Audition Guidelines
All students seeking admission to any Music B.M. or B.A. degree program, or a music minor, are
- required to perform an audition in their primary performance area (keyboard, voice, or
instrument). Students may not begin a music major or minor program, or enroll in music
courses, until being accepted by the Department of Music through audition. Students with
sufficient background may audition in more than one area, however, only one primary
performance area may be chosen in the degree program. Audition results will be used not only
to determine admission to music degree programs, but also to award scholarships to incoming
freshman music majors.
Click here to view current Audition Dates listed on our website.
o To be considered for a music scholarship, auditionees must audition on or before the March
audition date.
o Applicants who are unable to audition on one of the scheduled audition dates should
contact the Department of Music (music@uww.edu).
o All students auditioning need to apply to UW-Whitewater first before applying for an
audition. Applicants should also submit the following at least two weeks in advance of the
preferred audition date:
o Music Major Audition Application
o Music Minor Audition Application
o Music Teacher Recommendation
GENERAL AUDITION DAY SCHEDULE
(schedule subject to change)
9:15-9:45 am - Parking and Registration.
9:45-10:00 am - Welcome from Department Chair and Faculty Introductions
10:00 am - Warm-Up
10:15 am - Auditions
TBD - Meet with studio faculty to answer questions and give audition feedback.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
ALL INSTRUMENTALISTS:
• Auditionees may elect to demonstrate jazz improvisation skills during the audition with
piano accompaniment or recorded rhythm section (e.g. Aebersold).
Questions: contact Dr. Hackett at hackettm@uww.edu
• The Department of Music does not provide accompanists for instrumental auditions.
PIANO
Questions: contact Dr. Shapiro at shapirod@uww.edu
B.M. Instrumental Music Education emphasis and B.A. auditionees should prepare
two contrasting selections of serious solo keyboard literature (memorization
optional). Selections should contrast in terms of historical period, tempo, or style of
writing. Movements from longer works are acceptable as selections. Pianists wishing to pursue
the B.M. Instrumental Music Education degree will be expected to demonstrate proficiency on
a wind, string, or percussion instrument.
Auditionees for the B.M. Performance emphasis should prepare three contrasting selections,
at least two of which must be memorized, plus sight-reading.
BRASS, WOODWINDS, and STRINGS
Brass questions: contact Dr. Onstad at onstadm@uww.edu.
Woodwind questions: contact Dr. Sintchak at sintcham@uww.edu.
String questions: contact Dr. Whitcomb at whitcomb@uww.edu.
Auditionees should prepare solo(s) and/or etudes of contrasting style; approximately 8 minutes
total length. Scales and sight-reading may be requested by the faculty during the audition.
Applicants for the B.M. with Performance emphasis should perform two solo works with piano
accompaniment. The Department of Music does not provide accompanists for
instrumental auditions.
PERCUSSION
Questions: contact Tobie Wilkinson at wilkinst@uww.edu
All applicants must perform a solo on a mallet-keyboard instrument (marimba, xylophone, or
vibraphone), snare drum (rudimental or orchestral), and timpani. Demonstrating various styles/
grooves on drum-set is optional but encouraged. Sight reading may be requested on snare
drum and/or mallet keyboard.
VOICE
Questions: contact Dr. Wood at woodr@uww.edu
B.M. Choral Music Education and B.A. auditionees should submit two contrasting selections
(not pop songs). Selections should contrast in terms of historical period, tempo, or language.
Memorization is preferred.
Auditionees for B.M. Performance emphasis should prepare three contrasting selections.
Selections should contrast in terms of historical period, tempo, and language. At least two
pieces must be memorized.
Auditionees for the voice music minor should prepare one piece; memorization is preferred.
On the audition day, all applicants will be asked to sight sing.
