MWPA Audition Information

• An accompanist is provided for all vocal auditions. Music must be submitted two weeks prior to the audition. You may also bring your own accompanist. We simply ask that they leave the audition room once they are finished playing.
• Tonal Quality, pitch perception, and stylistic sense will be evaluated along with sight singing and rhythm

Bachelor of Music in Performance & Bachelor of Music in Music Education

Prepare two memorized pieces:

• An art song, aria, or classical song
• A commercial (country, gospel, sacred, jazz, or blues) or musical theatre song.
  Two concert repertoire selections would also be acceptable. A foreign language song is encouraged, but not required.

Bachelor of Arts in Worship Arts

Prepare two contrasting selections:

• A commercial (CCM, country, gospel, sacred, jazz, or blues) or musical theater style
• A second song in a style that could be used in a corporate worship context, with which you should be prepared to accompany yourself on whatever instrument you feel comfortable. (If you do not play an instrument with which you can accompany yourself, an accompanist can be provided. Please be sure to request one when you register for your audition. Music must be submitted two weeks prior to your audition.)

• Sight reading will be evaluated for all piano majors

Bachelor of Music in Performance & Bachelor of Music in Music Education

• Prepare two contrasting selections from classical repertoire that demonstrate your technical ability and artistry. Some suggestions include:
  • J.S. Bach Two- or Three-part Inventions or a Prelude and Fugue
  • A fast movement from a Classical sonata (i.e. Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven)
  • A Romantic or 20thCentury work
• Memorization is required
• Performance Majors: be prepared to play: one major scale and arpeggio, one harmonic minor scale and arpeggio, and one melodic minor scale and arpeggio representing three different keys, 16^th notes, 120 bpm minimum
• Music Education Majors: be prepared to play: one major and one minor (harmonic or melodic) scale up to 4 sharps or 4 flats.

Bachelor of Arts in Worship Arts

• Prepare two contrasting selections, either in tempo or style, one of which could be used in a corporate worship context. A standard piece from classical repertoire is also acceptable. Both examples should demonstrate your experience and skill level.
• In addition to demonstrating skill on piano, be prepared to demonstrate basic vocal ability.
• Technique, artistry, and pitch perception will be evaluated for both piano and voice.

Bachelor of Music in Performance

• Prepare two organ works of contrasting periods and styles: one fast and toccata-like, and the other slow and lyrical, demonstrating your best efforts and abilities.
• Both pieces must be memorized.
• Piano proficiency is required.
• Students with no previous organ study may elect to audition on piano with pieces such as J.S. Bach Two- or Three-part Inventions, a fast movement from a Classical sonata (i.e. Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven), or a Romantic or 20th-century work.
• Be prepared to play one major and one harmonic or melodic scale and arpeggios.

• Tone quality, intonation, and pitch perception will be evaluated
• Sight-reading will be evaluated
• Be prepared to play major and harmonic minor scales in all keys up through four sharps or flats.
  • Strings: three octaves
  • Woodwinds & Brass: two octaves
• If you prepare a piece with Piano accompaniment, an accompanist can be provided upon request. Music for the accompanist must be submitted two weeks prior to your audition.

Bachelor of Music in Performance & Bachelor of Music in Music Education

Prepare two contrasting selections (one slower and one faster demonstrating facility) with or without accompaniment:

• Memory is encouraged but not required.
• Movements from sonatas and concertos are ideal, but repertoire should be chosen that best demonstrates your ability and allows you to play at your highest musical level.

Bachelor of Arts in Worship Arts

• Prepare two contrasting selections, either in tempo or style, one of which could be used in a contemporary corporate worship context:
  • A standard piece from classical repertoire is also acceptable.
  • Both examples should demonstrate your experience and skill level.
• In addition to demonstrating skill on your primary instrument, be prepared to demonstrate basic vocal ability and/or any keyboard ability. Ideally, be prepared to sing and accompany yourself with a selection appropriate for use in a corporate worship context.

• Sight-reading will be evaluated. You will have 5 minutes to review a piece of music and then perform it without “TAB notation.
• You will also be asked to play along to an audio track from Tommy Igoe’s Groove Essentials

Bachelor of Music in Performance & Bachelor of Music in Music Education

Be prepared to perform:

• One Major and one minor diatonic scales, from any of the 12 keys, from both 6th string and 5th string root positions (2 closed positions of the neck each) 8th notes at 100 bpm or more.
• Major, minor, major 7, dominant 7 chords, individually and in progression context: I V vi IV (C, G, Am, F) or Imaj7 – vi7 – ii7 – V7 (Cmaj7, Am7, Dm7, G7)
• A 12-bar blues based progression with accompaniment. ie. . I7, IV7, I7, V7, I7 Comp and solo a chorus each. You will be evaluated on knowledge of chords and execution of appropriate soloing to match the chords, or “make the changes.”
• Two contrasting pieces, one modern and one from a classical or rudimentary based repertoire. ie: A current worship tune and a Carcassi etude. Tone, technique, intonation, musicianship and interpretation will be evaluated.

Bachelor of Arts in Worship Arts & Bachelor of Arts in Music
Be prepared to perform:

• Two contrasting pieces, one demonstrating rhythmic interest, and one demonstrating melodic delivery. Ie: a praise/dance tune and a worship/ballad.  Tone, technique, intonation, musicianship and interpretation will be evaluated.
• Major, minor, & dominant 7 open chords C-A-G-E-D
• 7 Major & relative natural minor scales in the open position – C major/A minor, A major/F# minor,  G major/E minor, E major/C# minor, D major/B minor, F major/D minor, Bb major/G minor. 8th notes at 100 bpm or more.
• 12 Major & minor barre chords, 2 types- root on the 6th string, root on the 5th string

• The department can provide a pianist if you need piano accompaniment, however, for percussion, you may also bring an accompaniment track. Music for the accompanist must be submitted two weeks prior to your audition.
• Be prepared to demonstrate an understanding of different grooves and techniques on drum set (medium swing, fast swing, rock, funk, bassa nova, etc).

Bachelor of Music in Performance & Bachelor of Music in Music Education

Be prepared to show proficiency on snare drum, mallet percussion, and/or timpani. Some examples and recommendations are:

• Snare Drum: Rudiments and Etudes from Anthony Cirone’s Portraits in Rhythm or Garwood Whaley solo
• Mallet Percussion: One major and one minor scale and one short solo (two mallet or four mallet)
• Timpani: Tune and perform a short etude. (Saul Goodman’s Modern Method for Timpani or Vic Firth Etude)

Bachelor of Arts in Worship Arts

• Prepare two contrasting selections, either in tempo or style, one of which could be used in a corporate worship context. A standard rudimentary piece is acceptable and encouraged. Both examples should demonstrate your experience and skill level.
• In addition to demonstrating skill on your primary instrument, be prepared to demonstrate basic vocal ability and/or any keyboard ability.
• Technique, artistry, and pitch perception will be evaluated along with sight-reading.

Bachelor of Music in Performance

• Be prepared to demonstrate your highest level of musical and technical mastery on your primary instrument as either an instrumentalist and/or vocalist. For specific instructions on preparing your instrument/voice, please refer to the requirements from the other performance areas.
• Submit three scores of contrasting compositions, with recordings if available. In addition, please submit a list of all compositions with dates of composition and premiers (if applicable) at the time of your audition.
• NOTE: Anyone accepted to this major will be required to either take Piano Lab or test out.

Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theater

• All examples should demonstrate your acting and/or vocal ability as well as your experience and skill level.
• Tonal quality, pitch perception, and acting ability will be evaluated along with sight singing and rhythm.
• An accompanist is provided for all vocal auditions. Auditions to a track or acapella are not accepted. Music must be submitted two weeks prior to your audition.
• Please bring a standard head shot and resume as if you were auditioning for a show. Attach your resume to the back of your head shot.
  • Vocal: Prepare two contrasting musical theater songs (a 32-bar cut selection of each). Memory is required for both pieces.
  • Acting: Prepare two contrasting, one-minute monologues (one comedic, one dramatic). Memory is required for both.
  • Dance: The dance portion of the audition will be done in a group setting after all the musical theater vocal and monologue auditions have been completed.
    • Be prepared to demonstrate basic theater dance ability or potential. Directions on steps and combinations will be given in the audition.
    • Dance Attire:
      • Bring all of your dance shoes with you.
      • We will provide you with time to change prior to the dance portion of your audition. Wear something in which you are comfortable moving, but also something that is not too baggy. If you wear dance tights, please bring shorts to wear over top.