See what is expected for your instrument and discuss that criteria with your teacher.
For brass and woodwinds auditions, please prepare and perform two contrasting works from the standard solo or etude literature. Total time limit of eight minutes. Excerpts, like those used in all-state auditions, are acceptable. The use of an accompanist is optional and not supplied by the university. The faculty prefer a cappella performances at the auditions. If you bring your own accompanist, please prepare and practice interlude cuts. Additional criteria:
Dr. Sue Samuels sue.samuels@furman.edu Director of Bands Phone: 864.294.3193 Or the individual teacher for your specific instrument.
Furman University Percussion Audition Requirements:
Prepare approximately 10-20 minutes of solo repertoire that best highlights your strengths as a percussionist across as many instruments and genres as possible. This can include:
Auditions will be conducted in a private lesson-style format with commentary and feedback provided from the faculty throughout.
Instruments provided will include:
Other instruments available upon request (please email omar.carmenates@furman.edu prior to your audition to make the request.):
Dr. Omar Carmenates omar.carmenates@furman.edu Phone: 864.294.2406
Furman awards funds each year to an intended composition major. A composition portfolio is required to be considered for this potential four-year scholarship. On the day of your audition, you will be scheduled for a Composition interview in addition to your performance audition and theory placement testing. The faculty will review your information and discuss with you your composition experience to this point, your future goals and opportunities for composition majors.
Prepare and submit your composition portfolio at least two weeks prior to the audition date. Portfolio Requirements:
Dr. Benjamin Dobbs benjamin.dobbs@furman.edu Composition Area Coordinator
For classical guitar auditions, please prepare two full or excerpted contrasting works from the standard solo or etude literature. The faculty will check your ear training and pitch-matching skills with brief aural aptitude exercises. Additional criteria:
Marina Alexandra marina.alexandra@furman.edu Guitar Instructor
For jazz guitar auditions, we require you to prepare three brief jazz standards of varying styles. The styles may include blues, ballad, Latin, fusion, or funk, among others. Be prepared to play chords for these tunes as well as improvise a solo within them. Additional criteria:
Dr. Matt Olson matt.olson@furman.edu Coordinator of Jazz Studies Phone: 864.294.3284 -or- Matt Dingledine matt.dingledine@furman.edu Instructor of Jazz Guitar
For organ auditions, please prepare and perform two contrasting organ solo works with a time limit of 10 minutes total. Auditioning organists will also prepare and perform a single work on the piano (this may be from any historical period). Auditions will include brief pitch matching and aural aptitude exercises. Time for practicing, registration set-up, and warm-up on the audition organ will be scheduled on the day prior to the audition, with a short amount of time available the day of the audition. Dr. Tompkins can be available to assist you with registrations. Auditionees may choose to perform on the 42-stop C.B. Fisk tracker organ in Daniel Chapel or the 29-stop Holtkamp electro-pneumatic organ in McAlister Auditorium. Please indicate on the music scholarship application form which instrument you wish to perform on.
Dr. Charles Tompkins charles.tompkins@furman.edu Organ, Church Music Phone: 864.294.2099
For piano auditions, please prepare and perform one Sonata movement by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven, and one full or excerpted composition from the Romantic or Contemporary period. An additional Baroque composition would be appreciated but is not required. Additional criteria:
Dr. Derek Parsons derek.parsons@furman.edu Piano, Keyboard Area Coordinator Phone: 864.294.2099
Candidates for the BM and BME programs should prepare:
At least one of these pieces should be memorized.
Candidates for the BA and non-major programs should prepare two contrasting works from the standard solo literature. Memorization is optional.
Performance time limit: BM/BME: 15 minutes BA/Non-Major: 10 minutes
Jazz player? If you are interested in jazz, please prepare a jazz etude, solo transcription, or plan to play and improvise on a standard tune of your choice. Contact matt.olson@furman.edu if questions.
HARP, please prepare and perform two full or excerpted contrasting works from the standard solo or etude literature. The faculty will check your ear training and pitch-matching skills with brief aural aptitude exercises. Be sure to arrive for climate acclamation and tuning. If needed, a university harp is available. Harp auditions are heard by the orchestral string faculty. Additional criteria:
Mrs. Anita Burroughs-Price anita.burroughs-price@furman.edu Instructor of Harp
Dr. Andy Carlson, Violin and Viola andrew.carlson@furman.edu Phone: 864.294.2219
Dr. Christopher Hutton Cello, Bass (Area Coordinator) christopher.hutton@furman.edu Phone: 864.294.2019
For voice auditions, please prepare and perform two contrasting songs from the art song, oratorio or operatic repertoire. We require vocalists to perform with a piano accompanist. Musical theater songs are not appropriate for this audition. If your accompanist is unable to travel with you, be sure to request our staff accompanist on the form. Our staff accompanist will rehearse with you for 15 minutes and then walk with you to the vocal audition room. There is no charge for the services of our staff accompanist. Recorded accompaniment is not appropriate. Additional criteria:
Dr. Grant Knox Coordinator, Voice Department grant.knox@furman.edu Phone: 864.294.3034