Requirements

Students will be asked to perform:

• - 2 pieces in any popular style, preferably a jazz transcription for at least 1 selection
• - ​Two-octave major and minor scales
• - Walking bass lines over chord changes (e.g. blues, rhythm changes, or standard jazz tunes)
• - Sight reading

Students will be asked to perform:

• - 2 pieces, preferably 1 in a classical style and the other in any style (preferably jazz)
• - A short, improvised solo over a pre-recorded track (*optional)
• - Scales
• - Chord changes
• - Sight reading

Students will be asked to perform, if possible:

• - 1 piece on keyboards (marimba, xylophone, or vibes) 
• - 1 piece on timpani
• - 1 piece on snare drum (concert or corps style)
• - Drum set demonstration of various style (*optional)
• - Sight reading on snare drum
• - Sight reading on a percussion keyboard instrument

Prospective performance major and music education major piano students are required to perform all audition repertoire from memory. All other piano candidates are required to perform at least one piece from memory. Pianists interested in the commercial music degree will perform one classical piece and one jazz/commercial selection; they will also be asked to improvise.

• Technique: All major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios, four octaves, hands together, from memory.
• Repertoire: At least two classical pieces in contrasting styles, selected from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th/21st Century repertoire.
• Sight-reading

Students will be asked to perform:

• - 1–2 pieces selected from the classical repertoire
• - Three-octave major and minor scales
• - Sight reading

Depending on your prospective degree program, students will be asked to perform:

• - Vocal Performance: Sing 2 memorized songs from the classical repertoire. At least 1 song must be in a foreign language.
• - Music Education: Sing 2 memorized songs from the classical repertoire. 1 foreign language song is recommended.
• - Commercial Music: click here for audition instructions
• - Music Business (B.M.): Sing 2 memorized songs in contrasting styles. Only 1 song may be in a jazz or pop style.
• - Bachelor of Arts in Music: Sing 2 memorized songs in contrasting styles. Only 1 song may be in a jazz or pop style.
• - Music Minor or Ensemble Participation: Sing 2 memorized songs in contrasting styles. Only 1 song may be in a jazz or pop style.

All prospective students, regardless of degree program, will be asked to perform:

• - Major and minor scales
• - Rhythm reading (duple and triple division)
• - Tonal memory exercises
• - Sight reading

Students will be asked to perform:

• - 1–2 contrasting pieces from the classical repertoire; All-State/District audition etudes are acceptable
• - A short demonstration of jazz improvisation* (*optional for students with jazz improvisation skills)
• - 3 or more major and/or minor scales
• - Chromatic scale (full range)
• - Sight reading

*Suggested play-alongs or pre-recorded tracks include Hal Leonard’s “The Real Book” or the Jamey Aebersold series.

Audition Information for ADM Principals 

The audition process for admission as an ADM principal is as follows (B.M. Commercial Music, B.M. Music Business, or B.A. Music only): 

Phase 1: Digital Music Portfolio Review

Submit the following materials: 

• Two original productions of any genre. The two songs must: 
  • be in contrasting styles 
  • include two WAV/MP3 recordings 
• Two “screen capture videos” of the sessions. Please include the following information: 
  • Explain the process of creating the song – what was the thought process and motivation behind the song? What techniques were used to develop the song? 
  • Show the timeline or Edit window of the session – explain what instruments were used and how they were created or obtained (samples, MIDI instruments, audio recordings, etc.) 
  • Show the Mix Window of the session – describe the effects, effects chains, and plugins used on channels. What effects were used and why? 

After submitting Phase 1 materials, your portfolio will be reviewed, and you will be notified of the results. Successful applicants will be invited to complete Phase 2 of the audition. 

Phase 2: In-Person Audition/Interview 

The letter notifying you of Phase 1 portfolio review results will provide additional detail on next steps. If you have questions at any time, contact auditioncoordinator@millikin.edu. 

1) An interview to further assess DAW technical skills; 

2) An audition to establish secondary instrument competency. 

• Secondary instruments may include wind, string, piano, voice, or percussion. 
• Audition requirements include performing two pieces in contrasting styles and a musical skills assessment.