Auditions

What you'll find in this section:

Once you've reviewed the requirements below,
choose an audition date and submit your application.
If you live more than 250 miles from our campus, you may submit a recorded audition.

General Information
Auditions are required for admission to some undergraduate programs; you can see a list of these programs and requirements below. Auditions are by appointment only. In order to schedule an appointment date and time, you must submit your completed application and fee at least 4 weeks prior to the selected audition date.

All auditions are evaluated by faculty members from the relevant departments. An accompanist will be provided for vocal auditions.

Applicants are encouraged to audition in person. Recorded auditions are accepted for applicants living more than 250 miles from Princeton or having extenuating circumstances.

Please note:
Neither the Westminster College of the Arts Office of Admission nor the individual departments will provide any feedback about the audition to any inquirers, including applicants, parents or teachers.

Westminster Choir College Program Requirements

Organ Performance All of the following, of which one must be from memory:
  1. A work by J.S. Bach (e.g., prelude & fugue, trio sonata).
  2. Two 19th, 20th or 21st-century compositions (e.g., Mendelssohn, Franck, Vierne).
  3. All major and minor scales (performed on the piano, moderate tempo, four octaves).
  4. Accurate and fluent sight-reading of four-part hymns.
Piano All of the following must be from memory:
  1. A prelude & fugue from J.S. Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier.
  2. A sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven (excluding Beethoven op. 49 or op. 79).
  3. A 19th-century composition.
  4. A 20th-century composition.
Voice Performance Four songs from memory from the classical repertoire, representing various languages and/or style periods. The singer should demonstrate musical and vocal ability that gives promise of successful college-level study.

Suggested repertoire selections for all voice auditions include songs and arias of the 17th and 18th centuries, art songs from the 19th and 20th centuries, including spirituals, and/or operatic and oratorio literature when suitable for the singer.

An accompanist will be provided for all on-campus auditions.
Music Education
  1. Audition on primary instrument: organ, piano, or voice. (See Primary Instrument Audition Requirements).
  2. Interview with the Music Education faculty.
Sacred Music
  1. Audition on primary instrument: organ, piano, or voice. (See Primary Instrument Audition Requirements).
  2. Interview with a member of the Sacred Music faculty.
Theory and Composition
  1. Audition on primary instrument: organ, piano, or voice. See Primary Instrument Audition Requirements
  2. Submit original score(s) to the department.
  3. Interview with a member of the department.

School of Fine and Performing Arts Program Requirements

Music Theater (Voice) All of the following must be performed from memory:
  1. Two contrasting sections from the standard musical theater repertoire. One selection should be a ballad and the second should be “up-tempo.” Once selection should be from “classic” music theater the other contemporary. Each selection should be no longer than 1 1/2 minutes in length.
  2. Two contrasting monologues from contemporary published plays. Each monologue should be 1 minute in length, age appropriate with no dialects.
  3. Observed participation in a dance/movement class.
  4. Recent head shot and current resume
Music Theater (Piano) Audition requirements for Piano Primary. See Primary Instrument / Audition Requirements Below
  1. One of the following, taken from the piano/vocal score:
    • "Corner of the Sky" from Pippin
    • "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" from Sweeney Todd
    • "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady
    • "Many a New Day" from Oklahoma!
    • "Some Enchanted Evening" from South Pacific
    • "Stars" from Les Misérables (this may be taken from the Vocal Selections)
  2. An accompaniment from the art song repertoire.
  3. Sight-play a theater or art song accompaniment.
  4. Interview with a member of the Theater and Piano Departments.
  5. Recent head shot and current resume
Theater (Performance)
  1. Two contrasting monologues from memory – 1 serious and 1 humorous. Each monologue should be 1 minute in length, age appropriate with no dialects. In addition, students may present one short song.
  2. Recent head shot and current resume
Theater Studies
  1. Interview with Theater faculty. Students should bring a resume and portfolio including photos from past productions, prompt book, personal statement and letter of recommendation.
Dance Dance program auditions will consist of: Observed participation in a classical dance class and a 1 – 2 minute original solo dance in a form of your choosing.
Bachelor of Arts in Music (Instrumental) Audition on primary instrument: contact the Office of Admission for specific instrumental requirements.
Arts Administration
  1. Interview with a member of the faculty.
  2. Applicants to the Music and Dance concentrations must also complete a music or dance audition (see requirements above for Bachelor of Arts in Music and Dance)

Primary Instrument Audition Requirements

Westminster Choir College and the School of Fine and Performing Arts

Organ All of the following, of which one must be from memory:
  1. A work by J.S. Bach (e.g., a prelude & fugue, a movement from a trio sonata, a choral prelude from Orgelbüchlein)
  2. A 19th, 20th, or 21st-century composition (e.g., Mendelssohn, Franck, Vierne).
  3. Any three scales (four octaves, performed on the piano, moderate tempo).
  4. Accurate and fluent sight-reading of four-part hymns.

Students with little or no organ background may audition for entrance to the organ department by following the requirements for piano principals. Organ faculty will evaluate the piano audition for organ principals.
Piano All of the following, of which one must be from memory:
  1. An invention or prelude & fugue by J.S. Bach.
  2. A first movement of a sonata by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven (excluding Beethoven op. 49; op. 79; and op. 27, no. 2)
  3. A 19th- or 20th-century composition.
Voice Two memorized songs from the classical repertoire. Suggested repertoire selections for all voice auditions include:

Songs and arias of the 17th and 18th centuries and/or art songs from the 19th and 20th centuries, including spirituals, and/or operatic and oratorio literature when suitable for the singer.