Music

Scholarship Audition Information

Performance

Whether auditioning in person or by CD, keep the following in mind. (Family and friends may observe your audition.)

• Prepare two or three pieces showing a variety of tempi and showing your ability with both rapid and lyrical music passages.
• Select literature appropriate for state solo competitions — i.e., do not simply sing or play your line from a band, choral, or orchestral piece.
• If possible and appropriate, solo repertoire should include representative literature for your instrument or voice from several style periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern, Contemporary).
• Instrumentalists may include etudes and studies.
• If you perform jazz, you may want to bring a recording of a rhythm section over which you improvise a solo.

Interview with Music Faculty

The faculty will want to get to know you. (Parents or friends will be excused from your interview.) We will look at all letter(s) of recommendation as well as your resume. We will ask how you want to be involved with music at Willamette University and how music fits in with your goals. We will be interested in your possible major, but remember, you do not have to major in music to receive a music scholarship award. The interview is designed to be a non-stressful conversation, so just relax and help us to get to know what music means to you.

Sight-Reading Exercises

This process is meant to be non-threatening. We simply want to understand the breadth and depth of your musicianship skills.

• Instrumentalists will be asked to read a short musical excerpt appropriate for their instrument and ability.
• Vocalists will be asked to 1) clap or tap a line of rhythmic notation, 2) sight-read both single line notation and your part from a SATB chorale by Bach, and 3) listen and sing back short melodic fragments.

Notification of Scholarship Award

Once you have been admitted to Willamette University, the Financial Aid Office will send a financial aid package, including, if awarded, the amount of your music scholarship. This will happen around April 1. Once you have paid your admission deposit to Willamette, you will receive a letter from the Music Department that will outline the stipulations for receiving and maintaining your award. Awards are renewed yearly by satisfying the following:

• Remain a full time student at Willamette University
• Study privately in your main performance area with a member of the Willamette Music Department
• Remain satisfactorily enrolled in at least one of our performance ensembles (or, if your award is in piano, satisfy accompanying requirements)
• Maintain grade requirements as stated in your music scholarship letter of agreement

Materials and Deadlines

In-Person Auditions on Willamette Campus

In-Person Auditions involve three areas: Performance, interview and sight-reading. Plan for no more than 10 minutes of performance time, 5 minutes for your interview, and 5 minutes for sight-reading. Please plan to arrive one-half hour prior to your scheduled audition time to allow for registration and time to warm up with your accompanist if you have requested one.

To schedule your audition, call or email Diane Trevett at 503-370-6687 after October 1, 2007.

What to Submit

Three weeks in advance of your audition date you must submit the following:

• Check back here in mid-August for the 2008-09 PDF forms.
• Music letter(s) of recommendation, preferably from your applied instructor and/or ensemble director. Letters from academic teachers and/or advisors may also be submitted.
• Resume of your high school/college activities, both music and non-music.
• Musical scores, if you will be needing an accompanist.

Faxed copies will not be accepted.

In order to be considered for a scholarship, all auditions must take place by Feb. 18, 2008.

Recorded Auditions

• The CD should be 10-12 minutes in length.
• Include a written program with the CD giving titles, composers, and movements, as appropriate, and include your name and address.
• For CD auditions, keep in mind that we will be making our decision based on the sounds we hear from the recording. The recording equipment (microphones, decks, amps) should be the best quality available.
• Include the same materials as for a live audition (application, letter(s) of recommendation, and resume).
• If you want your materials to be returned, enclose packaging and a return mail label.

What to Submit

• PDF forms (Check back here in mid-August for the 2008-09 PDF forms).
• Music letter(s) of recommendation, preferably from your applied instructor and/or ensemble director. Letters from academic teachers and/or advisors may also be submitted.
• Resume of your high school/college activities, both music and non-music.

Faxed copies will not be accepted.

In order to be considered for a scholarship, all materials must be postmarked by January 28, 2008.

Mail the above application materials to:

Willamette University
Music Department, Attn: Diane Trevett
900 State Street
Salem, OR 97301
503-370-6687 voice