Auditions

Auditions are required for all School of Music applicants, except composition applicants who must submit scores and may choose to audition if interested in studying privately on a major instrument or voice.

Musical theater auditions are not associated with the School of Music. 

High School students should audition during their senior year or the winter prior to their year of enrollment.

On-Campus auditions are strongly encouraged, although we evaluate Off-Campus and Video Recorded Auditions with the same weight.

On-Campus Auditions are required for:

• All Undergraduate Percussion applicants 
• B.M. Composition applicants
• B.M. Sound Recording Technology applicants

• On-campus auditions -- On-campus auditions are strongly recommended and include personal meetings with faculty and information sessions with the dean, director of music admission, and a financial aid representative. 
• Regional audition sites -- Auditions conducted at regional audition sites are video-recorded and brought back for review by the School of Music faculty.
  • Regional auditions are not available for B.M. in Composition, B.M. in Jazz Studies, B.M. in Sound Recording Technology, undergraduate percussion, and graduate applicants. 
• Video Recording -- Video recorded submissions should be submitted online through the Audition Form. Video recorded submissions must be received by January 15. 

In addition to the audition, all undergraduate applicants will be required to perform a brief sight-singing examination. This is not a theory test, but does measure the applicant's ability to match pitch, sing simple melodic lines unaccompanied, and to read basic rhythmic patterns. No formal voice training is necessary, but it is recommended that applicants practice these skills with a school music teacher or a private teacher prior to the audition.

Voice applicants are required to perform with an accompanist. Undergraduate applicants who audition at regional sites must provide their own accompanists. For auditions in Ithaca, applicants may provide their own accompanist or use an Ithaca College staff accompanist. The fee for this service is $25 for undergraduate applicants and $35 for graduate applicants. Checks should be made payable to "Ithaca College" and presented to the registration desk on the audition day. Applicants must bring with them original, published versions of their repertoire that is clear, legible, and stays open and flat. Applicants may also bring copies for pianist use, as long as published versions are in their possession at the audition. Instrumental auditions must be unaccompanied.