Auditions
Students seeking admission into Cairn University’s School of Music or On the Way are required to complete an audition.
Students must first apply to Cairn University (via the online application or Common App) before registering for an audition. Applicants may then choose from two different audition methods: in-person or video recording.
Further audition specifications per instrument and for specialized programs are indicated below.
Upcoming Audition Days
- September 22, 2023
- October 20, 2023
- November 17, 2023
- January 19, 2024
- February 9, 2024
- March 1, 2024
Audition Requirements for Music (BA), Performance, and Music Education (PK-12) Candidates
- Perform two contrasting works from the classical repertoire (memorization required).
- Demonstrate your ability to play one major and minor scale.
- Be able to demonstrate your ability to sight-read.
- Suggested repertoire:
- a two- or three-part invention or a prelude and fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach
- an allegro movement from a sonata by Mozart, Haydn, or Beethoven
- a larger work from the Romantic period (Debussy, Schumann, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, etc.)
- Perform two contrasting works from the classical repertoire (memorization required).
- Suggested repertoire: Copland, Quilter, Britten, Caldara, Schubert, Fauré, Brahms, Handel, etc.
- Be able to demonstrate your ability to sight-read.
- Perform the first movement of a standard concerto or solo piece of choice
- Perform a contrasting movement from a standard concerto or solo piece by a different composer of choice
- Demonstrate your ability to play one major and minor scale.
- Be able to demonstrate your ability to sight-read.
- Perform the first movement of a standard concerto or solo piece of choice
- Perform a contrasting movement from a standard concerto or solo piece by a different composer of choice
- Demonstrate your ability to play one major and minor scale.
- Be able to demonstrate your ability to sight-read.
- Perform two prepared snare drum solos
- from the N.A.R.D. Rudiment Solo Book or equivalent
- from Cirone’s, Portraits in Rhythm or equivalent
- Perform a snare drum concert roll: pp<ff>pp over 16 beats.
- Perform a prepared mallet solo from the book Masterpieces for Marimba by MacMillan, or Intermediate Mallets by Whaley, or equivalent.
- Drum Set Auditions: Play examples from the following list of grooves/techniques:
- 4/4 Swing
- 3/4 Swing
- Rock
- Funk
- Shuffle
- Bossa Nova
- Samba
- Trading fours and eights in 4/4 Swing, Shuffle, and Rock grooves
- Brush technique
Perform two contrasting works from the classical repertoire.
Audition Requirements for Composition Candidates
In addition to passing an audition in one of the areas above (keyboard, strings, woodwinds, percussion, guitar), application for entrance into the composition program is made in one of two ways:
- Submission of a portfolio of original compositions prior to the audition
- Demonstration, during the first two semesters of study, of a working knowledge of music theory and a strong interest in the creative process
Audition Requirements for Worship & Music Candidates (BA and MA)
- Prepare two pieces of contrasting types from the list below that you are comfortable with that displays your instrumental or vocal proficiency and your overall musicianship. It can be in any style and should be approximately 3–5 minutes in length.
- A tune from a well-known artist or band; this can be a worship song
- A standard or jazz tune (which may include blues and rhythm changes) with your own improvisation
- A composition from the classical instrumental/voice repertoire; this could be a movement of a sonata, concerto, or étude
- A transcription of a well-known artist’s solo
- Demonstrate your ability to play one major and minor scale.
- Be able to demonstrate your ability to sight-read.
Drum Set Auditions: Play examples from the following list of grooves/techniques:
- 4/4 Swing
- 3/4 Swing
- Rock
- Funk
- Shuffle
- Bossa Nova
- Samba
- Trading fours and eights in 4/4 Swing, Shuffle, and Rock grooves
- Brush technique
Audition Requirements for On the Way (the University's Traveling Worship Band)
- Prepare two pieces of contrasting types from the list below that you are comfortable with that displays your instrumental or vocal proficiency and your overall musicianship. It can be in any style and should be approximately 3–5 minutes in length.
- A tune from a well-known artist or band; this can be a worship song
- A standard or jazz tune (which may include blues and rhythm changes) with your own improvisation
- A composition from the classical instrumental/voice repertoire; this could be a movement of a sonata, concerto, or étude
- A transcription of a well-known artist’s solo
- Demonstrate your ability to play one major and minor scale.
- Be able to demonstrate your ability to sight-read.
Drum Set Auditions: Play examples from the following list of grooves/techniques:
- 4/4 Swing
- 3/4 Swing
- Rock
- Funk
- Shuffle
- Bossa Nova
- Samba
- Trading fours and eights in 4/4 Swing, Shuffle, and Rock grooves
- Brush technique
