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
Live auditions are greatly preferred for both scholarship consideration and the Music major.
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 dates. To schedule an audition, please contact Prof. Joshua Chai (joshua.chai@concordia.edu) and Prof. Michael Staub (michael.staub@concordia.edu).
No pre-screening is necessary. The audition requirements are below; students should be prepared to discuss their musical experiences and goals. The auditioning faculty will be comprised of our academic and performance faculty on multiple instruments.
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-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 who are not able to come to campus for a live audition, but who wish to be Music majors at CTX, may receive provisional acceptance to the Music major. Students may mail video recordings of the items required above under Prepared Piece, as well as a short statement explaining their past musical experience, their future musical goals, and why they are unable to audition in person.
Non-majors may submit a recorded audition as well, but first preference for all Music scholarships will go to in-person interviews.
Mail all items to:
Music
Attn: Audition Materials
11400 Concordia University Dr.
Austin, TX 78726
Alternatively, students may submit electronically by uploading their Prepared Pieces videos to a publicly-accessible site, and providing a PDF explaining their past musical experiences, future musical goals, and why they are unable to audition in person.
Electronic submissions should be mailed to music@concordia.edu and joshua.chai@concordia.edu.