Please review and prepare all requirements thoroughly. Auditions are held in person at NIU in February, unless otherwise determined. Please register for your audition date.
If you are unable to attend our formal audition days, contact our music admissions coordinator for permission to schedule an independent audition or obtain approval to submit an unedited video audition and complete a virtual interview. Please bring copies of your music for the adjudication panel.
All Auditionees
- Major and harmonic minor scales, two octaves (when possible) at quarter note = 100
- These should be played in sixteenth notes
- All major and minor arpeggios
- At least two audition pieces should be performed, selected from the suggested repertoire listed below
- If different audition pieces are chosen, they must demonstrate the applicant’s highest quality of musicianship and technique
- Students may choose to improvise and/or play multiple steelpan voices (lead, double seconds, cello, etc.) during their audition
- Sight reading exercises may be given at the time of audition
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduates will complete an aural skills assessment at the time of audition.
Music Minor auditionees will prepare all scales and arpeggios and are required to prepare only one piece.
- J.H. Fiocco
- Allegro (quarter note = 100)
- J.S. Bach
- Violin Concerto in A minor, Mvts.1 and 3
- Violin Partita 11 BWV 1004, "Giga" (Double Seconds/D.Tenor and Lead Pans)
- Violin Sonata 1, BWV 1001, "Presto" (Double Seconds/Double Tenor)
- Liam Teague
- Raindrops
- A Visit to Hell
- The Honey Bee
- Tryin’ ah Ting
Graduate Students
- J.S. Bach
- Violin Sonata 11 BWV 1003, "Allegro" (Double Seconds/D. Tenor and Lead Pans)
- Violin Sonata 111 BWV 1005, "Fuga" (Double Seconds/D. Tenor and Lead Pans)
- Violin Sonata 111 BWV 1005, "Allegro assai" (Double Seconds and Lead Pans)
- Liam Teague
- Impressions
- Cell ‘O Vibes for Cello Pan
- El Rio (The River)