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College Auditions

C

CSG1Colonel

Dec 6, 2023
3
1
#1
I plan on attend college next year for a degree in music performance (bass ofc). Audition season is coming up, and I was wondering what would be good picks for audition music. Most of the schools I applied to have few or vague requirements, with my current top choice asking for any two pieces of my choosing, one fast and one slow/lyrical. None of them are high-end music schools; I'd like to pay as little as I can for school until I go for a graduate degree.

I consider myself to be a late beginner/early intermediate bassist, but would appreciate suggestions of any level to better understand my ability. I'm also fairly comfortable playing most genres. What music would demonstrate my skills the best?
 
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#2
I have some family members who are classical music students, which I realize is a whole 'nother ball o' wax. Also, roughly half of the players in my band have music degrees. I'm one of the un-educated ones. ;)

I think it would help greatly to have a teacher guide you through this process, preferably someone who has experienced it themselves. On the classical music side, there is pretty much a prescription that you follow, because the process has such a long history, and a good teacher knows the ropes. Also, a teacher can help you with the tough questions about whether you should be doing this, which even the best students face.

To the best of my knowledge, there are very few colleges in the US that offer a full blown music performance degree on electric bass. Look carefully at the degree requirements -- they can vary by instrument. There are also highly viable options such as Jazz Studies, that accept students on electric bass.

One possible tactic might be to look up the audition requirements for those high-end schools, and choose one of them as a template. Some of them have lists of recommended tunes. Scales and sight-reading are typical requirements. One of things on the mind of the department when conducting auditions is that they need students who are at an ability level where they can be slotted into ensembles.
 
#6
Do you know who the bass instructors are? It would not be out of line to contact them and ask for some guidance. Not specific pieces, but something beyond fast and slow. It would demonstrate your interest and initiative.
 

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