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Music Application & Audition Information
Interested in participating in music at USCA? Please read the information below to learn about the opportunities available for all students.
Music & scholarship auditions
All incoming students declaring a major in music must audition for the music faculty. Instrumental and vocal auditions are:
| Saturday, February 2, 2008 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, February 16, 2008 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |
Auditions are held on campus at the Etherredge Center, Room 125. For directions to USCA or to print a map of the campus, click here.
Applying for a degree in music is a simple, two-step process:
Complete an application to the university.
There is an online application to USCA which is available at www.usca.edu/admissions/. Through this link, you also may obtain more information about the university, the music program, or request to visit the campus. If you prefer to receive an application by mail, please call 1-888-WOW-USCA (969-8722).
Complete an application for the music program.
You may complete this application by locating the Application Form in the menu bar above, or clicking here. To request a music application by mail, please call Dr. Catherine Rand at 1-803-641-3724.
Applications for the music program are due no later than January 15, 2008.
After January 15 you will receive confirmation of your audition date and time.
Current students enrolled at USCA do not need to complete the Music Application, but must complete the Scholarship Application Form in order to be considered for financial assistance for the next academic year. You may complete this application by locating the Scholarship Application Form in the menu bar above, or clicking here. To request a scholarship application by mail, please call Dr. Richard Maltz at 1-803-641-3625. Scholarship applications are due no later than January 15.
Audition requirements
All students who want to receive scholarship assistance and incoming students to USCA must have an audition prior to being accepted. Below are the audition requirements:
Vocal auditions
- Candidates should prepare and perform two contrasting selections, preferably from memory. The first selection should be a work in a foreign language and the second selection may be of the student’s choosing.
- An accompanist will be provided.
- Please provide an original copy of both selections for your accompanist.
- Pre-recorded accompaniment or background performance tracks are not acceptable for the audition.
- In addition to the prepared selections, students may be asked to sight-read a small excerpt from a choral work, hymn tune, or folk song. Students will be given sufficient time and assistance to sing the excerpt.
- Following the singing portion of the audition, students will have an opportunity to meet the faculty and ask any questions they may have.
Instrumental auditions: Woodwinds and Brass
- Candidates should prepare two movements from different compositions from the standard repertoire of their respective major instrument. The audition selections should be of contrasting style, one fast and the other slow and lyrical. Two single movement works are also acceptable.
- Accompaniment is not required
- Major scales should be prepared.
- In addition to the prepared selections, students may be asked to sight-read a small excerpt. Students will be given sufficient time to review the excerpt.
- Following the playing portion of the audition, students will have an opportunity to meet the faculty and ask any questions they may have.
Instrumental auditions: Percussion
- Candidates should prepare an etude or solo for snare and keyboard percussion (Marimba or Xylophone).
- Selections from the candidate’s state solo and ensemble list would be acceptable.
- Accompaniment is not required.
- Major scales should be prepared
- In addition to the prepared selections, students may be asked to sight-read a small excerpt. Students will be given sufficient time to review the excerpt.
- Following the playing portion of the audition, students will have an opportunity to meet the faculty and ask any questions they may have.
Late auditions
If you are unable to attend the music auditions, please contact either the Director of Bands or Director of Choral Activities. Should a conflict arise with the audition dates, you may receive special permission to audition on an individual basis. Please call or e-mail either of the contacts below:
| Dr. Catherine Rand | Director of Bands | catheriner@usca.edu | 803-641-3724 |
| Dr. Joel Scraper | Director of Choral Activities | joels@usca.edu | 803-641-3306 |
August auditions
Students who decide to transfer or declare a major in music after the spring audition process is finished must complete an audition in August, prior to the beginning of school. The audition date for incoming students is Monday, August 11.
Please contact either of the ensemble directors listed above, then complete the applications to be admitted to the university and the music program prior to your arrival.
Scholarship may be available on a limited basis.
Information for non-music majors
If you would like to participate in any of the university ensembles but do not intend to major in music, scholarship assistance may be available in the form of an ensemble scholarship. In order to be considered for an ensemble scholarship, please complete the Ensemble Scholarship Request that may be located in the menu bar above, or click here. After scholarship requests are received, an audition will be scheduled with the ensemble’s conductor. Scholarship monies are available only on a limited basis.
