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Admission

The Interview

The Music Department requests that all prospective undergraduate, transfer, and teacher certification students interview with the Music Chair or a music faculty advisor. Inquiries may begin at the Music Department, the Admissions Department or the Comenius Center. Although the University Admissions Department and the Comenius Center determine admission to the University, the Music Department determines whether the student is admitted as a music major.

NEW UNDERGRADUATE students should consider the interview a time to ask questions about the various music degrees offered, campus life, performing ensembles, and other questions that help to see that Moravian would be a good fit for their undergraduate pursuits. If possible, bring a parent along - they can be of assistance in our conversation. All new students must also audition. Audition information is in the next section.

TRANSFER UNDERGRADUATE students should bring a copy of their transcript to the interview (an official one must be submitted to Admissions). The interview is a time to begin determining just how many more semesters will be needed for your degree. Transfer students must also audition. Audition information is in the next section.

POST-BACCALAUREATE music education certification candidates must bring copies of transcript(s) to the interview - forwarding your transcript(s) along with a note to the Music Chair before your scheduled interview would save time. Here is a handy tool (check-list of music education requirements) to begin thinking about how your past degree(s) line(s) up with Moravian's music education curriculum: Post-baccalaureate equivalent form!

The Audition

Each music major will demonstrate improvement in a primary performance area while at ΢ÃÜÆƽâ. Therefore, the prospective music student must audition in a primary performance area (vocal or instrumental) to be studied while a music major.  Composition majors must also maintain a primary performance area. The prospective music student wishing to study secondary instruments or voice does not audition in any
secondary area. Minors and non-majors do not audition.

The audition consists of a performance of two pieces in contrasting styles and an individually-administered assessment of aural skills, musicianship, keyboard skills, and music theory. The choice of two audition pieces is left to the prospective student.  Instrumentalists will be asked to prepare and be able to play major scales, as well as the chromatic scale from memory. With advance notice, the Music Department can
provide an accompanist for the prospective vocalist that is unable to bring one. A playback system (WiFi or wired) will be available for those auditioning as jazz majors.

Percussionists should prepare one selection each on snare, timpani, and mallet keyboard. Rudiments will be heard as well as major scales on keyboard instruments (prepare all major scales in all 12 keys and the chromatic scale).
 

Classical pianists are urged to memorize their audition pieces.

 

Audition Dates:  Saturday, November 16, 2024 / Friday & Saturday, January 10 & 11, 2025 / Saturday, March 15, 2025

For additional information please contact Dawn Rodriguez at rodriguezd03@moravian.edu

Music Department Audition Requirements

Music Major Auditions

(music minors do not need to audition)

1. Prepare two pieces of your choice with contrasting style/character. Memorization is preferable. A polished performance of an easy work is also preferable to a sloppy performance of a more difficult work.
2. Instrumentalists will be asked to be prepared to play (from memory) major scales
   in all 12 keys and well as the chromatic scale.
3. Percussionists should prepare a piece each on snare drum, timpani, and mallets
   (xylophone, marimba, etc.) as well as play rudiments on the snare, and prepare
   major scales in all 12 keys (as well as the chromatic scale).
4. VOCAL AUDITIONS ONLY: If you need an accompanist and are unable to
   provide your own, please provide Dawn Rodriguez (rodriguezd03@moravian.edu) with the names of your selections/and
   how many sharps and flats are in each. If the Department of Music is notified
   of your selections at least two weeks before your audition, we will provide
   an accompanist.
5. If requested, audio playback will be made available for jazz auditions.
6. A short ear-training exam will be individually administered. This includes
   matching pitch; sight-singing a melody; singing ascending and descending
   simple intervals; identifying triads; and performing rhythms.
7. A piano proficiency exam will also be given. The exam includes four levels: sight-
   reading of simple songs with accompaniment; playing and singing a simple song;
   improvising a varied accompaniment (for example, Alberti bass or block-chord
   harmonization); and adding chords (I, IV, V) at sight to a simple melody.

Ensemble Auditions

(take place the first week of the semester)

Moravian Choir and Women’s Chorus Auditions

• Auditions for vocal ensembles are held on the first day of the semester from 4-6pm.
• Prepare one piece, accompanist will be provided
• You’ll be asked to do some sight-singing and vocalizing
• Contact the director, Dr. Paula Zerkle, at zerkle@moravian.edu for more information

Orchestra (fall and spring) and Wind Ensemble (spring) Auditions

• Seating auditions take place the first rehearsal of the semester.

Greyhound Marching Band (fall)

• No audition is required. Placement will be at the discretion of the Director of Instrumental Music.

Jazz Ensembles

• Please consult the ensemble director, Dr. Neil Wetzel, at nwetzel@moravian.edu