Graduate applicants should contact Dr. Patricia Foy (patti.foy@converse.edu, (864)596-9021) for further instructions.

Please prepare your audition carefully following the guidelines listed below. Vocalists must sing with piano accompaniment. Non-keyboard instrumentalists performing pieces written or arranged with piano accompaniment should audition with an accompanist. The Petrie School will provide an accompanist if needed. 

VOICE:  

Three contrasting selections, including one song in Italian from the 16th, 17th, or 18th centuries, one English or American art song or aria, and one other song or aria in any language. Please avoid Broadway show tunes, gospel or pop songs, choral voice parts, or overly-difficult operatic arias. 

Memory is required. 

PIANO:  

Two or three contrasting works from the Baroque, Classic, Romantic, Impressionist, or 20th Century style periods. 

Suggested repertoire: Bach preludes and fugues or three-part inventions; first movement of a Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven sonata; or works by major composers of the Romantic and later style periods. 

Memory is required.

ORGAN:  

Two contrasting works from the Baroque, Classic, Romantic, or Contemporary style periods.

Suggested repertoire: Bach preludes and fugues; a movement from a 19th century French or German work; or compositions by 20th century composers. 

Memory is not required. 

Prospective organ majors who meet piano requirements above may be accepted on one-year probation with an exam at the end of the freshman year.

STRINGS: 

Two contrasting works from the Baroque, Classic, Romantic, or 20th Century style periods. A movement of a larger work may be considered as one composition. 

Memory is required for violin, viola, and cello. Memory is not required for double bass students.

HARP: 

At least two works in contrasting styles from the standard repertoire. Orchestral excerpts are also acceptable. 

Memory is not required.

GUITAR: 

Two works in contrasting styles to be chosen from solo literature and/or etudes. Auditioning guitarists should demonstrate a degree of technical fluency and musical awareness appropriate to the level of audition literature. 

Memory is not required.

WOODWINDS AND BRASS:  

Two works (one lyrical and one technical) of contrasting style periods from the standard repertoire, including movements of sonatas or concerti, solo pieces, and longer etudes. 

Memory is not required.

PERCUSSION:

Performance in two of the following areas is required: snare drum (rudiments and a prepared solo or etude); timpani (two solos in contrasting styles); marimba (major scales and arpeggios, two solos in contrasting styles). 

Memory is not required. 

Percussionists should provide their own sticks and mallets.

MUSIC THERAPY:

A student auditioning for the Music Therapy major must complete TWO individual auditions. One of these auditions must be an instrument or voice audition and meet the requirements listed above. For the second audition, the student must sing a popular song while accompanying herself with either guitar or piano.

Recorded Auditions 

Students unable to audition in person must submit a high-quality audition recording. VHS or DVD is preferred, although cassette or CD will be accepted. The recording must clearly identify the applicant's name, instrument, and audition repertoire. Recordings will not be returned. Please contact the Office of Admissions at 864-596-9040 or 800-766-1125 to learn the deadline for submitting the recorded audition.