The Catholic University of America

Audition Information

Audition Dates

    Live auditions for Fall 2013 admission are complete.

Auditions can be done before, after, or concurrently with the application to the University. An application does not necessarily need to be submitted before auditioning, except in the case of Early Admission, but it is highly encouraged. Admission to performance and education music programs requires both admission to the university and passing the audition. Please contact Admissions for application deadlines.

All applicants who  audition (either in person or by recording) are automatically considered for music school scholarship.

Undergraduate Audition Requirements

Applicants should prepare a 10-minute audition of 3 contrasting pieces of standard classical repertoire. Please call the school of music if you need a clarification. Audition committees reserve the right to select audition pieces.

  • Musical Theatre and Voice: an accompanist will be provided.
  • Piano Performance: Music must be memorized and should represent at least two style periods.
  • Piano Pedagogy and Collaborative Piano: Music does not need to be memorized and applicants may use a score. Music should represent at least two style periods.
  • Percussion: Prepare music for mallet, keyboard, timpani and snare drum.
  • Woodwind, brass and percussion players may be asked to sight read.

Special Undergraduate Programs Audition Requirements

Musical Theatre

Applicants for the undergraduate program in musical theatre should bring a photo and resume of musical/dramatic experience and prepare the following 10-minute voice, acting and dance audition:

  • Voice: Two songs from musicals. The songs must be in contrasting styles (ballad, up-tempo); one must be from a musical written before 1960; each should be of a two-minute maximum duration; each must be memorized. Please bring copies of your music. An accompanist will be provided.
  • Acting: Two one-minute monologues from plays contrasting in style and period. May be excerpts from a comedy or drama; choice must be appropriate to the candidate’s age and experience; must be memorized; should be performed in the context of the play, which the candidate must be able to discuss.

  • Dance: All applicants participate in a dance audition. The audition is used to assess dance class placement as well as potential. Please wear appropriate dance attire and shoes (jazz or character; tap shoes if you tap). Prior dance training, while desirable, is not a requirement for acceptance to the musical theatre program.

Taped auditions must be a video of a live audition in standard DVD format. For taped auditions, please include a one-minute dance routine.

Composition

In addition to passing an audition in the major performance area, applicants for the undergraduate degree program in composition must submit two to three scores and recordings (if available) of original compositions to be reviewed and approved by the composition faculty.

Music Education

In addition to passing an audition in the major performance area, music education applicants must also submit a Music Education Profile directly to the School of Music no later than one week in advance of the audition. Along with information about teaching experiences, the Profile requires a well-written essay (two to three paragraphs) describing what motivates the applicant’s desire to become a music education major. The Music Education faculty will use this information to help with the required interview with them. The interview will be scheduled when applicants schedule the audition.

 

Graduate Audition Requirements

Master of Music degree programs

  • Applicants for M.M. degree programs in performance must present a 10-minute audition of three (3) pieces in contrasting style, either in person or by CD.
  • Composition applicants for both concert music and stage music emphases must submit a portfolio of scores and recordings (which  may include electronic music, software, or video) in lieu of the audition. An interview is also required of all composition applicants. For more detailed information, visit http://composition.cua.edu/Admissions.

Doctor of Musical Arts degree programs

  • Composition: Composition applicants must submit a portfolio of scores and recordings (which may include electronic music, software or video), as well as participate in an interview with the composition chair. For more detailed information, visit http://composition.cua.edu/Admissions.
  • Piano and Orchestral Instruments: Applicants for the D.M.A. degree programs must present a 15-minute audition of 3 contrasting pieces of standard classical repertoire. This audition must be in person.
  • Voice: Applicants for voice must present a 10-minute audition of 3 contrasting pieces of standard classical repertoire. This audition must be in person.

All applicants, regardless of degree program, who audition in person are considered for performance-based music scholarship.

Graduate Programs in Sacred Music and Orchestral Conducting

  • Sacred Music: Applicants for the graduate programs in sacred music (Master of Music in Sacred Music, Doctor of Musical Arts in Sacred Music) with concentrations in choral music, organ performance, composition must first contact Leo Nestor, D.M.A., director, Institute of Sacred Music (nestor@cua.edu).

  • Orchestral Conducting: All prospective orchestral candidates must send in a DVD for pre-screening before submitting an application to the university or to the School of Music. Selected candidates will then be invited to campus for the live audition. Please do not submit an application form or fee unless your DVD has been accepted. Any questions should be directed to Professor David Searle (Searle@cua.edu).

     

 

Can't come to a live audition?

If you can't come to CUA to audition live, you can submit a recorded audition. Include a completed audition form with your CD or DVD recording, and send it to us. You can also upload your taped audition instead of submitting a recording. Be sure to also submit the completed audition form if you upload your digital recording. Submit your recorded audition before an audition day, as recorded auditions are reviewed on scheduled audition days.