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.
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
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.
- A well-known contemporary worship song
- A well-known traditional hymn
- Demonstrate your ability to improvise
- Be prepared to answer questions concerning your musical background, experience, etc.
*In-ears or use of a sound system is available upon request. Please contact Hannah Camillo at [email protected] for more information.
- Prepare two pieces of contrasting types from the list below that you are comfortable with that displays your proficiency and your overall musicianship.
- *A well-known contemporary worship song
- *A well-known traditional hymn
- Demonstrate your ability to improvise
- Be prepared to perform Drum Rudiments
- Be prepared to answer questions concerning your musical background, experience, etc.
*In-ears or use of a sound system is available upon request. Please contact Hannah Camillo at [email protected] for more information.
Each auditionee will have an interview with one of the On The Way leaders. This interview’s purpose is to get to know the participants on a more personal level. On The Way is not only looking for excellent musicianship but for students with outstanding testimonies also. There is no preparation needed for this interview.
