Audition Procedure

1. Apply for admission to Bethel University.
2. Submit a music scholarship application and schedule an audition time. While on-campus auditions are highly encouraged, students may submit video recordings. Video auditions may be submitted through the music scholarship application.

Music scholarships are available for (in priority): music majors, minors and talented music elective students. Scholarships vary in amount and may be renewed each year of continued study meeting guidelines. Any auditions after mid-April will need to be provided via digital submission.

When to Audition

Music scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. High school seniors are encouraged to audition by December 1 for a greater chance of receiving a scholarship. High school juniors may schedule an audition or submit an audition video in the fall or spring semesters.

Audition Requirements

As you prepare for your upcoming music audition, you will find specific requirements below according to your intended field of study, as well as your voice and/or instrument.

For all non-music major auditions:

Voice

Prepare two songs in contrasting styles. These contrasting styles can be selected from any number of genres, including art song, commercial/pop music, hymns, Gospel, musical theatre, modern worship song, etc. Sight-reading exercises, as well as tonal memory exercises, will be included.

Instrumental

Please refer to the criteria below for your selected instrument(s).

For undergraduate degrees in Music (General), Music Education and Music Performance:

Voice

Prepare two songs in contrasting styles. Preferably, one of the two songs will be an art song in a foreign language: Italian, Latin, German or French. An accompanist will be provided for in-person auditions.

Brass/Strings/Woodwinds

Be prepared to perform two pieces in contrasting styles. These pieces should be selected from the standard solo repertoire of your chosen instrument. Prepare all major scales (2-3 octaves.).

Guitar/Electric Bass

Prepare two pieces in contrasting styles. These pieces can be classical or commercial/pop in style, depending on the chosen field of study.

Piano

Prepare two contrasting pieces from the standard solo piano repertoire, featuring any two of the following periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, 20th/21st century.

Percussion

Prepare two contrasting selections on your chosen instrument(s) from the standard solo repertoire. Also, be prepared to demonstrate one (to be chosen by you) of the following categories:

• Snare: demonstrate rudiments
• Mallet Instruments (2 or 4 mallets): major scales, up to 4 sharps and 4 flats. Minor scales up to 5 sharps and 5 flats.
• Drum Set: various styles (swing, Latin, pop, rock, etc.)

For undergraduate degrees in Worship Arts:

Vocal

Demonstrate your vocal abilities by:

• Singing one modern worship song and one hymn of your choosing.
• Song should be chosen to demonstrate vocal abilities and musical sensibility.

Instrumental

Demonstrate your vocal abilities by:

• Playing one of the solo pieces from the standard repertoire of your primary instrument, as well as one contrasting piece. The contrasting piece may come from any number of other genres: jazz, pop, rock, blues, Gospel, Broadway, etc.

Scholarship Recipient Responsibilities

Scholarship amounts continue each year if student responsibilities are met.

1. Within two weeks of your audition, you will receive a letter from the Music Department outlining your scholarship status and requirements. Your signature of acceptance must be returned to the Music Department to finalize the scholarship process. The designated scholarship amount will appear as a credit on your Bethel statement in two portions, one half each semester.
2. If you receive a scholarship from the Music Department, you will need to:
   • Be part of a large ensemble or ensembles (as indicated in your letter).
   • Provide a service to the Music Department each semester, such as ushering, stage managing, etc. These will be assigned early in the semester and as the semester progresses.
   • Maintain a 2.5 GPA in music and a 2.0 GPA overall.