Music Audition/Portfolio Requirements
Music Audition/Portfolio Requirements
Undergraduate Music Audition/Portfolio Information
All students applying to the Music Department for degrees in Music Performance, Music Education, Music Therapy, Composition, and/or Jazz Studies must demonstrate, by audition, an outstanding level of performance on their instrument or voice. Audition guidelines are provided below, listed by instrument/voice area. Additionally, Music Therapy and Music Education applicants must complete additional requirements.
The Department of Music also offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music degree. Acceptance into this liberal arts program does not require an audition; however, applicants to the B.A. must interview with a faculty member from the instrument or vocal area in which they are seeking to study. B.A. applicants who would like to be considered for a scholarship must complete an audition.
Music Audition Dates
Auditions for entry into the Music program will be held on the following dates:
- Saturday, January 24, 2026
- Sunday, February 15, 2026
- Saturday, March 7, 2026
Applicants will be able to schedule their audition directly within their applicant portal once their application has been submitted.
Video submissions are also accepted for both Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 entry.
If you are applying for the Music Minor or are a current Rowan student interested in changing your major to Music, please sign up for an audition by completing this form.
Music Theory Placement Exams
The written theory placement exam asks questions involving rhythm and meter, key signatures, scales, intervals, and chords.
The aural placement tests asks students to identify rhythms, scales, chords, and melodic excerpts.
New Incoming Students- links to access both sections of the placement test can be found on your Application Status Portal.
Current Rowan Students- links to access both sections of the placement test will be included in your audition confirmation email.
Music Audition Requirements
Music Education- Additional Requirements
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:
- Their background and experience with music, music leadership, and interacting with children
- The purpose of music education in schools
- Diversity as it relates to teaching culturally and linguistically diverse students
- Future goals in music education
Music Therapy- Additional Requirements
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:
- 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.
- 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
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Composition
- Submit three works (score and audio) that best represent your composition skills.
- Works may be any style.
- Scores must accompany all pieces. Scores should be presented as accurately as possible. If submitting via email, please send scores in PDF format only.
- 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
Classical Guitar
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
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
- Performance track:
- Choose one major and one minor scale and arpeggios (4 octaves, hands together)
- One fast movement of a Beethoven (excluding Op.49), Haydn or Mozart Sonata (excluding K.545).
- A work of advanced difficulty by one of the following composers: Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, or Liszt.
- for example, Brahms Rhapsodies, Op. 79; Chopin Grand Valse Brilliant, Op. 18; Schumann Papillons
- A Prelude and Fugue from Well Tempered Clavier, Books I or II of J. S. Bach
- All other tracks:
- Choose one major and one minor scales and arpeggios (4 octaves, hands together)
- One fast movement of a Beethoven (excluding Op.49), Haydn or Mozart Sonata (excluding K.545).
- A work of al least early advanced difficulty by one of the following composers: Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, or Liszt.
- Chopin Waltzes, Schumann Arabesque,
- A Prelude and Fugue from The Well Tempered Clavier, Bks I or II; or a 3-part Invention (Sinfonia) of J. S. Bach
- Also required of all applicants:
- Intended audition program, submitted to Veda Zuponcic two months before the scheduled audition date.
-
Piano Recommendation Letter
The letter of recommendation should be written by a private piano instructor, school music teacher, or other qualified music professional who is familiar with the applicant’s musical background. The letter should address the following:
- The applicant’s overall musical abilities and pianistic skill level
- Repertoire studied and performed under the recommender’s instruction
- Work ethic, practice habits, and capacity for growth
- Performance experience, including solo and/or collaborative settings
- Any notable achievements, such as competition participation, evaluations, or musical leadership roles
- The applicant’s potential for success in a collegiate-level music program
The letter should be written on official letterhead if possible and submitted through the designated application platform.
-
Piano Resume
Please include the following information as part of your piano resume:
- Total number of years of formal piano study
- A representative list of advanced repertoire you have studied and/or performed (include composers and specific works when possible)
- Details of any competition, adjudication, or audition experience (e.g., festivals, competitions, masterclasses, evaluations)
- Related musical activities such as accompanying for school ensembles, church services, community organizations, or collaborative performances
This information helps the audition committee better understand your background, technical level, and performance experience.
Percussion
Percussion
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
You are encouraged to schedule a complimentary lesson with Dr. Oliveira, in person or via Zoom, before their audition date or video submission. To set-up the lesson, please email him at oliveira@rowan.edu.All music listed, as well as sticks and mallets can be purchased from Steve Weiss Music (steveweissmusic.com).
Strings
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
Prof. Douglas Mapp- 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
- Etude: Choose one etude from Pozzoli, "Studies of Medium Difficulty" (#5, #7, #10, #11, or #14), or Bach-Grandjany, "Etudes for Harp"
- Solos: Choose one of the following: Sonata in C Minor (first movement), by Dussek, Theme and Variations, by Hadyn (arr. Salzedo), Theme and Variations, by Handel, Passacaille, by Handel (arr. Beon), Song in the Night, by Salzedo, First Arabesque, by Debussy, Vers La Source, by Tournier (or substitute a solo from the standard repertoire of equal or greater difficulty)
Voice
Voice
Voice Performance
Applicants for the Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance must sing three contrasting pieces from the classical music repertoire.- One Italian Song from the 17th or 18th century
- One English art song from the Baroque through Contemporary period
- One other song from the classical repertoire of the applicant’s choice
- 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.
- Applicants should provide sheet music to accompanist as they enter the room.
Music Education, Bachelor of Arts, Music Therapy, Composition with Voice Concentration, Music Minor
Applicants for the Bachelor of Music in Music Education-Voice, Bachelor of Arts (for students seeking scholarships only), Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy-Voice, Bachelor of Music in Composition -Voice and the Music Minor-Voice 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.
- Applicants should provide sheet music to accompanist as they enter the room.
Woodwinds
Woodwinds
Bassoon
- 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):
- Telemann Sonata in F minor.
- Mozart Concerto in Bb major, K 191 (movements 1 and 2)
- Bourdeau Premier Solo
Clarinet
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- Major scales with up to four flats and four sharps in the key signature AND any type of relative or parallel minors of those scales. Full range scales are preferred, but one- or two-octave is acceptable.
- Matching pitch vocally with a played pitch on the keyboard.
- Sight-reading.
- Briefly discuss:
- Why you are interested in pursuing music
- Your career goals
- The contributions you’d like to make to your community through music
Jazz and Commercial Music Performance (Instrumental and Vocal)
Jazz and Commercial Music Performance
Jazz Winds, Bass, Guitar, and Piano
- Play the melody to Charlie Parker's 'Donna Lee'. The person auditioning selects tempo. The song is to be played from beginning to end without stopping. Donna Lee does not have to be memorized.
- Play melody and improvise to at least two choruses of Duke Ellington's 'Take the A Train' in concert C. Accompaniment will be provided. 'Take the A Train' does not have to be memorized. The person auditioning selects tempo.
- Play selected sight readings.
Jazz Guitar- Please bring electric guitar and small amplifier to auditions.
For Jazz Education majors, audition requirements are the same as the instrumental education requirements.If you have questions about the jazz portion of the audition, please call Denis DiBlasio, Coordinator of Jazz Studies & Composition, (856) 256-4500, ext. 3528.
Jazz Drums
Applicants to the Jazz Performance major in drums may be asked to demonstrate any the following:
- Jazz/swing time at a variety of tempos with both sticks and brushes
- Bossa, samba, or mambo
- Play one chorus of time over the form of a tune chosen by the applicant from the following list (Transition between brushes and sticks for various sections of the form - to be determined by the audition panel):
- Autumn Leaves
- Lester Leaps In
- Satin Doll
- Take The A Train
- There Is No Greater Love
- Trade 4’s or 8’s over the form of a tune from the list
- Solo over the form of a tune from the list
- Sightread a single line snare drum étude
Vocal Jazz
Applicants for the Bachelor of Music in Vocal Jazz and Commercial Music Performance must sing three pieces from memory in contrasting styles.
- Prepare two choruses of All of Me by Marks and Simons. Vocalist must perform the melody of the song and one chorus of improvisation in medium swing feel or up-tempo swing feel.
- Prepare one selection from the following list:
- Wave or One Note Samba by Antônio Carlos Jobim (Bossa or Samba tempo)
- Prelude to a Kiss by Ellington, Gordon & Mills (Ballad tempo)
- Prepare one Musical Theater selection written prior to 1970 or one selection from the Classical time period (1750-1820) in any language. This material should be appropriate to the applicant’s voice and current musical development.
- Brief test of sight-reading short rhythmic and melodic examples, pitch memory and chord tone recognition.
- Vocalists should prepare two major scales, two natural minor scales and two blues scales of their choice. All scales may be sung on solfeggio syllables, note names or on the syllable La.
- Applicants will be asked to vocalize through their full range to demonstrate ability to navigate through vocal registers.
Applicants are encouraged to bring a Repertoire List of works, songs or exercises studied to their live audition.
Accompaniment or backing tracks must be supplied by the applicant. The pieces must be accompanied by either a pianist or a background piano accompaniment track, or combo (bass, drums, piano) track which may be found on YouTube, an APP called APPcompanist, or a private arrangement with a pianist. Suggested backing tracks for jazz selections can be found in the “iReal” app. Applicants are welcome to bring their own accompanist to their audition.
If you have questions about the audition, please contact Dr. Annie Sciolla, Head of Vocal Jazz Studies: sciolla@rowan.edu
Music Industry Requirements
Music Industry Applicants
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.
Essay Requirement
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.
Portfolio Requirement
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.
Current Rowan Students
All students wishing to join the Music Industry major must submit the same applications materials as above. If you are currently enrolled as a Rowan University student looking to change your major to Music Industry please complete the following form. For questions, please contact Program Director, Mathieu Gendreau at gendreau@rowan.edu.