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Audition Procedures

APPLYING FOR MUSIC MAJOR/MINOR
All students intending to major or minor in music must audition for admission into the Department of Music. Auditions are accepted on bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, euphonium, flute, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, and voice.

For all applicants live auditions are strongly recommended. However, in cases when distance prohibits a visit to the campus, taped performances (CD or DVD—no cassettes or VHS) are acceptable. Prospective students must submit all admission application credentials prior to auditioning. Acceptance into the Department of Music is contingent upon acceptance to Gordon College.

AUDITION PROCEDURE
Live auditions will be held on prearranged dates throughout the year. Students who plan to audition in person should adhere to the following application procedure:

Step 1: Apply for Admission—Before applying to the Department of Music, you must first complete and submit your Gordon
College admission application. For more information on applying to Gordon College, call 866.464.6736 or visit the Admissions Office. 

Step 2: Complete Music Application, found online at www.gordon.edu/music/application.  Submit the music recommendation to a current or recent music teacher (this may be a private studio teacher, classroom instructor, or ensemble director). The completed music application, along with music recommendation, must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the audition date.  A staff member will confirm the audition schedule and time with you prior to your requested audition date.

Step 3: Audition—For the audition, students are asked to prepare two or three classical selections which best demonstrate current performance level on their major instrument. These selections should be contrasting in style and/or period. For recommendations on appropriate audition repertoire, please consult this list or contact the . At the time of the audition, the audition committee will also conduct informal interviews with all prospective music students.

Recorded auditions

For all applicants live auditions are strongly recommended. However, in cases when distance prohibits a visit to the campus, recorded performances are acceptable. Students who plan to submit a recorded audition should follow the procedure outlined above, except the completed music application should be submitted along with the audition recording. Audition selections must be recorded on CD, DVD (no cassette tapes or VHS, please); the recording should be clearly labeled with the applicant's name, intended degree and audition selections. Completed application and recorded audition should be mailed to:

Gordon College Department of Music
Attn: Director of Music Operations
255 Grapevine Road
Wenham, MA 01984

Note to all students

All accepted music students will be required to take a music theory placement examination prior to matriculation. The music placement examination will be offered at the time of audition. This comprehensive exam is designed to determine basic musical skills and knowledge in music theory, music history, sight reading and aural skills. If you have questions about the exam, please call the Department of Music at 978.867.4364 or email .

All applicants accepted into the Music Education degree program will be accepted on a provisional basis. These students must apply for full acceptance to the Music Education program following the completion of MU117 Introduction to Music Education (first-year course). Full acceptance into the Music Education program is contingent upon successful completion of all application requirements and the approval of the Music Education faculty.

Students who are not accepted into any of the Department of Music's degree programs may choose to study applied music for no credit or take entry-level music courses open to all students. Students may re-audition for admission into the Department after one semester.