scheduling an audition time
VOICE MAJORS:
If you wish to study voice as your principal instrument, and particularly if you wish to be considered for departmental financial aid, it is recommended that you audition as early as possible. Scholarship auditions for undergraduates are held each spring in late February/early March. Graduate students should schedule an individual audition time; to be considered for an assistantship or scholarship, you should audition as early as possible, and no later than March 1st. Contact Leslie Umphrey,Vocal Area Coordinator to schedule an appointment time.
ALL OTHERS (music minors, voice as secondary instrument, non-majors):
Click HERE for information on audition times.
description of UNDERGRADUATE auditions
Although it is true that some students will have already studied voice privately, the Voice faculty at UNM expect that most incoming undergraduates will not have had any private vocal study prior to attending the University. Therefore, when we hear an audition, we hope to find evidence of good, basic vocal equipment–in other words, a voice of sufficient size, quality and range to realistically work toward the goal of singing or teaching music professionally–as well as a mind that is capable of dealing with complex musical ideas.
To that end, we like to hear a student sing one or two songs of his/her choice. If the student has had vocal training, then singing two songs that contrast in language and/or tempo would be ideal. Others may consider singing a song or two that they have used to audition for a solo or festival. Still others may want to sing a folk song, hymn or patriotic song.
Beyond this, the voice faculty will ask some questions about your experiences and goals in music. By this we hope to learn not only the answers to these questions, but also a bit about your personality.
It is generally better to avoid striving for a song that is beyond you in the hopes of impressing with advanced literature. Rather, we suggest that you sing something that you feel comfortable with and can sing well.
auditions for transfer STUDENTS
Our policy is to consider the quality and quantity of work done prior to attending UNM. In general, we tend to place transfer students at a level equal to where they would be if they had been in our program from the beginning.
AUDITIONS FOR graduate students
Graduate students are usually accepted or rejected based upon the quality of the audition. Graduate students coming from an undergraduate degree program other than Vocal Performance or Vocal Music Education may have to address any deficiencies perceived in their vocal education.
