Private Lesson Auditions and Music Theory Placement Exam for Fall 2026 enrollment.
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Upcoming Audition Days
Online Auditions
Accepted continuously
Online auditions are accepted on a continuous basis. Students are notified of audition results within three weeks.
Meet with an Advisor
Our Music Department Advisors can answer your questions about auditions, music degrees, and becoming a student at 麻豆原创 Denver.Required for all students entering the music program.
Audition Information
Private instruction is a major component of all music degrees, and is offered to music majors and minors who pass an audition.聽Students may choose to either submit an online audition or perform an in-person audition. An audition attempt may be made once per semester. A passing audition result is聽valid for one calendar year.
Private instruction is available for most instruments in a Classical or Jazz & American Improvised Music (JAIM) track. See Audition Repertoire Requirements to view the repertoire requirements by instrument.
Incoming students are required to meet with a Music Department Intake Advisor prior to auditioning.
Audition Repertoire Requirements
Brass
Classical Brass聽
Each brass applicant for the classical lesson track must perform:
- Three major scales, play two octaves where able.
- A piece that best demonstrates your ability on the instrument. This can be a piece, excerpt, or movement from the standard repertoire.
- A second, contrasting piece that best demonstrates your ability on the instrument.
Transfer Students
Transfer students wishing to audition for advanced placement with transfer credit from previous collegiate private lessons must contact the Brass and Percussion Area Coordinator, Michael Hengst ([email protected])聽for additional requirements prior聽to auditioning.
Contact
Dr. Michael Hengst, [email protected]
Jazz & American Improvised Music (JAIM) Brass
Each brass applicant for the JAIM brass lesson track must perform:
- 2 major scales and arpeggios and 2 minor scales and arpeggios. One octave, performed from memory.
- Play the melody and improvise two choruses on a blues or jazz standard of the auditionee鈥檚 choosing. Suggested standard material – Blue Monk, Billie鈥檚 Bounce, There Will Never Be Another You, Bemsha Swing, Summertime, Mr. P.C, (Solar, Autumn Leaves, and Sonnymoon For Two are provided below along with backing tracks for online audition recordings)
- Sight-reading (in-person audition only, will be selected from the standard big band or small group repertoire).
Suggested Audition Pieces
Autumn Leaves Bb (PDF)
Solar Bb (PDF)
Sonnymoon For Two Bb (PDF)
Autumn Leaves (M4A) – backing track for online audition
Solar (M4A) – backing track for online audition
Sonnymoon For Two (M4A) – backing track for online audition
Transfer Students
Transfer students wishing to audition for advanced placement with transfer credit from previous collegiate private lessons must contact the JAIM Area Coordinator, Dawn Clement ([email protected])聽for additional requirements prior聽to auditioning.
Contact
Dawn Clement, [email protected]
Guitar
Classical Guitar
Classical guitar applicants must perform their audition on a classical guitar. Jazz and rock fingerings are not acceptable for this audition (see Jazz Guitar audition requirements instead). Applicants are expected to have a reasonable ability to read music notation (not just tablature). Applicants who have any questions about their guitar auditions are encouraged to reach out to Classical Guitar Area Coordinator, Alex Komodore ([email protected], 303-521-4371 call/text) for guidance or a free lesson.
Each classical guitar applicant must perform:
- Any major or minor scale using right hand finger alternation.
- A聽piece of your choosing, or one of the suggested audition pieces below.
- A second piece of your choosing, or another one of the suggested audition pieces below.
Suggested Audition Pieces
Applicants are encouraged to聽perform two of the following pieces for their audition. These pieces are detailed in聽.
Moorish Dance (PDF)
Exercise 13 (PDF)
Lesson 46 (PDF)
Lesson 61 (PDF)
Torito (PDF)
Transfer Students
Transfer students wishing to audition for advanced placement with transfer credit from previous collegiate private lessons must contact the Classical Guitar Area Coordinator, Alex Komodore ([email protected])聽for additional requirements prior to聽auditioning.
Contact
Alex Komodore, [email protected], 303-521-4371 (call/text)
Jazz & American Improvised Music (JAIM) Guitar
JAIM guitar applicants are expected to have a reasonable ability to read music notation (not just tablature), and a sight reading ability equivalent to the level of Studies 1-3 from Melodic Rhythms by William Leavitt. Applicants who have any questions about their guitar auditions are encouraged to reach out to JAIM Guitar Area Coordinator Dave Devine, [email protected].
Each JAIM guitar applicant must demonstrate:
- Basic chord voicings for maj7, 7, min7, min7b5 and dim; with the root of the chord on strings 4,5, and 6, in all keys.
- Comp the above chords in a jazz style (i.e. Freddie Green, Charleston, etc.)
- Prepare a 12-bar blues over one of the songs from the list below. You must be able to play the melody, comp the chord changes, and improvise over the chords:
C Jam Blues 鈥� Duke Ellington
Blue Monk 鈥� Thelonius Monk
Straight, No Chaser 鈥� Thelonius Monk
Sonnymoon For Two 鈥� Sonny Rollins
Tenor Madness 鈥� Sonny Rollins
Billie鈥檚 Bounce 鈥� Charlie Parker
Now鈥檚 The Time 鈥� Charlie Parker
Looking up the tune on YouTube does not constitute research. Find/buy a recording of the song by the original artist, or by an important jazz guitarist: Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Barney Kessel, Jim Hall, Joe Pass, Tal Farlow, Grant Green, Pat Martino, et al.
Transfer Students
Transfer students wishing to audition for advanced placement with transfer credit from previous collegiate private lessons must contact the JAIM Guitar Area Coordinator, Dave Devine ([email protected])聽for additional requirements prior to聽auditioning.
Contact
Dave Devine, [email protected]
Drums and Percussion
Jazz & American Improvised Music (JAIM) Drumset
Each JAIM drumset applicant must perform:
- Bright 4/4 swing: i.e. Donna Lee, Oleo, Confirmation.
- Straight-eighth groove of your choice: i.e. Samba, Songo, Funk.
- Rudiments: Double stroke roll, paradiddle, flam accent, flam tap.
Transfer Students
Transfer students wishing to audition for advanced placement with transfer credit from previous collegiate private lessons must contact the JAIM Area Coordinator, Dawn Clement ([email protected])聽for additional requirements prior聽to auditioning.
Contact
Dawn Clement, [email protected]
Percussion
贰补肠丑听percussion applicant must perform:
- Two major and two minor scales of聽your choosing and/or a demonstration of a couple of snare drum rudiments (long roll, 5-stroke roll, flams, drags, etc.)
- Choose two聽from the following options:
- Snare drum solo or etude (rudimental or concert style)
- Mallet solo or etude or excerpt (2 or 4 mallet) on an instrument of your choosing (Marimba, Vibraphone, etc.)
- Timpani solo or etude
- Multi-percussion solo or etude
Transfer Students
Transfer students wishing to audition for advanced placement with transfer credit from previous collegiate private lessons must contact the Brass and Percussion Area Coordinator, Michael Hengst ([email protected])聽for additional requirements prior to auditioning.
Contact
Michael Hengst, [email protected]
Piano
Classical Piano聽
Each classical piano applicant must perform:
- One four-octave major scale and one four-octave minor scale聽played with proper fingerings, hands together, ascending and descending.
- One piece of Western art music (Baroque period [1600-1750] through present day).
- A second, stylistically contrasting piece of Western art music (Baroque period [1600-1750] through present day).聽Please choose a piece by a composer from a contrasting time period to your first piece.
Transfer Student
Transfer students wishing to audition for advanced placement with transfer credit from previous collegiate private lessons must contact the Classical Piano Area Coordinator, Jooeun Pak ([email protected])聽for additional requirements prior to auditioning.
Contact
Jooeun Pak, [email protected]
Jazz & American Improvised Music (JAIM) Piano
Each JAIM piano applicant must perform:
- A jazz standard or a blues of your choosing, or one of the suggested audition pieces below (backing tracks provided for online audition recordings).
- One piece, any style, showing the ability to perform solo piano. Original compositions accepted.
- ii-V-I chord progressions and major scales in 2 major keys: C and F.
- Sight-Reading (in-person audition only): A standard jazz lead sheet will be provided as well as single note treble clef and bass clef melodies. Students must be able to recognize the key signature and time signature, read the melody in time, and comp the chord changes (optional improvisation over chords).
Suggested Audition Pieces
Autumn Leaves (PDF)
Solar (PDF)
Sonnymoon For Two (PDF)
Autumn Leaves (M4A) – backing track for online audition
Solar (M4A) – backing track for online audition
Sonnymoon For Two (M4A) – backing track for online audition
Transfer Students
Transfer students wishing to audition for advanced placement with transfer credit from previous collegiate private lessons must contact the JAIM Area Coordinator, Dawn Clement ([email protected])聽for additional requirements prior聽to auditioning.
Contact
Dawn Clement, [email protected]
Strings
Classical Strings
Each string applicant on the classical lesson track must perform:
- One two- or three-octave scale of your choosing. Please specify the chosen scale on the video.
- A piece or movement from the standard repertoire of your instrument, such as a movement from a concerto or sonata, unaccompanied solo, show piece, etc.
- A second, contrasting piece. A contrasting piece must differ in tempo, time period, composer, etc.
Transfer Students
Transfer students wishing to audition for advanced placement with transfer credit from previous collegiate private lessons must contact the Strings Area Coordinator, Philip Ficsor ([email protected])聽for additional requirements prior to auditioning.
Contact
Philip Ficsor, [email protected]
Jazz & American Improvised Music (JAIM) Bass (Electric or Upright)
Each JAIM bass applicant must perform:
- Two-octave major scales in the keys of F, G, C, and Ab (录 notes at 78 bpm with metronome), and one-octave minor scales in the keys of C, D, and F.
- Three choruses of a walking bass line for a 12-bar jazz blues in the key of Bb or F at 88bpm (use ii-V-I turn around);聽 demonstrate ability to arpeggiate 1-3-5-7 of each chord in the form, and solo over 2 choruses of blues form. Good tune options are: Sonnymoon for Two, Tenor Madness, Blues in the Closet, Now鈥檚 the Time, Things aint what they used to be.
- Demonstrate a short example of a bass line or part in a contrasting, non-walking bass style (for example: rock, funk, R & B, Latin [samba, bossa, etc.])
- Sight read a short section of a written walking bass line and/or a written bass line in a contrasting style (in-person auditions only).
Transfer Students
Transfer students wishing to audition for advanced placement with transfer credit from previous collegiate private lessons must contact the JAIM Area Coordinator, Dawn Clement ([email protected])聽for additional requirements prior聽to auditioning.
Contact
Dawn Clement, [email protected]
Voice
Classical Voice
Auditionees in the classical voice area are encouraged to select pieces which are melodic and show the auditioner鈥檚 ability to sing. The songs need not be excessively difficult and may be sung in their original language or in English translation. An accompanist will be provided for in-person auditions; please bring a copy of your music.
If you are submitting an online audition, live piano accompaniment is preferred but you may instead be accompanied by a recorded track; you should not accompany yourself instrumentally or submit an聽a cappella聽performance.
贰补肠丑听classical voice聽applicant must perform:
- A major scale (鈥渄o鈥� to 鈥渄o鈥�) followed by a major arpeggio (do 鈥� mi 鈥� sol 鈥� ^do^ 鈥� sol 鈥� mi 鈥� do).聽 These should be sung unaccompanied, without following any recording. These may be sung on neutral syllables such as 鈥渄a, da, da鈥� or on solfege syllables.
- A piece which best displays your vocal quality. This may be an art song, folk song, musical theater, sacred song, or opera aria.聽 This piece should be performed from memory.
- A second piece, preferably in contrasting style, which best displays your vocal quality. This may be an art song, folk song, musical theatre, sacred song, or opera area. This piece will also need to be performed from memory.
- Brief tonal recall exercises (in-person audition only).
Transfer Students
Transfer students wishing to audition for advanced placement with transfer credit from previous collegiate private lessons must contact the Classical Voice Area Coordinator, Bradley Thompson ([email protected])聽for additional requirements prior to auditioning. General additional requirements are outlined here:聽Voice Area Advanced Placement Audition (PDF)
Contact
Bradley Thompson, [email protected]
Jazz & American Improvised Music (JAIM) Voice
JAIM voice applicants performing an in-person audition are accompanied by the audition committee. Applicants must bring in three copies of sheet music in their preferred key for each song.
Each JAIM voice applicant must perform:
- One jazz piece of your choosing, or Autumn Leaves (PDF and backing track for online auditions below). This piece must be sung from memory.
- A second piece, contrasting in style and tempo, sung from memory. This piece may range from jazz, classical, musical theater, gospel, blues, folk, pop, or be an original composition.
- Melodic and Rhythmic Response:
- In-Person Auditions – You will be led through a short series of 3-5-note melodic patterns in a “call-and-response” (repeat back what you hear) format to test your tonal memory. You will similarly be led through a short series of rhythmic patterns in the above format using hand claps. Written examples may also be provided for you to sight-read.
- Online Auditions – In the Audition Materials section below, you are provided one melodic and one rhythmic example. For the melodic example, please record yourself saying the intervals and singing the written melody. It does not need to be in time. For the rhythmic example, please record yourself clapping the written rhythm.
Audition Materials
Autumn Leaves with lyrics (PDF)
Autumn Leaves (M4A) – backing track for online audition
Melodic Example (PDF) – for online auditions only
Rhythmic Example (PDF) – for online auditions only
Transfer Students
Transfer students wishing to audition for advanced placement with transfer credit from previous collegiate private lessons must contact the JAIM Area Coordinator, Dawn Clement ([email protected])聽for additional requirements prior聽to auditioning.
Contact
Dawn Clement, [email protected]
Music Theatre Voice
MUS 1717 Music Theatre Voice is only available to students majoring in the Department of Theatre and Dance’s BFA Music Theatre program. Students auditioning into the BFA Music Theatre program must contact the Department of Theatre and Dance prior to auditioning.
An accompanist will be provided for in-person auditions; please bring a copy of your music.聽If you are submitting an online audition, live piano accompaniment is preferred but you may instead be accompanied by a recorded track; you should not accompany yourself instrumentally or submit an聽a cappella聽performance.
贰补肠丑听BFA in Music Theatre听惫辞颈肠别听applicant, after contacting the聽Department of Theatre and Dance,听must perform:
- A major scale (鈥渄o鈥� to 鈥渄o鈥�) followed by a major arpeggio (do 鈥� mi 鈥� sol 鈥� ^do^ 鈥� sol 鈥� mi 鈥� do).聽 These should be sung unaccompanied, without following any recording. These may be sung on neutral syllables such as 鈥渄a, da, da鈥� or on solfege syllables.
- A musical theatre piece which best displays your vocal quality.聽This piece should be performed from memory.
- A second musical theatre piece, preferably in contrasting style, which best displays your vocal quality.聽This piece will also need to be performed from memory.
- Brief tonal recall exercises (in-person audition only).
Transfer Students
Transfer students wishing to audition for advanced placement with transfer credit from previous collegiate private lessons must contact the Classical Voice Area Coordinator, Bradley Thompson ([email protected])聽for additional requirements prior to auditioning. General additional requirements are outlined here:聽Voice Area Advanced Placement Audition (PDF)
Contact
Bradley Thompson, [email protected]
Woodwinds
Classical Woodwinds
贰补肠丑听flute, oboe, clarinet,听补苍诲听bassoon applicant on the classical lesson track must perform:
- One scale of your choosing.
- One 3-5 minute piece demonstrating your lyrical playing.
- One 3-5 minute piece demonstrating your technical playing.
贰补肠丑听saxophone applicant on the classical lesson track must perform:
- A two-octave E Major scale (saxophone key, not concert).
- One聽2-3 minute piece.
- A second, contrasting 2-3 minute piece.
Transfer Students
Transfer students wishing to audition for advanced placement with transfer credit from previous collegiate private lessons must contact the Woodwinds Area Coordinator, Patricia Surman ([email protected])聽for additional requirements prior to聽auditioning.
Contact
Patricia Surman, [email protected]
Jazz & American Improvised Music (JAIM) Woodwinds
Each woodwinds applicant for the JAIM lesson track must perform:
- 2 major scales and arpeggios and 2 minor scales and arpeggios. One octave, performed from memory.
- Play the melody and improvise two choruses on a blues or jazz standard of the auditionee鈥檚 choosing. Suggested standard material – Blue Monk, Billie鈥檚 Bounce, There Will Never Be Another You, Bemsha Swing, Summertime, Mr. P.C, (Solar, Autumn Leaves, and Sonnymoon For Two are provided below in Bb and Eb along with backing tracks for online audition recordings)
- Sight-reading (in-person audition only, will be selected from the standard big band or small group repertoire).
Audition Materials
Autumn Leaves Bb (PDF)
Autumn Leaves Eb (PDF)
Solar Bb (PDF)
Solar Eb (PDF)
Sonnymoon For Two Bb (PDF)
Sonnymoon For Two Eb (PDF)
Autumn Leaves (M4A) – backing track for online audition
Solar (M4A) – backing track for online audition
Sonnymoon For Two (M4A) – backing track for online audition
Transfer Students
Transfer students wishing to audition for advanced placement with transfer credit from previous collegiate private lessons must contact the JAIM Area Coordinator, Dawn Clement ([email protected])聽for additional requirements prior聽to auditioning.
Contact
Dawn Clement, [email protected]
Mariachi
Please submit a single video recording showcasing the following requirements. The video should be recorded in one continuous take if possible, with clear audio and visual quality.
Each Mariachi Guitar applicant must perform:
- Scale Proficiency – demonstrate Major/Minor/Dominant 7th chords in C major, G major, A major, F major and D major
- Basic strumming patterns as shown in Sones, Huapango and Joropo
- Audition repertoire, choose two:
Son de la Negra
La Bikina in G major
Malague帽a in E minor
Sabor a mi in A major
Please submit a single video recording showcasing the following requirements. The video should be recorded in one continuous take if possible, with clear audio and visual quality.
Each Mariachi Trumpet applicant must perform:
Scale Proficiency
1. Perform a two-octave scale in the key of your choice.The scale should be played both ascending and descending, with consistent tone, intonation, and articulation.
Prepared Pieces
1. 鈥淓l Rel谩mpago鈥� 鈥� Trumpet A (Concert G / Sol)
2. 鈥淓l Rey鈥� 鈥� Trumpet D (Concert C / Do)
Performance Expectations
Maintain stylistic authenticity in the mariachi tradition, including phrasing, articulation, and appropriate vibrato. Demonstrate rhythmic accuracy and solid intonation throughout in a steady tempo. Show dynamic contrast and musicality in all selections.
Each Mariachi Violin applicant must perform:
- Play a two octave scale in E major and a three octave scale in G major. Four eighth notes to a bow, quarter equals 60. Tonic arpeggios for both, each note at 112 bpm.
- Play El Son de La Negra (intro) on first, second and/or third violin.
Each Mariachi Voice applicant must perform:
- Select one of the following instrumental pieces: Ojos Espa帽oles, La Bikina, or La Boda de Luis Alonso.
- Play a Huapango, Cucurrucucu Paloma, in C major (male singer) and F major (female singer).
Evaluation Criteria
- Ability to harmonize
- Tone Quality
- ability to transpose pieces in multiple keys.
- Intonation
- Mariachi style and feel
Please submit a single video recording showcasing the following requirements. The video should be recorded in one continuous take if possible, with clear audio and visual quality.
Each Vihuela applicant must perform:
- Demonstrate single-string one octave scales in C Major and G Major
- Demonstrate bolero circle pattern (I-vi-ii-V-I) in F Major, A Major, and G Major.
- Proficiency in basic strumming patterns for Sones, Huapangos, and rancheras.
- Audition repertoire:
El Rel谩mpago in G Major
La Malague帽a in E minor
El Rey in A Major
Si Nos Dejan in D Major
Please submit a single video recording showcasing the following requirements. The video should be recorded in one continuous take if possible, with clear audio and visual quality.
Each Guitarron applicant must perform:
- The following scales using proper left-hand positioning and right-hand plucking technique (alternating thumb and index/middle):
– C Major (required)
– A Harmonic Minor (required)
– C Harmonic Minor (optional)
– Chromatic Scale Starting on A (optional) - Arpeggios demonstrating solid intonation, clean attacks, and rhythmic clarity. (Required)
– Perform major triad arpeggios (root position) in: C, G, and F - Prepared Piece (Required): Perform one mariachi-standard bass line from the following options:
– a Son
– a Huapango
– a Joropo - Ensemble Skills (Optional but Recommended)
-Play alongside a playback (or live instrument) to demonstrate: Timing, Blend with other instruments and Dynamic control
Evaluation Criteria
鈥� Rhythmic accuracy
鈥� Tuning and intonation
鈥� Mariachi style and feel
鈥� Hand technique (right/left)
鈥� Musical maturity
What to Expect at Your Audition
In-Person Auditions
In-person auditions are held in January, February, and August in the King Center on the Auraria Campus. When you sign up for an in-person audition, you can expect:
- Auditions are approximately 12 minutes in length.
- Practice rooms are available for warming up; plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your audition time to check-in.
- Accompanists are provided for voice area auditions.聽 Students in other instrument areas may bring their own accompanist if preferred.
- Appropriate attire at the audition is expected.
- Audition results will be emailed within the week following your audition.
Online Auditions
Submitting an聽online audition聽is a simple, 3-step process:
Step 1:聽Video record audition repertoire for your instrument.
Step 2:聽Upload your recordings as unlisted videos on a YouTube channel.
Step 3:聽Complete and submit the online audition application, including links to the unlisted YouTube videos.
Online auditions are accepted on a continuous basis, though deadlines apply depending on the desired semester of private instruction. Applicants are notified of their audition results聽within three weeks of submitting an online audition.
Not Ready To Audition Yet?
If you believe you are not ready聽to audition for private instruction, we聽offer audition consultations to guide you in your practice and preparation.
Request an Audition ConsultationAdvanced Auditions for Transfer Students
Transfer students with previous private instruction credits may audition into an advanced level of lessons. To audition into an advanced level of lessons, students must contact the area coordinator of their instrument area prior to submitting their auditions for additional requirements (find contact information under the Repertoire Requirements for your instrument area). Transfer students may also be asked to present a list of repertoire studied at the college level and copies of college transcripts to the audition panel.
Ensemble Auditions
Some 麻豆原创 Denver ensembles require a successful audition for participation. Ensemble auditions are generally held during the first week of classes each semester. Students interested in joining Chorale may sign up for an audition online. For other ensemble auditions, contact the ensemble director to sign up.
麻豆原创 Denver Ensembles that Require an Audition
MUS 3819 聽Chamber Music, contact聽Michael Hengst
MUS 3820聽聽Chorale聽(mixed choir),听Sign up online
MUS 3825聽聽Wind Ensemble, contact聽David Kish
MUS 3828聽聽Jazz Ensemble, contact聽Dawn Clement
MUS 3830聽聽Guitar Ensemble, contact聽Alex Komodore
MUS 3832聽聽Collaborative Piano, contact聽Jooeun Pak
MUS 3827聽聽Symphony Orchestra,听submit audition video online
MUS 3829聽聽Jazz Combo, contact聽Dawn Clement
MUS 3833聽聽Opera, contact聽Gene Roberts
Non-credit 聽Pep Band聽(paid, basketball season only), contact聽Michael Hengst
Questions?
Contact the Music Department Program Analyst, Christine Devine ([email protected]) or [email protected].