Audition Instructions
Music Department
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Music Department Admissions
An audition is required to be considered for admission to the Music program at Cornish College of the Arts. The audition gauges your potential for success in the program and your placement in certain first-year courses.
When and Where to Audition
We offer auditions on campus and in select locations on the west coast. The complete audition schedule is available from the Office of Admissions or here online.
Requirements for Performers
- Please prepare approximately 15 minutes of music.
- If you consider yourself a jazz vocalist or instrumentalist, prepare one standard ballad and one up-tempo standard, plus a third tune in the style of your choice (this can be an original tune).
- If you consider yourself a classical vocalist or instrumentalist, prepare one piece in a slow-to-moderate tempo and one piece in a faster tempo, in contrasting styles, plus a third piece in a style of your choice. Individual movements of larger works may be used.
Requirements for Composers
- Present a minimum of two original works.
- You may choose to present your work live, either solo or with other performers, or you may present a recording of a live or sequenced performance of your music.
- For any works for which you have notated scores or lead sheets, please submit a bound copy.
Requirements for All Applicants
- All applicants will also take a skills test to assist in class placement. This will take approximately 5-10 minutes and may include any of the following: matching pitches, identifying intervals and chords, rhythmic imitation, sight-singing, sight-reading at the piano or on your own instrument. You may also be asked to play or sing scales, chord progressions and arpeggios.
Accompanists / Equipment
Accompanists are not provided. If you need assistance with finding an accompanist, please contact the Admissions Office two weeks prior to your scheduled audition. Equipment (monitor, amp, microphone, CD player, etc.) may be made available; please make sure that the Admissions Office is aware of your needs two weeks ahead of time, so that the Music Department can accommodate you.
If you are not performing solo, you must provide your own accompanist or back-up band. This could be a small (2-3 piece) band; however, please be sure that you are the musician featured. Performing with taped accompaniment is permissible but should only be done if absolutely necessary.
The Day of Your Audition
Plan to arrive in advance of your scheduled audition time, so that you have adequate warm-up time. After checking in at the Music Department office on the third floor of Kerry Hall, you will be shown to a warm-up space.
Audition by Tape or CD
The Music Faculty strongly encourages you to audition in person. However, if distance prevents you from auditioning on-site, you may send in your audition by CD or cassette and, where appropriate, scores or lead sheets. Please use high bias premium (chrome) tapes and please indicate on tape if noise reduction (Dolby only) is used. Tape boxes and CD cases must be labeled as follows:
- Your name
- Your instrument
- Title, track numbers, and approximate duration of each work
- Instrumentation for each work
- Names and instruments of all performers and date of performance(s)
Please note that, if you audition by tape or CD, you will need to take your skills placement exams when you arrive on campus as a new student. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with sufficient postage to assure return of your audition materials.