Undergraduate Contemporary Audition Requirements

• A video prescreening is required for all Contemporary/CAM applicants
• The prescreening must be uploaded with your Frost supplemental application 
• An invitation to audition live will be extended to applicants approved by faculty after a review of their prescreening

• A live audition is by invitation only on the Frost School of Music campus
• Auditions take about 15 minutes to complete
• Applicants should come prepared to perform the selections submitted on the prescreen videos and/or different selections of similar styles
• Please note that at times, the faculty may ask for partial selections
• The faculty may also vary the audition format at any time in response to each individual applicant's skill and abilities
• Accompanists will not be provided. Applicants may self-accompany, bring others to accompany them, or perform with accompaniment tracks
• All Contemporary/CAM applicants will be asked to demonstrate an understanding of the rudiments of music theory commensurate with that of entering freshmen in the Frost School of Music

• Piano
• Keyboard
• Microphone
• Audio mixer/PA with auxiliary inputs for iPod's, etc. (no CDs please)
• Amplifiers for electric guitar and bass
• Drum kit
• Ableton Push Controller
• Music stands

• Applicant will perform three selections (original or covers) from one or more contemporary musical genres such as pop, rock, R&B, folk, gospel, country, etc., demonstrating appropriate stylistic elements. (Please note: Original songs and material are highly encouraged for each selection, but they are not required–except for CAM minor*).
• Each selection must be submitted separately in a video format.
• Applicant must show a strong aptitude and sense of originality in various stylistic areas of contemporary performance.
• Selections should be in contrasting styles, performed with a live band or backing track, and should not be longer than 3 minutes each.
• Additional studio recordings can be submitted for consideration, but cannot substitute for the video requirements.

• In addition to any of the above, applicant may be asked to read music in both notation and chord-chart formats, demonstrate his/her ability to improvise, perform major, minor, and pentatonic scales in various positions, and show technical facility through typical routines and exercises.
• Applicant must demonstrate ability to play with a good sound and a strong time feel- both as a soloist and with a rhythm section.

• The applicant must show a strong aptitude and sense of originality in various stylistic areas of contemporary performance.
• The applicant must submit three video selections from one or more contemporary musical genres such as pop, rock, R&B, folk, gospel, country, etc., demonstrating appropriate stylistic elements.  Here are the criteria:
  • One strong groove or “pocket” selection between 90 and 110 bpm.
  • One up-tempo selection between 125 and 160 bpm.  (Suggestions: prog rock, fusion, metal, drum and bass, etc.)
  • One selection in a compound or odd meter at any tempo.
• Selections must be performed with a live group, click track or backing track and should not be longer than 3 minutes each.
• Additional short studio recordings can be submitted for consideration, but cannot substitute for the video requirements.

• In addition to any of the above, the applicant will be asked to perform with recorded tracks in a variety of contemporary styles, including shuffles and Latin selections.
• The applicant will be asked to solo over an ostinato figure at approximately 115 bpm.
• The applicant will be asked to read basic drum charts and rhythms.

• Applicant will perform three selections (original or covers) from one or more contemporary musical genres such as pop, rock, R&B, folk, gospel, country, etc., demonstrating appropriate stylistic elements and originality. (Please note: Original songs and material are highly encouraged for each selection, but they are not required–except for CAM minor*.)
• Each selection must be submitted separately in a video format
• Song selections (3) should include:
  • Blues
  • Up-tempo
  • Your choice (medium tempo, solo piece, ballad, etc.)
• At least one selection should demonstrate solo improvisation.
• Selections should demonstrate applicant's technical facility and expressive abilities.
• Performances should be presented with a live band or backing track.
• Additional studio recordings can be submitted for consideration, but cannot substitute for the video requirements.

• In addition to demonstration of any of the above selections, students are encouraged to prepare different selections that meet the same requirements.
• Students will be asked to demonstrate skills and application of knowledge, to their instrument. Students may be asked to demonstrate abilities/knowledge in the following areas:
  • Sight-reading
  • Scales
  • Chords (spelling/voicings)
  • Typical comping patterns showing technical facility

• Applicant will perform three selections (original or covers) from one or more contemporary musical genres such as pop, rock, R&B, folk, gospel, country, etc., demonstrating appropriate stylistic elements. (Please note: Original songs and material are highly encouraged for each selection, but they are not required–except for CAM minor*.)
• Each selection must be submitted separately in a video format.
• One selection must be performed on a synthesizer or electronic keyboard with a sound other than piano.
• One selection should demonstrate an improvised solo.
• Selections should be in contrasting styles, performed either solo, with a live band or backing track
• Additional studio recordings can be submitted for consideration, but cannot substitute for the video requirements.

• In addition to demonstration of any of the above selections, students are encouraged to prepare different selections that meet the same requirements.
• Students will be asked to sight-read music in both notation and chord-chart formats, demonstrate his/her ability to improvise, perform major and minor scales in various keys, demonstrate chord spelling/voicings/progressions, and show technical facility through typical comping patterns/routines and improvisation.

• Applicant must demonstrate a strong aptitude and sense of originality in any stylistic area of contemporary, performance-oriented electronic music, displaying competency in performance-oriented music software such as Ableton Live and/or hardware such as modular synths and sequencers.
• Applicant will submit 3 original compositions from a variety of electronic genres. At least 2 of the compositions must be submitted as live video performances. The video must clearly show applicant demonstrate his/her ability to expressively perform and interact in real-time with MIDI controllers and/or hardware instruments to create and augment content.
• Additional studio recordings can be submitted for consideration but cannot substitute for the video requirements.

Note: Applicant must bring own computer, controller(s), and any required hardware to the live audition. PUSH and generic USB MIDI/Keyboard controllers can be provided upon request.

• Perform live a prepared original piece of their choice (Prerecorded not acceptable). 
• Applicant may be asked to improvise musically in real-time in a variety of settings. For example, play a solo, drumbeat or new bass line on a keyboard/controller.
• Applicant may be asked to demonstrate an example of sound design using a software instrument that responds to real-time controls of their own design for variation of timbre/articulation etc.

• Applicant will perform three selections (original or covers) from one or more contemporary musical genres such as pop, rock, R&B, fusion, bluegrass, old-time, electronic, world, etc., demonstrating appropriate stylistic elements. Please note: Original songs and material are highly encouraged for each selection, but they are not required–except for CAM minor*).
• Each selection must be submitted separately in a video format.
• Applicant can perform on any type of bowed string instrument, including traditional acoustic, electric, 5 (or more) strings, fretted, midi, etc.
• Applicant must show a strong aptitude and sense of originality in his/her dominant area of contemporary performance.
• Selections should be in contrasting styles, performed either solo, with a live band or track.
• At least one selection should include an improvised solo.
• Additional studio recordings can be submitted for consideration, but cannot substitute for the video requirements.

• In addition to any of the above, applicant may be asked to read music in both notation and chord-chart formats, demonstrate his/her ability to improvise, perform major, minor, and pentatonic scales in various positions, and show technical facility through typical routines and exercises.
• Applicant must demonstrate ability to play with a good sound and a strong time feel- both as a soloist and with a rhythm section. 

• Applicant will perform three selections (original or covers) from one or more contemporary musical genres such as pop, rock, R&B, folk, gospel, country, etc., that the applicant feels best represents their unique artistic voice. (Please note: Original songs and material are highly encouraged for each selection, but they are not required–except for CAM minor*).
• Each selection must be submitted separately in a video format with the applicant visible and clearly heard.
• Selections can be performed with or without a microphone.
• All selections may be self-accompanied, accompanied by others (accompanist or band), or performed with accompaniment tracks.
• We encourage you to reinterpret covers in an original and creative way.
• If original music is submitted, selection must include one lyric sheet in PDF format containing the lyrics to that song and clearly identifying any additional co-writers and their contributions.
• Additional studio recordings can be submitted for consideration, but cannot be substituted for the video requirements.
• Applicants should upload a headshot and resume with their application. 

• Applicant will perform up to three selections.
• Please bring one printed lyric sheet for each original song.
• In addition to the above, applicant will speak about their goals within their musical career path.

*For Contemporary Vocalist - MADE is the program choice that correlates to a contemporary voice performance degree.

• Applicant will submit three original songs (music and lyrics) in any genre that best demonstrate their unique originality and style.
• Applicant must show a strong aptitude and originality as a songwriter and performer or producer.
• Each selection must be submitted separately in a video format.
• All selections must be performed using a microphone and self-accompanied on guitar, piano, keyboard, other chordal instruments, or with an original, self-produced beat or backing track. Additional musicians and/or a live band is acceptable alongside.
• Please include one lyric sheet in PDF format containing the lyrics to all three songs and clearly identifying any additional co-writers and their contributions.
• Additional studio recordings can be submitted for consideration but cannot substitute for the video requirements.

• Applicant will perform up to three original songs (can be same as the prescreen), self-accompanied (or with track) in any genre that best demonstrates his/her originality and style.
• In addition, applicant may be asked to demonstrate his/her ability to read music in both notation and chord-chart formats, harmonize, embellish, improvise, perform major and minor chords and scales in various keys and show his/her range and technical facility through typical practice routines and exercises.
• Please bring printed one printed lyric sheet for each song to the audition.