Music Auditions at UMaine

Note: Due to ongoing challenges presented by the novel coronavirus, the School of Performing Arts is still accepting recorded auditions. Please complete an audition form by clicking here. 

Undergraduate Music Degrees

•Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Performance
•Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education
•Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music

In addition to gaining admission to the University (please visit admissions to learn more), all students wishing to major in music must pass an entry audition. Auditions should include prepared selections under the following guidelines:

  • Students should provide a list of studied repertoire from the past two years

Instrumentalists (non-piano, non-percussion)

  • Two contrasting works: one that demonstrates expressive musicality and a second that displays technique
  • Prospective instrumental students will be asked to sight read as part of the audition.

Vocalists

Applicants are encouraged to audition live on campus at one of our two Voice Audition Days. Audition Days in 2023-24 are scheduled for Friday, November 3, 2023, and Friday, February 9, 2024. On those days, applicants will have the opportunity to have a sample voice lesson with one of our vocal instructors, ask questions of faculty over lunch, and attend both a singing master class and a rehearsal of the University of Maine Singers, our primary vocal ensemble.

Recorded auditions are also welcomed.

For both in-person and recorded auditions, requirements are as follows:

For the Bachelor of Music Education degree or the Bachelor of Arts degree:

Please prepare at least two complete selections, one in English and, if possible, one in either Italian, French, German or Spanish. (See Repertoire Suggestions below.) If you would like, you may also include a third selection from musical theater or other contemporary commercial music styles, but please remember our program is primarily classically-based.

For the Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, you must present three complete selections from standard classical repertoire. (See Repertoire Suggestions below.) Again, you may also include an additional selection from musical theater or other contemporary commercial music styles, but please remember our program is primarily classically-based.

All selections MUST be memorized.

For live auditions, a piano accompanist will be provided. You will need to bring printed copies of your sheet music in a three-ring binder for the accompanist.

Students submitting a recorded audition should follow these guidelines:

  • Dress professionally.
  • Stand in the frame of the camera so that your entire body is visible.
  • Announce each piece.

(Smartphone video is acceptable.)

Suggested Repertoire

Songs other than your optional pieces should be chosen from collections such as:

24 Italian Songs and Arias of the 17th/18th centuries
26 Italian Songs and Arias of the 17th/18th centuries
The First Book of Soprano Solos, Pt. 1, 2 or Book 2
The First Book of Mezzo-Soprano Solos, etc.
The First Book of Tenor Solos
The First Book of Baritone/Bass Solos

The Solo Singer Series
The Young Singer Series

Percussionists

Pianists

  • Students should showcase a reasonable knowledge of classical piano literature from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods, whether that be through their audition or in their repertoire list
  • Pieces selected should demonstrate expressiveness of performance as well as technical ability
  • Pianists applying for the B.A. degree or the B.M. in music education should perform two historical period pieces. Those applying for the B.M. in Performance should perform three period pieces

Additional Requirements

  • A 250 word essay must be completed by all students seeking admission to the Music Education program.
    • Why do you want to become a music educator?
    • What experiences have you had that will be beneficial to you as you work toward this goal?
  • All prospective music education majors must also complete an interview with a member of the music education faculty on the day of their audition.

Graduate Music Degrees

•Master of Music Degree in Music Performance
•Master of Music Degree in Music Education (with optional conducting emphasis)

In addition to gaining admission to the University (please visit Graduate Admissions to learn more), all students wishing to pursue graduate studies in music must pass an entry audition.  Auditions should include prepared selections under the following guidelines:

Vocalists

  • A minimum of four songs or arias covering the four standard languages (Italian, German, French, and English) including at least one aria
  • All selections must be memorized

For additional information about graduate entry, please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook. 

Note: In light of current challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, all auditions will be submitted online. Contact kerryd@maine.edu for more information.

For more information regarding the B.M. in Music Education:

Philip Edelman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
School of Performing Arts
University of Maine
Email |207.581.1257

For more information regarding the B.M. in Music Performance:

Jack Burt, D.M.A.
Professor of Music
School of Performing Arts
University of Maine
Email | 207.581.1773

For more information regarding the B.A. in Music:

Phillip Silver, D.M.A.
Professor of Music
School of Performing Arts
University of Maine
Email | 207.581.1783

Complete an Online Audition Form