Bachelor of Music: Vocal Music Education

Audition Requirements 2024-2025

All music education applicants must complete the following:

Audition

Prospective students interested in the Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music Education program will complete a live audition OR submit video recordings of the categories listed below. With each video submission, state your full name and the music program for which you are auditioning. You may also submit a resume or other materials that you feel are relevant for the Music Department Audition Committee.

Group Interview

All music education applicants will meet with the music education faculty for a group interview. The interview will be scheduled during the day of your audition and will last approximately 45 minutes. The purpose of the interview is two-fold. First, it allows the music education faculty to assess your oral communication and interpersonal skills, both of which are important for a career in teaching. Second, it allows you to ask questions about the music education program at Wayne State University. Interview questions will focus on your musical background, academic experiences, and extra-curricular activities. You should be prepared to talk about your reasons for choosing music education as a career and what you believe you have to offer as a future music teacher.

Written Essay

Music teachers need to be able to communicate successfully in writing; furthermore, effective writing skills are a necessity for successful completion of the academic requirements at Wayne State University. To assess your skill in this area, please write a short essay answering each of the three questions below. The essay also provides us with the opportunity to get to know you better, so provide as much information about yourself and your experiences as possible. The essay should be between 2-3 pages, typed and double spaced, 12 point font. Print out your essays and bring them to the interview. Your essay will be collected during the interview.

1. Describe your teaching and/or leadership experiences. These experiences may include both musical and non-musical responsibilities or relevant experiences. Music related leadership experiences might include: section leader, drum major, choir president, music librarian; while non-music related leadership experiences might include: youth group leader, stage manager for the drama club, soccer coach for the local rec center, day care worker.

2. What are the most important personal attributes you bring to music teaching? What qualities, traits, or work habits do you possess that you believe will contribute to your success as a music teacher?

3. Why have you chosen Music Education as a career? What is it about music, education, or music education that you find compelling? What do you want to do with your degree once you graduate?

• Live Auditions: When participating in a live audition, you will complete your Audition, Theory Placement Test, and participate in interviews (if required by your program) on your audition day. We highly encourage this option.
• Recorded Auditions: Students who choose to submit a recorded audition must complete a Zoom Sightreading test, Zoom Theory Placement Test, and Zoom interviews (if required by your program). The department will contact you to schedule these sessions after your application is approved. Students will not be considered for admission until these steps are completed.

Voice

1. Music Selections: Three prepared pieces in different historical and contrasting styles. Song selections must be memorized. It is preferred that vocal applicants record with an accompanist or with a backing track.

1. One English art song
2. One foreign-language art song (preferably Italian),
3. One other song (in any language) or aria appropriate to the auditionee's level.

Piano

1. Scales: Select one major scale with arpeggio, four octaves; one minor scale with arpeggio, four octaves; chromatic scale, four octaves.

2. Music Selections: Two prepared pieces in contrasting styles. The minimum acceptable level is early intermediate, standard compositions such as Bach, Little Preludes; Clementi, Sonatinas; Kuhlau, Sonatinas; short character pieces of the 19th and 20th centuries. "Self-composed" works are not acceptable for audition repertoire.

Classical Guitar

1. Scales: Major and minor scales in several positions

2. Music Selections: Perform two contrasting selections from memory.

Applicants should demonstrate technical ability consistent with the satisfactory completion of method books such as Frederick Noad: Book 1 - Solo Guitar Playing, Julio Sagreras Book 1, or similar methods. Make sure to demonstrate knowledge of chord types in several positions. Some examples of repertoire could include etudes/studies from Aguado, Brouwer, Carcassi, Giuliani, Sor, and Tarrega.

Organ

1. Scales: Chromatic, major and minor scales and arpeggios, two octaves (piano only)

2. Music Selections: Two prepared pieces in contrasting musical style, performed on either organ or piano

"¢ For organ, selections should be at the level of J.S. Bach's simpler Preludes or standard hymns

"¢ For piano, selections should be at the level of Bach's two-part Inventions or a simpler sonata by Mozart

For guideline and requirement questions please contact: 313-577-1783 or mickayla.chapman@wayne.edu.