Placement & Auditions
Mandatory Music Theory Placement Evaluation
& Audition Days for Incoming Music Majors
All new music students at Kent State Stark must complete a music theory placement evaluation and a performance audition before declaring the music major. Reservations for the audition are required.
1. Take the Music Theory Placement Evaluation
- The theory placement evaluation MUST be taken before you attend an Audition Day.
- This 30-minute diagnostic test is used to place students into a music theory section with students of similar musical ability and background.
- The theory placement will assess your knowledge of note reading, major and minor (natural, harmonic, melodic) scales, major and minor key signatures, meter and rhythm, intervals and triads.
- The theory placement is taken online in BlackBoard Learn. Contact Laurel Seeds at lseeds@kent.edu for login information and how to access the theory placement evaluation.
2. Make a Reservation for an Audition Day
Auditions on individual instruments will take place in the Kent State StarkFine Arts Building on:
- Wednesday, June 26, 2013: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
(also a First Step day for freshman music students)
- Wednesday, July 24, 2013: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Choose one date and make your reservation:
Important: Follow audition instructions below to prepare for your Audition Day.
After you have taken the theory placement evaluation and auditioned, you will be contacted by the Music Department.
3. Prepare for your Performance Audition:
Voice: B.A. Music, Performance, Composition or Music Education Majors
- Prepare one memorized selection from the classical or folk repertoire. An accompanist will be provided.
- Music Technology students may prepare a voice assessment as described above or they may sing a version of Amazing Grace that will be provided. Contact Ms. Laurel Seeds at lseeds@kent.edu for a .pdf and .mp3. The voice audition does not have to be memorized.
- Contact Ms. Laurel Seeds at lseeds@kent.edu for questions regarding appropriate repertoire.
Piano: B.A. Music, Performance, Composition or Music Education Majors
- Prepare two pieces from contrasting periods (baroque, classical, romantic, XXth century).
- Music Technology students may prepare a piano assessment as described above or they may prepare one of the following:
1. A contemporary piece from sheet music (preferred choice)
2. An original composition
3. A piece learned by ear- Contact Dr. Sebastian Birch at sbirch@kent.edu for questions regarding appropriate repertoire.
Electric Guitar: Music Technology Majors
- Prepare two contrasting pieces that show your abilities.
- Play a prepared chord accompaniment from a piece of your own choosing.
- Demonstration of major, minor and dominant 7th chords using first position open chords.
- Demonstration of any of the following scales using the fingering and position of your choice: major, minor, minor pentatonic/blues.
- Contact Mr. Erin Vaughn at evaughn1@kent.edu for questions regarding appropriate repertoire.
Electric Bass: Music Technology Majors
- Music Technology majors only.
- Prepare two contrasting pieces that show your abilities.
- Contact Mr. Dan Nauss at dnauss@kent.edu for questions regarding appropriate repertoire.
All Other Instruments
- Prepare two contrasting pieces that show your abilities.
- Contact Dr. Sebastian Birch at sbirch@kent.edu for questions regarding appropriate repertoire.
