Audition Requirements

Music majors are required to audition for acceptance to the program.

Interested students who do not intend to major in music but would like to be considered for music scholarships are invited to audition as part of this process.

The Audition Process

• Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the University's move to entirely online delivery, all further auditions for Fall 2020 will not be in-person.
• Interested students should still contact Dr. Chai or Dr. Staub to arrange an audition either in recorded video and teleconference.
• See below under "Auditions not in-person" for more information.
• Audition dates:
  • January 25 and February 22, 2020 (first consideration for music scholarships)
  • April 4, 2020 (remaining scholarships)  Cancelled due to a transition to online-only delivery.
• Audition requirements vary by specialization (see below), but generally include two prepared pieces from the classical repertoire and some sight reading.
• Music scholarships are open to all admitted students regardless of major.
• Scheduling a private audition apart from the dates above, or auditioning by video, may be possible; contact Dr. Chai or Dr. Staub for more information.

For the school year beginning Fall 2020, our audition dates are January 25, 2020 and February 22, 2020.  First consideration for music scholarships goes to students who audition on one of these two dates. To schedule an audition, please fill out the our Audition Information Google Sheet and contact Dr. Joshua Chai (joshua.chai@concordia.edu) and Dr. Michael Staub (michael.staub@concordia.edu) for more information.

Students do not need to be music majors to receive music scholarships, and may audition on these dates even if they do not plan on majoring in music. 

Students should have already applied to Concordia University Texas before their audition.  If you're interested in applying to Concordia, please fill out a request form so we may contact you with more information!

Prepared Pieces

Non-Music Majors:
Students who are not planning on a Music major but would still like to be considered for Music scholarships should perform two pieces from the classical repertoire.  Non-majors are highly encouraged to audition on an instrument that fits them for a Concordia ensemble (University Choir, Concordia Symphonic Winds, Jazz, etc.), as their scholarship will require ensemble participation.

Performance specialization:
Prospective students will prepare two pieces in contrasting styles from the classical repertoire.

Theory/Composition specialization:
Prospective students will present at least two original compositions for any instrumentation. The musical score is required; a recording (or live performance) of the piece is helpful. In addition, students seeking a theory/composition specialization should prepare one short piece or exercise that demonstrates reasonable facility at an instrument.

Music Ministry specialization:
Prospective students will prepare one piece from the classical literature which demonstrates technical facility at their primary instrument. The student will also prepare a sacred piece of music (hymn improvisation, contemporary worship song, etc.). In addition, Music Ministry prospective students will be interviewed about their personal faith, their previous ministry experience, and their familiarity with theology and worship.

Music Education specialization: 
Prospective students will prepare two pieces in contrasting styles from the classical repertoire on their primary instrument.

Sight Reading

All auditioning will be asked to sight-read a short excerpt on their primary instrument to demonstrate fluency with musical notation.

Auditions not in-person

Students auditioning for the Music program after our last audition date (Feburary 22, 2020) will need to audition by sending recorded video and via teleconference (FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, etc.).

• Auditionees should prepare videos of their two Prepared Pieces from the section above, and upload them to a public video-sharing website (i.e. YouTube).
• They should then e-mail those links to music@concordia.edu with a short letter that explains their musical experience and their goals in collegiate study.
• We will contact you to arrange a time to teleconference.  If this presents an issue to you due to lack of access to a computer/internet, please let us know in your e-mail to us.