Contact: Dr. Adrian Barnes (Instrumental); Dr. Vanessa Bond (Vocal)

In preparation for the music education interview, students must be able to speak intelligently on the following topics:

1. Their background and experience with music, music leadership, and interacting with children
2. The purpose of music education in schools
3. Diversity as it relates to teaching culturally and linguistically diverse students 
4. Future goals in music education

Contact: Dr. Andrea Hunt

Students wishing to major in Music Therapy must audition for an instrumental or vocal studio. Those audition details are listed by instrument/voice elsewhere on this webpage. Additionally, Music Therapy applicants must:

1. Sing a song while accompanying yourself on either piano or guitar. This may be a pop tune, children’s song, original composition, or selection from a musical. If you are not auditioning in person, you may submit a video instead along with your virtual audition videos. Save your video to a filesharing site (Dropbox, Google Drive) or to YouTube. Please ensure you have set your permissions so that your files are accessible.
2. Complete a short interview with the director of the program; if you are not auditioning in person, we will schedule this via Zoom or telephone.

For those auditioning virtually, Dr. Hunt will contact you to schedule an interview approximately within one week of receiving your video.

Brass

The following repertory lists are of suggested audition material. The Brass Faculty does not necessarily expect to hear all of these works in an audition. You may pick two or three contrasting pieces or substitute works of similar musical standard and difficulty. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Trumpet

Dr. Bryan Appleby-Wineberg

• The following lists are suggested repertory and are not meant to be cover the entire list of possible audition material. You should play what allows you to sound your best. As a guideline, select two contrasting items from the Etudes/Studies and Solos lists below. We need to hear you perform something fast and something slow (for example: Charlier Etude #2 and Sonata by Kennan Mvt. 1). We would also prefer to hear you perform orchestral excerpts, but they are not required. We look forward to meeting you and hearing you play.
• Etudes/Studies: Charlier, Bordogni, Any Arban Characteristic Study, Bousquet-36 Celebrated Studies (also appears in the Saint Jacome Method), Goldman- Practical Studies, etc.
• Solos: Concerti by Haydn, Hummel, Bohme, Arutiunian; Sonatas by Hindemith, Kennan, Stevens, Ewazen; Any works by Bozza (Badinage, Caprice, Rustiques), Goedicke-Concert Etude; Any coronet solo by H. L. Clarke or J.B. Arban. Any All-State High School Solo.
• Orchestral Excerpts: Composers: Mahler, Starvinsky, Dvorak, Beethoven, Mussorgsky, Ravel, Gershwin, Copland, Shostakovich, etc.

Horn

Prof. Lyndsie Wilson

• Studies: One or two Etudes from Kopprasch-60 Studies for Horn
• Solos: Mozart-Concerto No. 3, Mvt. I AND one contrasting piece of your choice

Trombone

Dr. Matt Walley: walley@rowan.edu

• Studies: Rochut-Melodious Etudes (one of your choice)
• Solos: Any of the NJ, NY, PA, DE All-State Solos (or one of your choice)

Euphonium

Prof. Michael Farhner

• Please prepare one study and one contrasting solo.
  • Studies: Rochut - Melodious Etudes - Book I, Tyrrell - 40 Progressive Studies for Trombone, or Arban - Characteristic Studies.
  • Solos: Barat - Introduction and Dance, De Luca - Beautiful Colorado, Capuzzo -Andante et Rondo (arr. Catelinet), Curnow - Rhapsody for Euphonium, Guilmant - Morceau Symphonique, Clark - Carnival of Venice, Horowitz - Euphonium Concerto, or similar-level solo.

Tuba

Prof. Brian Brown

• Studies: Rochert - Melodious Etudes - Book I, or Tyrrell - 40 Advanced Studies (arr. Jacobs).
• Solos: Capuzzi - Andante and Rondo (arr. Catelinet), Marcello-Sonata No. 1 or Sonata No.

Composition

Dr. Roberto Pace

1. Submit three works (score and audio) that best represent your composition skills. 
2. Works may be any style.
3. Scores must accompany all pieces. Scores should be presented as accurately as possible. If submitting via email, please send scores in PDF format only.
4. When sending by email, format audio file links to be accessed simply and opened easily. Audio links that need permission to open or need extra steps to get to the sound files will not be accepted.

If accepted, all composition majors will receive eight semesters of Major Applied composition lessons and four semesters of Secondary Applied lessons on a select instrument or voice.

Below you will find information about secondary instrument/voice placement auditions. The four semesters of Secondary Applied lessons must be completed in a single chosen discipline. (Ex: 4 semesters of Secondary Applied piano or 4 semesters of Secondary Applied Voice)

Woodwinds

• Two Etudes of your choice

Voice

• Applicants must sing two contrasting pieces from the classical music repertoire
  • One Italian art song from the 17th or 18th century
  • One English art song from the Baroque through Contemporary period
  • Musical theater selections, jazz, pop, or original compositions are not acceptable.
  • All songs are expected to be performed from memory demonstrating accuracy in pitch and rhythm with clear diction and expression of text.
  • During the academic year 2020-2021 all auditions will be by video submission. The pieces must be accompanied by either a pianist or a background piano accompaniment track, which may be found on YouTube, an APP called APPcompanist, or a private arrangement with a pianist.
  • Please follow guidelines for submitting your video audition articulated on the Music Department website. More details will be sent via email once you have registered for an audition.

Strings

• One solo piece

Percussion

• Set up a meeting directly with percussion professor Fabio Oliveira

Brass

• Two etudes of your choice

Classical Guitar

• One classical piece

Piano

• Composition majors are required to take Piano Classes  1, 2, 3 and 4. Students with secondary instrument of piano sign up for Piano Class to be placed in proper level.  Student then can test out of Piano Class 4 to qualify for Secondary Applied piano lessons.

Classical Guitar

Prof. Adam Cockerham

Demonstrations of scales and arpeggios. If the prepared audition piece does not sufficiently demonstrate these areas, then material from Andres Segovia's Major & Minor Diatonic Scales, published by Columbia and Mauro Giuliani's 120 Daily Studies may be used.

Demonstration of music reading ability (Material will be supplied at the audition)

A memorized piece from the repertoire of the classical guitar, played using the appropriate technique, of approximately five minutes duration.

Keyboard

Organ

• Studies: One exercise from Johnson-Instruction for Beginning Organists or Gleason Method of Organ Playing, or Bach- Orgelbuchlein (one Chorale prelude)
• 3 Solos: One selection from Bach-Little Fugues and Preludes, or Bach-Prelude and Fugue in E Minor(Cathedral), or Mendelssohn-Sonata Movement, or Vierne-Berceuse of Arabesque (24 pieces in free style) Plus Sight-read a homophonic 4-part passage (8-16 measures).

Piano

Prof. Veda Zuponcic

Percussion

Dr. Fabio Oliveira

For information on auditioning for Jazz Drums, please see the audition requirements under the "Jazz and Commercial Music Performance" section of this page.

Snare Drum

• (1) A solo etude/piece from one of the following books/authors below (or of similar level):
  • Vic Firth: The Solo Snare Drummer
  • Anthony Cirone: Portraits in Rhythm
  • Jacques Delecluse: Twelve Studies for the Snare Drum
  • Mitchell Peters

Mallet Instruments

• (2) Choose and demonstrate scales and arpeggios on TWO major scales, playing up and down 2-octaves of the instrument.
• (3) A solo piece/etude for a mallet instrument (marimba, vibraphone or xylophone), from the list below (or from the same composers, or of similar level):
  • Xylophone solos: Various Ragtimes by G. H. Green or J. H. Green
  • Vibraphone etudes/solos by: David Friedman, Arthur Lipner, Ney Rosauro, Nebosja Zivkovic, Mark Glentworth, Bill Molenhof, Larry Spivack etc…
  • Marimba solos:
    • Bart Quartier: Image
    • Daniel Berg: December
    • Ney Rosauro: Preludes
    • Mitchell Peters: Yellow after the Rain
    • Eric Sammut: Rotations
    • Paul Smadbeck: Etudes / Rhythm Song
    • Emanuel Sejournee: Nancy
    • J.S. Bach: any single movement from Cello Suites or Sonatas/Partitas for Violin

All Applicants

All music listed, as well as sticks and mallets can be purchased from Steve Weiss Music (steveweissmusic.com).

Strings

Violin

Bachelor of Arts (for students seeking scholarships only):

• SCALE - One three octave scale of your choice
• SOLO - Any prepared violin solo piece

Music Education:

• SCALES in 3 octaves, Major and Melodic Minor, up to 3 sharps and flats
• ETUDES - One from the following: Kreutzer 42 Studies, or an etude of equivalent difficulty
• SOLO - One solo of your choice, preferably a concerto or sonata movement from the Classical Period or later

Bachelor of Music (Performance):

• SCALES in 3 octaves, Major and Melodic Minor, up to 4 sharps and flats
• ETUDES - One from the following: Kreutzer 42 Studies, Rode, Gavinies, or an etude of equivalent difficulty
• SOLOS - First movement of a violin concerto from the Classical Period or later, with cadenza if applicable]
• One movement of a baroque sonata or partita

Music Therapy:

• SCALES - One three octave scale of your choice
• SOLOS - Any prepared solo piece

Viola

 Bachelor of Arts (for students seeking scholarships only):

• SCALE - One three octave scale of your choice
• SOLO - Any prepared viola solo piece

Music Education:

• SCALES in 3 octaves, Major and Melodic Minor, up to 3 sharps and flats
• ETUDES - One from the following: Kreutzer 42 Studies, or an etude of equivalent difficulty
• SOLO - One solo of your choice, preferably a concerto or sonata movement from the Classical Period or later

Bachelor of Music (Performance):

• SCALES in 3 octaves, Major and Melodic Minor, up to 4 sharps and flats
• ETUDES - One from the following: Kreutzer 42 Studies, Rode, Gavinies, or an etude of equivalent difficulty
• SOLOS - Two contrasting works from different periods

Music Therapy:

• SCALES - One three octave scale of your choice
• SOLOS - Any prepared solo piece

Cello

Bachelor of Arts (for students seeking scholarships only):

• Scale - one 3 octave major scale of up to 3 sharps or 3 flats
• Etude - one from Schroeder 170 Foundation Studies or an equivalent
• Solo - first movement of a concerto, sonata, suite or equivalent work

Music Education:

• Scale - one 3 octave major scale of up to 3 sharps or 3 flats
• Etude - one from Schroeder 170 Foundation Studies or an equivalent
• Solo - first movement of a concerto, sonata, suite or equivalent work

Applied Music (Performance):

• Scale - two 3 octave scales from 4 sharps or flats - one major and one minor
• Etude - one from Schroder 170 Foundations #40 up or a Popper study or an equivalent
• Solo - two contrasting pieces from different periods

Music Therapy:

• Scale - two 3 octave scales up to 3 sharps or flats - one major and one minor
• Solo - two contrasting pieces 

String Bass

• Scales: All major and natural minor scales two octaves. Scales should be played with eighth notes at quarter note equals 100 beats per minute playing one, two and four notes per bow.
• Studies: 1 etude chosen from the following: Simandl; 30 Etudes, Storch-Hrabe 57 Studies. (Applicant may choose a different etude of similar difficulty such as Bille, Kreutzer, Kayser).
• Solos: 2 contrasting movements of a baroque sonata or other solo of similar difficulty such as Vivaldi Sonata #3 in A Minor, Marcello Sonata #5 in C Major, Gardoni Suite in Classical Style.

Harp

Dr. Chelsea Lane

Voice

Prof. Lauren Athey-Janka

Woodwinds

Bassoon

Prof. Zachary Feingold

• All major scales
• Full-range chromatic scale
• Two contrasting etudes from either Milde Concert Studies and/or Weissenborn 50 Advanced Studies
• One of the following solo pieces (or equivalent to the following):
  1. Telemann Sonata in F minor.
  2. Mozart Concerto in Bb major, K 191 (movements 1 and 2)
  3. Bourdeau Premier Solo

Clarinet

Prof. Antonello DiMatteo

• All major scales in 2 to 3 octaves (slurred and tongued)
• Chromatic scale in 3 octaves (slurred)
• Two musical selections or pieces, movements of larger pieces, or etudes that contrast from each other in style. Please be sure to demonstrate lyrical playing and technical/fast/articulated passages.
• Two contrasting orchestral excerpts (optional for non-performance major)
• Possible sight-reading

Flute

Dr. Susanna Loewy

• 3 contrasting movements from different pieces
• Major scales in two octaves through 4 sharps/flats 
• Chromatic scale from low C to high C
• During your audition or virtual submission, please briefly respond to the following three questions: 
  • The big picture: Why is Music Education and performance important in our modern-day world? 
  • The local perspective: What communities are important to you, and how could music make a difference in those communities?
  • You experience: When did you fall in love with music?

Oboe

Dr. Marie Trudeau

• Two musical selections or movements of larger pieces, or etudes that contrast from each other in style. Please be sure to demonstrate lyrical playing and technical/fast passages.
• Two Major and Two Minor scales of your choosing
• Two octave chromatic scale, slurred
• Sight reading 
• Be prepared to answer questions about the role of music in your life, your career goals, and/or how music has helped shape your world. 

Saxophone

Dr. Noa Even

Jazz and Commercial Music Performance 

Jazz Winds, Bass, Guitar, and Piano

Prof. Denis DiBlasio

Jazz Drums

Minimum GPA: 2.7

All new incoming students wishing to pursue our Bachelor of Science in Music Industry must submit an essay and portfolio to the Department of Music, in addition to submitting their application to Rowan University.  An audition is not required. Applicants can submit their department requirements via their Applicant Status portal.

In this essay, applicants must address the reason why they want to pursue a career in the music industry. Tell us about any activities you have done related to the music industry (business or technology). Examples of such activities include music productions, playing in a band, promoting concerts, writing for a music blog, presenting on a radio show, DJing, managing social media, helping a band with live bookings, working with a band at their concerns, performing live sound for a school show or play, internships, summer programs, etc. We are looking for self-starters who already show a passion for the music industry, so please be as specific as possible.

New Incoming Students- Please complete essay requirement in your Applicant Status Portal.

Applicants should submit links to website or social media pages to demonstrate their work and collaborations. Links can include SoundCloud, Facebook, YouTue, Reverb Nation, Instagram and personal website. Direct links to Dropbox or Google Drive folders are also accepted.

New Incoming Students- Please upload portfolio under Digital Submission section found in the Applicant Status Portal.Once all requirements have been fulfilled, students will finalize their Digital Submission requirement.