Audition Guidelines - School of Music
All degrees with exception of BA in Music Industry Studies
All students must complete a performance audition and interview for admission to the School of Music. The School of Music audition is a two part process, including both a pre-screening video and an audition.
Pre-screening Video
Prior to being invited to audition, all students must submit a pre-screening video through their MyBison Portal. The repertoire and requirements for the prescreening portion of the audition process are listed on the audition website by instrument or degree area (found below). After review by the School of Music faculty, selected applicants who pass pre-screening will be notified about next steps for auditions, including scheduling of a live audition.
Live Audition
Students who are selected for an audition will have the opportunity to perform for the faculty on campus. Students who are unable to attend an in person audition will be invited to a live audition with faculty via Zoom. The time and date for the audition will be sent directly to the student from admissions and the School of Music. The repertoire and requirements for the audition portion of the audition process are listed on the audition website by instrument or degree area. All auditions will last approximately 15 minutes and include a short interview conducted by members of the School of Music faculty. Students who would like an accompanist during their live audition must request one at least two weeks before their audition date.
Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry Studies
Auditions are not required for students interested in pursuing the B.A. in Music Industry Studies; however, students must complete an interview with the Director of Music Industry Studies. Students who wish to be considered for a scholarship or who would like to be enrolled in ensembles must complete an audition as described below.
Minors and Ensemble Scholarships
For students interested in minoring in music or students interested in music scholarships for participating in ensembles, only one video is required for admission. Please follow the criteria as outlined on the website.
Ensemble Participation
The School of Music at Lipscomb offers both auditioned and non-auditioned ensembles. Please contact the following directors for information regarding placement and/or audition requirements:
- Sanctuary - gillrl [at] lipscomb.edu (Randy Gill)
- Gospel Choir - aaron.howard [at] lipscomb.edu (Aaron Howard)
- Chorale - mttaylor3 [at] lipscomb.edu (Matt Taylor)
- Chamber Ensembles - bablasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Ben Blasko)
- Wind Ensemble - bablasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Ben Blasko)
- Chamber Strings - bablasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Ben Blasko)
- Commercial Ensembles - dchaffer [at] lipscomb.edu (Don Chaffer)
You can submit a video to music [at] lipscomb.edu and copy the respective director.
Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should prepare two pieces by memory from contrasting periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic or Contemporary.
Live audition requirements: Applicants should prepare two pieces by memory from contrasting periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic or Contemporary. Only one of the pieces from the pre-screening can be repeated for the live audition. Scales and sight-reading may be requested.
Direct any questions to jerry.reed [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Jerome Reed).
Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections of contrasting style, or contrasting movements of a single large work
Live audition requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections of contrasting style, or contrasting movements of a single large work, as well as be prepared to sight-read. Only one of the pieces from the pre-screening can be repeated for the live audition.
Direct any questions to ben.blasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Benjamen Blasko).
Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections of contrasting style, or contrasting movements of a single large work
Live audition requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections of contrasting style, or contrasting movements of a single large work, as well as be prepared to sight-read. Only one of the pieces from the pre-screening can be repeated for the live audition.
Direct any questions to ben.blasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Benjamen Blasko).
Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared videos. 1. A piece of your choice demonstrating your technical and musical skills. This can be with a track or live ensemble. If it is a live ensemble, the camera must be pointed at you and your part must be very clear. 2. A demonstration of two styles of your choice. These must be played with a track.
Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections of your choice. You will also be asked to demonstrate multiple styles of playing.
Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections, chosen from repertoire for snare drum, mallets (keyboard or timpani) and/or drum set.
Live audition requirements: Applicants should have two prepared selections, chosen from repertoire for snare drum, mallets (keyboard or timpani) and/or drum set. Only one of the pieces from the pre-screening can be repeated for the live audition.
Direct any questions to ben.blasko [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Benjamen Blasko).
Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should prepare two contrasting songs from memory (for example, an art song and a musical theater piece). Accompaniment is preferred.
Live audition requirements: Applicants should prepare two contrasting songs from memory, (for example, an art song and a musical theater piece). Only one of the pieces from the pre-screening can be repeated for the live audition. Accompanists are available upon request.
Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should submit one worship song. Live recordings in an actual worship service are preferred.
Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should be prepared to sing two worship songs from memory. If you are an instrumentalist, please accompany yourself on at least one of these songs.
Direct any questions to randy.gill [at] lipscomb.edu (Dr. Randy Gill).
Pre-screening Requirements: Applicants should submit videos of yourself singing and playing two songs of your choice. At least one of these must be an original song. Please include the lyrics of your original song in the description of your Youtube video.
Live Audition Requirements: Applicants should prepare two songs of your choice. At least one of these must be an original song. Only one of the pieces from the pre-screening can be repeated for the live audition.
Pre-screening Requirements: Please submit (1) a video of yourself playing a song of your choice, either an original or a cover song on your primary instrument (if you play more than one instrument, feel free to include video footage of you playing other instruments); and (2) an MP3 or WAV file demonstrating your production work. This should demonstrate your use of DAW technology such as GarageBand, Logic, Pro Tools, etc. For both video and audio submissions, please upload to YouTube (you may make them private or public, and then provide a link in your audition form), and—in the video description, please also include a brief explanation of what you did in this production (e.g. I played bass, recorded the instruments, mixed the track, etc.)
Live Audition Requirements: Applicants will perform a song of their choice (original or cover) and talk through an example of their production work.
No pre-screening videos are required as part of the application process to be a Music Industry Studies major.
You will have a brief interview with the Music Industry Studies Director, John Thompson, in place of a live or virtual audition.
If you would like to be considered for ensemble placement or scholarship, please submit one video performance on your main instrument.