Students hoping to major in music at Grove City College must complete an audition for consideration before a faculty committee prior to acceptance. These auditions are held by appointment on Saturday college visitation days. Alternate audition times may be scheduled through the Department of Music. Every effort will be made to schedule your audition at an alternate time if you are coming to campus from a distance.
While an in-person audition is preferred, a high quality DVD may be submitted when time or distance makes an in-person audition impossible. Upon completion of audition, the Department of Music will notify the Office of Admissions and whether or not you are being recommended for acceptance by the Department of Music. The Office of Admissions makes the final decision on acceptances to the College.
No decision will be made on your application by the Office of Admissions if you have not completed your audition. A personal interview with the Office of Admissions is encouraged by the Department of Music.
Applications for Grove City College admission must be received by the Office of Admissions by November 1 for Early Decision I, by December 1 for Early Decision II, by January 20 for Regular Decision I, and by March 20 for Regular Decision II. All music auditions for Early Decision must be completed by December 1. All music auditions for Regular Decision must be completed by February 8.
View our detailed Application Tips before opening an application account, and read over our Application Instructions, paying close attention to the application checklist and deadlines.
There is not a prescribed music solo list for auditions. Musical selections of the standard academic repertoire for your instrument or voice are appropriate, and two or three selections of contrasting style are preferred. The faculty are looking for an appropriate level of competency and repertoire difficulty for the freshman level, above average musicality, and potential for growth. Memorization is encouraged but not mandatory. The performance section of the audition will last approximately 10 minutes. Additional audition activities (described below) will last approximately 20 minutes.
Please fill out the Department of Music’s Personal Data Sheet. This form can be brought with you on the day of your audition or emailed prior to your audition.
Piano/Organ Piano/organ majors or minors should prepare two selections from the standard classical repertoire. The two selections should be from differing time periods (baroque, classic, romantic, modern). These may include various standard solo forms such as sonatas, etudes, character pieces, preludes, etc. Pianists should also prepare two to three major scales and their equivalent harmonic minor scales. All scales should be four-octaves ascending and descending. Contact Dr. Huebert, Professor of Music, for more information.
Voice Voice majors or minors should prepare two selections from the standard classical repertoire (art songs, opera, oratorio).One selection must be in English and the second selection can be in English or a foreign language. A selection from musical theater may be included as a third selection. Piano accompaniment will be provided for voice auditions if needed, or you may provide your own. Contact Dr. Mueller, Assistant Professor of Music, for more information.
Musical Theater Minor Musical theater minors should prepare two or three vocal selections from the musical theater standard repertoire. These pieces should be of contrasting style and mood and include something that is technical as well as lyrical. Piano accompaniment will be provided with advanced notice or you may provide your own. Contact Dr. Piastro, Music Lesson Instructor, for more information.
Brass/Woodwind/Percussion/Guitar Brass/woodwind/ percussion/guitar majors or minors can perform any of the standard solo literature for the particular instrument. Piano accompaniment is not a requirement. For more information contact Dr. Pisano, Professor of Music, for more information.
String String majors can perform any of the standard solo literature for the particular instrument; however, Bach partitas, sonatas, or suites are encouraged as one of the selections. Piano accompaniment is not a requirement. For more information contact Dr. Tedford, Assistant Professor of Music, for more information.
Students auditioning will also be tested in music theory, tonal memory, and rhythmic skills. For tonal memory, a faculty member will play a series of pitches on the piano and the student will sing those pitches after one hearing. Rhythmic skills will be checked by having the student tap rhythmic exercises at sight (no pitch). Music theory skills will be evaluated through a written music theory assessment.
Current music majors will also be available to answer any questions about student life and their experiences in the department and in ensembles. Parents are encouraged to attend the audition day, but the audition is for the students and faculty committees only.
Auditions can be scheduled with Dr. Jeffrey Tedford, Audition Coordinator (724-450-1557). Please email, fax (724-458-2164), or bring the Personal Data Sheet to the Department of Music on audition day. In case of poor weather conditions, your interview and audition can be rescheduled.
Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time so that you are able to warm up. You will be greeted at Room 126 in the upper level of the Pew Fine Arts Center. Additional information will be sent closer to the audition date.
Please feel free to contact the Department of Music with any additional questions at 724-458-2084.