Audition Requirements

Audition Information & Requirements

The School of Music is happy to assist students in their choice of repertoire and in preparing for the sight reading, sight singing and ear training portion of the audition. Please contact the office at 518-381-1231 ext. 2 or schoolofmusic@sunysccc.edu for assistance. 

Students should apply for acceptance to SUNY Schenectady County Community College through the Office of Admissions; they will be accepted into the Music Certificate program and should then schedule a music placement audition directly with the School of Music.

Upcoming Audition Dates

• Monday, August 4, 2025
• Tuesday, August 5, 2025
• Friday, November 14, 2025

Based on interest, career goals, and the placement audition students will be accepted into one of the following programs:

• Digital Music Certificate (audition recommended but not required)
• Music Certificate (audition recommended but not required)
• Performing Arts: Music, Associate of Science (audition required)
• Music Audio Technology, Associate of Applied Science (audition required)

Students interested in the Performing Arts: Music Program or Music Audio Technology Program, who do not feel prepared for an audition, may start with certificate classes or work individually with one of our faculty. Contact the music office to set up an advising appointment.

All auditions include:

• Performance of prepared music on instrument or voice (if you don’t see your instrument listed, please contact The School of Music). For a list of recommended audition repertoire, choose from NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) level 4-6 options.
• Sight reading on instrument or voice
• Ear training: pitch matching, sing backs, identifying melodic intervals and triads
• Sight singing and rhythmic sight reading (for non-vocalists)
• Click here for a PDF that details Ear Training and Sight Singing requirements
• Basic music reading skills and an understanding of music theory is expected; if you require additional resources to prepare, we recommend Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory.

 

Voice

• One standard art song
• One song chosen from the art song, musical theater, or contemporary song repertoire

A piano accompanist is required for vocal auditions. The School of Music will provide an accompanist if requested a minimum of three weeks in advance. There is a $30 fee for piano accompaniment payable at the time of the audition.

 

Bowed Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, and Piano

• Two contrasting selections chosen from standard etude and/or solo repertoire. One selection may be a jazz standard. Selections should clearly show the applicant’s rhythmic understanding, technical abilities and musicality
• All major scales, two octaves or range of the instrument preferred, pianists using both hands

 

Percussion/Drum Set

Pick two of the following that clearly show rhythmic understanding, technical abilities, and musicality: 

Drum set solo

• One solo, as well as demonstration of a variety of styles which could include swing, samba, bossa, funk, etc.

Timpani solo 

• One solo

Marimba solo/etude

• One solo or etude, as well as two-octave (ascending/descending) major scales and arpeggios in the keys of C, G, D, B-flat and E-flat 

 Snare Drum etude/rudiments

• One etude or set of snare drum rudiments that include single stroke roll, 5-stroke roll, paradiddle, flam paradiddle

 

Classical Guitar

• Prepared solo from the classical guitar repertoire. Selection should be comparable to those found in Fred Noad’s Solo Guitar Playing, Book I, Ch. 16-22
• Scales:
  • Major: C, G, D, A, E
  • minor: a, b, d, e

The scales must be played by alternating the index and middle fingers of the right hand

 

Electric/Pick Style Guitar

• Two prepared solos or etudes. One solo may be a jazz standard. One or both selections may be solos or etudes at a level comparable with William G. Leavitt’s A Modern Method for Guitar, Volume I, pg. 20 or pg. 23. Selections should clearly show the applicant’s rhythmic understanding, technical abilities, musicality and ability to read standard music notation
• Chords:
  • Major: C, D, E, F, G, A
  • minor: a, d, e
• Scales:
  • Major: C, G, D, A, E
  • minor: a, b, d, e

Scales must be performed in first position

 

Electric Bass Guitar

• Two prepared etudes or solos. One solo may be a jazz standard. Selections should clearly show the applicant’s rhythmic understanding, technical abilities, musicality and ability to read standard music notation.
• Scales:
  • Major: C, G, D, A, E
  • minor: a, b, d, e