Department of Music Auditions

An audition is required for applicants to the B.M., B.S. and B.F.A. Programs

For admission to the Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Fine Arts programs evidence of prior music training experience, musical aptitude, and music literacy is expected. Auditions and placement exams are required for all undergraduate programs. Deficiencies discovered through the placement exam may require remedial coursework. Acceptance into the music program is also contingent upon acceptance to LIU Post. Please see Admissions for more information.

Prospective undergraduate music majors may compete through audition for performance awards.

Auditions Schedule

On campus audition dates:
Sunday, January 8 , 2023
Sunday, February 12, 2023
Sunday, March 19, 2023

These will take place at 12:30 pm in the Music Technology Wing in Hillwood Commons after the LIU Post General Open House has concluded.

Advanced reservations are required.

To schedule an audition, please complete this online Audition Registration Form. Once we receive your request we will contact you to schedule an audition.

For more information or to schedule an individual audition on another date, please call Maria Cafiso at 516-299-2474 or email the Department of Music at post-music@liu.edu.

Note: Applicants from abroad or distant geographical regions for whom travel to LIU Post to audition is not possible should submit a video recording of their audition performance either on DVD or via a web link (such as a YouTube video) in lieu of a live audition. Audio-only recordings will not be accepted.

Audition Requirements for the B.S. in Music and B.M. in Music Education Programs

Note: If you are applying for the B.S. in Music you may choose to perform a classical or jazz audition according to the course of study you wish to follow. Applicants for the B.M. in Music Education must perform a classical audition.

Professional attire is expected.

For Instrumentalists (Classical):

• Two pieces of contrasting styles. These could be two complete pieces or individual movements from two different works.
• Major scales
• Additional requirements as deemed necessary by area director (M.A. applicants.)
• Sight-reading
• Percussionists: audition repertoire should include: 1) an advanced snare drum solo; 2) a two- mallet keyboard piece (marimba, xylophone, or vibraphone); 3) a two-drum timpani piece.

For Instrumentalists (Jazz):

• Demonstrate knowledge of scales and arpeggios.
• Sight-read an excerpt from a big band or combo arrangement.
• Perform three jazz compositions or standards of your choosing. Your three selections must include one up-tempo selection, one medium tempo and one ballad. We recommend that one of your selections be a different feel other than swing; i.e. samba, straight eighth, cha-cha, etc. One of your selections must be a blues. Please be prepared to play the melody and improvise on each tune (only a half-chorus is necessary on the ballad).
• Bassists: demonstrate your ability to play a "two-feel" and "walk" a bass line on each selection. Ability to demonstrate different Latin styles is encouraged. Doubling on electric bass is highly recommended. If you only play eclectic bass, we will encourage you to also study upright bass upon entering the program.
• Drummers: demonstrate the ability to use brushes on your ballad selection. You will be also asked to trade "4's" or "8's" on your medium or up-tempo selection. Ability to demonstrate different Latin styles is encouraged.
• Guitarists/Pianists: demonstrate your ability to "comp" on each selection.
• Presenting original compositions at your audition is highly recommended but not required.

For Vocalists (Classical):

• Two pieces of contrasting styles. One selection must be in a language other than English. The other Classical selection may be in English if desired, or another foreign language.
• Exploration of vocal range and aural abilities.

For Vocalists (Jazz):

• Two choruses of a medium swing jazz standard. Sing the melody and lyrics as notated on the first chorus and then embellish or improvise (scat) on some portion of the second chorus.
• A ballad from the Great American Songbook.

Accompanist: You should provide your own live or recorded accompaniment.

Music Literacy (the ability to read music) is required for entry into all undergraduate music programs. If a playing/singing audition submission does not adequately show evidence of this, then a pre-placement music literacy assessment will be done to determine acceptance into the program. This is not a placement exam, but rather an assessment to determine eligibility to enter the music program.

Placement Exams: Along with the performance audition, evaluations in pitch perception, sight-singing, and music theory are required. Deficiencies discovered through the placement exams may require remedial coursework.

Audition Requirements for the B.F.A. in Music Technology, Entrepreneurship & Production Program

Professional attire is expected.

Digital music makers are encouraged to provide a work sample in advance via email in mp3 format.

It is recommended that you seek the counsel of your musical mentor or private instructor when selecting your audition pieces. Below please find guidelines to assist your selection:

• A song from a well-known artist or band (any style)
• A transcription of a well-known artist's solo
• A composition from the instrumental/voice repertoire such as a movement, sonata, concerto, or etude
• A standard or jazz tune with your own improvisation

In addition to one selection from the list above, aspiring songwriters and composers may choose to play an original piece that features your individual style. Neither piece should exceed three minutes in length, for a total of no more than six minutes.

Accompanist: You should provide your own live or recorded accompaniment.

Music Literacy (the ability to read music) is required for entry into all undergraduate music programs. If a playing/singing audition submission does not adequately show evidence of this, then a pre-placement music literacy assessment will be done to determine acceptance into the program. This is not a placement exam, but rather an assessment to determine eligibility to enter the music program.

Placement Exams: Along with the performance audition, evaluations in pitch perception, sight-singing, and music theory are required. Deficiencies discovered through the placement exams may require remedial coursework.