Audition Guidelines - School of Music

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should prepare two pieces by memory from contrasting periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic or Contemporary. Scales and sight-reading may be requested.

Remote Audition Requirements: Applicants should submit videos of two pieces by memory from contrasting periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic or Contemporary.

Note: For students applying in commercial performance, one standard jazz tune and a contemporary pop song or a traditional piano work. The performance degree may be a hybrid program with both commercial and classical piano. 

• Videos must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the Audition Date
• Students must sign up for a Virtual Interview on that Audition Date

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

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections of contrasting style, or contrasting movements of a single large work. 

Remote Audition Requirements: Applicants should submit videos of two prepared selections of contrasting style, or contrasting movements of a single large work.

• Videos must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the Audition Date
• Students must sign up for a Virtual Interview on that Audition Date
   

Direct any questions to slitt [at] lipscomb.edu (Professor Sam Litt).

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections of contrasting style, or contrasting movements of a single large work.

Remote Audition Requirements: Applicants should submit videos of two prepared selections of contrasting style, or contrasting movements of a single large work.

• Videos must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the Audition Date
• Students must sign up for a Virtual Interview on that Audition Date

Direct any questions to slitt [at] lipscomb.edu (Professor Sam Litt).

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections of your choice. Students will also be asked to demonstrate multiple styles of playing.

• Have two prepared selections of your choice demonstrating your technical & musical skills
             (These can be played with a track)
• Students will also be asked to demonstrate multiple styles of playing

Remote Audition Requirements: Applicants should submit two videos:

• A piece of your choice demonstrating your technical & 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.
• A demonstration of two styles of your choice. These must be played with a track.
  • Videos must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the Audition Date
  • Students must sign up for a Virtual Interview on that Audition Date
     

Direct any questions to slitt [at] lipscomb.edu (Professor Sam Litt).

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections:

• Chosen repertoire for an unpitched instrument (snare drum, tambourine, drum set, etc)
• Chosen repertoire for a pitched instrument (timpani, mallets, etc)

Remote Audition Requirements: Applicants should submit two videos:

• Two prepared selections, chosen from repertoire for snare drum, mallets (keyboard or timpani)
       and/or drum set.
  • Videos must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the Audition Date
  • Students must sign up for a Virtual Interview on that Audition Date
     

Direct any questions to slitt [at] lipscomb.edu (Professor Sam Litt).

Live audition requirements: Applicants should prepare two contrasting songs from memory that highlight your musical and vocal abilities. Live accompaniment is required - a collaborative pianist is available upon request. 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). One selection from the standard musical theater repertoire is 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 different genres, but at least one selection should come from the classical vocal solo tradition, preferably in a foreign language.
   

Remote Audition Requirements:  Applicants should submit videos of two contrasting songs from memory that highlight your musical and vocal abilities and adhere to the same guidelines listed above. The audition pieces should be accompanied by an instrument (piano or guitar) or an instrumental track

• Videos must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the Audition Date
• Students must sign up for a Virtual Interview on that Audition Date
   

Direct any questions to susan.shirel [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Susan Shirel).

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections.

Remote Audition 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.

• Videos must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the Audition Date
• Students must sign up for a Virtual Interview on that Audition Date

Direct any questions to slitt [at] lipscomb.edu (Professor Sam Litt).

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections.

Remote Audition Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections: 

• Perform a jazz standard with a track or rhythm section (melody, solo, comp).
• Perform one prepared piece of your choice (solo, with a track, or with rhythm section).
   
  • Videos must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the Audition Date
  • Students must sign up for a Virtual Interview on that Audition Date
     

Direct any questions to slitt [at] lipscomb.edu (Professor Sam Litt).

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 may be provided upon request.

Remote Audition Requirements: Applicants should submit videos of them singing two worship songs. 
Videos that feature you leading in an actual worship setting are  preferred.

• Videos must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the Audition Date
• Students must sign up for a Virtual Interview on that Audition Date
   

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

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should prepare to perform two original songs. Both should be 100% written by the applicant (not co-written).

• Please bring five copies of your lyrics
   

Remote Audition Requirements: Applicants should submit videos of themselves singing and playing two original songs. Both should be 100% written by the applicant (not co-written). 

• Please include the lyrics of your original songs in the description of each of your Youtube videos
   
  • Videos must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the Audition Date
  • Student must sign up for a Virtual Interview on that Audition Date
     

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

Live Audition Requirements: Applicants will be required to:

• Perform a song of their choice (original or cover) on their primary instrument.
• Applicants should play an example of their production work and talk through their production
    process.
    (It’s a nice touch to play a session from your laptop while talking through your process)
   

Remote Audition Requirements: Please submit two examples of your work - specifics below:

• 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). 
  • Upload your video to YouTube as Unlisted or Public (not Private), and provide the link in your audition form.
• An mp3, WAV, or AIFF file that demonstrates your experience with music production and digital audio workstation (DAW) technology, such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Garageband or similar software.
  • Include a brief description identifying your individual contributions to the project, such as songwriting, arranging, performing, programming, recording, editing, or mixing. We are especially interested in understanding your creative decisions and production process.
  • Students may submit a shareable link to your audio recording or, if supported by the application system, upload the audio file directly. 
     
    • Video and audio must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the Audition Date
    • Students must sign up for a Virtual Interview on that Audition Date
       

Direct any questions to arwebb2 [at] lipscomb.edu (Professor Alexander Webb).

Application Requirement: 
Applicants must submit a 750-1000 word essay following the prompts below as part of their application:

• 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?
   

Live Audition Requirements: Please prepare a piece of your choice on your primary instrument to perform before the music faculty.
(Note: This is for ensemble and private lesson placement and scholarship consideration) There will be an interview during your audition.

MIS applicants’ essays will also be factored into scholarship consideration.  
 

Remote Audition Requirements for Admittance & 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.
   
  • Video must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the Audition Date
  • Students must sign up for a Virtual Interview on that Audition Date
     

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

Live Audition Requirements:

Applicants will:

• Perform on their primary instrument/voice a work of their choice
• Talk through an example of their composition work with the faculty

Notes: The auditionee must submit an mp3 and score in PDF format of their composition ahead of time in order for it to be played. Materials must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the Audition Date.
 

Remote Audition Requirements: Please submit two examples of your work - specifics below.

• A video of yourself performing on your primary instrument/voice. It must be a work over 3 minutes demonstrating your technical and music facility;
• Submit an example of your original musical composition. This may include a work written for orchestra, wind ensemble, chamber ensemble, solo instrument, or any other instrumental or vocal combination.
• Your submission should demonstrate your creativity, musical ideas, and understanding of composition. Scores created using music notation software and recordings produced using a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), such as GarageBand, Logic Pro, or Pro Tools, are welcome but not required.
• For audio or video submissions, please upload your work to YouTube (as a public or unlisted video) and provide the link in your audition form. In the video description, include a brief explanation of your composition, including the inspiration behind the work and the instruments or ensemble for which it was written.
   
  • Video and audio materials must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the Audition Date
  • Students must sign up for a Virtual Interview on that Audition Date
     

Direct any questions to rdejonge [at] lipscomb.edu (Professor Rick DeJonge).

Students must submit the Music Minor application and indicate their program of interest.

• Music Minor (general)
• Worship Arts Minor
• Music Industry Studies Minor

Applications submitted prior to March 1st will be given priority. 

Please note that scholarships may not be available to music minors.

Students must submit the Music Ensemble application and indicate their ensemble of interest.

• Vocal:
  • Commercial Ensembles - dchaffer [at] lipscomb.edu (Don Chaffer)
  • Concert Choir - cjnakielski [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr Chris Nakielski)
  • Gospel Choir - aaron.howard [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr Aaron Howard)
  • Sanctuary - gillrl [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr Randy Gill)
  • University Chorale - cjnakielski [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr Chris Nakielski)
• Instrumental:
  • Chamber Ensembles - slitt [at] lipscomb.edu (Professor Sam Litt)
  • Commercial Ensembles - dchaffer [at] lipscomb.edu (Don Chaffer)
  • Jazz Ensemble - Professor Desmond Ng
  • Pep Band - slitt [at] lipscomb.edu (Professor Sam Litt)
  • String Orchestra - slitt [at] lipscomb.edu (Professor Sam Litt)
  • Wind Ensemble - wkmatthews [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr Wendy K Matthews)
     

Please note that some Ensemble Directors require a placement audition. Ensemble Scholarships may be available and can be stacked on existing scholarships.