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Auditions
Department of Music Entrance Auditions

FALL 2021

Due to public health considerations resulting from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there will be no in-person auditions for the Fall 2021 cycle. Applicants must submit audition videos, per the instructions below.
 
The audition period for Fall 2021 admittance has closed. Information about auditions for Fall 2022 admittance will be posted on or after August 1, 2021.

 

Undergraduate Applicants

Auditions are required for all applicants, including:

  • Incoming Freshman and Transfer Students
  • Music as Primary or Secondary Major
  • Current UCI students seeking to change major to Music or add Music as a second major

 

Application Process Overview

  1. Submit your UC application during November 1st - 30th
  2. Submit an audition video by the stated deadline (below)
  3. Interviews are required for all Instrumental applicants, as well as Jazz Studies and Vocal Arts applicants who pass the prescreen audition
  4. Interviews will take place remotely, over Zoom, at the end of January
  5. Applicants will be contacted with an assigned interview day/time
    1. Jazz Studies and Vocal Arts applicants must pass the prescreen audition in order to be invited to an interview
  6. Attend your interview in late January
  7. Refer to Dates and Deadlines at UCI Admissions for final admission decisions, timelines, and more

 

Audition Interview Dates

Interviews will take place over Zoom and will be scheduled automatically. Applicants will be notified of their assigned interview day and time as soon as possible, after the submission of audition videos. Dates for each instrumental area are as follows:

  • Guitar & Lute: Saturday, January 23
  • Jazz Drumset: Saturday, January 23
  • Piano: Saturday, January 23 and Sunday, January 31
  • Vocal Arts: Saturday, January 23 and Sunday, January 31
  • Brass Instruments (Horn, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba/Euphonium): Sunday, January 24
  • String Instruments (Cello, Double Bass, Harp, Viola, Violin): Sunday, January 24 and Saturday, January 30
  • Jazz Studies (Acoustic Bass, Piano, Trombone, Trumpet): Saturday, January 30
  • Wind Instruments (Bassoon, Clarinet, Flute, Oboe): Sunday, January 31
  • Percussion (classical): Saturday, January 23

 

Prescreen Auditions Required - Jazz Studies (including Drumset) and Vocal Arts Applicants ONLY

  • Pre-screening applies ONLY to undergraduate applicants to Jazz Studies (including Drumset) and Vocal Arts
  • Applicants who pass the prescreen will be assigned an interview day/time
    • Interviews will take place remotely, via Zoom, at the end of January
    • Vocal Arts applicants who pass the prescreen must also complete a required Voice Questionnaire, which will be provided with your interview information
    • There are no additional forms for Jazz Studies applicants
  • Applicants who do not pass the prescreen will receive a message explaining available options, should they wish to continue their pursuit of admission to UCI
  • PRESCREEN DEADLINE: Submit by January 15th, 2021 at 11:59pm (PST)
    • Submissions received after this date will not be considered
  • View Repertoire Requirements
  • Submit a Prescreen Audition - The deadline for submitting audition videos is January 15th, 2021. The submission period is now closed.

 

Instrumental Applicants

  • Prescreening does NOT apply to applicants in Basoon, Cello, Clarinet, Double Bass, Flute, Guitar & Lute, Harp, Horn, Oboe, classical Percussion, Piano, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba/Euphonium, Viola, and Violin.
  • DEADLINE: Submit by January 15th, 2021 at 11:59pm (PST)
    • Submissions received after this date will not be considered.
  • Interviews will take place remotely, via Zoom, at the end of January
  • Applicants will be contacted with an assigned interview day/time
  • View Repertoire Requirements
  • Submit an Audition Video - The deadline for submitting audition videos is January 15th, 2021. The submission period is now closed.

 

Music Department Student/Parent Orientation

Welcome and Overview of the Music Department and Claire Trevor School of the Arts.

Please join us on January 27th at 5:00 PM (PST) for a remote presentation over Zoom, with question and answer session led by Dr. Stephen Tucker, Music Department Chair, and Amy Kim, Director of Student Affairs for the Claire Trevor School of the Arts.

Registration is required. Register Here!

 

Tips for Undergraduate Audition Videos

  • Perform ONLY repertoire which meets the stated requirements.
  • Please clearly state your name and the repertoire you will be performing at the start of each video.
  • Please dress appropriately for your audition performance (as you would for an in-person audition).
  • Please ensure your links work before submitting. We do not troubleshoot broken links.

 

Musicianship & Music Theory

  • Musicianship and Music Theory are core competencies in our undergraduate program. All students must pass these courses to succeed in earning their degree.
  • Placement exams for Musicianship and Music Theory are required for all newly admitted undergraduate students, including incoming freshman and transfer students, and current UCI students newly admitted to the program.
  • Placement exams take place during Welcome Week, just prior to the start of fall classes.
  • Placement exams DO NOT take place during auditions. They only apply to admitted undergraduate students.
  • We STRONGLY recommend applicants explore the following resources:

 

Graduate Applicants

Auditions are required for Graduate MFA applicants in the following emphases:

  • Collaborative Piano and/or Piano Performance
  • Guitar & Lute Performance
  • Instrumental Performance
  • Vocal Arts

Graduate applicants should contact the appropriate faculty instructor to arrange submission of your video audition. DO NOT use the above link for Undergraduate applicants.