School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
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Saxophone Audition Requirements
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Degree Page: Composition (B.M.)
Additional Application Requirements:
- Two (2) scores of original works (with sound files, if possible).
Audition Requirements:- Two (2) contrasting piece (can be movements from a larger work) that demonstrate your ability.
- All major scales, performed from memory (full-range scales, spanning from the lowest Bb to palm F#, are strongly encouraged).
- Sight-reading may be requested.
NOTE: All those auditioning are expected to perform without accompaniment.
Interview Requirements:- Speak with a member of our Composition faculty and ask any specific questions you may have about the Composition degree program.
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Degree Page: Jazz Studies (B.M.)
Audition Requirements:- Choose one (1) song from each of the following categories:
- One (1) 12-bar blues, in the key and tempo of your choice, with a melody/head of your choice.
- One (1) jazz standard.
- One (1) ballad.
- Sing the melody of one (1) of your prepared pieces. This is so we can hear your sense of pitch and tonality, not for vocal quality, style, or time feel.
For song ideas, please see the recommended repertoire below. Another good source for songs is JazzStandards.com. If you have prepared a transcription of an improvised solo (either published or self-transcribed), you are encouraged to perform that as well.
Plan the rundown (arrangements) for your tunes so that the total amount of music is no more than 10 minutes.
Interview Requirements:- Speak with a member of our Jazz Studies faculty and ask any specific questions you may have about the Jazz Studies degree program. Approximately 10 minutes.
Additional Thoughts:
Try to relax. These things can make us tense. An audition is just a chance for you to meet us and for us to learn about you and your musicianship. We’re excited to hear you! - Choose one (1) song from each of the following categories:
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Degree Page: Music (B.A.)
Audition Requirements:
- Two (2) contrasting piece (can be movements from a larger work) that demonstrate your ability.
- All major scales, performed from memory (full-range scales, spanning from the lowest Bb to palm F#, are strongly encouraged).
- Sight-reading may be requested.
NOTE: All those auditioning are expected to perform without accompaniment. -
Degree Page: Music Education (B.M.)
Audition Requirements:
- Two (2) contrasting piece (can be movements from a larger work) that demonstrate your ability.
- All major scales, performed from memory (full-range scales, spanning from the lowest Bb to palm F#, are strongly encouraged).
- Sight-reading may be requested.
NOTE: All those auditioning are expected to perform without accompaniment.Interview Requirements:
- Speak with a member of our Music Education faculty to discuss any teaching experiences you have had, share any future teaching aspirations, and ask any specific questions you may have about the Music Education degree program. Approximately 10 minutes.
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Degree Page: Music Education and Performance (B.M.)
Audition Requirements:
- One (1) complete major work - sonata or concerto.
- Two (2) contrasting piece (can be movements from a larger work) that demonstrate your ability.
- All major scales, performed from memory (full-range scales, spanning from the lowest Bb to palm F#, are strongly encouraged).
- Sight-reading may be requested.
NOTE: All those auditioning are expected to perform without accompaniment.Interview Requirements:
- Speak with a member of our Music Education faculty to discuss any teaching experiences you have had, share any future teaching aspirations, and ask any specific questions you may have about the Music Education degree program. Approximately 10 minutes.
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Degree Page: Music in Combination with an Outside Field (B.M.)
Audition Requirements:
- Two (2) contrasting piece (can be movements from a larger work) that demonstrate your ability.
- All major scales, performed from memory (full-range scales, spanning from the lowest Bb to palm F#, are strongly encouraged).
- Sight-reading may be requested.
NOTE: All those auditioning are expected to perform without accompaniment. -
Degree Page: Performance (B.M.)
Audition Requirements:
- One (1) complete major work - sonata or concerto.
- Two (2) contrasting piece (can be movements from a larger work) that demonstrate your ability.
- All major scales, performed from memory (full-range scales, spanning from the lowest Bb to palm F#, are strongly encouraged).
- Sight-reading may be requested.
NOTE: All those auditioning are expected to perform without accompaniment. -
Degree Page: Sound Recording Technology (B.M.)
Pre-screen Requirements:
- Two (2) pieces of contrasting styles.
- Three (3) scales and arpeggios of your choosing.
Audition Requirements:
- Two (2) contrasting piece (can be movements from a larger work) that demonstrate your ability.
- All major scales, performed from memory (full-range scales, spanning from the lowest Bb to palm F#, are strongly encouraged).
- Sight-reading may be requested.
NOTE: All those auditioning are expected to perform without accompaniment.Interview Requirements:
- Meet with members of the SRT faculty, practice critical listening skills, and discuss your background in audio engineering thus far. Approximately 20 minutes.
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Degree Page: Sound Recording Technology (B.M.)
Pre-screen Requirements:
- Two jazz standards that contrast in style or tempo. See below for recommended repertoire.
Audition Requirements:
- Choose one (1) song from each of the following categories:
- One (1) 12-bar blues, in the key and tempo of your choice, with a melody/head of your choice.
- One (1) jazz standard.
- One (1) ballad.
- Sing the melody of one (1) of your prepared pieces. This is so we can hear your sense of pitch and tonality, not for vocal quality, style, or time feel.
For song ideas, please see the recommended repertoire below. Another good source for songs is JazzStandards.com. If you have prepared a transcription of an improvised solo (either published or self-transcribed), you are encouraged to perform that as well.
Plan the rundown (arrangements) for your tunes so that the total amount of music is no more than 10 minutes.
Interview Requirements:- Speak with a member of our Jazz Studies faculty and ask any specific questions you may have about the Jazz Studies degree program. Approximately 10 minutes.
- Meet with members of the SRT faculty, practice critical listening skills, and discuss your background in audio engineering thus far. Approximately 20 minutes.
Additional Thoughts:
Try to relax. These things can make us tense. An audition is just a chance for you to meet us and for us to learn about you and your musicianship. We’re excited to hear you! -
Program Page: Music Minor
Audition Requirements:
- Two (2) contrasting piece (can be movements from a larger work) that demonstrate your ability.
- All major scales, performed from memory (full-range scales, spanning from the lowest Bb to palm F#, are strongly encouraged).
Sight-reading may be requested.
NOTE: Auditions for the Music Minor take place once a student is enrolled at Ithaca College. Please reach out to mtd@ithaca.edu to inquire about an audition date.NOTE: All those auditioning are expected to perform without accompaniment.
Recommended Repertoire
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Blues Heads can show your knowledge of the blues form and rich bluesy landscape of jazz. Some well-known blues heads are::
- Blue Monk
- Au Privave
- Now’s the Time
- Blues for Alice
- Tenor Madness
- Straight, No Chaser
- Centerpiece
- Route 66
Standards can show your knowledge of time feel, style and improvisation. Standards can be jazz tunes such as:- Perdido
- In Walked Bud
- Well, You Needn’t
- Epistrophy
- Confirmation
- Donna Lee
- Ornithology
- Dolphin Dance
- Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
- A Night in Tunisia
Standards could also be songs from the Great American Songbook, such as:- All the Things You Are
- All of Me
- Blue Skies
- My Romance
- How High the Moon
- Take the 'A' Train
- What Is This Thing Called Love?
- Sweet Georgia Brown
- Cherokee
- Stompin’ at the Savoy
- There Is No Greater Love (a.k.a. No Greater Love)
- On the Sunny Side of the Street
Ballads are a chance to show your musicality, phrasing and intonation. Some possible ballads include:- Body and Soul
- How Deep Is the Ocean
- But Beautiful
- Darn That Dream
- Round Midnight
- Lover Man
- Embraceable You
- Sophisticated Lady
- Prelude to a Kiss
- In a Sentimental Mood