Music
Bass Audition Requirements
For New Bass Students
In order to study Bass at CWU, you must first audition for the music faculty. This step is required to complete your acceptance into the CWU Department of Music program. This audition gives us an opportunity to hear the level you have achieved in your musical skills and it gives you the opportunity to discuss your development with collegiate instructors. Performance entrance standards may be found at the bottom of the page. For more details about the admissions process pleas visit our Music Program Auditions & Admissions page.
For Bass Students Pursuing a Performance Degree
If you would like to audition for admission to the BM in Performance, we would like you to come prepared to complete the requirements section below. We recommend you select a solo that best demonstrates your current skills. It is desirable to choose a piece that is competitive at the district or (preferably) state contest level, emphasizing both musical and technical capabilities. If you have any questions about audition repertoire, please e-mail Professor Tommy Hawthorne.
Requirements:
- One movement from one of the following double bass concerti: Bottesini, Capuzzi, Dittersdorf, Dragonetti, Koussevitsky, or Vanhal
- One contrasting solo work of the applicant’s choice
- Two scales (one major, one melodic minor) of the applicant’s choice in two or three octaves.
For Bass Students Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Music Education, or Composition Degree
Requirements:
- One 2-octave scale.
- One movement of a concerto, sonata or concert piece that demonstrates highest level of technical and musical achievement on your instrument.
Admissions Audition Registration
Before you can audition you must register for an audition time. Please visit our Music Program Auditions & Admissions page for further information.
To Be Considered for a Jazz Bass Scholarship:
If you would like to be considered for a jazz bass scholarship, please contact Dr. Keith Karns.
Ensemble Audition Requirements
Orchestra and Band Auditions
For New and Returning Bass Students wishing to play in a large ensemble. Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Band auditions take place during the first week of each new quarter. Fall auditions have specific materials for all who intend to play in a large ensemble. For the schedule, and further details, please visit our Ensemble Auditions page. Auditions for Winter and/or Spring will be announced as needed. Check our Audition Excerpts page for specific bass excerpts.
Contact Dr. Caoile for more information.
Jazz Band Auditions
Jazz Band auditions will take place during the first week of each new quarter. Visit the Jazz Auditions page for more information, charts, and scheduled times.
Contact Dr. Keith Karns for more information.
Entrance Standards, Bass
To begin your studies at the 364 level in the Bass Studio at CWU you must demonstrate proficiency on your instrument in an audition or placement lesson based upon the guidelines below. Students not meeting these standard may be placed in the 164 or 264 level based upon the discretion of the auditioning faculty.
"The man who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can't are both right" - Henry Ford
Junior level
To pass into the 364 level, the student should demonstrate Minimum competencies:
- Concertos and unaccompanied works must be memorized. Materials of similar difficulty may be substituted at teacher’s discretion.
- All works of each category must be at performance level complete with good intonation, rhythm, and sense of style.
- All applied lesson students must participate in the CWU Orchestra or Lab Orchestra.
- It is highly encouraged of all Bachelor of Music candidates to perform on at least four convocations during your tenure.
- Music Education majors are required to achieve 364 level for at least two quarters of study.
- Normally, a student will advance no faster than one level per year.
Course Minimum Entrance Requirements:
364 level
- Technique: All major and minor scales in octaves.
(complete at least one work from each of the following categories)
- Solos
- Bach Cello Suites (non transposed)
- Fryba Suite
- Kol Nidre
- Sonatas
- Arpeggione Sonata
- Hindemith Sonata
- Concertos
- Koussevitzky
- Vanhall
- Bottesini 1 and 2
- Lancen
- Tubin
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