Furman University

PIANO

• Prepare and perform one Sonata movement Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven
• One full or excerpted composition from the Romantic or Contemporary period.
• An additional Baroque composition would be appreciated, but is optional.
• Performance time limit: 15 minutes
• Memorization expected
• You will be asked to sight-read a brief selection
• The faculty will check your ear training and pitch-matching skills with brief aural aptitude exercises

ORGAN

• Prepare and perform two contrasting organ solo works
  Performance time limit: 12 minutes
• One solo composition on piano (see above criteria)
  Performance time limit: 5 minutes
• Memorization optional but preferred
• You will be asked to sight-read a brief organ selection
• The faculty will check your ear training and pitch-matching skills with brief aural aptitude exercises
• **Please bring appropriate organ shoes for your audition.  Extended warm-up and registration time will be scheduled prior to the audition.

ORCHESTRAL STRINGS

1. one movement from a standard concerto or comparable composition
2. one movement from an unaccompanied Bach sonata, partita or suite
3. an etude or caprice

VOICE

• Prepare and perform two contrasting songs from the art song, oratorio or operatic repertoire. Musical theater songs are not appropriate for this audition.
• Performance time limit: 6 minutes
• Memorization expected
• You will be asked to sight-read a brief selection
• The faculty will check your ear training and pitch-matching skills with brief aural aptitude exercises

WOODWINDS and BRASS

• Prepare and perform two contrasting works from the standard solo literature. Excerpts (like those used in All-State auditions) are acceptable.
  (Performance time limit: 8 minutes)
• Jazz auditions are held separately - see below.
• Memorization optional
• Use of an accompanist is optional and not supplied by the university. The faculty actually prefer a cappella performances at the auditions.  If you bring your own, please prepare and practice interlude cuts. Use of recorded accompaniment is not appropriate.
• You will be asked to sight-read a brief selection
• The faculty will check your ear training and pitch-matching skills with brief aural aptitude exercises

HARP and CLASSICAL GUITAR

• Prepare and perform two full or excerpted contrasting works from the standard solo literature
• Performance time limit: 10 minutes
• Memorization is optional
• You will be asked to sight-read a brief selection
• The faculty will check your ear training and pitch-matching skills with brief aural aptitude exercises
• The university harp is available if needed
• Harp players should plan to arrive and bring their harp in early for climate acclamation and tuning.  We will assign you a longer warm-up time for that purpose.
• Harp and Classical Guitar auditions are included in the orchestral string committee's schedule

PERCUSSION

• Prepare and perform one (1) solo selection in each performance area: keyboard, snare, timpani.  Drum set optional.  Jazz auditions held separately. See Jazz section.
• Bring your own sticks/mallets.  You may also wish to bring your own snare drum, though we will have one in the room, along with 4 symphonic timp, a marimba, a vibe and a xylophone. Read more percussion Specifics.
• Memorization optional
• Use of an accompanist is optional and not supplied by the university.  The faculty prefer a cappella performances at the auditions. Recordings are not appropriate.
• You will be asked to sight-read
• The faculty will check your ear training and pitch-matching skills with brief aural aptitude exercises

COMPOSITION

JAZZ GUITAR and JAZZ PIANO

• Prepare three brief jazz standards of varying styles (blues, ballad, Latin, fusion, funk, etc.)
• Be prepared to play chords (comp) for these tunes as well as improvise a solo within them.
• Optional but recommended if not auditioning for the classical guitar/piano faculty: Prepare one 'classical' excerpt or etude.
• Jazz chart sight-reading and comping will be included
• The faculty will check your ear training and pitch-matching skills with brief aural aptitude exercises

JAZZ BASS (electric or upright)

• Prepare three brief jazz standards of varying styles (blues, ballad, Latin, fusion, funk, etc.)
• Be prepared to comp for these tunes as well as improvise a bass solo within them
• Jazz chart sight-reading and comping will be included
• The faculty will check your ear training and pitch-matching skills with brief aural aptitude exercises
• Optional but highly recommended: audition separately for the orchestral string faculty

JAZZ DRUM SET or VIBES

• Prepare three brief jazz standards of varying styles (blues, ballad, Latin, fusion, funk, etc.)
• Be prepared to comp for these tunes as well as improvise a solo within them.
• Jazz chart sight-reading and comping will be included
• The faculty will check your ear training and pitch-matching skills with brief aural aptitude exercises
• Plan to bring your own sticks/mallets.
• Optional but highly recommended: audition separately for the Wind/Percussion committee.

JAZZ WINDS
Saxophones, Trumpets, Trombones

• Prepare three brief jazz standards of varying styles (blues, ballad, Latin, fusion, funk, etc.)
• Be prepared to comp for these tunes as well as improvise a solo within them.
• Jazz chart sight-reading and comping will be included
• The faculty will check your ear training and pitch-matching skills with brief aural aptitude exercises
• Optional but highly recommended: audition separately for the Wind/Percussion committee.