Auditions Requirements
All auditions must be scheduled in advance utilizing the current Audition Request Form. Blinn College accepts auditions in both live on-campus, pre-recorded, and live virtual formats. All
pre-recorded auditions must be submitted as an UnListed YouTube link, whether single video or playlist. Please email that link to music@blinn.edu.
Regardless of your choice of how to audition, please be sure and follow the below guidelines that are specific to your area of interest, including all required musical selections. If any part of the required selections is missing from your audition, whether in-person or recorded, you will be asked to complete that audition at a later date. Specific questions about the below requirements can be sent to music@blinn.edu (responses will come from the appropriate applied teacher).
Woodwind/Brass/Guitar
- Contrasting repertoire showing both technical and lyrical abilities. Examples of repertoire include, but are not limited to: UIL Class 1 or 2 solos or other appropriate etudes. One single selection or two separate selections will suffice, not exceeding 5 minutes in length. Click here for a document containing suggested method books.
- Major scales: at least 4 different major scales of your choice in a 2 octave range where practical
- Chromatic scale: start on any note you wish, but be sure and cover at least 2 octaves of range
- Sight-Reading: all students who participate in Live On-Campus or Virtual auditions will do sightreading on their instrument. If submitting a pre-recorded video, sight reading will be provided as part of your video submission. This material must be proctored by either a band director or private instructor and we must see them put the music in front of you for the first time on the video.
Percussion
Please prepare AT LEAST two of the following, and MUST include at least one mallet etude and one drum selection which could be snare, timpani, or Drumset. Sight reading on concert snare drum and mallet percussion will be required. We value well-rounded players and encourage students to prepare more than the two required selections. More selections and greater versatility will be considered in the awarding of scholarships
- Marimba/vibes (REQUIRED) -
- One 2 mallet solo or etude (All-region music, UIL solo, Goldenberg, etc.)
OPTIONAL, but highly encouraged – one 4 mallet solo (UIL solo, etude - Ford, Davila, Zivkovic, etc.)
- One 2 mallet solo or etude (All-region music, UIL solo, Goldenberg, etc.)
- Snare Drum -
- One concert etude (All-region music, Cirone, Peters, Goldenberg,etc.) If you feel rudimental playing is a strong point, you may additionally prepare a rudimental solo of your choice.
- Timpani -
- one timpani selection (All-Region music, UIL solo, etude – Goodman, Peters, Carroll)
- Drumset -
- This can include solos and/or styles. Styles should have a variety including swing, shuffle, rock, funk, latin (Bossa nova, Samba, etc.)
- Sight reading (REQUIRED)- You will be asked to sight read on both snare drum and mallet instruments. If submitting a pre-recorded video, sight reading will be provided as part of your video submission. This material must be proctored by either a band director or private instructor and we must see them put the music in front of you for the first time on the video.
Color Guard
Whether you are auditioning in person (please check for specific camp date on the Audition Request form) or submitting a video audition, applicants must be able to demonstrate the following:
- demonstration of drop spins on each hand
- demonstration of single and double tosses
- a 2-3 minute routine to music of their choosing to demonstrate abilities including excellent body carriage, poise, and dance skills
- If proficient on rifle or sabre, please include a demonstration of skills on that equipment as well.
Piano
- A minimum of 2 pieces from contrasting style periods that represent the student’s level of proficiency and talent. At least one piece should be by memory.
- A Major – scale and arpeggio
- Eb Major – scale and arpeggio
- G Minor – harmonic form, scale and arpeggio
- B Major – scale and arpeggio
- I-IV-I-V-I chord progressions for keys listed above
- Sight-Reading: all students who participate in Live On-Campus or Virtual auditions will sightread appropriate material. If submitting a pre-recorded video, sight reading will be provided as part of your video submission. This material must be proctored by either a private instructor or a band/choir director and we must see them put the music in front of you for the first time on the video.
Voice
- One solo such as an aria, art song or piece from UIL Solo and Ensemble. Please bring a copy of the music with you if you need piano accompaniment. (Piano accompaniment is preferred to taped accompaniment.)
- If auditioning live on campus, you will be expected to participate in Warm-up/Vocal exercises to determine the range, tessitura, and voice part. If submitting a video, please be sure this is included as part of you submission
- Sight-Reading: all students who participate in Live On-Campus or Virtual auditions will sightread appropriate material for their voice range. If submitting a pre-recorded video, sight reading will be provided as part of your video submission. This material must be proctored by either a band director or private instructor and we must see them put the music in front of you for the first time on the video.
Scholarship Information
The Blinn College Music Department is fortunate to have scholarship opportunities available for students regardless of their declared major. To be considered for a scholarship award, students must audition and fill out the appropriate scholarship application found on www.blinn.edu/music. For a complete listing of all scholarship eligibility requirements and deadlines, click here.