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Music Performance Audition Requirements

Following receipt of your application to the Music Performance program, you will be contacted to schedule your audition. All auditions are by appointment. To schedule your audition, please email Adam Hill. Auditions can take place in-person or by distance. However, we highly recommended that local applicants audition in-person if possible.

Prior to the audition, you should declare their primary instrument of study. This is the instrument on which you will audition, and successful applicants will be placed in ensembles and private lessons based on the instrument performed during their audition.

You will be evaluated on your potential for success in the Music Performance program based on your comprehensive display of skills and knowledge. No single portion of the audition will determine the outcome.

Assessments of reading and listening will be done at a variety of levels ranging from simple to complex in order to determine your experience and potential for advancement with these concepts.

Bass Applicants

All in-person auditions take place in the SoPA Garage, 295 Kent Street, Holland College Prince of Wales Campus, Charlottetown. A bass amp will be provided for you, but please bring your instrument and a patch cord.

During the audition, you will be asked to do the following:

  • Perform two prepared pieces of your choice that demonstrate contrasting styles (different tempos, genres, dramatic character, etc.). For this part of the audition, you may perform with a backing track, but a backing track is not required.
  • Demonstrate a groove of at least 8 measures in 3 of the following styles. You may demonstrate any of these styles while playing along with a recording, but it is not required to do so.
    • Rock 
    • Funk 
    • Swing 
    • Latin  
    • Country 
  • Play the following scales (one octave, ascending and descending) on any root in closed position (no open strings) using alternating index and middle fingers on the right hand:  
    • Major  
    • Natural Minor  
    • Minor Pentatonic 
  • Improvise a solo to a 12-bar blues or a single chord vamp
  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a pitch with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals

Record a video that captures your audition performance. Upload the video to YouTube (or another streaming site) and email the link to Adam Hill. On the video portion of your audition, please include the following:

  • Perform two prepared pieces of your choice that demonstrate contrasting styles (different tempos, genres, dramatic character, etc.). For this part of the audition, you may perform with a backing track, but a backing track is not required. If performing with a backing track, please make sure the volume balance is adjusted so that your performance is clearly audible above the backing track. 
  • Demonstrate a groove of at least 8 measures in 3 of the following styles. You may demonstrate any of these styles while playing along with a recording, but it is not required to do so. 
    • Rock 
    • Funk 
    • Swing 
    • Latin  
    • Country 
  • Play the following scales (one octave, ascending and descending) on any root in closed position (no open strings) using alternating index and middle fingers on the right hand:  
    • Major  
    • Natural Minor  
    • Minor Pentatonic 

Following receipt of your video audition, you will be scheduled for a video meeting with SoPA faculty members. In this interactive portion of the audition, you will be asked to:

  • Improvise a solo to a 12-bar blues or a single chord vamp
  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a pitch with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals

Brass Applicants

All in-person auditions take place in the SoPA Garage, 295 Kent Street, Holland College Prince of Wales Campus, Charlottetown. During the audition, you will be asked to do the following:

  • Perform two prepared pieces of your choice that demonstrate contrasting styles (different tempos, genres, dramatic character, etc.). These prepared pieces could be concert pieces or etudes from the classical or jazz tradition. For this part of the audition, you may perform with a backing track, but a backing track is not required.
  • Play the following scales (ascending and descending, 2 octaves if possible on your instrument) on any root:  
    • Major  
    • Natural Minor  
  • Improvise a solo to a 12-bar blues
  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a pitch with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals.

Record a video that captures your audition performance. Upload the video to YouTube (or another streaming site) and email the link to Adam Hill. On the video portion of your audition, please include the following:

  • Perform two prepared pieces of your choice that demonstrate contrasting styles (different tempos, genres, dramatic character, etc.). These prepared pieces could be concert pieces or etudes from the classical or jazz tradition. For this part of the audition, you may perform with a backing track, but a backing track is not required. If performing with a backing track, please make sure the volume balance is adjusted so that your performance is clearly audible above the backing track. 
  • Play the following scales (ascending and descending, two octaves if possible, on your instrument) on any root:  
    • Major  
    • Natural Minor  

Following receipt of your video audition, you will be scheduled for a video meeting with SoPA faculty members. In this interactive portion of the audition, you will be asked to:

  • Improvise a solo to a 12-bar blues
  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a pitch with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response

Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals.

Drum Applicants

All in-person auditions take place in the SoPA Garage, 295 Kent Street, Holland College Prince of Wales Campus, Charlottetown. A drum set will be provided for you, but please bring your own drumsticks.

During the audition, you will be asked to do the following:

  • Perform a minimum of 16 measures in 3 of the following styles at a tempo that is typical for the genre. Choose one style from each category. You may demonstrate any of these styles while playing along with a recording, but it is not required to do so.
    • Category 1: Even 8th Note Groove
      • Rock
      • Funk
    • Category 2: Swung 8th Note Groove
      • Swing
      • Shuffle
    • Category 3: Latin
      • Bossa Nova
      • Samba
    • Improvise or create a solo, of 16 measure minimum, in any of the above listed styles
    • Perform the following rudiments at the indicated tempo:  
      • Singles, Doubles, and Paradiddles in 4/4 as 8th notes and 16th notes at 90bpm
      • Flam Taps in 4/4 as 8th notes at 80bpm OR Flam Accents in 6/8 as 8th notes at 70bpm
      • 5 Stroke Roll & 9 Stroke Roll in 4/4 performed as 32nd notes at 60bpm
    • Read a short musical example
    • Match a pitch with your voice
    • Engage in a short call and response
    • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals

Record a video that captures your audition performance. Upload the video to YouTube (or another streaming site) and email the link to Adam Hill. On the video portion of your audition, please include the following:

  • Perform a minimum of 16 measures in 3 of the following styles at a tempo that is typical for the genre. Choose one style from each category. You may demonstrate any of these styles while playing along with a recording, but it is not required to do so.
    • Category 1: Even 8th Note Groove
      • Rock
      • Funk
    • Category 2: Swung 8th Note Groove
      • Swing
      • Shuffle
    • Category 3: Latin
      • Bossa Nova
      • Samba
    • Improvise or create a solo, of 16 measure minimum, in any of the above listed styles
    • Perform the following rudiments at the indicated tempo:  
      • Singles, Doubles, and Paradiddles in 4/4 as 8th notes and 16th notes at 90bpm
      • Flam Taps in 4/4 as 8th notes at 80bpm OR Flam Accents in 6/8 as 8th notes at 70bpm
      • 5 Stroke Roll & 9 Stroke Roll in 4/4 performed as 32nd notes at 60bpm

Following receipt of your video audition, you will be scheduled for a video meeting with SoPA faculty members. In this interactive portion of the audition, you will be asked to:

  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a pitch with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals

Guitar Applicants

All in-person auditions take place in the SoPA Garage, 295 Kent Street, Holland College Prince of Wales Campus, Charlottetown. You may perform on acoustic or electric guitar. If you choose to perform on electric guitar, a guitar amp will be provided for you, but please bring your instrument and a patch cord.

During the audition, you will be asked to do the following:

  • Perform two prepared pieces of your choice that demonstrate contrasting styles (different tempos, genres, dramatic character, etc.). For this part of the audition, you may perform with a backing track, but a backing track is not required.
  • Demonstrate a groove of at least 8 measures in 3 of the following styles. You may demonstrate any of these styles while playing along with a recording, but it is not required to do so.
    • Rock 
    • Funk 
    • Swing 
    • Latin  
    • Country 
  • Play the following scales (two octaves, ascending and descending) on any root in closed position (no open strings):  
    • Major  
    • Natural Minor  
    • Minor Pentatonic 
  • Improvise a solo to a 12-bar blues
  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a pitch with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals

Record a video that captures your audition performance. Upload the video to YouTube (or another streaming site) and email the link to Adam Hill. You may perform on acoustic or electric guitar. On the video portion of your audition, please include the following:

  • Perform two prepared pieces of your choice that demonstrate contrasting styles (different tempos, genres, dramatic character, etc.). For this part of the audition, you may perform with a backing track, but a backing track is not required. If performing with a backing track, please make sure the volume balance is adjusted so that your performance is clearly audible above the backing track. 
  • Demonstrate a groove of at least 8 measures in 3 of the following styles. You may demonstrate any of these styles while playing along with a recording, but it is not required to do so.
    • Rock 
    • Funk 
    • Swing 
    • Latin  
    • Country 
  • Play the following scales (two octaves, ascending and descending) on any root in closed position (no open strings):  
    • Major  
    • Natural Minor  
    • Minor Pentatonic 

Following receipt of your video audition, you will be scheduled for a video meeting with SoPA faculty members. In this interactive portion of the audition, you will be asked to:

  • Improvise a solo to a 12-bar blues
  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a pitch with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals

Piano Applicants

All in-person auditions take place in the SoPA Garage, 295 Kent Street, Holland College Prince of Wales Campus, Charlottetown. An electric piano will be provided for you.

During the audition, you will be asked to do the following:

  • Perform two prepared pieces of your choice that demonstrate contrasting styles (different tempos, genres, dramatic character, etc.). For this part of the audition, you may perform with a backing track, but a backing track is not required.
  • Demonstrate a groove of at least 8 measures in 3 of the following styles. You may demonstrate any of these styles while playing along with a recording, but it is not required to do so.
    • Rock 
    • Funk 
    • Swing 
    • Latin  
    • Country 
  • Play two different major scales on any two roots, two octaves, ascending and descending, hands together
  • Improvise a solo to a 12-bar blues
  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a pitch with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals

Record a video that captures your audition performance. Upload the video to YouTube (or another streaming site) and email the link to Adam Hill. On the video portion of your audition, please include the following:

  • Perform two prepared pieces of your choice that demonstrate contrasting styles (different tempos, genres, dramatic character, etc.). For this part of the audition, you may perform with a backing track, but a backing track is not required. If performing with a backing track, please make sure the volume balance is adjusted so that your performance is clearly audible above the backing track. 
  • Demonstrate a groove of at least 8 measures in 3 of the following styles. You may demonstrate any of these styles while playing along with a recording, but it is not required to do so. 
    • Rock 
    • Funk 
    • Swing 
    • Latin  
    • Country 
  • Play two different major scales on any two roots, two octaves, ascending and descending, hands together 

Following receipt of your video audition, you will be scheduled for a video meeting with SoPA faculty members. In this interactive portion of the audition, you will be asked to:

  • Improvise a solo to a 12-bar blues
  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a pitch with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals

Violin Applicants

All in-person auditions take place in the SoPA Garage, 295 Kent Street, Holland College Prince of Wales Campus, Charlottetown. During the audition, you will be asked to do the following:

  • Perform two prepared pieces of your choice that demonstrate contrasting styles (different tempos, genres, dramatic character, etc.). For this part of the audition, you may perform with a backing track, but a backing track is not required.
  • Play the following scales (two octaves, ascending and descending) on roots A, D, B-flat, and E-flat:  
    • Major  
    • Natural Minor  
  • Improvise a solo to a 12-bar blues
  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a pitch with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals

Record a video that captures your audition performance. Upload the video to YouTube (or another streaming site) and email the link to Adam Hill. On the video portion of your audition, please include the following:

  • Perform two prepared pieces of your choice that demonstrate contrasting styles (different tempos, genres, dramatic character, etc.). For this part of the audition, you may perform with a backing track, but a backing track is not required. If performing with a backing track, please make sure the volume balance is adjusted so that your performance is clearly audible above the backing track. 
  • Play the following scales (two octaves, ascending and descending) on roots A, D, B-flat, and E-flat:  
    • Major  
    • Natural Minor  

 

Following receipt of your video audition, you will be scheduled for a video meeting with SoPA faculty members. In this interactive portion of the audition, you will be asked to:

  • Improvise a solo to a 12-bar blues
  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a pitch with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals

Voice Applicants

All in-person auditions take place in the SoPA Garage, 295 Kent Street, Holland College Prince of Wales Campus, Charlottetown. You may sing unamplified or amplified, and a PA and microphone will be provided for you if you choose to perform amplified.

During the audition, you will be asked to do the following:

  • Perform two prepared pieces of your choice that demonstrate contrasting styles (tempo, genre, range, etc.). For this part of the audition, you may self-accompany with another instrument, collaborate with an accompanist, or perform with a backing track. You may also perform one of the pieces unaccompanied, if stylistically appropriate. Both pieces should be memorized, if possible.
  • Sing the following scales on any pitch, one octave, ascending and descending, using any syllables (solfege may be used, but is not necessary):  
    • Major  
    • Natural Minor   
  • Improvise over a 12-bar blues. You may hear the pattern once and then improvise over it the second time. Any syllables may be used.
  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a series of pitches with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals

Record a video that captures your audition performance. Upload the video to YouTube (or another streaming site) and email the link to Adam Hill. On the video portion of your audition, please include the following:

  • Perform two prepared pieces of your choice that demonstrate contrasting styles (tempo, genre, range, etc.). For this part of the audition, you may self-accompany with another instrument, collaborate with an accompanist, or perform with a backing track. You may also perform one of the pieces unaccompanied, if stylistically appropriate. Both pieces should be memorized, if possible.
  • Sing the following scales on any pitch, one octave, ascending and descending, using any syllables (solfege may be used, but is not necessary):  
    • Major  
    • Natural Minor   

 

Following receipt of your video audition, you will be scheduled for a video meeting with SoPA faculty members. In this interactive portion of the audition, you will be asked to:

  • Improvise over a 12-bar blues. You may hear the pattern once and then improvise over it the second time. Any syllables may be used.
  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a series of pitches with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals

Woodwind Applicants

All in-person auditions take place in the SoPA Garage, 295 Kent Street, Holland College Prince of Wales Campus, Charlottetown. During the audition, you will be asked to do the following:

  • Perform two prepared pieces of your choice that demonstrate contrasting styles (different tempos, genres, dramatic character, etc.). These prepared pieces could be concert pieces or etudes from the classical or jazz tradition. For this part of the audition, you may perform with a backing track, but a backing track is not required.
  • Play the following scales (ascending and descending, 2 octaves if possible on your instrument) on any root:  
    • Major  
    • Natural Minor  
  • Improvise a solo to a 12-bar blues
  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a pitch with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals

Record a video that captures your audition performance. Upload the video to YouTube (or another streaming site) and email the link to Adam Hill. On the video portion of your audition, please include the following:

  • Perform two prepared pieces of your choice that demonstrate contrasting styles (different tempos, genres, dramatic character, etc.). These prepared pieces could be concert pieces or etudes from the classical or jazz tradition. For this part of the audition, you may perform with a backing track, but a backing track is not required. If performing with a backing track, please make sure the volume balance is adjusted so that your performance is clearly audible above the backing track. 
  • Play the following scales (ascending and descending, two octaves if possible, on your instrument) on any root:  
    • Major  
    • Natural Minor  

 

Following receipt of your video audition, you will be scheduled for a video meeting with SoPA faculty members. In this interactive portion of the audition, you will be asked to:

  • Improvise a solo to a 12-bar blues
  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a pitch with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals

Electronic Digital Instrument Applicants

All in-person auditions will take place at the SoPA Garage, 295 Kent Street, Holland College Prince of Wales Campus, Charlottetown. An amplifier and/or PA system will be provided for you, but you should bring your laptop, MIDI controller, and any cables and/or interfaces to route your audio signal to the amp/PA.

During the audition you will be asked to do the following:

  • Give a live performance roughly 3-5 minutes in length that demonstrates your musicality through a combination of user-operated controller and user-configured software. While your performance may include backing tracks that are pre-recorded in a digital audio workstation, the performance should include a live component that illustrates your abilities in live looping, live effects processing, control surface facility, finger drumming, and/or live synth playing.
  • Sing or play the following scales on any root:
    • Major
    • Natural minor
  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a pitch with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals

Record a video of your audition performance. Upload the video to YouTube (or another streaming site) and email the link to Adam Hill. On the video portion of your audition, please include the following:

  • Give a live performance roughly 3-5 minutes in length that demonstrates your musicality through a combination of user-operated controller and user-configured software. While your performance may include backing tracks that are pre-recorded in a digital audio workstation, the performance should include a live component that illustrates your abilities in live looping, live effects processing, control surface facility, finger drumming, and/or live synth playing.
  • Play or sing the following scales on any root:
    • Major
    • Natural minor

Following receipt of your video audition, you will be scheduled for a video meeting with SoPA faculty members. In this interactive portion of the audition, you will be asked to:

  • Read a short musical example
  • Match a pitch with your voice
  • Engage in a short call and response
  • Participate in a conversation about your musical experience and goals