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Admission Standards

Students in each department in the College of Fine Arts and Communication must fulfill the general admissions requirements of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, described in the UM-St. Louis Bulletin. In addition, special audition requirements for the Department of Music are indicted below:

University of Missouri St. Louis Admissions
To participate in the University of Missouri - St. Louis Music Department, students must meet the requirements of admissions into the university. University admissions information can be reached at www.umsl.edu/admission/ or 314-516-5461.

University of Missouri St. Louis Music Department Auditions
The University of Missouri - St. Louis Department of Music offers three auditions formats:
(1) entrance auditions for potential music majors, (2) music ensemble scholarship auditions for music and non-music majors, and (3) ensemble membership auditions.

Entrance Auditions
To be admitted into the University of Missouri - St. Louis Department of Music, the potential music major is required to audition on their primary music instrument. For the 2001-2002 academic year, formal auditions will take place on March 16, April 13, and May 4. Accompanists will be provided. Audition times can be reserved by calling 314-516-5980. For calendar conflicts or special situations, students may request additional audition dates.

Entrance Audition Requirements, Vocal

The potential music major is requested to:

  1. sing two songs, contrasting in nature. One selection should come from the classical literature and one selection should demonstrate the student's ability to sing in a language other than English.
  2. sing a chromatic scale
  3. demonstrate sightsinging ability
  4. participate in a personal interview
  5. offer letter(s) of recommendation in support the student's musical background and potential.

Entrance Audition Requirements, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Strings, and Keyboard

The potential music major is requested to:
  1. perform two contrasting selections of choice. (OR) perform one selection from the Missouri Music Educators Association solo contest list or some approved like list.
  2. perform selected major and minor scales and arpeggios.
  3. demonstrate sightreading ability, if requested.
  4. offer letter(s) of recommendation in support of the student's musical background and potential.

Music Ensemble Scholarship Audition
The results of this audition are used to determine the amount of a student's ensemble scholarship. For music majors, the results of the entrance audition are used to determine scholarships. For non-music majors the requirements of the music ensemble scholarship audition are somewhat less formal.

The student is requested to:

    1. perform a selection of choice that demonstrates the student's performance level on their chosen instrument.
    2. demonstrate the level of sight reading, if requested.
    3. offer any letter(s) of recommendation in support of the student's musical background and potential.
    4. participate in a personal interview.

Ensemble Membership Audition, Vocal
The results of this audition are used to determine the student's placement within an auditioned music ensemble. The results of either the entrance audition or the ensemble scholarship audition can be used for ensemble membership placement. For non-music majors not requesting an entrance audition or a scholarship audition, the ensemble membership audition is less stringent.

The student is requested to:

  1. sing a cappella My Country 'Tis of Thee.
  2. demonstrate the level of music reading ability.
  3. demonstrate level of tonal memory.
  4. participate in a personal interview.