Northland International UniversityNorthland International University

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Audition Requirements: Music

For All New and Transfer Music Students
(Majors and Minors)

Students who desire to enroll in a music degree program (major or minor) must complete one of the required auditions as described below prior to registration. Students will select, declare, and audition for a proficiency in voice, piano, or an orchestral instrument. The audition will serve to identify areas of strength and/or weakness for advising purposes.

No one is officially enrolled in the music degree program without completion of an audition with the Music Faculty during Orientation Week.
High School seniors or transfer students who desire to complete an advance audition during a campus visit prior to enrollment may contact the Fine Arts Office at 715.324.6999, extension 2700, for an appointment. Pre-recorded auditions will not be accepted.

Music Degree Program Auditions

Each student must declare and audition in ONE of the proficiency areas listed below.  A description of what students should be ready to perform at the audition for each of the proficiency areas follows.

Voice

Students will be asked to:

  • Sing a sacred arrangement and an art song, one preferably in a foreign language. If the applicant has not had formal vocal training, two sacred pieces may be performed. Memorization is encouraged, but not mandatory. An accompanist will be provided.
  • Match tonal patterns played on the piano.
  • Sight-read a series of basic exercises (provided at the audition).

Piano

Students will be asked to:

  • Play any major or minor scale, two octaves in parallel motion.
  • Play any major or minor arpeggio, two octaves.
  • Present two contrasting pieces of at least intermediate difficulty from representative periods in piano literature (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth Century). In addition, students may play a hymn arrangement. Memorization is encouraged, but not mandatory.
  • Play a hymn of their choice which demonstrates their congregational accompaniment style.
  • Sight-read a piece on a level similar to the Alfred series, Adult Level Two.

Orchestral Instruments

Students will be asked to:

  • Play an etude or technical study appropriate to their instrument.
  • Play two contrasting pieces, one of which is lyrical and the other more technical.
  • Play a hymn arrangement. An accompanist will be provided.
  • Sight-read a series of basic exercises (provided at the audition).