Voice Audition Requirements

Voice Audition Requirements

Select the degree you are interested in to review the audition requirements and additional degree information.

Degree Page: Composition (B.M.)

Additional Application Requirements:

  1. Two (2) scores of original works (with sound files, if possible).


If selecting the Performance Concentration within the Composition program (audition required):

Audition Requirements:

Please prepare three (3) selections that contrast in style, language, time period and/or tempo. All pieces should be performed from memory. Of these three pieces:

  1. One selection should be from the art song, opera aria, oratorio aria, or pre-1970 musical theater genres.
  2. One selection should be in your primary language in any genre
  3. One selection should be in a language other than your primary language.

You are encouraged to share your personal artistry and love of singing, and showcase works that reflect your individual point of view. You are also encouraged to explore repertoire by historically underrepresented composers.

Interview Requirements:

  1. Speak with a member of our Composition faculty and ask any specific questions you may have about the Composition degree program.

Degree Page: B.M. Jazz Studies


Audition Requirements for Voice Applicants:

  1. Choose one (1) song from each of the following categories:
    1. One (1) 12-bar blues, in the key and tempo of your choice, with a melody/head of your choice. Sing the melody, improvise a solo of at least two choruses (using scat syllables), and return to the melody to end.
    2. One (1) jazz standard. Sing the melody, improvise once over the form (using scat syllables), and return to the melody.
    3. One (1) ballad.
  2. One (1) one-octave chromatic scale,ascending and descending, sung on "aah," "nah," or other similar syllable.


Plan the rundown (arrangements) for your tunes so that the total amount of music is no more than 10 minutes.

For song ideas, please see the recommended repertoire below. Another good source for songs is JazzStandards.com. If you have prepared a transcription of an improvised solo (either published or self-transcribed), you are encouraged to perform that as well.

Interview Requirements for All Applicants:

  1. Speak with a member of our Jazz Studies faculty and ask any specific questions you may have about the Jazz Studies degree program. Approximately 10 minutes.


Additional Thoughts:

Try to relax and enjoy the experience. These things can make us tense, but an audition is just a chance for you to meet us and for us to learn about you and your musicianship. We’re excited to hear you!

Degree Page: Music (B.A.)

Audition Requirements:

Please prepare three (3) selections that contrast in style, language, time period and/or tempo. All pieces should be performed from memory. Of these three pieces:

  1. One selection should be from the art song, opera aria, oratorio aria, or pre-1970 musical theater genres.
  2. One selection should be in your primary language in any genre
  3. One selection should be in a language other than your primary language.

You are encouraged to share your personal artistry and love of singing, and showcase works that reflect your individual point of view. You are also encouraged to explore repertoire by historically underrepresented composers.

Degree Page: Music Education (B.M.)

Audition Requirements:

Please prepare three (3) selections that contrast in style, language, time period and/or tempo. All pieces should be performed from memory. Of these three pieces:

  1. One selection should be from the art song, opera aria, oratorio aria, or pre-1970 musical theater genres.
  2. One selection should be in your primary language in any genre
  3. One selection should be in a language other than your primary language.

You are encouraged to share your personal artistry and love of singing, and showcase works that reflect your individual point of view. You are also encouraged to explore repertoire by historically underrepresented composers. During your audition, you may be asked about why you want to be a music educator. We look forward to learning more about your interest in teaching music!

Degree Page: Music Education and Performance (B.M.)



Audition Requirements:

Please prepare three (3) selections that contrast in style, language, time period and/or tempo. All pieces should be performed from memory. Of these three pieces:

  1. One selection should be from the art song, opera aria, or oratorio aria genres.
  2. One selection should be in your primary language (pre-1970 musical theater acceptable).
  3. One selection should be in a language other than your primary language.

You are encouraged to share your personal artistry and love of singing, and showcase works that reflect your individual point of view. You are also encouraged to explore repertoire by historically underrepresented composers. During your audition, you may be asked about why you want to be a music educator. We look forward to learning more about your interest in teaching music!

Degree Page: Music in Combination with an Outside Field (B.M.)

Audition Requirements:

Please prepare three (3) selections that contrast in style, language, time period and/or tempo. All pieces should be performed from memory. Of these three pieces:

  1. One selection should be from the art song, opera aria, oratorio aria, or pre-1970 musical theater genres.
  2. One selection should be in your primary language in any genre
  3. One selection should be in a language other than your primary language.

You are encouraged to share your personal artistry and love of singing, and showcase works that reflect your individual point of view. You are also encouraged to explore repertoire by historically underrepresented composers.

Degree Page: Performance (B.M.)

Audition Requirements:

Please prepare three (3) selections that contrast in style, language, time period and/or tempo. All pieces should be performed from memory. Of these three pieces:

  1. One selection should be from the art song, opera aria, or oratorio aria genres.
  2. One selection should be in your primary language (pre-1970 musical theater acceptable).
  3.  One selection should be in a language other than your primary language.

You are encouraged to share your personal artistry and love of singing, and showcase works that reflect your individual point of view. You are also encouraged to explore repertoire by historically underrepresented composers.

Degree Page: Sound Recording Technology (B.M.)
 

Audition Requirements:

Please prepare three (3) selections that contrast in style, language, time period and/or tempo. All pieces should be performed from memory. Of these three pieces:

  1. One selection should be from the art song, opera aria, oratorio aria, or pre-1970 musical theater genres.
  2. One selection should be in your primary language in any genre
  3. One selection should be in a language other than your primary language.

You are encouraged to share your personal artistry and love of singing, and showcase works that reflect your individual point of view. You are also encouraged to explore repertoire by historically underrepresented composers.

Interview Requirements:

  1. Meet with members of the SRT faculty, practice critical listening skills, and discuss your background in audio engineering thus far. Approximately 20 minutes.

Degree Page: Sound Recording Technology (B.M.)

Audition Requirements for Voice Applicants:

  1. Choose one (1) song from each of the following categories:
    1. One (1) 12-bar blues, in the key and tempo of your choice, with a melody/head of your choice. Sing the melody, improvise a solo of at least two choruses (using scat syllables), and return to the melody to end.
    2. One (1) jazz standard. Sing the melody, improvise once over the form (using scat syllables), and return to the melody.
    3. One (1) ballad.
  2. One (1) one-octave chromatic scale, ascending and descending, sung on "aah," "nah," or other similar syllable.


Plan the rundown (arrangements) for your tunes so that the total amount of music is no more than 10 minutes.

For song ideas, please see the recommended repertoire below. Another good source for songs is JazzStandards.com. If you have prepared a transcription of an improvised solo (either published or self-transcribed), you are encouraged to perform that as well.

Interview Requirements for All Applicants:

  1. Speak with a member of our Jazz Studies faculty and ask any specific questions you may have about the Jazz Studies degree program. Approximately 10 minutes.
  2. Meet with members of the SRT faculty, practice critical listening skills, and discuss your background in audio engineering thus far. Approximately 20 minutes.


Additional Thoughts:

Try to relax and enjoy the experience. These things can make us tense, but an audition is just a chance for you to meet us and for us to learn about you and your musicianship. We’re excited to hear you!

Program Page: Music Minor

Audition Requirements:

  1. Three (3) contrasting selections, performed from memory.


Selections should contrast in style, language, time period, and/or tempo.

You are encouraged to share your personal artistry and love of singing, and showcase works that reflect your individual point of view. You are also encouraged to explore repertoire by historically underrepresented composers.

NOTE: Auditions for the Music Minor take place once a student is enrolled at Ithaca College. Please reach out to mtd@ithaca.edu to inquire about an audition date. 

Recommended Repertoire

Blues Heads can show your knowledge of the blues form and rich bluesy landscape of jazz. Some well-known blues heads are::

  • Blue Monk
  • Au Privave
  • Now’s the Time
  • Blues for Alice
  • Tenor Madness
  • Straight, No Chaser
  • Centerpiece
  • Route 66




Standards can show your knowledge of time feel, style and improvisation. Standards can be jazz tunes such as:

  • Perdido
  • In Walked Bud
  • Well, You Needn’t
  • Epistrophy
  • Confirmation
  • Donna Lee
  • Ornithology
  • Dolphin Dance
  • Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
  • A Night in Tunisia


Standards could also be songs from the Great American Songbook, such as:

  • All the Things You Are
  • All of Me
  • Blue Skies
  • My Romance
  • How High the Moon
  • Take the 'A' Train
  • What Is This Thing Called Love?
  • Sweet Georgia Brown
  • Cherokee
  • Stompin’ at the Savoy
  • There Is No Greater Love (a.k.a. No Greater Love)
  • On the Sunny Side of the Street


Ballads are a chance to show your musicality, phrasing and intonation. Some possible ballads include:

  • Body and Soul
  • How Deep Is the Ocean
  • But Beautiful
  • Darn That Dream
  • Round Midnight
  • Lover Man
  • Embraceable You
  • Sophisticated Lady
  • Prelude to a Kiss
  • In a Sentimental Mood
Interested in Musical Theatre?

Auditions for the B.F.A. Musical Theatre program are coordinated through the Center for Theatre and Dance.

Please visit the Theatre and Dance Admission and the Audition and Interview Requirements for the B.F.A. Musical Theatre Program.

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