Music Major Auditions & Talent Scholarships
Renewable Talent Scholarships range from $10,000-30,000 per year and are based on your audition (uploaded or live) and academic background. A limited number of $50,000-plus awards are available to musicians who demonstrate exceptional ability. You are automatically considered for our Talent Scholarships at the time of your audition (no additional forms to complete). Learn more about financial aid at IWU.
Preparing for your audition
Review the Audition Requirements
Scheduling your audition
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- October 9, 2023 - Fall Open House I
- November 4, 2023 - Brass/Percussion Day - Brass/Percussion auditions only
- November 11, 2023 - Fall Open House II
- December 2, 2023 - String Day - String auditions only
- January 20, 2024 - Music Open House
- February 10, 2024 - Woodwind Day - Woodwind auditions only
- March 2, 2024 - Spring Open House
- March 23, 2024 - Music Open House
- Individual date - scheduled by appointment only
Video auditions:
- Apply to IWU. Once you have submitted your application for admission you will be given instructions for accessing your student status portal where you will have the ability to upload a video to your personal portfolio. For those students applying via Common App, you will be sent an email once your application has been uploaded (usually within 24 hours of submission) that will contain instructions for logging on to your IWU student status portal.
- Upload your audition video. Log in to your student status portal (this is where the checklist is located). Clicking the edit portfolio link at the bottom of the page, will take you to instructions for uploading your audition video. Don't worry if your video is sideways when you drop it in the upload section, it will appear in the proper orientation on our end.
- Once the admissions office has received the results of your audition, they will be able to process and award the recommended Talent Scholarship.
If you have questions or need help, please contact Laura Dolan at ldolan@iwu.edu
Audition Requirements
Bassoon
Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection
may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.
Cello
String candidates should prepare at least one movement from a standard concerto or
comparable composition (memorized), a movement from an unaccompanied Bach suite, and
technical material (an etude or caprice).
Clarinet
Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection
may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.
Double Bass
String candidates should prepare at least one movement from a standard concerto or
comparable composition (memorized), a movement from an unaccompanied Bach suite, and
technical material (an etude or caprice).
Euphonium
Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection
may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.
Flute
Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection
may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.
Guitar
Classical Guitar Requirements: Guitar candidates should prepare two pieces from different
musical periods, e.g. Renaissance and Classical or Romantic and Modern. Candidates
should feel free to reach out with any questions about their chosen audition material.
Horn
Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection
may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.
Oboe
Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection
may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied
Percussion
Snare Drum:
This is not required but it is highly recommended that the applicant be able to demonstrate between 3-5 styles (swing with sticks/brushes; funk; afro-cuban, etc.) on drum-set.
- Advanced concert etude or solo of your choice.
- 3-5 contrasting orchestral excerpts.
- Optional rudimental solo.
- 2 or 4-mallet marimba solo of your choice.
- Optional: 2-3 contrasting xylophone excerpts.
- Optional: vibraphone solo or etude of your choice.
- A solo or etude of your choice.
- Optional: 2-3 contrasting orchestral excerpts.
This is not required but it is highly recommended that the applicant be able to demonstrate between 3-5 styles (swing with sticks/brushes; funk; afro-cuban, etc.) on drum-set.
Piano
Perform from memory at least three compositions drawn from three of the following
style periods: Baroque, Classic, Romantic, Contemporary; all major and minor scales
and triad arpeggios played across a four-octave range, ascending and descending.
Saxophone
Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection
may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.
Trombone
Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection
may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.
Trumpet
Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection
may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.
Tuba
Prepare two selections of solo repertoire (contrasting styles and tempi). One selection
may be an etude or study. Memorization is not required and auditions are heard unaccompanied.
Viola
String candidates should prepare at least one movement from a standard concerto or
comparable composition (memorized), a movement from an unaccompanied Bach suite, and
technical material (an etude or caprice).
Violin
String candidates should prepare at least one movement from a standard concerto or
comparable composition (memorized), a movement from an unaccompanied Bach suite, and
technical material (an etude or caprice).
Voice
Auditionees are asked to sing two art songs in contrasting styles and languages. Your
pieces should be performed from memory. Choose repertoire that you sing well and shows
your voice to its best advantage. Books such as Joan Boytim's First Book series or the 26 Italian Songs and Arias are good sources for undergraduate audition repertoire.
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