We will be holding auditions for Spring 2019 entrance into the Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy on November 10, 2018. Prospective students interested in auditioning should complete the online application survey.

Applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy (BSMTx) are expected to show potential for success in a rigorous collegiate degree program. In addition to formal application documents, a required audition/interview provides an opportunity for the applicant to provide and/or demonstrate the following:

• An explanation of interest in the discipline of music therapy
• Performance capabilities on one or more musical instruments
• Vocal performance capability
• Creative endeavors related to the arts
• Activities related to community service and/or therapeutic care

Additional areas to be assessed, but not requiredfor admission to the Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy, include:

• Knowledge of software or hardware music technologies
• Comprehension of music theory

We recognize that not all potential music therapy students will have experience with music technology and music theory; however, the audition committee seeks applicants likely to excel in a degree program balancing music therapy course-work with the allied areas of music theory, performance/creative skills, and music technology. Therefore, both areas will be assessed during the audition process.

Upon initial application, the department must be informed of an acoustic musical instrument, voice, or a contemporary music technology instrument (example: laptop, midi controllers, etc.) to be used in the audition. This designation will be the student’s “primary” instrument for the purposes of their application to, and audition for, the BSMTx Program.

 

Audition Requirements – Instrumentalist

• Perform one piece of your choosing for your instrument. This should be from a solo or ensemble competition list, or should be emblematic of your instrument if it is a non-symphonic instrument such as guitar. For examples of appropriate music, please visit the Indiana State School Music Association for a listing of Group I solos. The lists of Group I instrumental solos can be found in the ensemble manual for your instrument: http://www.issma.net/semanuals.php 
• Sing one of the following songs in the key of your choosing:
  • America, the Beautiful
  • Down in the Valley
  • Home on the Range
  • Scarborough Fair
  • This Land Is Your Land
• Perform major scales in 1-2 octaves
• Sight reading two examples on the primary instrument

 

Audition Requirements – Vocalist

• Perform one piece of your choosing. This should be from a solo or ensemble manual: http://www.issma.net/vocalmanual.php
• Sing one of the following songs in the key of your choosing:
  • America, the Beautiful
  • Down in the Valley
  • Home on the Range
  • Scarborough Fair
  • This Land Is Your Land
• Perform a major scales in 1 octave
• Sight sing two examples

 

Audition Requirements – Music Technology as Primary Instrument

Supply three different pieces of work demonstrating a variety of experience and skill with music technologies. These pieces may be submitted in advance via a recorded format for reviewing at the audition (audio or video recordings, as appropriate), or performed/demonstrated live. In the audition committee interview the applicant must clearly articulate their role in each submitted piece and by what means they employed music technology.

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate competency with fully featured digital audio workstation software, understand basic concepts of mixing audio, work methods for digital and analog audio, and be able to articulate standard functions of audio hardware. Experience with one or more acoustic instruments, music theory, composition and/or arranging is also to the advantage of the applicant.

A student pursuing music technology as a performance medium will have the option to take private music technology lessons and serve performance, creative, and/or production roles with appropriate department ensembles.

Beyond a discussion of interests in the field of music therapy and demonstrating music performance, an applicant may bring computer-based demonstrations to illuminate experience in music technologies. Please contact the department with questions of audition expectations or how best to present materials in front of the audition committee.

If you are interested in auditioning for our degree program, but travel distance from Indianapolis prohibits an in-person audition, you may contact the department to request a remote video audition.

The applicant should be prepared to answer questions such as the following:

• What is your interest in the field of music therapy?
• What is your background in music?
• What are your singing experiences and/or training?
• Do you have prior experience with music software and/or audio hardware?
• What music theory skills do you possess?

At the audition, each applicant will have available for his or her use:

• An analog mixer connected to a stereo PA
• VGA/HMDI video cables connected to a large LCD screen
• A bass amp and a guitar amp
• Two tables
• A piano

If you need to use any of the above for demonstrations in your audition, please bring the necessary cables for connection to audio and computer equipment.