Music Department
Music Major Auditions
All music majors automatically receive a $4000 TruMusic scholarship package (dispersed in annual installments of $1000/year). Admission to the Music program at Truman is a two-step process:
STEP 1: Successfully apply for admission to the university.
STEP 2: Successfully audition for the Music program on your primary instrument/voice type.
You can complete these steps in either order, but both are required for full admission to the program. Based on your audition, you’ll automatically be considered for additional music scholarships.
All Truman students wishing to participate in one of our ensembles are eligible for additional music scholarships, regardless of their major. Even if you don’t plan on majoring in music, we encourage you to schedule a scholarship audition today!
Auditions for 2023-24 may be scheduled in person or with a virtual live performance or a pre-recorded video.
Audition Dates
You can schedule an audition for any of the following dates OR request a weekday audition as part of a Truman visit:
February 19, 2024
March 23, 2024
Weekday Audition
Music Major and Scholarship auditions are held on a rolling deadline; some priority will be given toward earlier auditions.
Auditions for music ensembles are conducted separately, usually during the first week of classes in the fall (see below):
The following ensembles require an audition for participation:
- Basketball Pep Bands
- Brass Choir
- Cantoria
- Jazz Combo
- Jazz Ensemble
- Jazz Lab Band
- President’s String Quartet
- Steel Pan Band
- Symphony Orchestra
- Truman Opera Theatre
- Voci Chamber Choir
- Wind Symphony
Percussion instrument auditions include snare drum, xylophone or marimba, or multiple percussion sets. In addition, other percussion instruments may be used during the same auditions including drum set, quads or quints. The candidate should demonstrate good stick action and hand to hand activity, good rhythmic accuracy, and musical intent.
For the audition you will:
- Perform a solo, movements from a sonata or concerto, or etudes, demonstrating lyrical phrasing and technical proficiency.
- Play major scales through the range of the instrument.
- Sight-read a short musical passage demonstrating reading skill and accuracy in rhythm, pitch, dynamics and articulation.
For more information, please contact Dr. Michael Bump (mbump@truman.edu) or Dr. Curran Prendergast (cprend@truman.edu) or call the Music Department at (660) 785-4417.
- Perform one or two solo pieces (preferably, by memory)
- Sight-read accompanying excerpts
All pianists at Truman (music majors and non-music majors) can audition to be added to the freelance accompanying list. At this audition, students will:
- Perform one solo piece (memorization is optional)
- Sight-read accompanying excerpts
Each February, Truman State University hosts its annual Piano Festival. Application deadline is January 15. Two scholarships are awarded on that day: one provides full tuition, room, and board; and the other provides $1000 per year. Each of these scholarships is renewable for eight semesters for students meeting the established criteria.
For more information, contact Dr. Lok Ng (lokng@truman.edu)
String instrument auditions include violin, viola, cello and bass.
For the audition you will:
- Perform two contrasting selections (a solo, movements from a sonata or concerto, or etudes), demonstrating lyrical phrasing and technical proficiency.
- Play three-octave major and minor scales and arpeggios.
Orchestra scholarships are offered each year to qualified string players based on the audition, regardless of major or minor status. No sight reading or accompanist is required.
For more information, contact Dr. Paul Grobey (pgrobey@truman.edu) or call the Music Department at (660) 785-4417.
Singers with significant choral/vocal experience are encouraged to audition for a Choral Music Service Scholarship and/or Vocal Major Service Scholarship. You do not need to be a music major to receive a Choral Scholarship. For students interested in majoring in voice or vocal music education, this audition also serves as the audition for the music major.
In the audition, you will:
- Sing two contrasting songs by memory. English and a foreign language is preferred; contrast in tempo/style is helpful
- Sight-read your part from a choir score (tenors in bass clef)
- Sing tonal memory patterns
- Sing vocalizes as instructed
For more information, contact Dr. Mark Jennings (mdj@truman.edu).
Wind and Brass instrument auditions include flute, oboe, clarinet, low clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, horn, euphonium, and tuba. The candidate should demonstrate good embouchure, good tone, and accuracy. No accompanist is necessary.
For the audition you will:
- Perform a solo, movements from a sonata or concerto, or etudes, demonstrating lyrical phrasing and technical proficiency.
- Play major scales and the chromatic scale through the range of the instrument.
- Sight-read a short musical passage demonstrating reading skill and accuracy in rhythm, pitch, dynamics and articulation.
For more information, contact Dr. Curran Prendergast (cprend@truman.edu) or call the Music Department at (660) 785-4417.