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School of Arts

Auditions & Placement

Performance & Audition Videos

Audition videos should be submitted to ccheng@csusm.edu by March 18, 2022 to assess the musicianship of in-coming students. 

In addition to acceptance to CSUSM all freshmen and transfer students must meet basic performance proficiency standards for their instrument and complete a written theory placement exam (at 70%) in order to begin taking core courses leading to the B.A. in Music or Music Minor programs. Students should prepare a brief performance that demonstrates these proficiencies Standard Etude Repertoire. Each student will have a maximum of 15 minutes to complete the proficiencies listed below. Faculty will evaluate the overall performance considering technique, expression, intonation and interpretation. 

Piano 

  • Scales and arpeggios in all major and harmonic minor keys; hands together in four octaves. 
  • Proficient sight-reading skills. 
  • Proficient harmonization skills to provide basic harmonies to any melody - ability to read standard Roman numeral symbols. 
  • Three solo pieces from three different eras: baroque, classical, romantic, 20th century, or contemporary.  

Contact: Dr. Cheng chcheng@csusm.edu for approval of repertoire. 

Voice

Perform three songs; one each from three different categories/genres:

  • Western art songs
  • Jazz / American musical theater
  • Folk (of any ethnic tradition)
  • Country
  • Religious
  • Contemporary pop / R&B

All three selections must be memorized, two of the song selections must use an accompanist, and one should be sung a Capella.  Pre-recorded accompaniment will not be accepted.  CSUSM will provide an accompanist for a $20 fee, and a score must be provided at least two-weeks prior to the audition.  

Contact Dr. Imara mimara@csusm.edu for approval of repertoire.

Composition

Potential composition students must demonstrate proficiency on piano (intermediate level), voice or one of the band/orchestral instruments listed below.  Additionally, composition students must submit two examples of original musical works.  This may include songs, compositions for a solo instrument, and/or ensembles. 

Contact: Dr. Imara mimara@csusm.edu for approval of repertoire.

Music Technology

Potential music tech students must demonstrate proficiency on piano, voice or one of the band/orchestral instruments listed below.  

Contact: Dr. Bradbury bradbury@csusm.edu for approval of repertoire and other qualifications.

Percussion & Drum Set

  • One standard solo or etude (marimba)
  • Major scales – one octave [through 4 sharps and 4 flats] (marimba)
  • Two contrasting etudes from standard repertoire (snare drum)
  • Play time demonstrating at least three different rhythmic styles; e.g. samba, Afro Cuban (clave, mambo), funk, rock, shuffle, etc. (drum set)
  • Trade 4’s, 8’s or chorus on a standard jazz composition (drum set)
  • Sight reading

Orchestral Strings & Guitar

  • Major scales – one octave [through 4 sharps and 4 flats]
  • Solo or etude from Standard Repertoire
  • Sight reading
  • An excerpt from a piece of any genre that best reflects your overall musicianship.  [No orchestral excerpts]

Woodwinds & Brass

  • Major scales – one octave [through 4 sharps and 4 flats] & chromatic scale
  • Sight reading
  • An etude from the Standard Etude Repertoire
  • An excerpt from a piece of any genre that best reflects your overall musicianship [no orchestral or wind ensemble excerpts]

Standard Etude Repertoire for Band & Orchestral Instruments

Woodwinds

Bassoon

  • McLeod
  • Slama
  • Staska

Flute

  • Andersen
  • Berbiguier
  • Cavally
  • Moyse

Clarinet

  • Jeanjean
  • Polatscheck
  • Rose
  • Sadigursky

Oboe

  • Barret
  • Ferling
  • Ployhar
  • Sellner

  • Staska

Saxophone

  • Berbiguier Ferling
  • Klose
  • Mule
  • Niehaus

Brass

F Horn

  • Andraud
  • Maxime/Alphonse
  • Ployar
  • Reynolds
  • Shoemaker

Low Brass

  • Anton
  • Rochut
  • Slama

Trombone

  • Bordogni
  • Hering
  • Raph/Rochut
  • Staska

Trumpet

  • Arban
  • Bitsch
  • Brandt
  • Hering
 

Strings

Violin

  • Don't
  • Fiorillo
  • Kreutzer
  • Wohlfahrt

Viola

  • Don't
  • Fiorillo
  • Kreutzer
  • Wohlfahrt

Cello

  • Bach
  • Duport
  • Klengel
  • Lee
  • Minsky
  • Schroeder

Bass

  • Balci
  • Kreutzer
  • Simandl

Guitar

  • Bernal
  • Carcassi
  • Moszkowski

Percussion

Marimba

  • Buton
  • Cirone
  • Difilippantonia
  • Richards

Snare Drum

    • Aleo
    • Cirone