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Music Auditions and Scholarships

 

All students wishing to be accepted to programs leading to a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Bachelor of Arts in Music, or a music minor must audition for the Music Department faculty. Students must audition in-person or submit a recorded video audition.

All students who audition for the Music Department will be automatically considered for a music scholarship.

Join us at SXU by completing the following steps:

  1. Complete your application to SXU with the Office of Admission.
  2. Schedule an audition date via our Online Application.
  3. Complete and return a Letter of Recommendation Form (PDF) via email at musicFREESXU.

The audition dates for the 2023-2024 are:

  • November 4, 2023
  • February 17, 2024
  • March 16, 2024
  • April 20, 2024
Where travel distance is a problem, an applicant may submit a high-quality video recording in lieu of a personal appearance. Students may audition in more than one degree area.
 

Scholarship Opportunities

A student wishing to study as a music major or minor must audition for admission to the Music Department as a music major or music minor candidate. Music scholarships and talent awards are available and are renewable each academic year based on continued study and earned GPA. Music scholarships are also available to non-majors for ensemble participation based on playing and/or singing ability and ensemble need. Ensemble participation scholarships are open to all students regardless of major, but an audition is necessary.

In addition to music scholarships students may receive other forms of Financial Aid, including Presidential Scholarships, Leadership Scholarships, need- and merit-based grants, work study awards and student loans.

For further information about admission or scholarships, please contact the Music Department at 773-298-3448.

Learn More

Audition Requirements

Auditions for admittance to the Saint Xavier University Music Department will consist of the following:

  • Demonstration of major scales up to 3 sharps and 3 flats (preferably two octaves or more) and a full-range chromatic scale. Percussionists should prepare as many of the PAS 26 American Drum Rudiments as possible.
  • Sight-reading
  • Prepared solo or two études of contrasting styles (i.e. technical and lyrical)
  • Students wishing to pursue a B.A. in Jazz & Commercial Emphasis see  Jazz/Commercial audition requirements
  • All pianists should follow the audition requirements listed under Piano, for the B.A., B.M. or minor.

Each audition should contain 6-8 minutes of music and take approximately 15 minutes.

 

Preparation

  1. Standard Repertory: One or more solo or étude excerpts that demonstrate technical proficiency on the ones instrument as well as musicality, ideally in contrasting styles. The ILMEA audition materials from the current or previous years may be used as part of the audition; other examples may be found below. The pieces do not have to be memorized. If you are preparing repertoire for another audition, you may use that music for your SXU audition.
  2. Scales: It is expected that the music student would know at a minimum the major scales through three sharps and three flats (minimum) and a chromatic scale. These scales should be performed from memory and should include the full range of the instrument. Students who do not know these scales are still encouraged to audition, but they should expect to learn them quickly upon admission to the Music program.
  3. Sight-reading: The best way to "practice" sight-reading is to sight-read regularly, paying close attention not only to notes and rhythms but also to dynamics, articulations, and other musical nuances.
  4. Pitch Matching: Students will be asked to sing back a series of notes played to them.

Instruments

 

 

Schedule a Visit or a Pre-Audition Lesson

For Prospective Music Majors and Minors

All perspective students may schedule a private lesson, in-person or via Zoom, with one of our applied instructors prior to their audition. Students may also schedule a Visit Day to SXU to shadow a current music student, attend classes, sit-in on rehearsals, and visit with our faculty.

Contact our Music Admissions Coordinator for any questions, schedule a lesson, or join us for a visit at musicFREESXU.

 

Request Info

Are you interested in the music program at Saint Xavier University?

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