Auditions FAQs and Information

The Feb. 27 audition date coincides with NSU's RiverHawk Jam, an event for prospective students from all majors. Visit the RiverHawk Jam page to learn more or to register.

NSU Music auditions are held annually in the spring semester, usually between January and April. Students who wish to pursue a music major and/or wish to receive scholarship funding from the music department as non-majors should plan to audition. Music auditions take place in the Fine Arts building at NSU's Tahlequah campus.

Video submissions, virtual auditions, and in-person auditions outside of the regular audition days are options for students who are unable to attend the audition days.

For more information about auditions, contact the area coordinator that applies to you:

Bands/Instrumental: Dr. Malcolm Burke
Choral/Vocal: Dr. Jeffery Wall
Piano:Dr. Ronald Chioldi
Jazz Studies & Commercial Music: Dr. Jordan VanHemert

Register for an audition day

It is often helpful to schedule a meeting or lesson with the NSU faculty member who teaches your major instrument prior to auditioning. This gives you a chance to introduce yourself to the faculty member and experience their teaching style. NSU faculty members are the best source of information in advising you in the audition process. Visit the NSU Music Faculty Directory page to find contact information for all of our professors.

What Should I Prepare?

You should perform well-practiced music that demonstrates your best playing. It is recommended that you prepare two selections of contrasting styles that demonstrate your musical ability. Musical selections should be of a classical nature, such as the standard solo repertoire listings on the Oklahoma state contest solo list. Other comparable works are acceptable, such as movements of a sonata or concerto. Students interested in auditioning for jazz & commercial music scholarships should prepare a jazz etude or solo transcription and/or be prepared to improvise in an F or B-flat blues progression. Percussion students should prepare to play a maximum of two different instruments (drum set will count as one single instrument). Suggested material for singers include an aria or art song. Singers will be provided an accompanist, or they may bring their own. Instrumental students are not required to audition with piano accompaniment. If you are unsure about what to perform, feel free to contact any of the NSU music faculty.

• Brass Audition Requirements (PDF)
• Percussion Audition Requirements (PDF)
• Piano Audition Requirements (PDF)
• Vocal Audition Requirements (PDF)
• Woodwind Audition Requirements (PDF)

Diagnostic Exams for Incoming Music Majors

Incoming music majors will be evaluated in music theory and aural skills for placement purposes and establishing benchmarks. These exams give us an idea where students are academically, but they have no bearing on a student's admission into the program. Prospective students will take these exams during their audition day.

Out-of-State Students

Prospective NSU music majors from out-of-state with strong academics are encouraged to apply for the NSU Honors Program, which is one of the best paths to receiving significant scholarship funds for out-of-state students. Please note that there is a separate application for the NSU Honors Program, usually due by March 1 for admission the following fall. Visit the NSU Honors Program page to learn more about the program requirements and to submit an application.

Another option for out-of-state scholarship funding is NSU's Quad State Scholarship, which waives 100% of out-of-state tuition for awardees from Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, and Missouri who elect to live on campus at NSU. In other words, students from these states can receive in-state tuition prices with this award. Students from outside of those four states can still apply and be awarded a 50% out-of-state tuition waiver. 

Out-of-state tribal members are also eligible for NSU's Tribal Heritage Scholarship, which similarly grants in-state tuition to awardees. Prospective students who hold tribal citizenship and plan to enroll as full-time students are eligible to apply.