Audition Guidelines - School of Music

Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should prepare two pieces by memory from contrasting periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic or Contemporary. For students applying in commercial performances one standard jazz tune and a contemporary pop song or a traditional piano work.

Live audition requirements: Applicants should prepare two pieces by memory from contrasting periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic or Contemporary. Only one of the pieces from the pre-screening can be repeated for the live audition. Scales and sight-reading may be requested.

Direct any questions to jerry.reed [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Jerome Reed).

Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections of contrasting style, or contrasting movements of a single large work

Live audition requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections of contrasting style, or contrasting movements of a single large work, as well as be prepared to sight-read. Only one of the pieces from the pre-screening can be repeated for the live audition.

Direct any questions to ben.blasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Benjamen Blasko).

Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections of contrasting style, or contrasting movements of a single large work

Live audition requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections of contrasting style, or contrasting movements of a single large work, as well as be prepared to sight-read. Only one of the pieces from the pre-screening can be repeated for the live audition.

Direct any questions to ben.blasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Benjamen Blasko).

Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared videos.

1. A piece of your choice demonstrating your technical and musical skills. This can be with a track or live ensemble. If it is a live ensemble, the camera must be pointed at you and your part must be very clear.
2. A demonstration of two styles of your choice. These must be played with a track.

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections of your choice. You will also be asked to demonstrate multiple styles of playing. Only one of the pieces from the pre-screening can be repeated for the live audition.

Direct any questions to ben.blasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Benjamen Blasko).

Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections, chosen from repertoire for snare drum, mallets (keyboard or timpani) and/or drum set.

Live audition requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections, chosen from repertoire for snare drum, mallets (keyboard or timpani) and/or drum set. Only one of the pieces from the pre-screening can be repeated for the live audition.

Direct any questions to ben.blasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Benjamen Blasko).

Pre-screening Requirements: Submit two contrasting songs that highlight your musical and vocal abilities. The audition pieces should be accompanied by an instrument (piano or guitar) or an instrumental track. See specifics below for each vocal concentration.

• Commercial Music: Two contrasting songs from any commercial music genre (pop, country, folk, gospel, funk/jazz, r&b, etc.).
• Classical Music: Two contrasting solo songs from memory. Selections from the classical vocal solo tradition are preferred (i.e. Italian, Latin, French, German, or English art song; African American spiritual or American folksong; or an aria). Selections from standard musical theater repertoire are also acceptable. At least one selection must be in a foreign language. 
• Hybrid concentration: Prepare one Commercial Music song and one Classical Music song, adhering to the guidelines above.
• Vocal Music Education: Students may select from both genres, but at least one selection should come from the classical vocal solo tradition, preferably in a foreign language.

Live audition requirements: Applicants should prepare two contrasting songs from memory, adhering to the same guidelines listed above. Only one of the pieces from the pre-screening can be repeated for the live audition. 
Live accompaniment is required - accompanists are available upon request.

Direct any questions to jssnodgrass [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Jenny Snodgrass).

Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections. Perform two pieces demonstrating contrasting styles. One must be with a track. The second could be with a track or live ensemble. 

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections. Only one of the pieces from the pre-screening can be repeated for the live audition. 

Direct any questions to ben.blasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Benjamen Blasko).

Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections. 

1. Perform a jazz standard with a track or rhythm section (melody, solo, comp). 
2. Perform one prepare piece of your choice (solo, with a track, or with rhythm section). 

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections. Only one of the pieces from the pre-screening can be repeated for the live audition. You may also be asked to sight read a lead sheet style tune (melody and chords) and/or sight read Nashville number chart. 

Direct any questions to ben.blasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Benjamen Blasko).

Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should submit one worship song. A clip that features your musicianship in an actual worship service are preferred.

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should be prepared to sing two worship songs from memory. If you are an instrumentalist, please accompany yourself on at least one of these songs. An accompanist will be provided upon request.

Direct any questions to randy.gill [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Randy Gill).

Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should submit videos of yourself singing and playing two songs of your choice. Both songs should be original songs with lyrics. Please include the lyrics of your original songs in the description of each of your Youtube videos. 

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should prepare two songs of your choice. Both must be original songs with lyrics and may not be repeated from the pre-screening materials. 

Direct any questions to dchaffer [at] lipscomb.edu (Don Chaffer).

Pre-screening Requirements: Please submit two examples of your work - specifics below.

1. A video of yourself playing a song of your choice, either an original or a cover song on your primary instrument (if you play more than one instrument, feel free to include video footage of you playing other instruments);
2. A MP3 or WAV file demonstrating your production work. This should demonstrate your use of DAW technology such as GarageBand, Logic, Pro Tools, etc. For both video and audio submissions, please upload to YouTube (you may make them private or public, and then provide a link in your audition form), and—in the video description, please also include a brief explanation of what you did in this production (e.g. I played bass, recorded the instruments, mixed the track, etc.)

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants will perform a song of their choice (original or cover) and talk through an example of their production work.

Direct any questions to jemcpherson [at] lipscomb.edu (Jeff McPherson).

Pre-screening Requirements for Ensemble Placement: Please submit one video (youtube link) of you performing on your primary instrument. In your School of Music application please indicate which type of ensemble you are most interested in.

Pre-screening Requirements: Please submit a 750-1000 word essay following the prompts below.

• Why are you interested in the music industry?
• What skills are you most committed to mastering?
• What impact do you hope to make in the world with these skills?

music [at] lipscomb.edu (Email) the School of Music office your essay after completing your online application.

Live Audition Requirements: Students will perform before the music faculty for ensemble placement and scholarship consideration. Please prepare a piece of your choice on your primary instrument.
There will be a separate live interview with the Director of Music Industry Studies in person or via zoom.

Direct any questions to jjthompson [at] lipscomb.edu (John J. Thompson).

Pre-screening Requirements: Please submit two examples of your work - specifics below.

1. A video of yourself performing on your primary instrument/voice. It must be a work over 3 minutes demonstrating your technical and music facility;
2. An example of your media composition work. This should demonstrate your use of DAW technology such as GarageBand, Logic, Pro Tools, etc and notational skills if applicable. For both video and audio submissions, please upload to YouTube (you may make them private or public, and then provide a link in your audition form), and—in the video description, please also include a brief explanation of your media compositional work.

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants will perform on their primary instrument/voice a work of their choice (a different work from their prescreening) and talk through an example of their media composition work with the faculty (a different work from their prescreening).
The auditionee must submit an mp3 of their media composition ahead of time in order for it to be played. If they have a notated score, please submit that ahead of time as well as a pdf.

The student will music [at] lipscomb.edu (Email) the School of Music office any of the additional materials prior to their live audition.

Direct any questions to ben.blasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Benjamen Blasko).

Pre-screening Requirements: All students must submit one video (youtube link) of a performance on their applied instrument. Applications submitted prior to March 1st will be given priority. 

• Vocalists can perform a piece from any style. Accompaniment is preferred.
• Instrumentalists should submit a performance of any genre.

Music Minor: Please submit your application & video (youtube link) through your Bison Portal. Please note that scholarships may not be available to music minors.

Ensemble Participant: Please submit a video (youtube link) and indicate your ensemble of interest. music [at] lipscomb.edu (Email) your materials to the School of Music office.

• Sanctuary - gillrl [at] lipscomb.edu ( Dr Randy Gill)
• Gospel Choir - aaron.howard [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr Aaron Howard)
• Chorale - mttaylor3 [at] lipscomb.edu ( Dr Matt Taylor)
• Chamber Ensembles - bablasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr Ben Blasko)
• Wind Ensemble - bablasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr Ben Blasko)
• Chamber Strings - bablasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr Ben Blasko)
• Pep Band - redepriest [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr Ronda DePriest)
• Commercial Ensembles - dchaffer [at] lipscomb.edu (Don Chaffer)

Lipscomb Jazz Ensemble Audition Information:

Please read all the information as wind and rhythm section have different submission requirements

All students to play these excerpts along with the provided recordings.

Splanky

Groove Merchant

Jazz Police

Hunting Wabbits

Excerpts are bracketed. If there are no brackets, play the entire page.

Improvising is optional but will help chair placement and will improve your chances of passing
the audition. Solo 3 choruses over a Bb blues with backing track or metronome on 2&4.

Trumpets, Trombones, and Saxophones will submit an unlisted Youtube video link of the required materials to syeh [at] lipscomb.edu and bablasko [at] lipscomb.edu by August 16th, 2024 11pm.

Trumpets: play all excerpts with original recording. Drop octaves if needed, but if you are auditioning for lead you will need to read the ink.

Trombones: play all excerpts with original recording. Drop octaves if needed, but if you are auditioning for lead you will need to read the ink.

Saxophones: I have included both Bb and Eb options to be played on either alto/Bari or tenor/soprano.

Rhythm section will audition live on the first rehearsal on August 20th , 2024.
You must sign up for a time with Prof. Yeh no later than August 16th, 2024.

Guitar: 
1. Play the provided part with recording. (Chart in the dropbox folder)
2. Comp over a medium swing 12 bar blues in the style of Freddie Green

How to play like Freddie Green
Link one
Link two

Piano:
Play through Moten Swing with recording (Chart in the dropbox folder)

Drums:
The provided charts as well as will need an example playing in these styles: med swing with sticks and brushes, fast swing, Latin, and funk.

Bass:
Demonstrate ability to read parts as well as walk an improvised bass line.