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Audition Checklist
✓ Check the Audition and Application Deadlines.
Application Round |
Application Deadline |
Registration Deadline |
Decision Notification |
Early Decision |
November 15 | November 8 | December 1 |
Early Action |
December 1 | November 20 | January 15 |
Regular Decision |
February 1 | January 25 | March 1 |
Scholarship Deadline |
March 1 | February 22 | March 15 |
✓ Submit your application to DePauw.
Admission to our School of Music is contingent upon admission to our College of Liberal Arts. Students are encouraged to initiate the audition process while their application to DePauw is under review. Students who have completed the audition process along with their application to DePauw may receive an admission decision to the School of Music at the same time as their admission decision to the University.
Submit your application to here.
✓ Register for your audition by completing the online form.
At this time, students will be asked to indicate when they intend to complete the audition process along with their preferred date to schedule a sample lesson with our faculty.
Students are encouraged to register for the audition at least one week in advance of their preferred application round deadline.
Voice students may request a virtual coaching session and piano accompaniment recording on this form. See our Best Practices for Audition Recordings and Tips for Recording Your Vocal Audition.
Complete your online form now!
✓ Voice Students: Prepare Your Accompaniment.
Voice Audition Repertoire should be performed from memory and with piano accompaniment. Click here for resources and recommendations on how to prepare your accompaniment.
Our collaborative pianists can provide a virtual coaching session and recording of the piano accompaniment to your audition repertoire free of charge.
We kindly request a one week notice to schedule a coaching session where our staff can better understand the tempi and style of your audition repertoire. From there, our staff will need approximately one week to produce your recording. Please allow extra time so you may familiarize yourself with the accompaniment ahead of your recording session.
✓ Upload videos of your audition repertoire to your student portal.
You will receive an email with detailed upload instructions when you register for the audition. Audition repertoire is listed below or by clicking here.
See our Best Practices for Audition Recordings for tips or go directly to our instructions on uploading your audition video.
Students are encouraged but not required to upload audition videos two weeks prior to their sample lesson.
Tip: Record yourself early and often as you practice your audition repertoire. That way, you are less likely to be caught off guard by something you hear on the recording. Schedule multiple recording sessions so you can submit the performance you are the most comfortable with. Start early and record often.
Access your student portal here!
✓ Schedule a sample lesson with our faculty.
Please indicate your preferred date(s) on the Audition Registration Form. We are happy to work with your schedule and offer an individual appointment if needed.
Note: For students applying Early Action, we are unable to offer lessons from November 21-29 due to the Thanksgiving holiday break.
Students are required to submit a video and complete a sample lesson to be eligible for School of Music Admission consideration.
While sample lessons are a part of our audition process, students are welcome to schedule one in earlier in the school year to assist with their audition preparation.
Sample lessons will be conducted over Zoom. You will receive a link in advance of your lesson. The session will include sight-reading, pitch matching, portions of your audition repertoire, and general technique for your instrument. It is also a great opportunity to get to know our faculty and to ask questions about DePauw.
Audition Repertoire
Woodwinds
For admission to the School of Music and scholarship consideration:
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon – At least two contrasting works from the standard repertoire, including movements of sonatas, concerti and other solo pieces. You will be asked to sight-read and demonstrate proficiency in both scales and arpeggios.
Brass
For admission to the School of Music and scholarship consideration:
Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium/Baritone, Tuba – At least two contrasting works from the standard repertoire, including movements of sonatas, concerti and other solo pieces. You will be asked to sight-read and demonstrate proficiency in both scales and arpeggios.
Percussion
For admission to the School of Music and scholarship consideration:
1. Select One Solo Literature or Etudes from each of the following categories:
- Snare drum: solo snare drum or etudes from Peters, Cirone, Delecluse that demonstrating buzz rolls, flams, and different articulation strokes; and optional on rudiments: here
- Marimba, xylophone or vibraphone (demonstrating two and four-mallet technique)
- Timpani (demonstrating tuning ability); and optional: drum set or multiple percussion.
2. Sight-reading on snare drum and marimba
3. Two Octave Major Scales with Arpeggio from memory
Keyboard Instruments
For admission to the School of Music and scholarship consideration:
Organ – At least two selections: (1) prelude and fugue by J.S. Bach or a work by another Baroque composer; and (2) a 19th-20th century composition.
Piano – Three selections (all performed from memory), one for each of the following categories: (1) a prelude and fugue from the Well-Tempered Klavier by J.S. Bach; (2) a movement from a sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven; and (3) a Romantic, Impressionist or Contemporary work of choice.
Strings
For admission to the School of Music and scholarship consideration:
Violin, Viola, Violoncello, Double Bass – At least two contrasting works chosen from the following three choices: (1) a movement from a J.S. Bach solo sonata or partita, or other Baroque work; (2) a movement from a 19th-20th century sonata or concerto; (3) or a work of the student's choice. You will be asked to sight-read and demonstrate proficiency in both scales and arpeggios.
Harp
For admission to the School of Music and scholarship consideration:
Two contrasting pieces from the standard repertoire, plus one orchestral excerpt.
Voice
For admission to the School of Music and scholarship consideration:
Vocalists will be required to perform two pieces of contrasting style: a classical or musical theatre piece in English and an art song or aria in Italian, French, or German. Both selections should be performed from memory and with piano accompaniment. All auditionees will have a sample lesson with one of our voice faculty. In addition to vocalizing and working on sections from the audition repertoire, the sample lesson will include sight-reading and pitch matching. If you have questions, we are here to help. Click here for more information regarding voice coaching and accompaniment.
