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Prospective Music Student

As you explore this area, you will find everything you need to know about the department of music at Spelman College - a great place to learn, grow and develop as a musician. Applied lessons and ensembles are open by audition to all students of the College, regardless of their degree program or major, for credit or for non-credit. A full year of commitment is expected.

The Music Program

The department of music offers curricula leading to a bachelor of arts degree in music. Students may either major or minor in music.

Major Requirements Minor Requirements

Department Audition Information

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the College, the incoming student must do the following:

Complete an audition in their major medium. Auditions will be evaluated by department faculty members. Auditions are held during the following times during the academic semester:

During First-Year Orientation Week and again during the first week of class during the Spring Semester. If you miss the designated audition dates/times, please contact the department chair to arrange an audition date. Please see the Music Department Student Handbook for audition requirements.
Take a theory assessment test. Students with little or no prior music training should plan to take Keyboard Skills 1 (MUS 111A) before taking MUS 113A.

For transfer students, all credits in music from another institution are subject to evaluation by the Department of Music and must be validated upon entrance by examination and audition.

Ensemble Audition Requirements

Atlanta University Center Symphony Orchestra Auditions

The AUC Orchestra is comprised of students from each of the undergraduate institutions within the Atlanta University Center - Spelman College, Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University. Emphasis is placed on developing performance skills and study of a variety of styles and periods from the symphonic orchestra literature. Live auditions are open to all interested students, regardless of major. Please follow audition instructions specified for your instrument(s).

To schedule an audition, please contact Ezra Haugabrooks, director & coordinator of the AUC Symphony Orchestra at ehaugabrooks@cau.edu.

Noire: Contemporary Pop Music Ensemble Auditions

Contemporary Popular Music Ensemble is open to all students (music majors and non-music majors) capable of performing music from various stylistic periods and genres. Students who are interested in becoming a member of the Contemporary Popular Music Ensemble must participate in an audition evaluated by the director of the ensemble. All instruments are welcome, including those performing on non-conventional instruments, such as computer or MIDI controllers. Please follow audition instructions specified for your instrument(s).

To schedule an audition, please contact Christina Butera, director of Noire: Contemporary Pop Music Ensemble at cbutera@spelman.edu.

Spelman College Glee Club Auditions

The Spelman College Glee Club is the premier performance organization for the College and sings for most campus events. Open by audition to all students of the College community, the Glee Club performs a repertoire that includes selections from world cultures, commissioned works, sacred and secular choral literature, Negro spirituals, and music by African American composers, with a particular focus on harmonies that complement women’s voices. The Director of the Glee Club, as well as selected music faculty evaluates virtual auditions.

Glee Club Auditions

Keyboard Ensemble Auditions

Keyboard/Chamber Ensemble is designed to provide instrumental students with on- and off-campus performance opportunities in various small ensemble settings. Each ensemble group learns and performs the chamber music literature ranging from Baroque to contemporary periods. Students will increase musicianship and communication skills through collaborative rehearsal sessions with weighted responsibility as an individual performer.

An additional audition is not required for the Keyboard Ensemble. All music major and minor candidates will be considered for the Keyboard Ensemble.

Instrument Audition Requirements

Music major or minor candidates should submit the required repertoire shown below. Non-music major candidates interested in either taking applied lessons or participating in an ensemble should submit the same repertoire as required for major/minor candidates. Piano accompaniment for instrumental solos is desirable but not required. It is recommended to wear business casual attire for your audition. Performance from memory is desirable but not required.

Students who have more than one instrument are encouraged to audition in each area of musical expertise.

Guitar Audition Requirements
Please note: if accepted as major or minor, you will be required to participate in an ensemble. Please indicate your desired ensemble on the audition form.

Music major, minor, non-music major candidates should prepare the following for audition in the listed order:
- State your name, class year, intended major (include intended minor, concentration, etc., if it applies) and hometown.
- Share your musical goals/aspirations and discuss your desire to study music.
- Perform two pieces from different style periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and/or Modern Period.
- Perform scales and chords in major and minor keys.
Keyboard Audition Requirements
Please note: if accepted as major or minor, you will be required to participate in an ensemble. Major and minor candidates will automatically be considered for Keyboard Ensemble. Additional audition for Keyboard Ensemble is not necessary. Please indicate your desired ensemble on the audition form.

Music major, minor, non-music major candidates should prepare the following for audition in the listed order:
- State your name, class year, intended major (include intended minor, concentration, etc., if it applies) and hometown.
- Share your musical goals/aspirations and discuss your desire to study music.
- Perform at least two contrasting pieces from the standard repertoire that reflect your best musical and technical proficiency.
- Perform scales and arpeggios in any major or minor key.
Orchestral Strings Audition Requirements
Please note: if accepted as major or minor, you will be required to participate in an ensemble. Major and minor candidates will automatically be considered for the AUC Symphony Orchestra. Please indicate your desired ensemble on the audition form.

Music major, minor, non-music major candidates should prepare the following for audition in the listed order:
- State your name, class year, intended major (include intended minor, concentration, etc., if it applies) and hometown.
- Share your musical goals/aspirations and discuss your desire to study music.
- Perform one slow piece for tone, vibrato and bow control.
- Perform one fast piece for general dexterity.
- Perform basic major scales and arpeggios.
Percussion Audition Requirements
Please note: if accepted as major or minor, you will be required to participate in an ensemble. Most percussion students join AUC Symphony Orchestra and/or Noire: Contemporary Popular Music Ensemble. Please indicate your desired ensemble on the audition form.

Music major, minor, non-music major candidates should prepare the following for audition in the listed order:
- State your name, class year, intended major (include intended minor, concentration, etc., if it applies) and hometown.
- Share your musical goals/aspirations and discuss your desire to study music.
- Perform a suitable solo to demonstrate musical and technical ability on the following instruments: snare drum, timpani, and xylophone/marimba.
- Perform basic rhythm patterns and scales to demonstrate musicality.
Organ Audition Requirements
Please note: if accepted as major or minor, you will be required to participate in an ensemble. Please indicate your desired ensemble on the audition form.

Music major, minor, non-music major candidates should prepare the following for audition in the listed order:
- State your name, class year, intended major (include intended minor, concentration, etc., if it applies) and hometown.
- Share your musical goals/aspirations and discuss your desire to study music.
- Perform one work from one of the three style periods: Baroque, Romantic or Contemporary.
- Perform one hymn from any major hymnal.
Voice Audition Requirements
Please note: if accepted as major or minor, you will be required to participate in an ensemble. Most vocal students join Noire: Cotemporary Popular Music Ensemble or the Spelman College Glee Club. An additional audition is required to join the Spelman College Glee Club. No additional audition is required to join Noire. Please indicate your desired ensemble on the audition form.

Music major, minor, non-music major candidates should prepare the following for audition in the listed order:
- State your name, class year, intended major (include intended minor, concentration, etc., if it applies) and hometown.
- Share your musical goals/aspirations and discuss your desire to study music.
- From memory, perform a minimum of two songs, one of which should be in a foreign language.
Wind/Brass Instruments Audition Requirements
Please note: if accepted as major or minor, you will be required to participate in an ensemble. Most wind/brass students join AUC Symphony Orchestra and/or Noire: Contemporary Popular Music Ensemble. Please indicate your desired ensemble on the audition form.

Music major, minor, non-music major candidates should prepare the following for audition in the listed order:
- State your name, class year, intended major (include intended minor, concentration, etc., if it applies) and hometown.
- Share your musical goals/aspirations and discuss your desire to study music.
- Perform a suitable solo or etude to demonstrate musical and technical ability.
- Perform basic major scales and arpeggios to demonstrate range and sound quality.

Auditions should be approximately 10 minutes total.

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Music Department
404-270-5476 direct
404-270-5484 fax
dgarvin@spelman.edu

Mailing Address
Spelman College Department of Music
350 Spelman Lane, SW
Atlanta, GA 30314

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