Music Scholarships

Music Scholarships are available for qualified students who audition and participate in any of our NCU ensembles and take music lessons as a student. To be eligible to receive a music scholarship, you must:

1. Be a First-time Freshman or Transfer Student entering the fall of next year.
2. Fill out and submit the Audition Request Form. This form must be submitted before an audition time will be scheduled.
3. Supply (before the audition) two Letters of Recommendation regarding musical background.
4. Audition in person. Please carefully read the Guidelines for Auditions. Many of your questions will be answered in this document. You will be notified of your assigned audition time by email and you must confirm this with the administrative assistant by email at krjohnso@northcentral.edu. See the Audition Schedule for possible dates and times.

Guidelines for Auditions

All incoming NCU students who are music majors or minors, and/or interested in a music scholarship, are required to perform an entrance audition in their primary performing instrument. Audition appointments are scheduled on a first come first serve basis and are approximately 15 minutes in length. Students must take the Theory Placement Exam to be considered for a scholarship.

Following are the audition requirements in the various performing instruments:

Voice Requirements

Voice students should prepare two memorized pieces in contrasting styles (baroque, classical, jazz, gospel, contemporary etc.).  A CD should be used as the accompaniment for the audition.  Voice students will also be expected to sight-read a piece of music. An interview will ask about your career goals, performance experience and other related questions.

Piano/Keyboard Requirements

A minimum of two pieces of contrasting styles should be prepared. One should be memorized. The student will be expected to sight-read, perform major and/or minor scales and chords. An interview will ask about your career goals, performance experience and other related questions.

Guitar/Bass Guitar Requirements

The student should have a prepared solo that demonstrates your best ability and play a sacred solo. One of these should be memorized. The student should also demonstrate the ability to sight-read and play major and minor guitar chords in rhythm guitar/chord chart form and play scales. Be prepared to tell us about yourself and your professional goals. Also, please bring your own instrument.

Percussion Requirements

Demonstration of various styles (i.e. rock, waltz, swing, funk, samba, bossa nova) on a drum set, trading "fours" in 3 4 and 4 4. On the snare drum, an etude demonstrating your present level of technical ability, rudiment and orchestral style rolls at all dynamic levels will be required.

String/Woodwind/Brass Instruments Requirements

Two pieces of contrasting styles (contrasting in style, tempo and/or historical period) should be prepared.  Audition material may be taken from the State Solo & Ensemble repertoire and/or an arrangement recently performed at church.  Students will be required to sight-read and to play at least 3 major and/or minor scales (two octaves). Also, please bring your own instrument.

Audition Schedule 2009 - 2010