CRITICAL INFORMATION
FOR ALL STUDENTS APPLYING TO PROGRAMS
IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
Sound Recording Technology
Music Business
Music Performance
Music Studies (Preparatory Degree for Our
Master of Music in Music Teaching)
Admission to the Department of Music at the University of Massachusetts Lowell is by entrance
audition only. All entering freshmen and undergraduate transfer students who have been admitted
to the University are required to pass an entrance audition and take a theory diagnostic examination.
The admissions process is a two-part process:
Step 1
Submit an application to the University’s Admissions Office: http://uml.edu/Admissions
Step 2
As soon as an applicant receives an acceptance letter from the University’s Admissions
Office, he/she should schedule an entrance audition on one of the scheduled auditions
dates by calling the Department of Music at 978-934-3850
Applicants should be aware that acceptance into the Department of Music is a competitive
process. We therefore recommend that serious applicants schedule an earlier audition date
rather than a later one.
It is expected that students will spend extensive time in preparation for the entrance audition process;
private instrumental or vocal instruction is essential. Students auditioning must demonstrate
sufficient technical and musical skill on an instrument or in the vocal area to provide evidence of
readiness to undertake college level instruction.
For specific instrumental/vocal requirements proceed to the entrance audition information
page: http://www.uml.edu/college/arts_sciences/Music/ and then click on “Prospective
Students”.
Applicants will be required to complete a short music theory diagnostic exam on their audition
day. The results of this examination do not affect acceptance.
THEORY DIAGNOSTIC EXAMINATION
All applicants are required to take a Theory Diagnostic Examination on the scheduled audition
day. This test determines how prepared one is to begin the serious study of music. The results of
this examination do not affect acceptance into the program, though they do determine whether
a student is prepared for Music Theory 1 and Aural Skills 1. The test covers the following
material:
•
standard notational practices in treble and bass clefs;
•
conventional beaming practices in simple and compound meters;
•
identification of commonly used meters;
•
all major and minor (natural, harmonic, and melodic) scales;
•
the spelling and recognition of simple intervals;
•
the key signatures of all major and minor keys;
•
•
the spelling and recognition of major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads;
basic aural skills.
Students who fail this diagnostic examination are strongly encouraged to take our Fundamentals of
Musicianship course in the second summer session to prepare for Music Theory 1 and Aural Skills 1 in
the fall semester.
For self study, we recommend practicing with the following software program:
Jeff Evans, Practica Musica, ARS Nova Software;
or, using one of these programmed texts:
Paul Harder and Greg Steinke, Basic Materials in Music Theory,
Allyn and Bacon.
John Clough and Joyce Conley, Scales, Intervals, Keys, Triads, Rhythm
and Meter, W.W. Norton.
or, this website may be helpful: http://www.musictheory.net/index.html
Free music theory and aural skills tutoring is available during the regular academic semester schedule.
The Music Technology Lab on the fourth floor of Durgin Hall is also available for your use in
enhancing your theory and aural skills work.
ENTRANCE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
BRASS
Private instruction is essential, and it is expected that students will spend extensive time in preparation
for the audition. Original compositions are not appropriate for an entrance audition.
Applicants for all music degree programs must successfully audition on their instrument in order to be accepted
into the Department of Music.
In addition to major scales, all applicants for admission to the undergraduate brass program should
prepare one solo work and one etude. The following lists of repertoire should be used as a guideline for the
entrance audition and to indicate the standards expected of an undergraduate student. However, applicants are
not limited to these suggestions when selecting their audition repertoire. Selection of literature for the entrance
audition should be discussed with the applicants’ private instructor and/or band/orchestra director.
On audition day, applicants should bring a copy of the audition pieces to be performed.
Specific questions may be addressed by calling the Department of Music at 978-934-3850, or by emailing the
Head of Brass using the subject line “entrance audition” to: [email protected]
TRUMPET
Studies
Solos
HORN
Studies
Solos
36 Studies
34 Studies
Legende Heroique
Concert Etude
Debutante
Concerto in B flat
Saint Jacome/Bousquet
Brandt-Nagel
J. Mouquet
Goedicke (Glover)
H.L. Clarke
Arutunian
60 Etudes
Four (4) Concertos
Concerto #1
Chant Lointain
Kopprasch
Mozart
Richard Strauss
E. Bozza
TROMBONE/EUPHONIUM
Studies Melodious Etudes 1
60 Selected Studies
Solos
Andante and Allegro
Morceau Symphonique
Piece Concertante
Concerto in A minor
TUBA
Studies
43 Bel Canto Studies
60 Studies
Solos
Air and Bourree
Bordogni-Rouchut
Kopprasch
Barat
Guilmant
Rousseau
Vivaldi
Bordogni-Roberts
Kopprasch
Bach-Bell
Suite for Tuba
Haddad
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ENTRANCE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
KEYBOARD
Private instruction is essential, and it is expected that students will spend extensive time in preparation
for the audition. Original compositions are not appropriate for an entrance audition.
Applicants for all music degree programs must successfully audition on their instrument in order to be accepted
into the Department of Music.
The following lists of repertoire should be used as a guideline for the entrance audition and to indicate the
standards expected of an undergraduate student. However, applicants are not limited to these suggestions when
selecting their audition repertoire. Selection of literature for the entrance audition should be discussed with the
applicants’ private instructor.
PIANO
In addition to all major scales & arpeggios, applicants to the keyboard program must be prepared to perform two
pieces of contrasting style and character. The following examples represent the minimum degree of difficulty
required:
Two-part Inventions
Sonatinas, op. 36
Scenes from Childhood, op. 15
Mikrokosmos, Vol. IV
Bach
Clementi
Schumann
Bartok
The applicant may perform one or more pieces in jazz and/or other styles, but must include at least one piece
from the above repertoire or a selection of equal difficulty as those listed. Applicants wishing to perform on an
electronic keyboard must supply their own instrument. In addition, they must be prepared to play at least one
piece on the acoustic piano.
On audition day, applicants should bring a copy of the audition pieces to be performed.
Specific questions may be addressed by calling the Department of Music at 978-934-3850 or by emailing the Head
of Keyboard using the subject line “entrance audition” to: [email protected].
ORGAN
In addition to all major and minor scales and arpeggios on the pedals, applicants to the organ program all
applicants should be prepared to perform
1.
2.
3.
A work by J.S. Bach, Buxtehude, Couperin, or other baroque composer.
A romantic work, such as a movement from a sonata by Mendelssohn or
chorale-prelude by Brahms.
A twentieth century composition.
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ENTRANCE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
PERCUSSION
Private instruction is essential, and it is expected that students will spend extensive time in preparation
for the audition. Original compositions are not appropriate for an entrance audition.
Applicants should be aware that there are limited spaces for each instrument, particularly guitar
and percussion so preparing and scheduling an earlier audition date is recommended.
Applicants for all music degree programs must successfully audition on their instrument in order to be accepted
into the Department of Music.
The purpose of the percussion audition is to evaluate applicants’ musicality, technique, rhythm, sense of pitch, and
ability to read musical notation. Selection of literature for the entrance audition should be discussed with their
percussion instructor or band director.
All candidates must successfully demonstrate ability to execute on
Snare Drum:
1.
A roll (open & closed) at various dynamic levels.
2.
Rudiments.
3.
Sight-reading.
4.
A snare drum solo of at least intermediate difficulty, for example,
Intermediate Snare Drum by M. Peters or Portraits in Rhythm by A. Cirone.
In addition, candidates must also audition in one of the following three areas:
1.
Drumset:
a.
Demonstrate ability to play various "grooves" (ex. bossa nova,
samba, jazz, funk, jazz waltz, etc.).
b.
Demonstrate ability to "trade two's".
c.
Demonstrate ability to musically improvise solo.
2.
Mallets:
a.
Demonstrate ability to play all major scales (2 octaves).
b.
Play a prepared, written solo on xylophone, marimba or vibes.
3.
Timpani:
a.
Demonstrate ability to tune timpani.
b.
Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental technique.
c.
Play a prepared, written solo of intermediate difficulty.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell will supply all percussion instruments for your audition. Please bring your
own sticks and mallets. On audition day, applicants should bring a copy of the audition pieces to be performed.
Specific questions may be addressed by calling the Department of Music at 978-934-3850.
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ENTRANCE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
VOICE
Private instruction is essential, and it is expected that students will spend extensive time in preparation
for the audition. Original compositions are not appropriate for an entrance audition.
Applicants for all music degree programs must successfully audition on their instrument in order to be accepted
into the Department of Music.
All applicants for admission to the undergraduate voice program must be prepared to perform, from memory,
selections from the following:
Solos
One Italian art song from the Classical Italian Anthology
One art song in English
One art song or a contemporary piece of the singer’s choice.
Selection of literature for the entrance audition should be discussed with the applicants’ private instructor and/or
choral director.
An art song is a classical song written from the 17th century to the present (not pop, musical theatre, jazz and not
an aria from an opera or an oratorio). An art song can also include classical arrangements of folk songs. In brief,
it’s a short form classical vocal piece with a poetic text. Examples of art song composers in English (American
and British) are: Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, Roger Quilter, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Benjamin Britten, John
Dowland, Gerald Finzi, Ned Rorem, Leonard Bernstein, John Duke, Charles Ives, Henry Purcell, Michael Head.
A contemporary piece may be a selection from musical theatre, pop, or jazz repertoire and should demonstrate
vocal quality and appropriate vocal style. For a musical theatre or jazz repertoire an accompanist or recording of
the music is required. For a pop selection, self accompaniment is an option.
Be sure pieces are of contrasting styles, as well as being demonstrative of the student's technical facility
and musical expressiveness.
Applicants must provide their own accompanist or recording of their music for the audition. If not bringing an
accompanist, you must provide your own audio equipment for rehearsing in a practice room prior to your audition.
On audition day, applicants should bring a copy of the audition pieces to be performed. Specific questions may
be addressed by calling the Department of Music at 978-934-3850.
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ENTRANCE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
WOODWINDS
Private instruction is essential, and it is expected that students will spend extensive time in preparation
for the audition. Original compositions are not appropriate for an entrance audition.
Applicants for all music degree programs must successfully audition on their instrument in order to be accepted
into the Department of Music.
In addition to major scales, all applicants for admission to the undergraduate woodwinds program should
prepare one solo work and one etude. The following lists of repertoire should be used as a guideline for your
audition and to indicate the standards expected of an undergraduate student. However, applicants are not limited
to these suggestions when selecting their audition repertoire. Selection of literature for the entrance audition
should be discussed with the applicants’ private instructor or band director.
On audition day, applicants should bring a copy of the audition pieces to be performed.
Specific questions may be addressed by calling the Department of Music at 978-934-3850 or by emailing:
Professor David Martins, Head of Woodwinds, using the subject line “entrance audition”:
[email protected].
FLUTE
25 Etudes, op.15
Sonatas
Concerti
French Solo Pieces
Andersen
Bach
Mozart
Boza, Debussy, Ibert
48 Famous Studies for Oboe
Sonatas
Romances
W. Ferling
Handel
Schumann
OBOE
CLARINET
Excerpts from 25 Etudes
Excerpts from 32 Etudes
Concerto
Concerto
Jeanjean
Rose
Weber
Mozart
BASSOON
Excerpts from Studies, Volume II
Concerto
Weissenborn
Mozart
Woodwinds continured
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SAXOPHONE
One prepared piece from list below or other appropriate performance literature for your instrument (should be
approximately grade 4 or higher), one etude, and also be prepared to play any
of the 12 major scales.
Etudes
Selected Studies
25 Daily Exercises
48 Etudes
Voxman
Klose
Ferling
ALTO SAXOPHONE
Sonata
Sonata
Concerta
Heiden
Lunde
Glazounov
TENOR SAXOPHONE
Andante and Allegro
Concerto
Handel/Gee
Bennett
BARITONE SAXOPHONE
Septieme Solo deConcert
Recitative and Rondino
Singletree
Koepke
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ENTRANCE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
STRINGS-CLASSICAL
Private instruction is essential, and it is expected that students will spend extensive time in preparation
for the audition. Original compositions are not appropriate for an entrance audition.
Applicants for all music degree programs must successfully audition on their instrument in order to be accepted
into the Department of Music.
Audition requirements for applicants to the strings program:
1.
Two contrasting solos demonstrating technical facility and musical expressiveness;
2.
Two etudes/technical studies from recognized string literature
3.
Scales/arpeggios in 2 octaves (classical bass-1 octave) all major/minor keys.
The following lists of repertoire should be used as a guideline for the entrance audition and to indicate the
standards expected of an undergraduate student. However, applicants are not limited to these suggestions when
selecting their audition repertoire. Selection of literature for the entrance audition should be discussed with the
applicants’ private instructor or band/orchestra director.
On audition day, applicants should bring a copy of the audition pieces to be performed.
Specific questions may be addressed by calling the Department of Music at 978-934-3850 or by emailing Dr. Kay
Roberts, Head of Orchestral Strings, using subject line “entrance audition”: [email protected].
VIOLIN
Etudes/technical studies
Sonatas
Concerti
Kayser, Mazas, Schradieck, Sevcik
Bach, Handel, Corelli
Bach, Mozart
Etudes/technical studies
Sonatas
Concerti
Kayser, Mazas, Schradlieck, Sevcik
Telemann, Handel
Telemann, CPE Bach
Scales/arpeggios
Etudes/studies
Sonatas
Concerti
Grutzmacher
Dotzauer, Krane
Eccles, Vivaldi, Boccherini
Breval, Haydn
VIOLA
CELLO
CLASSICAL BASS (UPRIGHT, ACOUSTIC)
Etudes/technical studies
Sonatas
Concerti
Nanny, Simandl, Zimmerman
Eccles, Vivaldi, Marcello
Dragonetti, Koussevitzky, Capuzzi
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ENTRANCE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
CLASSICAL GUITAR
Private instruction is essential, and it is expected that students will spend extensive time in preparation
for the audition. Original compositions are not appropriate for an entrance audition.
Applicants for all music degree programs must successfully audition on their instrument in order to be
accepted into the Department of Music. Applicants should be aware that there are limited spaces for
each instrument, particularly guitar and percussion so preparing and scheduling an earlier audition
date is recommended.
The following lists of repertoire should be used as a guideline for the entrance audition and to indicate the
standards expected of an undergraduate student. Selection of literature for the entrance audition should be
discussed with the applicants’ private instructor.
In addition to major and minor scales, applicants who wish to study classical guitar should prepare
(preferably from memory) one etude, study, or concert piece from two of the following categories (other
composers of the same period may be used):
Renaissance
Milan
Narvaez
Dowland
or
Baroque
Scarlatti
Weiss
Bach
Classical
Carcassi
Sor
Giuliani
or
Romantic
Tarrega
Coste
Mertz
Twentieth Century
Ponce
Villa-Lobos
Barrios
On audition day, applicants should bring a copy of the audition pieces to be performed.
Specific questions may be addressed by calling the Department of Music at 978-934-3850.
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ENTRANCE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
ELECTRIC GUITAR OR STEEL-STRING ACOUSTIC GUITAR
Private instruction is essential, and it is expected that students will spend extensive time in
preparation for the audition. Original compositions are not appropriate for an entrance audition.
Applicants for all music degree programs must successfully audition on their instrument in order to
be accepted into the Department of Music.
Applicants should be aware that there are limited spaces for each instrument, particularly
guitar and percussion so preparing and scheduling an earlier audition date is recommended.
Audition requirements of all applicants planning to study steel-string, electric, or acoustic
guitar are:
1.
The following two solos (using the arrangements which are attached or
downloadable from the Department of Music website):
Green Bossa (2 pages) and
M. Carcassi
Rudiments:
2.
Major scale, all keys, two octaves ascending and descending. May use
moveable fingering.
3.
Harmonic and natural minor scales, all keys, two octaves ascending and
descending. Moveable fingering is acceptable.
4.
Melodic sight reading. You will be given a few minutes to prepare this,
immediately prior to audition.
5
Chord accompaniment sight reading including major, minor, major seventh,
dominant seventh, minor seventh, diminished seventh, minor seventh flat five
chords. You will be given a few minutes to prepare this, immediately prior to
audition.
6.
Major and minor triad arpeggios, one octave ascending and descending, all keys.
Moveable fingering acceptable.
On audition day, applicants should bring a copy of the audition pieces to be performed. Specific questions
may be addressed by calling the Department of Music at 978-934-3850.
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ENTRANCE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
STRINGS – JAZZ BASS, ELECTRIC, ACOUSTIC
Private instruction is essential, and it is expected that students will spend extensive time in
preparation for the audition. Original compositions are not appropriate for an entrance audition.
Applicants for all music degree programs must successfully audition on their instrument in order to be
accepted into the Department of Music.
Applicants should be aware that there are limited spaces for each instrument, particularly guitar
and percussion so preparing and scheduling an earlier audition date is recommended.
Audition requirements of all applicants planning to study jazz bass, electric or acoustic are:
1.
The following two pieces (using the arrangements which are attached or
downloadable from the Department of Music website):
Minuet
and
Page 426 (medium swing)
2.
Major, natural minor, melodic minor and harmonic scales, one octave, ascending
and descending, in eighth notes at 80 beats per minute.
3.
Major seventh, minor seventh, dominant seventh and half diminished chord
arpeggios, one octave, ascending and descending.
4.
Sight read a simple bass line including eighth-note syncopations. You will be
given a few minutes to prepare this, immediately prior to the audition.
5.
Improvise a simple quarter-note bass line reading chord changes. You will be
given a few minutes to prepare this, immediately prior to the audition.
On audition day, applicants should bring a copy of the audition pieces to be performed.
Specific questions may be addressed by calling the Department of Music at 978-934-3850 or by emailing
Mr. Charles Gabriel, Bass Faculty, using the subject line “entrance audition”: [email protected]
.
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