undergraduate) should prepare three songs, and the repertoire is listed below.**

  1. One foreign language song
  2. One English song
  3. One conservative gospel song or hymn (This selection should avoid songs reflecting contemporary popular styles.)

    ** BJU music education graduates are not required to take this audition.

    Note: All voice selections must be performed from memory.

Pianists, Organists, and Instrumentalists

  • Candidates for the Master of Music degree in performance, piano pedagogy, or church music, or for the Master of Arts degree in fine arts with a primary concentration in music should prepare three representative works from three major style periods.*
  • Candidates for the Master of Music Education degree must perform one piece from memory, demonstrating senior-level standards.**
  • Candidates for the Master of Arts degree with a secondary concentration in music should prepare two representative works from two major style periods.*

    * Pianists must perform the entire audition from memory; organists and instrumentalists must perform one piece from memory.
    ** BJU music education graduates are not required to take this audition.

Church Music: Conducting Principal

The audition requirements for candidates wishing to pursue the Master of Music degree in church music with a principal in choral conducting are listed below:

Conduct two anthems, using one of the University choirs. The anthems will be chosen by the head of the Church Music Department and will be sent to the applicant at least two weeks prior to the audition. One number will be graded on the basis of the innate conducting abilities of the conductor, and the other will be graded on the basis of the rehearsal techniques employed by the conductor.

In addition, the applicant will prepare and sing an art song, folk song, or gospel song of his choosing and will sing at sight one or two exercises chosen by the audition committee.

Note: The length of this audition will be approximately 40 minutes; an accompanist will be provided.

The audition dates for the M.Mus. in choral conducting are listed below:
Fall auditions: September 20 - November 10
Spring auditions: January 20 - March 1 and April 1 - 20

Church Music: Composition Principal

An applicant for the Master of Music degree in Church Music (composition principal) should submit a portfolio. It should include at least three short works (at least 8 minutes total duration) and include:

  • One choral work (mixed voices or SATB; a cappella or accompanied)
  • One chamber music piece (small ensemble of strings, brass, or winds; with or without keyboard accompaniment)
  • At least one piece must not be an arrangement of a pre-existing tune.
  • At least one of these pieces must have been written without assistance of any kind.

In addition, the applicant should include a complete and detailed works list and should also include a personal statement detailing musical background, degrees, and experience; career plans/goals; favorite composers/pieces; and a brief overview of one’s church music philosophy.

Note: Additional important information on the composition portfolio may be obtained from the chairman of the Division of Music.

Master of Music Education Candidates

An applicant for the Master of Music Education degree should be apprised of the following requirements (possible deficiencies for students who were not music education majors as undergraduates).

  • Three instrument classes (to be determined by previous experience)
  • Elementary School Music and Secondary School Music
  • Choral Director Methods or Band Director Methods
  • An essay on one’s philosophy of music education
  • An interview with a committee from the Music Education Department
  • An elementary test to examine conducting ability

Music Organizations

Graduate students are not required to participate in one of the official musical organizations. Groups open to graduate students include the University Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Band, Concert Band, or University Chorale. Graduate students may also participate in numerous small instrumental ensembles.