Department of Music Auditions
Auditions are required for additional scholarship consideration for the B.M. in Music Education and B.F.A. in Music Technology, Entrepreneurship & Production Programs.
For admission to the Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Fine Arts programs evidence of prior music training experience, musical aptitude, and music literacy is expected. Placement exams are required for all undergraduate programs. Deficiencies discovered through the placement exam may require remedial coursework. Acceptance into the music program is contingent upon acceptance to Long Island University. Please see Admissions for more information.
Prospective undergraduate music majors may compete through audition for performance awards.
Auditions Schedule
On campus audition dates:
January Audition Saturday, 1/25, 10am-3pm
February Audition Saturday, 2/22, 10am-3pm
March (Final) Audition Saturday, 3/15, 10am-3pm
These auditions will take place in Hillwood Commons at the Long Island University Post Campus.
To schedule an audition, please complete this online Audition Registration Form. Once we receive your request we will contact you to schedule an audition.
To schedule an individual audition for Fall 2025 entry or to receive further information, please call Maria Cafiso at 516-299-2474 or email the Department of Music at post-music@liu.edu.
Note: Virtual auditions are permitted. For eligibility and procedures, please review the Audition Registration Form.
Audition Criteria for the B.M. in Music Education Program
Professional attire is expected.
For Instrumentalists (Classical):
- Two pieces of contrasting styles. These could be two complete pieces or individual movements from two different works.
- Major scales
- Sight-reading (optional)
- Percussionists: audition repertoire should include: 1) an advanced snare drum solo; 2) a two- mallet keyboard piece (marimba, xylophone, or vibraphone); 3) a two-drum timpani piece.
For Instrumentalists (Jazz):
- Demonstrate knowledge of scales and arpeggios.
- Sight-read an excerpt from a big band or combo arrangement.
- Perform three jazz compositions or standards of your choosing. Your three selections must include one up-tempo selection, one medium tempo and one ballad. We recommend that one of your selections be a different feel other than swing; i.e. samba, straight eighth, cha-cha, etc. One of your selections must be a blues. Please be prepared to play the melody and improvise on each tune (only a half-chorus is necessary on the ballad).
- Bassists: demonstrate your ability to play a "two-feel" and "walk" a bass line on each selection. Ability to demonstrate different Latin styles is encouraged. Doubling on electric bass is highly recommended. If you only play eclectic bass, we will encourage you to also study upright bass upon entering the program.
- Drummers: demonstrate the ability to use brushes on your ballad selection. You will be also asked to trade "4's" or "8's" on your medium or up-tempo selection. Ability to demonstrate different Latin styles is encouraged.
- Guitarists/Pianists: demonstrate your ability to "comp" on each selection.
- Presenting original compositions at your audition is highly recommended but not required.
For Vocalists (Classical):
- Two pieces of contrasting styles. One selection must be in a language other than English. The other Classical selection may be in English if desired, or another foreign language.
- Exploration of vocal range and aural abilities.
For Vocalists (Jazz):
- Two choruses of a medium swing jazz standard. Sing the melody and lyrics as notated on the first chorus and then embellish or improvise (scat) on some portion of the second chorus.
- A ballad from the Great American Songbook.
- One piece or scale to demonstrate ability on a secondary instrument.
- Multiple secondary instruments are permitted.
Accompanist: You should provide your own live or recorded accompaniment.
Music Literacy (the ability to read music) is required for entry into all undergraduate music programs. If a playing/singing audition submission does not adequately show evidence of this, then a pre-placement music literacy assessment will be done to determine acceptance into the program. This is not a placement exam, but rather an assessment to determine eligibility to enter the music program.
Placement Exams: Along with the performance audition, evaluations in pitch perception, sight-singing, and music theory are required. Deficiencies discovered through the placement exams may require remedial coursework.
Audition Criteria for the B.F.A. in Music Technology, Entrepreneurship & Production Program
Professional attire is expected.
Digital music makers are encouraged to provide a work sample in advance via email in mp3 format.
It is recommended that you seek the counsel of your musical mentor or private instructor when selecting your audition pieces. Below please find guidelines to assist your selection:
- A song from a well-known artist or band (any style)
- A transcription of a well-known artist's solo
- A composition from the instrumental/voice repertoire such as a movement, sonata, concerto, or etude
- A standard or jazz tune with your own improvisation
In addition to one selection from the list above, aspiring songwriters and composers may choose to play an original piece that features your individual style. Neither piece should exceed three minutes in length, for a total of no more than six minutes.
Accompanist: You should provide your own live or recorded accompaniment.
Music Literacy (the ability to read music) is required for entry into all undergraduate music programs. If a playing/singing audition submission does not adequately show evidence of this, then a pre-placement music literacy assessment will be done to determine acceptance into the program. This is not a placement exam, but rather an assessment to determine eligibility to enter the music program.
Placement Exams: Along with the performance audition, evaluations in pitch perception, sight-singing, and music theory are required. Deficiencies discovered through the placement exams may require remedial coursework.
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