Information for Prospective Students
The following is a plan of action for prospective saxophone students interested in auditioning for the School of Music. For information on scholarships and graduate assistantships, please click here.
The following is a plan of action for prospective saxophone students interested in auditioning for the School of Music. For information on scholarships and graduate assistantships, please click here.
1. In the fall of your senior year, speak with your band director, private teacher, and/or any other music professional about your interest in majoring in music. These individuals will serve as excellent resources to determine if the music major might be right for you. It’s vital to have their support in this process, since they can help you prepare for the audition.
2. Contact Dr. James at [email protected] in order to set up a complimentary lesson, or to simply discuss the saxophone studio and your background and interests. Complimentary lessons are provided to students wishing to major in music, who have received the support of their band director to audition.
3. Visit this website for everything you need to set up an audition. You will be asked to apply to Ohio University in order to set up an audition with us.
4. Take your audition. Undergraduate auditions are 15 minutes. Saxophonists are asked to prepare at least one classical solo, along with an etude that is contrasting in tempo and style. Advanced solos from state solo and ensemble contest lists are suggested, as are works from the saxophone repertoire list. You will also be asked to demonstrate knowledge of scales and arpeggios in your audition, sightread, and sing back just a couple simple melodies that are dictated from the piano, to check your ability to match pitch. Those saxophonists who play jazz are encouraged to prepare a jazz etude, transcription, or short improvised solo with play-along accompaniment (Jamey Aebersold, I RealPro, or other play-alongs are acceptable).
Your audition will be heard by at least three members of the woodwind faculty. There is a meeting for prospective music education majors, and an interview for music therapy prospects that are included on the audition day.
Graduate auditions are 30 minutes. Please prepare contrasting lyrical and technical material, including at least one contemporary work, and one work standard to the repertoire. In addition, prepare at least two contrasting orchestra and/or band excerpts. You may also be asked to demonstrate knowledge of scales and arpeggios in your audition, sightread, and sing back simple melodies that are dictated from the piano, to check your ability to match pitch. You are welcome to audition on more than one saxophone in addition to alto saxophone. Those saxophonists who play jazz are encouraged to prepare a jazz etude, transcription, or short improvised solo with play-along accompaniment (Jamey Aebersold, I RealPro, or other play-alongs are acceptable). In-person auditions are preferred, however audio or video recordings of recent performances are acceptable for those students unable to travel to campus.
5. Please wait patiently to hear back from us. We will do our best to get you the results of your audition as soon as possible!
GOOD LUCK!
2. Contact Dr. James at [email protected] in order to set up a complimentary lesson, or to simply discuss the saxophone studio and your background and interests. Complimentary lessons are provided to students wishing to major in music, who have received the support of their band director to audition.
3. Visit this website for everything you need to set up an audition. You will be asked to apply to Ohio University in order to set up an audition with us.
4. Take your audition. Undergraduate auditions are 15 minutes. Saxophonists are asked to prepare at least one classical solo, along with an etude that is contrasting in tempo and style. Advanced solos from state solo and ensemble contest lists are suggested, as are works from the saxophone repertoire list. You will also be asked to demonstrate knowledge of scales and arpeggios in your audition, sightread, and sing back just a couple simple melodies that are dictated from the piano, to check your ability to match pitch. Those saxophonists who play jazz are encouraged to prepare a jazz etude, transcription, or short improvised solo with play-along accompaniment (Jamey Aebersold, I RealPro, or other play-alongs are acceptable).
Your audition will be heard by at least three members of the woodwind faculty. There is a meeting for prospective music education majors, and an interview for music therapy prospects that are included on the audition day.
Graduate auditions are 30 minutes. Please prepare contrasting lyrical and technical material, including at least one contemporary work, and one work standard to the repertoire. In addition, prepare at least two contrasting orchestra and/or band excerpts. You may also be asked to demonstrate knowledge of scales and arpeggios in your audition, sightread, and sing back simple melodies that are dictated from the piano, to check your ability to match pitch. You are welcome to audition on more than one saxophone in addition to alto saxophone. Those saxophonists who play jazz are encouraged to prepare a jazz etude, transcription, or short improvised solo with play-along accompaniment (Jamey Aebersold, I RealPro, or other play-alongs are acceptable). In-person auditions are preferred, however audio or video recordings of recent performances are acceptable for those students unable to travel to campus.
5. Please wait patiently to hear back from us. We will do our best to get you the results of your audition as soon as possible!
GOOD LUCK!