Guitar Auditions
Guitar
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Audio + Music Production, Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Education, Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Performance, Master of Music (M.M.) In Music Performance
The following is audition information for entry into the Dana School of Music.
Prospective students may complete a classical guitar or jazz guitar audition. Students who wish to audition in a different style of music (such as rock, blues, country, bluegrass, or pop) are encouraged to do so and may contact Dr. Fowler directly at fpfowler@ysu.edu to discuss alternative requirements.
All applicants are automatically considered for a Dana Talent Scholarship and are not required to submit a separate scholarship application. If you choose to apply to the online M.M. in Music Education or the M.M. in Music Performance, your graduate audition for those graduate programs is also your audition for an assistantship. These include tuition remission and a stipend, and you will need to complete a separate application through the YSU Graduate College.
Audition requirements
Applicants should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.
Undergraduate applicants
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Audio + Music Production
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Education
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Performance
Perform two contrasting compositions such as:
- A composition from the Renaissance or Baroque period
- A composition from the Classical or Romantic period
- A composition from the 20th or 21st Century
Scales and fret-board harmony
- Play the following scales in two octaves: C major, C harmonic minor, C melodic minor, and C chromatic
- Play two voicings of the following chords in C and G: major, minor, major 7th, dominant 7th, minor 7th, half diminished 7th, and diminished 7th
If you’re submitting a recorded audition in lieu of an on-campus audition, include a spoken introduction including your name and the pieces and respective composer names of your prepared repertoire.
Graduate applicants
Master of Music (M.M.) in Music Performance
Perform three contrasting compositions
Scales and fret-board harmony:
- Play the following scales in two octaves in any key: major, harmonic minor, melodic minor, whole-tone, and chromatic
- Four voicings for each of the following chords in any key: major, minor, major 7th, dominant 7th, minor 7th, half diminished 7th, and diminished 7th.
If you’re submitting a recorded audition in lieu of an on-campus audition, include a spoken introduction including your name and the pieces and respective composer names of your prepared repertoire.
Applicants should prepare the following audition repertoire requirements.
Undergraduate applicants
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Audio + Music Production
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Education
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Performance
Perform two contrasting Jazz compositions such as:
- Blues
- Up-tempo standard
- Ballad
- At least one composition must be performed with a backing track and must demonstrate the ability to play the melody (head), the accompaniment (comping), and improvise (solo)
Scales and fret-board harmony
- Play the following scales in two octaves: C major, C harmonic minor, C melodic minor, and C chromatic
- Two voicings of the following chords in C and G: major, minor, major 7th, dominant 7th, minor 7th, half diminished 7th, and diminished 7th
If you’re submitting a recorded audition in lieu of an on-campus audition, include a spoken introduction including your name and the pieces and respective composer names of your prepared repertoire.
Graduate applicants
Master of Music (M.M.) in Music Performance
Graduate jazz guitar audition: For information regarding the Master’s in Jazz Studies program and audition requirements, please contact Dr. Kent Engelhardt (kjengelhardt@ysu.edu), Director of Jazz Studies.
If you’re submitting a recorded audition in lieu of an on-campus audition, include a spoken introduction including your name and the pieces and respective composer names of your prepared repertoire.
Alternative arrangements
If you’re unable to attend one of the dates for on-campus auditions, or if you have other considerations and wish to schedule a virtual or ad hoc audition or submit a recorded audition, contact the Cliffe College Coordinator of Admissions and Recruitment at cliffecollege@ysu.edu or call 330.941.2346 to receive information about the virtual, ad hoc, or recorded audition processes. You should prepare the audition repertoire requirements listed on this page.