audition

Admissions & Auditions Overview

 

Admissions Overview

Students in the School of Performing Arts engage in academic pursuits under the guidance of distinguished faculty which provide a wealth opportunities for their musical and intellectual growth and future endeavors.

 

To be accepted as a music major students must complete an audition before a faculty committee at either a department-scheduled audition day or arranged with the audition coordinator. The audition is also used for scholarship consideration. Specific audition requirements are elaborated below and are available on the school’s website at www.uttyler.edu/music, or by contacting an applied faculty member in the student’s primary performing area.

To be accepted as a music minor students must contact the instructor of their area (i.e. vocalist contact vocal faculty; saxophonists contact saxophone faculty; etc.) and express interest in pursuing a music minor. The student and faculty member will communicate to determine whether the student is eligible to be a music minor. After the instructor approves, the student will then complete and submit the Music Minor Declaration form and return to the music office. In addition, students will need to declare the music minor to the chair and their CAS advisor. Students can find their instructors' contact information here.

Non-music majors interested in participating in ensembles should contact the directors of the ensembles. 

BANDS              CHOIRS              JAZZ              OPERA/MUSIC THEATER              STRING ENSEMBLE

 

Music Majors: How to apply

2026 Audition Dates

Vocal Audition Dates

  • February 6, 2026
  • February 20, 2026
  • March 20, 2026
Schedule your audition here!

Woodwind, Brass, Percussion Audition Dates

  • February 20, 2026
  • March 6, 2026
  • March 20, 2026
  • March 28, 2026
Schedule your audition here!

Piano, Strings, Guitar Audition Dates

  • February 13, 2026
  • March 6, 2026
  • March 27, 2026
Schedule your audition here!

Audition Requirements

Instrumental Audition Requirements (Woodwinds, Brass, Strings)
flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and strings

Entering Freshman Majors

  • Perform as many major scales from memory as possible (scholarship-level students typically know 9–12 scales in available octaves).
  • Perform All-Region etudes or a Class 1 PML–level solo of your choice.
  • Pianist not required.
  • A brief interview follows the audition.
  • Parents may attend with student permission

 

Entering as Transfer Majors
Bring all transcripts and a list of repertoire and technique studied.

Admission to the department does not guarantee placement in upper-division (3000-level) lessons. For upper-division placement, students must perform:

  1. All major, harmonic, and melodic minor scales from memory, demonstrating consistent tone, intonation, and technical control (strings: minimum two octaves; three preferred).
  2. A major solo or concerto movement (5–15 minutes total), performed with strong technique, accuracy, tone, and musical interpretation.
  3. A short faculty interview.

Students not meeting upper-division standards will be placed in 2000-level lessons and may complete their upper division barrier the following semester with instructor approval.

 

Transfer Non-Music Majors Seeking Scholarships
Should meet requirements similar to entering freshmen. Scholarships are unlikely if significant fundamental performance issues are present.

 

Percussion Audition Requirements

Entering Freshman Percussion Majors
Applicants should demonstrate proficiency on snare drum and mallet percussion (marimba or xylophone). Timpani is encouraged but not required; a brief tuning assessment may be included but does not affect admission.

Prepare:

  • One snare drum solo (concert or rudimental)
  • One two-mallet keyboard solo
  • Optional: four-mallet solo if studied
  • Optional: drum set demonstrating multiple styles (rock, jazz, Latin, etc.)
  • Selected rudiments, major scales, and sight reading on snare and keyboard percussion

Instruments are provided; students may bring their own snare drum if preferred.

Transfer Percussion Majors
Bring all transcripts and a list of college-level repertoire and technique studied.

Admission to the department does not guarantee placement in upper-division (3000-level) lessons. For upper-division placement, students must demonstrate proficiency on:

  • Snare drum, mallet percussion, and timpani, including pitch matching and interval tuning
  • Four prepared works: snare solo, two mallet solos (two- and four-mallet), and a timpani solo
  • Optional: drum set in multiple styles
  • Selected rudiments, major and minor scales, and sightreading

Instruments are provided; students may bring their own snare drum.

 

Classical Guitar Audition Requirements

Entering Freshman Classical Guitar Majors

  • Prepare two contrasting pieces, preferably from different historical periods.
  • Perform as many Segovia major and melodic minor scale patterns as possible, using i-m free and rest stroke.
  • A short interview follows; parents may attend with student permission.

 

Transfer Classical Guitar Majors
Provide a list of college-level repertoire studied. Admission to the department does not guarantee placement in upper-division (3000-level) lessons. For upper-division placement, students must:

  • Perform two contrasting works, including one demonstrating Baroque or Renaissance counterpoint and one composed after 1750.
  • Perform all Segovia major and melodic minor scales at a minimum of sixteenth notes = 75 bpm.
  • Complete a brief sight-reading exam.
  • Interview with Dr. Kyzer prior to audition.
  • Students not meeting upper-division requirements will be placed in 2000-level lessons and may re-audition the following semester with instructor approval.

 

Piano Audition Requirements

Entering Freshman: 

  • Three memorized repertoire selections representing a minimum of Levels 7 – 8 
    from The Pianist’s Guide to Standard Teaching and Performance Literature by 
    Jane Magrath. Selections must represent 3 or the 4 following style periods.
    • Baroque selection such as Bach Two- or Three- Part Inventions, French 
      Suites or Preludes/Fugues
    • Classical sonata 1st or 3rd movement by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven
    • Romantic selec6on by Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, 
      Debussy or others
    • Contemporary selection – 20th – 21st centuries
  • Technique: Proficiency in three- or four-octave major and harmonic minor scales 
    and arpeggios

 

Transfer students: 

  • Three memorized repertoire selections representing a minimum of Levels 9-10 
    from The Pianist’s Guide to Standard Teaching and Performance Literature by 
    Jane Magrath.
    • J. S. Bach Prelude and Fugue or representative work
    • Classical sonata 1st or 3rd movement by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven
    • Romantic or Contemporary selection
  • Upper-Division Jury Technique Requirements
    • Four octave major, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales
    • Four octave major, minor and diminished-seventh arpeggios
  • Provide a list of all repertoire and technique studied at the college level
  • Students with four semesters of lower-division piano who do not meet the upper 
    division requirements may be accepted into the program at the 2000- or 1000-
    level of study. Contact the piano faculty for full upper-division repertoire and 
    technique requirements

 

Voice

Freshman level. Students should prepare two contrasting songs from the classical repertoire, sung by memory, one in English and the other in Italian, German, French or Spanish.

Sophomore level. Students should prepare three contrasting selections from the classical repertoire, sung by memory, one in English, one in Italian or Spanish, and one in either German or French. An aria may be substituted for one selection.

Junior level. Students should prepare five contrasting selections from the classical repertoire, sung by memory and totaling approximately 12-15 minutes. One selection should be sung in English, one in Italian, one in German and one in French. One of the selections must be an opera, oratorio, or musical theatre.

Transfer students should a list of repertoire and technique studied at the college level.

Voice Minors. Students at all levels should prepare two contrasting songs from the classical repertoire, sung by memory, either two in English or one in English and one in Italian, German or French.

Non-Music-Major (elective) Talent Scholarships. Students should prepare one song from the classical repertoire, sung by memory. A foreign language is welcome but not required. Broadway and pop is to be avoided.

 

Composition Audition Requirements

Entering Freshmen
A portfolio is recommended but not required for lower-division composition majors. If submitted, include 2–3 original compositions or arrangements with scores and audio files, emailed to composition faculty preferably two weeks before the audition.

Students should demonstrate some experience in composition, notation, and basic theory skills.

All composition majors must also audition on a primary instrument or voice following standard performance requirements and complete an interview with composition faculty, usually on audition day.

Transfer Students
Transfer composition majors must submit a portfolio of 3–4 original works (scores and audio) prior to the audition. Portfolios should demonstrate creativity and solid technical and notation skills for upper-division placement; otherwise, students may enter lower-division study.

Transfer students must also:

  • Audition on a primary instrument or voice
  • Provide all prior transcripts
  • Complete a composition faculty interview
  • Students not meeting performance or composition standards may be provisionally placed in lower-division study and re-audition later.