Auditions for admission and for music scholarships are held throughout each year and are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional performance ability and academic achievement. Scholarships range from $500 to FULL TUITION, ROOM, and BOARD. Additional information on institutional scholarships, grants, loans, and federal work-study, is available through the University's Office of Financial Aid.
All students preparing for an audition for admission and/or music scholarships should fill out the application for audition and observe the following:
- Students must provide their own instrument. The University will provide a piano for campus auditions. Videotaped auditions are permitted if circumstances do not permit a live audition
- Any piece of music performed must generally be recognized to be an integral composition (arrangement or original), written for the instrument or voice part upon which it is to be executed and performed in its entirety; however, performers may play single movements of multiple-movement compositions.
All performers are expected to demonstrate individual musical proficiency by selecting music of a grade level appropriate for potential university level music students.
Examples of “appropriate” literature for winds and percussion may be found in the Fall 2004 issue of South Carolina Musician (page 40, section XIV). A minimum grade level of difficulty selected from or comparable to the clinic band etudes is expected.
- Examples of “appropriate” literature for voice may be found in the 2004 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) handbook. A minimum grade level of difficulty selected from or comparable to NATS senior high school audition is expected. Vocalists are expected to perform two contrasting selections. Preferred selections included art songs written in English, Italian, French, or German.
Examples of “appropriate” literature for piano may be found in the 2004 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) handbook. A minimum grade level of difficulty selected from or comparable to the required selections for MTNA senior high school audition is expected. Pianists are expected to perform two contrasting selections of standard piano literature. These may include work from any of the main eras of piano music (i.e. Baroque, Classic, Romantic, or 20th Century/Modern). Selections may include the works of J.S. Bach, F.J. Haydn, W.A. Mozart, L.V. Beethoven, M. Clementi, R. Schumann, G.F. Chopin, F. Schubert, F. Mendelssohn, C. Debussy, and other contemporary composers.
- At the request of the panel of judges, all performers will be required to sight-read an unfamiliar selection. The selection may be selected from the standard collections of hymns, folk songs, or etudes.
- At the request of the panel of judges, all performers will be required to play all major scales
All performers will be required to take a diagnostic test of music fundamentals