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
- For the Bachelor of Music Education and the Bachelor of Arts, please prepare at least two complete selections (one in Italian, French, or German) representing contrasting styles and selected from the standard classical music repertoire. Selections from popular music or the musical theatre canon may be included as a third, supplementary selection.
- For the Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, you must present three complete selections from the criteria listed above. Again, one selection from popular music or the musical theater canon may be offered, but you must indeed present three total pieces.
- All selections must be memorized.
- A piano accompanist will be provided. Please bring hard copies of your sheet music in a three-ring binder for your accompanist.
- Vocalists may audition live on campus, or submit a recorded audition.
- Students submitting a recorded audition should follow these guidelines: Vocalists should record their video in the spirit of a live audition or recital performance. Please dress professionally. Video recordings must clearly show the singer’s face and full body. Smartphone video is acceptable.
Percussionists
- Please visit the percussion studies site.
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:
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