AUDITIONS
Each student desiring admission to Keene State College as a music major is required to pass an audition with a member of the music faculty.  When requesting an audition, students must specify which instrument or voice on which they intend to audition. All students are encouraged to apply and audition early in the year to ensure eligibility for appropriate financial assistance.

Each student will be sent an Audition Data Form for contact information, musical and academic interests, a list of all repertoire studied and/or performed, and a list of pieces to be performed at the audition. Please complete and return this form to the Music Department at least two weeks prior to the audition.

A music theory placement test will be administered to each music applicant on the day of the audition. Students with no or little theory background are encouraged to find a tutor, a web site (e.g., www.musictheory.net), software, and/or a self instruction book to become familiar with the basic theory and notation of music (clefs, key signatures, intervals, chords, grand staff, rhythmic notation, meters, time signatures).

SPECIFIC AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
GUITAR
• Major scales in first position (C, G, D, A, E, F)
• Two short pieces or etudes that demonstrate a basic technique (suggested composers are Sor, Carcassi, Brouwer, or Tarrega)
• Students with a jazz or electric guitar background may prepare a jazz standard as part of their audition

PERCUSSION
• Required: Two prepared, contrasting snare drum solos or etudes (preferably one in simple and one in compound time); basic rudiments; snare drum sight-reading. A snare drum will be provided but auditionees should bring his or her own sticks.
• Optional: timpani, mallet, and drum set pieces

PIANO, ORGAN
• Applicants for the Music Education or Bachelor of Arts programs must perform from memory at least two contrasting pieces – one by J.S. Bach, Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven, and the other from the late-19th or 20th century
• Applicants for the Performance program have the same requirements as above, plus one additional piece in contrast to the other two selections
• Be prepared to sight read and to present any technical studies (two-octave major and minor scales, arpeggios, etudes)

BOWED STRINGS
• Major and minor scales, preferably two octaves
• Two contrasting pieces: slow/fast movements of sonatas, concertos, or etudes demonstrating lyrical and technical playing
• Sight reading
• Students with a jazz or electric bass background may prepare a jazz standard as part of their audition

VOICE
• Perform from memory two songs of different styles, at least one being classical
• Sight singing
• Vocalizing on scales and arpeggios
• Interview with voice faculty

WOODWINDS AND BRASS
• Major, minor, and chromatic scales, preferably two octaves
• Two contrasting pieces: slow/fast movements of sonatas, concertos, or etudes demonstrating lyrical and technical playing
• Sight reading