Commercial Music Performance Audition Requirements

Commercial Music Vocalists should be prepared to perform:

• Perform two standard commercial music/contemporary compositions in at least two contrasting styles and tempos. No more than one original composition will be allowed. Vocalists may choose to bring an accompanist or sing to a pre-recorded track.
• Students will be asked to sing a major scale along with some of its modes including Dorian (re to re).
• Sight-reading (this will not determine admission and is only used for ensemble and course placement).

Commercial Music Instrumentalists should be prepared to perform:

• Perform two standard commercial music/contemporary compositions in at least two contrasting styles and tempos. No more than one original composition will be allowed.
• Major scales in all keys, ascending and descending, in eighth notes at metronome marking quarter note = 80.
• Minor scales in the key of c, g, d, b, and a.
• Arpeggios on major and minor triads.
• Arpeggios on major and minor seventh and dominant seventh chords.
• Sight-reading, standard notation (no tablature - this will not determine admission and is only used for ensemble and course placement).
• All rhythm section musicians will also be expected to accompany from a chord chart or lead sheet.

Commercial Music drummers should be prepared to perform:

• Medium swing (quarter note = 150), slow swing (quarter note = 90), fast swing (quarter note = 240+), bossa nova, samba, Afro Cuban 12/8, ballad with brushes, jazz waltz, swing with brushes, straight 8th note rock, hip hop (triplet based rock beat).