Auditions / Scholarships

Orchestra Scholarships

Prospective students are invited to audition either on campus or by video submission. Please prepare (2) orchestral excerpts from standard literature demonstrating a range of lyrical and technical performing abilities no more than 5 minutes and (12) Major scales with arpeggios Quarter Note = 120. 

Percussionists are encouraged to prepare a technical mallet excerpt and drum set demonstration (using play-long tracks are optional):

• Rock/funk
• Slow, medium, and fast swing
• Shuffle
• Samba
• lively Broadway
• Choose of the above styles to play with brushes technique

Awards are available for undergraduate and graduate level students. Auditions are open to all JSU students and community members, but scholarships are only awarded to those who qualify for JSU scholarships as per the JSU financial aid and scholarship criteria. A scholarship audition can also meet an audition requirement as a string major student seeking acceptance as a string music major at JSU.

Contact Dr. Jeremy Benson for questions and information: jlbenson@jsu.edu

All Auditions will be held In-Person, Feb 3rd and Feb 10th, in Mason Hall Room 107. 

 Jazz Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate an aptitude and desire to participate in the Jazz Studies Program. Students receiving a Jazz Scholarship are required to participate in JSU Jazz Ensembles and JSU Jazz Combos as needed. 

Anyone who is interested in auditioning for Scholarships to the JSU Jazz Studies program must complete an application through the JSU Website Scholarship Page, https://www.jsu.edu/finaid/scholarships/, and contact me directly at anevala@jsu.edu.

For all music scholarship information, go to: https://www.jsu.edu/music/scholarships/· 

Be prepared to play:

1. All Major and Minor Scales
2. Sight-Read a selection picked by Jazz Faculty
3. Play the Melody and Improvise (at least one chorus) any two of the following Jazz Standards, using Aeborsold or the Ireal Pro app, in contrasting styles:

Blues:

• Now's The Time
• Blue Monk
• Billies Bounce
• Straight No Chaser

Rhythm Changes:

• Oleo
• Anthropology
• Flintstones

Standards:

• There Will Never Be Another You
• Green Dolphin Street
• There Is No Greater Love
• All of Me
• Autumn Leaves
• Just Friends
• Yardbird Suite
• My One and Only Love
• Maiden Voyage
• Impressions

Piano Scholarship Audition Requirements:

• Perform two contrasting piano pieces from the standard repertoire.  Pieces must be played by memory.
• Demonstrate your current knowledge of chords and scales.
• Sight-read a short piece of music.
• Students should bring their music to audition for the judges.

Piano scholarship auditions will be held in Mason Hall's Recital Hall.  For more information, contact Dr. Wendy Freeland.

Please contact Dr. Nathan Wight via email at nwight@jsu.edu for any questions you may have.

Audition Checklist:

1. Complete the online Scholarship Application.

2. Sing two contrasting selections. Both selections must be sung from memory. One song must be from the standard classical song or aria repertoire. Transfer students should sing one song in a foreign language and one song in English.

3. Please choose music that shows your voice at its best, something you like to sing and feel comfortable performing. We are listening for vocal quality, expressiveness, musical competence and, above all, potential. You must sing with piano accompaniment.  An accompanist will be provided.

Audition Requirements

ENCORE! Show Choir Vocal/Dance Audition Information:

• Weekend 1
  • Friday, Feb 3 
    •  11:15 am - 12:15 pm - Dance Auditions (Recital Hall)
    • 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm - Vocal Auditions (Recital Hall or Open Classroom) 

• Weekend 2
  • Friday, Feb 10
    •  11:15 am - 12:15 pm - Dance Auditions (Recital Hall)
    • 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm - Vocal Auditions (Recital Hall or Open Classroom) 

Instructional Information: 

Dance choreography will be taught to the students during the audition. Each student is expected to bring character, jazz, or comfortable tennis shoes for the dance audition. Please be conscious of appropriate attire to allow for ease of movement while maintaining professionalism, however, traditional dance attire is not necessarily required. 

It is preferred that students bring 2 audition pieces of contrasting styles for their vocal audition to be performed a capella. Each selection should showcase the student's range and unique tone while demonstrating mastery in their primary vocal part - SATB. There will be a piano present to provide your starting pitch if needed. Students will also be asked to sight read 8 measures worth of music for their primary vocal part. 

There will be a short break between audition segments, and it is encouraged to bring water and a snack with you. Students will have the opportunity to exit the Recital Hall and visit the Student Lounge to eat during the break. No food and/or drink is allowed in the Recital Hall with the exception of bottled water. 

Contact Victoria Parris Stigile (vstigile@jsu.edu), ENCORE! Show Choir Director for more information.

Gospel Choir

Your audition will consist of a prepared solo. Students will be guided through a series of warm-ups to check the vocal range, and students will be asked to sing a hymn chosen by the director.

These auditions will be held:

• Saturday, February 5th (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) in the Performance Center, Mason Hall, Room 170.
• Saturday, February 12th (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) in the Performance Center, Mason Hall, Room 170.

For questions or more information, please contact Dr. Cory O'Neal at 205-812-4065 or by email at csoneal@jsu.edu.