AUDITION INFORMATION
The information on this page has changed as of November 14, 2017.
By December 1st, all applicants applying for the MM and DM programs should submit both the Jacobs School of Music application
(http://www.music.indiana.edu/admissions/application/index.shtml) and the pre-screening materials designated at the following link
(http://music.indiana.edu/departments/academic/choral/admissions/pre-screening%20materials.shtml ).
To submit your pre-screening materials, follow the instructions on the Jacobs School of Music website (https://app.getacceptd.com/iumusic).
Audition/Interview Dates For Fall 2020 Matriculation
Thursday, Feb. 6, Friday, Feb. 7 & Monday, Feb. 10, 2020
All auditions are held on the Bloomington campus. We do not admit students based on video or audio recordings. Audition invitations will be sent before January 1, 2020, based on pre-screening applications.
THE AUDITION WILL CONSIST OF FOUR PARTS
1) A conducting Technique Demonstration
In this individual session with the choral faculty you will be asked to conduct "Let Nimrod, the mighty Hunter" from Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb (Rehearsal 2 to Rehearsal 9).
PLUS
MM applicants: Handel: Messiah, Movt. 5, "Thus saith the Lord, the Lord of Hosts"
DM applicants: Haydn: Die Schöpfung (The Creation) No. 21, "Gleich öffnet sich die Erde Schoss" The soloist will sing in German. Please start directly on the accompagnato recitative.
A soloist & a pianist will be provided
2) A Conducting Audition
Your audition with an SATB chamber chorus (c. 30 voices) will last 10-12 minutes. Please choose one of the pieces from the repertoire list below. We would like to see you rehearse, taking a portion of your repertoire selection and bringing it closer to concert readiness, as opposed presenting a "conducting performance". The chorus will sing in the original language. The chorus will be seated SATB from left to right. Vocal scores will be provided for the chorus in the edition indicated below; please bring your own full score as is appropriate.
3) An Interview With The Choral Conducting Faculty
In the interview we’ll want to hear about your background and aspirations, and we’ll answer any questions you have about our program. We'll also use this time to learn about facets of your musicianship beyond conducting. We’ll ask you to sight sing, play a brief piano reduction from a well-known choral work, and perhaps sing parts of your audition repertoire. We may also ask questions about this repertoire (composer, context, analysis, translation, and why you chose the piece).
Also included in your audition day will be a chance to talk over lunch with some of our current grad students. Of course, you’ll be welcome to observe any rehearsals or performances that are happening while you’re on campus. If you arrive by 2:30 on Wednesday you’ll be able to observe our MM students rehearse the Conductors Chorus (a paid student recital chorus) for their upcoming recital.
4) A Written Diagnostic Exam
This exam gives us more information about your musical skills and your knowledge of the repertoire. It will include a short dictation of a four-part Bach chorale and identification of the composer and era of a variety of choral scores. NOTE: This examination is not in lieu of the graduate entrance examinations.
AUDITION REPERTOIRE
Please call the Choral Office [(812) 855-0427 with your choice of audition repertoire by Wednesday, January 15th. The editions listed below refer to the piano-vocal scores that will be used by the chorus. You may use other editions. Copies of the piano-vocal scores will be available upon request the morning of your audition, and you will have time to compare and notate rehearsal letters and measure numbers as needed before you conduct.
• Bach, Cantata Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4, 1st movement (Carus Verlag)
• Brahms, Ein deutsches Requiem, Movt. I (Peters)
• Handel, Messiah, "And the glory of the Lord" or "Surely He hath borne our griefs" (Novello)
• Hindemith, Six chansons, "Un cygne" or "Puisque tout passe" (Schott)
• Mozart, Requiem, K. 626, Süssmayr completion, “Introit,” “Kyrie,” or “Hostias” (Bärenreiter)
• Schütz, Die mit Tränen säen (Bärenreiter)
• Stravinsky, Mass, "Kyrie" or "Agnus Dei" (Boosey & Hawkes)
• Verdi, 'Va, pensiero' from Nabucco (Ricordi)
• Victoria, O vos omnes (Edition TBA)
Rehearse pitches where necessary; spend time on ensemble, sound, intonation, interpretive choices, articulation, style, etc., as you deem appropriate for what you hear from the group. Again, we would like to see you to take a portion of your selection and improve the chorus's performance.
You may be asked to warm-up the ensemble (no more than 5 minutes) on audition day. Please prepare a short warm-up in the event that you are asked to do so.
ASSISTANTSHIPS
Your audition for our graduate program also serves as your audition for a choral assistantship.
Choral conducting majors with strong music theory skills have been awarded music theory assistantships in the past. You may read about these on the Jacobs School Theory Department web page. Please let us know of your interest when you are on campus for your audition.
https://music.indiana.edu/departments/academic/music-theory/admissions/ai-positions.shtml