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Audition Information

Percussion

Percussion Audition Requirements:

  • One snare drum piece
  • One mallet piece using two or four mallets
  • One timpani piece using two or four drums

Note: All three areas are desired, but consideration will still be given to those who are weak in one of the aforementioned instruments.

  • Drumset performance demonstrating proficiency in three or more of the following styles: swing, latin, funk, rock

If you are interested in playing in Jazz Ensemble, please be prepared to audition on drum set as well, demonstrating various styles and grooves (Swing, Rock and Latin).

Fall 2023 Audition Dates Spring 2024 Audition Dates
November 10, 2023 (Conservatory Visit Day)
  • Please notate days and times that you are available to audition and/or interview on your Conservatory application.
If you would like to audition in person outside of these listed dates, please email music@biola.edu to coordinate an audition time once you have submitted your Conservatory application materials.
February 17, 2024 (Conservatory Visit Day)
  • Please notate days and times that you are available to audition and/or interview on your Conservatory application.

Mondays and Fridays, January 8 - March 22, 2024

  • Time will vary by program/instrument. The Conservatory Office will send an official confirmation based on faculty availability.

If you would like to audition in person outside of these listed dates, please email music@biola.edu to coordinate an audition time once you have submitted your Conservatory application materials.

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Drumset

Drumset Audition Requirements:

  • Drumset performance demonstrating proficiency in three or more of the following styles: swing, latin, funk, rock

If you are interested in playing in Jazz Ensemble, please be prepared to audition on drum set as well, demonstrating various styles and grooves (Swing, Rock and Latin).

Note: All drumset students will also be expected to learn some basic percussion skills that will help them be versatile and prepared for today's music business. In order to accomplish this, two semesters of private lessons are required in the percussion area.

Fall 2023 Audition Dates Spring 2024 Audition Dates
November 10, 2023 (Conservatory Visit Day)
  • Please notate days and times that you are available to audition and/or interview on your Conservatory application.
If you would like to audition in person outside of these listed dates, please email music@biola.edu to coordinate an audition time once you have submitted your Conservatory application materials.
February 17, 2024 (Conservatory Visit Day)
  • Please notate days and times that you are available to audition and/or interview on your Conservatory application.

Mondays and Fridays, January 8 - March 22, 2024

  • Time will vary by program/instrument. The Conservatory Office will send an official confirmation based on faculty availability.

If you would like to audition in person outside of these listed dates, please email music@biola.edu to coordinate an audition time once you have submitted your Conservatory application materials.

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Keyboard

Keyboard Audition Requirements:

  • One classical selection
  • One contemporary selection
  • Sight-reading, scales and arpeggios may be requested
Fall 2023 Audition Dates Spring 2024 Audition Dates
November 10, 2023 (Conservatory Visit Day)
  • Please notate days and times that you are available to audition and/or interview on your Conservatory application.
If you would like to audition in person outside of these listed dates, please email music@biola.edu to coordinate an audition time once you have submitted your Conservatory application materials.
February 17, 2024 (Conservatory Visit Day)
  • Please notate days and times that you are available to audition and/or interview on your Conservatory application.

Mondays and Fridays, January 8 - March 22, 2024

  • Time will vary by program/instrument. The Conservatory Office will send an official confirmation based on faculty availability.

If you would like to audition in person outside of these listed dates, please email music@biola.edu to coordinate an audition time once you have submitted your Conservatory application materials.

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Organ

Organ Audition Requirements:

  • One of each of the following pieces. Up to two of these pieces may be played on the piano.
    • Baroque Composition
    • Romantic Composition
    • Contemporary Composition

Note: Please be prepared for sight-reading and ear tests.

Fall 2023 Audition Dates Spring 2024 Audition Dates
November 10, 2023 (Conservatory Visit Day)
  • Please notate days and times that you are available to audition and/or interview on your Conservatory application.
If you would like to audition in person outside of these listed dates, please email music@biola.edu to coordinate an audition time once you have submitted your Conservatory application materials.
February 17, 2024 (Conservatory Visit Day)
  • Please notate days and times that you are available to audition and/or interview on your Conservatory application.

Mondays and Fridays, January 8 - March 22, 2024

  • Time will vary by program/instrument. The Conservatory Office will send an official confirmation based on faculty availability.

If you would like to audition in person outside of these listed dates, please email music@biola.edu to coordinate an audition time once you have submitted your Conservatory application materials.

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Strings

Electric Bass Audition Requirements:

  • One piece demonstrating the player's ability to read standard notation. This can be an etude or piece from the classical or contemporary repertoire.
  • One piece demonstrating the player's ability to play over chord changes on a lead sheet. This song can be from the Contemporary Christian/Worship genre or from the Pop/Rock/Rnb genre.

Guitar Audition Requirements:

  • One piece that demonstrates their chord knowledge & right hand strumming technique.
  • One piece that demonstrates ability to finger pick or play fingerstyle/classical.
  • Knowledge of open-voiced and barre chords and sight-reading will also be assessed.

Note: Studies by Carcassi, Sor, Sargeras, and Guilani are acceptable.

Fall 2023 Audition Dates Spring 2024 Audition Dates
November 10, 2023 (Conservatory Visit Day)
  • Please notate days and times that you are available to audition and/or interview on your Conservatory application.
If you would like to audition in person outside of these listed dates, please email music@biola.edu to coordinate an audition time once you have submitted your Conservatory application materials.
February 17, 2024 (Conservatory Visit Day)
  • Please notate days and times that you are available to audition and/or interview on your Conservatory application.

Mondays and Fridays, January 8 - March 22, 2024

  • Time will vary by program/instrument. The Conservatory Office will send an official confirmation based on faculty availability.

If you would like to audition in person outside of these listed dates, please email music@biola.edu to coordinate an audition time once you have submitted your Conservatory application materials.

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Voice

Voice Audition Requirements:

  • Two songs from any of the following genres:
    • Modern worship
    • Pop
    • Musical theatre
    • Jazz
    • Classical

These pieces should be contrasting in style and demonstrate your musical and technical abilities in the voice.

Note: An accompanist will be provided for your classical piece. However, we ask that you accompany yourself on guitar or piano for your contemporary piece (guitar not provided).

Fall 2023 Audition Dates Spring 2024 Audition Dates
November 10, 2023 (Conservatory Visit Day)
  • Please notate days and times that you are available to audition and/or interview on your Conservatory application.
If you would like to audition in person outside of these listed dates, please email music@biola.edu to coordinate an audition time once you have submitted your Conservatory application materials.
February 17, 2024 (Conservatory Visit Day)
  • Please notate days and times that you are available to audition and/or interview on your Conservatory application.

Mondays and Fridays, January 8 - March 22, 2024

  • Time will vary by program/instrument. The Conservatory Office will send an official confirmation based on faculty availability.

If you would like to audition in person outside of these listed dates, please email music@biola.edu to coordinate an audition time once you have submitted your Conservatory application materials.

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Additional Requirements

In addition to an audition in their primary area, Worship Majors are required to have an interview. The interview may include several or all of the following:

  • Performance of a contemporary piece on your primary instrument
  • Performance of singing and playing simultaneously
  • Performance of any original songs
  • Performance on any additional instruments
  • Assessment of vocal ability and pitch matching
  • Assessment of reading ability: bass & treble clefs, key signatures, basic rhythms
  • Assessment of any improvisation skills
  • Assessment of any keyboard ability

Note: Please be prepared to discuss the reasons you feel God is leading you toward this degree.

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Online Submission Guidelines

While we prefer students to audition in person, we also recognize that not everyone will be able to do so, specifically with regards to students who live across the country or internationally. In cases like these, we accept recorded auditions via YouTube, due March 1. Simply upload a video recording (meeting the following requirements) and email the link to music@biola.edu. Those planning to audition via recording must adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Performance of each piece should be continuous with no editing.
  • Include the date of the performance, which should be no more than 6 months old.
  • Include a typed copy of the entire performance program. There should be no talking or explanation on the recording itself. Any additional comments should be typed and submitted with the recording.
  • All recorded audition submissions must be of highest quality sound and visual recordings.

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