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Program and Scholarship
Audition Requirements
At Cornerstone University, a music audition is required if you plan to major in one of our music degree programs. New music majors are encouraged to attend a Music Major Days in the spring before their first semester enrolled at Cornerstone. At your Music Major Day, you will audition for acceptance into the music program and determine your scholarship eligibility.
Music Scholarship Opportunities
We offer music scholarships for majors and non-majors.
Music Majors
Music majors should attend one of our on-campus Music Major Days, during which you will perform an in-person audition for a music scholarship and admission into the music program. This includes students majoring in Commercial Music, Music, Music Education or Music: Worship Arts.
Students majoring in Music Production are not required to perform an in-person audition for program admission and can apply for a music scholarship using the Music Minors and Ensemble Participants Application below.
Please register for an audition date to apply for a music scholarship and music program admission. Applications for your audition are due no later than one week prior to your desired audition date.
Music Major Days
- February 9, 2024 | Register Now
- March 22, 2024 | Register Now
- April 12, 2024 | Register Now
As you prepare for your audition, select from the categories listed below to review audition guidelines for your desired area of study.
Music Minors and Ensemble Participants
Non-music majors should complete the non-music major scholarship application which includes submitting a video audition for scholarship consideration instead of auditioning on campus. Students majoring in Music Production may also apply for a music scholarship using this form. Instructions for preparing and submitting your audition video are included in the application form.
Applications for non-music majors are due by April 30, 2024.
Non-Music Major Scholarship Application
Guitar Audition Guidelines
For a guitar audition, prepare select repertoire and scales that demonstrate your musicianship and technique. Applicants for a guitar scholarship must:
Perform three memorized pieces of contrasting style from any of the following collections:
- “Twenty Studies for the Guitar” by Fernando Sor and Andres Segovia (arr.).
- “25 Etudes Op. 60 for the Classical Guitar” by Mateo Carcassi.
- “Etudes Simples (Estudios Sencillos) for Guitar” by Leo Brouwer.
- “Classical Guitar Repertoire and Etudes Level 3” by The Royal Conservatory (Bridges).
Perform by memory any selected two or three octave major, harmonic minor and melodic minor scales. Available resources include:
- “Diatonic Major and Minor Scales” by Andres Segovia.
- “Guitar Technique” by The Royal Conservatory (Bridges).
- “The Virtuoso Guitarist Method for Guitar, Volume 1” by Matt Palmer.
Play at sight an exercise that is of the equivalent level as outlined in “Preparatory Guitar Repertoire and Studies” by The Royal Conservatory (Bridges).
Worship Arts Audition Requirement
Students who plan on pursuing a major in worship arts should prepare two contrasting selections based on the following guidelines. Memorization is encouraged.
- One classical piece (see above), jazz, Broadway piece or a popular selection.
- One sacred piece, global worship song, hymn arrangement, CCM or gospel piece.
Percussion Audition Guidelines
For a percussion audition, prepare two works that demonstrate your technique and musicianship. Choose two excerpts, etudes or solo works in contrasting styles on any of the following instruments:
- Snare drum (rudimental or concert).
- Timpani.
- Marimba.
- Vibraphone.
- Xylophone.
While the excerpts you choose may be performed on the same instrument, the demonstration of your abilities on two instruments is highly encouraged. Major and melodic minor scale demonstration highly recommended. The length of your selections should not exceed more than 10 minutes total.
Piano Audition Guidelines
For a piano audition, prepare a total of two songs, selecting one song from each of the following categories:
- A selection from the Baroque, Classical or Romantic era.
- A selection from the Impressionistic period, 20th century or a jazz, sacred or modern composition.
Worship Arts Audition Requirement
Students who plan on pursuing a major in worship arts should prepare two contrasting selections based on the following guidelines.
- One classical piece (see above), jazz, Broadway piece or a popular selection.
- One sacred piece, global worship song, hymn arrangement, CCM or gospel piece.
Pieces should demonstrate your interpretative ability, technique, musicianship and sight-reading proficiency. Memorization is expected, and the length of your selections should not exceed more than 10 minutes total. Be prepared to demonstrate major and minor scales.
Vocal Audition Guidelines
For a vocal audition, prepare two songs in contrasting styles. Choose one song from each of the following categories:
- Art song, operatic or oratorio aria (English or a foreign language).
- Music theatre, sacred, popular or jazz.
Songs should demonstrate interpretive ability, vocal technique and general musicianship. Memorization of the music is expected, and solo and ensemble competition pieces are acceptable. An accompanist will be provided if needed. Sight-reading proficiency and pitch matching will be evaluated.
Worship Arts Audition Requirement
Students who plan on pursuing a major in worship arts should prepare two contrasting selections based on the following guidelines.
- One classical piece (see above), jazz or music theatre piece.
- One sacred piece, global worship song, hymn arrangement, CCM or gospel piece.
Wind Instrument Audition Guidelines
For a wind instrument audition, prepare a full-range chromatic scale and two contrasting selections from these categories:
- A movement from a sonata, concerto or comparable composition.
- A solo piece that is appropriate for high school solo and ensemble festival.
- A standard solo etude.
The selections should demonstrate your musicality, tone and technique. They should not exceed more than 10 minutes total. Be prepared to demonstrate major and melodic minor scales.
Cornerstone accepts these woodwind and brass instruments: flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone and tuba.
Admissions Office
Contact
- P:
- 616.222.1426 or 800.787.9778
- F:
- 616.222.1418
Hours
MON - FRI: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
SAT & SUN: Closed