Ready to Audition?

We invite you to join the Bailey School of Music at KSU. The Bailey School of Music community includes dynamic, creative, and talented music students, faculty members, and staff devoted to developing music educators, performers, and scholars, who will shape the future of music and society. 

Step 1 - Apply to KSU

Before a student may be eligible to audition, they must complete the online application to Kennesaw State University.
Audition Dates 
  • Friday, November 15
  • Saturday, February 22
  • Friday, March 7
  • Saturday, March 22

Auditions after March 22 will be by appointment only!

Questions?

Email us!

 

Step 2 - Apply to Audition for the Bailey School of Music

After completing their application to the university, students may apply to the Bailey School of Music as soon as they receive their KSU ID number. Applicants may complete their application to the Bailey School of Music prior to receiving an admission decision from the university.


In order to complete your online application, you will need the following:

  • Your KSU ID number
  • A professional résumé
  • A complete repertoire list


What is a repertoire list?

A repertoire list is a comprehensive list of the major works of music you have studied or performed. Include the title of the piece and the composer. Label those that you have from memory with an 'M' and those that you have performed with a 'P'. Only list ensemble pieces in which you had a featured solo or principal part.


For students applying for music education: you will need to provide a name and email address of a music teacher who can give a recommendation for you. 

Audition Requirements

The KSU Bailey School of Music will provide accompanists for voice auditions. No accompaniment is required or expected for instrumental auditions. Applicants to the jazz program should provide audio tracks to play along with. 

NOTE: If you are not able to audition in person, an audition video may be accepted and must include all of the requirements as specified below. 

    • Applicants must play three jazz tunes (two of which should be written transcriptions) of contrasting styles including one blues (see the list below for suggestions). You will be expected to play the melody and improvise at least two choruses. You should also be prepared to “walk” a full chorus on swing tunes.

      Suggested Standards

      Billie’s Bounce
      Recordame
      Tune Up
      Someday My Prince Will Come
      Bluesette
      Take the A Train
      Lover Man
      Tenor Madness
      Song for My Father
      Blue Bossa
      Oleo
      What’s New
      Mr. PC
      Watermelon Man
      Satin Doll
      Alice in Wonderland
      Anthropology
      Body and Soul

    • Prepare three jazz standards of contrasting styles including medium swing, samba, and ballad with brushes. You will be expected to improvise a chorus or trade fours on each of the three songs. Demonstrate knowledge of form, style, and comping within the three songs. In addition to the jazz standard, prepare a snare drum solo of your choosing from Charles Wilcoxon's "All American Drummer: 150 Rudimental snare solos," and a melodic étude, jazz standard, or classical piece for piano or vibraphone.

      Suggested Standards

      Billie’s Bounce
      Recordame
      Tune Up
      Someday My Prince Will Come
      Bluesette
      Take the A Train
      Lover Man
      Tenor Madness
      Song for My Father
      Blue Bossa
      Oleo
      What’s New
      Mr. PC
      Watermelon Man
      Satin Doll
      Alice in Wonderland
      Anthropology
      Body and Soul

    • All jazz guitarists must play Major scales in 5 positions and Dorian and Mixolydian scales in 2 positions. Applicants will also be asked to play one chord melody and perform two jazz standards of contrasting styles demonstrating melody, comping and improvisation (see tune list below for suggestions). Please provide the audition panel with play-along tracks on either CD or MP3; playback equipment will be provided for your audition. Applicants should also be prepared to sight-read chord charts and single note melodies.

      Suggested Standards

      Billie’s Bounce
      Recordame
      Tune Up
      Someday My Prince Will Come
      Bluesette
      Take the A Train
      Lover Man
      Tenor Madness
      Song for My Father
      Blue Bossa
      Oleo
      What’s New
      Mr. PC
      Watermelon Man
      Satin Doll
      Alice in Wonderland
      Anthropology
      Body and Soul

    • Prepare three jazz tunes of contrasting styles, one of which should be a blues (see the list below for suggestions). You will be expected to play the melody and improvise at least two choruses. Applicants must also demonstrate competency on their primary instrument via two contrasting (lyrical and technical) works in the classical idiom (one must be a movement from a standard solo work and an etude may be substituted for the other).

      Suggested Standards

      Billie’s Bounce
      Recordame
      Tune Up
      Someday My Prince Will Come
      Bluesette
      Take the A Train
      Lover Man
      Tenor Madness
      Song for My Father
      Blue Bossa
      Oleo
      What’s New
      Mr. PC
      Watermelon Man
      Satin Doll
      Alice in Wonderland
      Anthropology
      Body and Soul

    • In addition to co Prepare three jazz tunes of contrasting styles, one of which should be a blues (see the list below for suggestions). You will be expected to play the melody and improvise at least two choruses. Applicants must also demonstrate competency on their primary instrument via two contrasting (lyrical and technical) works in the classical idiom (one must be a movement from a standard solo work and an etude may be substituted for the other).

      Suggested Standards

      Billie’s Bounce
      Recordame
      Tune Up
      Someday My Prince Will Come
      Bluesette
      Take the A Train
      Lover Man
      Tenor Madness
      Song for My Father
      Blue Bossa
      Oleo
      What’s New
      Mr. PC
      Watermelon Man
      Satin Doll
      Alice in Wonderland
      Anthropology
      Body and Soul

    • Prepare three jazz tunes of contrasting styles, one of which should be a blues (see the list below for suggestions). You will be expected to play the melody and improvise at least two choruses. Applicants must also demonstrate competency on their primary instrument via two contrasting (lyrical and technical) works in the classical idiom (one must be a movement from a standard solo work and an etude may be substituted for the other).

      Suggested Standards

      Billie’s Bounce
      Recordame
      Tune Up
      Someday My Prince Will Come
      Bluesette
      Take the A Train
      Lover Man
      Tenor Madness
      Song for My Father
      Blue Bossa
      Oleo
      What’s New
      Mr. PC
      Watermelon Man
      Satin Doll
      Alice in Wonderland
      Anthropology
      Body and Soul

    • Prepare three jazz tunes of contrasting styles, one of which should be a blues (see the list below for suggestions). You will be expected to play the melody and improvise at least two choruses. Applicants must also demonstrate competency on their primary instrument via two contrasting (lyrical and technical) works in the classical idiom (one must be a movement from a standard solo work and an etude may be substituted for the other).

      Suggested Standards

      Billie’s Bounce
      Recordame
      Tune Up
      Someday My Prince Will Come
      Bluesette
      Take the A Train
      Lover Man
      Tenor Madness
      Song for My Father
      Blue Bossa
      Oleo
      What’s New
      Mr. PC
      Watermelon Man
      Satin Doll
      Alice in Wonderland
      Anthropology
      Body and Soul

    • Prepare three jazz tunes of contrasting styles selected from standard jazz repertoire. An accompanist will be provided for your audition.

     

  • Auditions must demonstrate proficiency on timpani, snare drum and a mallet instrument - marimba, vibraphone, or xylophone. Snare Drum: Prepare an etude, such as Etude in 5/4 from Modern School for Snare Drum by Morris Goldenberg, or any from the Delecluse: 12 Etudes for Snare Drum. Also be prepared to demonstrate concert rolls at all volume levels. Mallet: Prepare a four-mallet solo piece, for example Rain Dance by Alice Gomez, Yellow After the Rain by Mitchell Peters or another similar piece, or a two-mallet etude from Modern School for Marimba, Xylophone and Vibraphone by Morris Goldenberg. Timpani: Prepare one piece for timpani, for example Exercise 72 from Modern Method for Timpani by Saul Goodman or a similar piece.
     
  • In addition to completing an audition on a principal applied instrument following the requirements detailed above, applicants to the B.M. in Composition must submit a portfolio of notated scores consisting of 2 to 3 compositions representing your best work and demonstrating substance and variety. Recordings of live performances, readings, or computer realizations of the works are recommended, but not required. Composition portfolios must be submitted along with this application by the deadlines for your desired audition date. 
     
    • Auditions must include at least two (2) solo works written for the specific instrument. One work may be an etude or study. The other work should be a solo, sonata, or concerto, which specifically demonstrates a faster, articulate movement or section and a slower, lyrical movement or section. Be prepared to play all 12 major scales in two octaves where possible.
       
    • Auditions must include at least two (2) solo works written for the specific instrument. One work may be an etude or study. The other work should be a solo, sonata, or concerto, which specifically demonstrates a faster, articulate movement or section and a slower, lyrical movement or section. Be prepared to play all 12 major scales in two octaves where possible.
       
    • Auditions must include at least two (2) solo works written for the specific instrument. One work may be an etude or study. The other work should be a solo, sonata, or concerto, which specifically demonstrates a faster, articulate movement or section and a slower, lyrical movement or section. Be prepared to play all 12 major scales in two octaves where possible.
       
    • Auditions must include at least two (2) solo works written for the specific instrument. One work may be an etude or study. The other work should be a solo, sonata, or concerto, which specifically demonstrates a faster, articulate movement or section and a slower, lyrical movement or section. Be prepared to play all 12 major scales in two octaves where possible.
       
    • Auditions must include at least two (2) solo works written for the specific instrument. One work may be an etude or study. The other work should be a solo, sonata, or concerto, which specifically demonstrates a faster, articulate movement or section and a slower, lyrical movement or section. Be prepared to play all 12 major scales in two octaves where possible.
       
    • Auditions must include at least two (2) solo works written for the specific instrument. One work may be an etude or study. The other work should be a solo, sonata, or concerto, which specifically demonstrates a faster, articulate movement or section and a slower, lyrical movement or section. Be prepared to play all 12 major scales in two octaves where possible.
       

    • Auditions for the saxophone studio must include one (1) movement from a sonata/concerto/aria written for the saxophone* and one (1) etude from “48 Famous Studies for the Saxophone or Oboe” by Wilhelm Ferling.

      * Suggested works

      “Sonata for alto saxophone and piano” Op.19 Paul Creston

      “Aria” for alto saxophone and piano Eugene Bozza

      “Sonata for alto saxophone and piano” Lawson Lunde

      “Histories” Jaques Ibert

      Be prepared to play all major scales (two octaves where possible).


       
    • Auditions must include at least two (2) solo works written for the specific instrument. One work may be an etude or study. The other work should be a solo, sonata, or concerto, which specifically demonstrates a faster, articulate movement or section and a slower, lyrical movement or section. Be prepared to play all 12 major scales in two octaves where possible.
       
    • Auditions must include at least two (2) solo works written for the specific instrument. One work may be an etude or study. The other work should be a solo, sonata, or concerto, which specifically demonstrates a faster, articulate movement or section and a slower, lyrical movement or section. Be prepared to play all 12 major scales in two octaves where possible.
       
    • Auditions must include at least two (2) solo works written for the specific instrument. One work may be an etude or study. The other work should be a solo, sonata, or concerto, which specifically demonstrates a faster, articulate movement or section and a slower, lyrical movement or section. Be prepared to play all 12 major scales in two octaves where possible.
       
    • Auditions must include at least two (2) solo works written for the specific instrument. One work may be an etude or study. The other work should be a solo, sonata, or concerto, which specifically demonstrates a faster, articulate movement or section and a slower, lyrical movement or section. Be prepared to play all 12 major scales in two octaves where possible.
       
  • Auditions will last 10-15 minutes, and must include two solo works representative of the baroque, classical, romantic, impressionistic or contemporary periods. Music must be memorized. The audition will also include performance of scales and tonic arpeggios in four octaves, both hands together, in the keys of the pieces to be performed. Sight-reading will also be assessed at the audition. You must bring a typed list of your audition program in the order you will be performing to the audition.
     
  • In addition to completing an audition on a principal applied instrument following the requirements detailed above, applicants to Music Education will be asked to interview with a member of the Music Education faculty, and to submit the name and email address of a music teacher who can provide a letter of recommendation.
    • Auditions must include at least two (2) solo works, one of which must be a complete movement from a concerto or sonata from the baroque, classical, romantic or contemporary period.
    • Auditions must include two solo works. Suitable selections include, but are not limited to, works from the Royal Conservatory series volumes 4 and up, or studies by Sor, Carcassi and Brouwer. The first four scales from the Segovia edition of diatonic major and minor scales, or other fingerings of scales in two and three octaves are also required.
       
    • Auditions must include at least two (2) solo works, one of which must be a complete movement from a concerto or sonata from the baroque, classical, romantic or contemporary period.
       
    • Auditions must include at least two (2) solo works, one of which must be a complete movement from a concerto or sonata from the baroque, classical, romantic or contemporary period.
       
    • Auditions must include at least two (2) solo works, one of which must be a complete movement from a concerto or sonata from the baroque, classical, romantic or contemporary period.
       
    • Auditions must include at least two (2) solo works, one of which must be a complete movement from a concerto or sonata from the baroque, classical, romantic or contemporary period.
       

  • Auditions must demonstrate clear diction, accurate pitch, acceptable tone quality, breath control, a concept of phrasing, and an ability to communicate through song.

    Applicants to the Bachelor of Music in Performance or the Bachelor of Music in Music Education must have two (2) solo songs in contrasting styles chosen from baroque, classical, romantic, or contemporary art song repertory, one of which would preferably be in English. (Audition repertory could include English and Italian art songs, German and French art songs, oratorio and opera aria, and contemporary English art songs.)

    Auditioning for a minor in Voice:

    Prepare and sing from memory one (1) traditional song from the classical repertoire OR a Golden Age Musical Theater song.  You may sing in a foreign language but not required.  Sing a selection that best demonstrates your range, tone quality and musical strengths. Bring sheet music and an accompanist will be provided.

    All music performed must be memorized, and an accompanist will be provided. Please bring a clear hard copy of your audition music with the piano part clearly visible for your accompanist. You will be provided an opportunity for a short rehearsal with your accompanist prior to your audition. Recorded accompaniment is not acceptable for the audition. All voice auditions include a sight-reading and tonal memory component.
     

  • In addition to completing an audition on a principal applied instrument following the requirements detailed above, applicants to the B.M. in Music Theory must complete an interview with a music theory faculty member. A music theory faculty member will contact the applicant once their application has been received and processed.
     

Don't forget about Scholarships!

If you wish to be considered for merit-based scholarship from the Bailey School of Music, you must complete the university’s scholarship application.

The deadline for scholarship applications is March 1, 2025. 

Watch the videos below to learn more!

How to Audition and Apply for the Bailey School of Music

Frequently Asked Questions for the Bailey School of Music

 

What opportunities are available at the Bailey School of Music?

Is the Bailey School of Music right for you?

 

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