Department of Music:
Application and Audition Information

Music Major

Piano Pedagogy Minor

Musical Theatre Major

General Information

What do I have to do to enter the Department of Music?

• Complete a qualifying audition as an applicant to these majors/minors/concentrations in the Department of Music:
  
  • Music Major
  • Piano Pedagogy Minor
  • Musical Theatre Major
• Apply for admission to SUNY College at Geneseo following standard procedures established by the State University of New York (your High School guidance counselor can provide you with the necessary forms and instructions, or you can see the Geneseo admissions web page ).  This applies to all prospective students.
  
• Decisions for admission to the College in one of those majors or minors will be based on high school academic records, results of college entrance examinations, and results of Department of Music auditions.

When should I audition?

• Musical Theatre auditions for admission in Fall 2012 will be held Saturday, November 19, 2011 or Saturday, February 4, 2012.
  
  • Reserve your audition spot by contacting Tammy Farrell at farrell@geneseo.edu or (585) 245-5824.  If you are unable to attend either of the audition dates, contact Tammy to discuss alternative audition times.
• It is recommended that high school seniors interview or audition before March 1 of the year preceding entrance to Geneseo, although on-campus interviews and auditions may take place virtually any time of the year by individual appointment.
  
• It is in your best interests to become familiar with the campuses and programs of all schools you are considering. On your campus trip, you can include visits to Theatre, Music, or Dance classes or productions, interviews in the Office of Admission and other departments of the College, and a campus tour.

Why do I need to apply?

• The purposes of the interview/audition process are to assess whether your background is appropriate and sufficient for the program of study and to assess your potential to successfully complete the program.

What is an audition for the Geneseo Department of Music like?

• The Geneseo experience includes sufficient warm-up time and the opportunity to perform all of the prepared material.
• You will learn the results of your application to the Department of Music immediately.
• The Geneseo faculty, fully understanding of audition anxieties, makes every attempt to make the experience as positive and friendly as possible. Indeed, we are eager for you to do your very best.

Music Major

Students applying for the Major in Music may choose an Option in Composition, Conducting, Ethnomusicology, History and Literature, Music Theory, or Performance.  All Options require an audition.

Performance Option - Voice

Audition Requirements

• Three contrasting, memorized art songs (including one in a foreign language) that demonstrate classical singing technique at NYSSMA level VI
  • Geneseo will provide an accompanist
• May be requested to sight read
• Résumé

Performance Option - Piano

Audition Requirements

• Three contrasting, memorized selections from different time periods, equivalent in difficulty to NYSSMA level V or VI or Federation Level Very Difficult I
• May be requested to play scales and arpeggios
• May be requested to sight read
• Résumé

Performance Option - Brass, Strings, or Winds

Audition Requirements

• Three contrasting selections equivalent in difficulty to NYSSMA level VI
• May be requested to play scales and arpeggios
• May be requested to sight read
• Résumé

Performance Option - Percussion

Audition Requirements

• Three selections equivalent in difficulty to NYSSMA level VI (one on snare, one on timpani, one on a melodic instrument)
• May be requested to tune timpani
• May be requested to play scales and arpeggios on a melodic instrument
• May be requested to sight read
• Résumé

Music Theory, Ethnomusicology, Conducting, or Music History and Literature Options

Audition Requirements

• Two piano selections, equivalent in difficulty to NYSSMA Level II or Federation Level Medium Grade I
• Performance of one instrumental or vocal selection that demonstrates proficiency sufficient for admission into one of Geneseo's instrumental or choral ensembles
• May be requested to sight read
• Résumé

Composition Option

Audition Requirements

• Three original compositions fully notated either by hand or computer application, with audio recordings (if available)
• Two piano selections, equivalent in difficulty to NYSSMA level II or Federation Level Medium Grade I
• Performance of one instrumental or vocal selection that demonstrates proficiency sufficient for admission into one of Geneseo's instrumental or choral ensembles
• May be requested to sight read
• Résumé

Piano Pedagogy Minor

Audition Requirements

• Three contrasting, memorized selections from different time periods, equivalent in difficulty to NYSSMA level IV or V, Federation Level Moderately Difficult III
• May be requested to play scales and arpeggios
• May be requested to sight read
• Résumé

Musical Theatre Major

Audition Requirements

• Musical Theatre auditions for admission in Fall 2012 will be held Saturday, November 19, 2011 or Saturday, February 4, 2012.
  
  • Reserve your audition spot by contacting Tammy Farrell at farrell@geneseo.edu or (585) 245-5824.  If you are unable to attend either of the audition dates, contact Tammy to discuss alternative audition times.
• Three memorized songs in contrasting styles
  • Two art songs at NYSSMA level VI (one in a foreign language) that demonstrate classical singing technique
  • One musical theater song
  • Geneseo will provide an accompanist
• May be requested to sight read
• Two memorized monologues (two to three minutes in length), one serious and one comic
  • No period requirement
• Demonstration of proficiency in movement skills sufficient to successfully complete dance requirements
• Résumé

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