Auditions

Audition Requirements for Incoming Students

An audition is required of all incoming freshmen or transfer students who want to major in music at UNH. There are two parts to the audition, the theory test and the performance. Auditions are by appointment only.

Announcing Auditions for High School Seniors

Please note: Guitarists will be scheduled ONLY after submitting a pre-audition tape. Use this link to see your requirements.

How to Schedule an Audition

To schedule an audition, please notify the department at least 2 weeks in advance of the day you plan to audition.
You may call 603-862-2418 or e-mail music.auditions@unh.edu to schedule an audition.

A written confirmation of your scheduled audition day will be sent to you approximately 3 weeks before your scheduled audition. It will include the schedule for the day and your scheduled audition time.

General Requirements for UNH Department of Music Auditions

Find your instrument in the list below to see what the requirements are for your audition. Unless specified, music education and performance majors have the same requirements.

• Bassoon, clarinet, euphonium, flute, French horn, oboe, trombone, & tuba: Prepare two contrasting pieces (or movements). Demonstrate playing proficiency of major scales and sight reading.
• Trumpet: Prepare two pieces of contrasting style, one should be lyrical (ex. 2nd movement of Haydn trumpet concerto) and the other should demonstrate the more technical side. Contrasting sections of an extended piece is acceptable. In addition to demonstrating proficiency with major scales, be prepared to play a chromatic scale.
• Violin, viola, cello: Prepare two contrasting pieces (or movements). Demonstrate playing proficiency of major scales and sight reading.
• String Bass: Play two bowed pieces: An etude and a solo piece. Play one jazz piece, you will be asked to: Play the melody, play the bass line, and improvise a solo line. Demonstrate playing proficiency of major scales.
• Voice: 1 Italian aria, preferably from the 24 Italian Songs & Arias of the 17th & 18th Century anthology, and 1 English Art Song. Be prepared to sight read and sing back 3 and 4 note patterns.
• Percussion: Please review the requirements here before scheduling your audition.
• Piano: Music education, theory, and music history candidates whose principal instrument is piano should prepare 2 pieces (or movements) of contrasting style, not memorized; demonstrate scale proficiency (at least 2 octaves, both hands, major scales); and demonstrate sight reading.
  B.A. performance candidates in piano should, at a minimum, prepare 3 pieces (or movements) of contrasting style, one of which should be from memory; demonstrate scale proficiency (at least 2 octaves, both hands, major scales); and demonstrate sight reading.
  B.M. performance candidates in piano should, at a minimum, prepare 4 pieces (or movements) of contrasting style, three of which should be from memory; demonstrate scale proficiency (at least 2 octaves, both hands, major scales); and demonstrate sight reading.
• Saxophone:For saxophone auditions, students are asked to perform two contrasting movements or etudes.  Students should choose pieces of music that display a high level of performance ability and at the same time demonstrate a high degree of musicality.
  Students may choose a piece of standard saxophone solo repertoire or refer to Selected Studies by H. Voxman (published by Hal Leonard) or Ferling 48 Famous Studies (published by Southern).
  In addition to performing movements or etudes, students will be asked to play major scales and to sight read a short excerpt.
  Students are invited to play jazz in the audition in addition to playing standard repertoire.  Contrasting pieces can be chosen from one of the many Jamey Aebersold books.  Students should be prepared to perform the melody and improvisation.
  The audition can be played on any saxophone but it should be known that the majority of saxophone repertoire is written for alto so students admitted to the program will be expected to play alto in private lessons.
• Jazz Guitar: Guitarists will be scheduled ONLY after submitting a pre-audition tape. Use this link to see your requirements.
• The written theory test is used for placement and includes intervals, triads, and major and minor scales in treble and bass clefs, and notation of simple melodies. No theory training is expected beyond that normally acquired through performing experiences.

Auditions for Ensembles (you do not need to be a music major to participate in these ensembles)

Audition information for the following instrumental ensembles--Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, and Concert Band*--and for the vocal ensemble, Opera Workshop:

All Strings: Tuesday, September 1, 2009, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm.
Visit www.unhorchestras.org for more information and to schedule your string audition.
All Brass: Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Flutes & Clarinets: Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone & Percussion: Thursday, September 3, 2009
Opera Workshop: Thursday, September 3, 3:40 - 5:00 pm. Opera Workshop requires a prepared classical song or aria.

*Concert Band auditions are for seating purposes only.

The Marching Band and the Concert Choir do not require an audition to participate.  Please contact Casey Goodwin if you are interested in Marching Band and Marching Band Camp at 603-862-3259.

Auditions for Chamber Singers are arranged through William Kempster, room M-125, PCAC. To participate, you must be a member of the Concert Choir.

Jazz Bands audition information will be posted outside of M-129, PCAC.

Guitar Ensemble information is available from David Newsam.

Look for additional information on audition location & time outside M-203, Paul Creative Arts Center, starting mid-August.
Instrumentalists should prepare a short piece. Additional requirements will be posted outside M-203 and on the UNH band website.

UNH Bands