Undergraduate Classical Voice Audition Requirements

The deadlines for receipt of all audition materials, including recordings and a completed audition form, are:

     November 15, 2021 – for admission in Spring 2022
     November 15, 2021 – for Early Decision/Early Action for admission in Fall 2022
     March 2, 2022 – for Regular Decision for admission in Fall 2022

Prior to recording your audition, you MUST contact your performance area coordinator:

     Liana Valente
     Coordinator of Classical Voice Studies
     Liana.Valente@howard.edu
     202-806-7135

Once you have recorded your audition and uploaded it to a private YouTube channel,

     • download a computer-fillable audition form and complete the appropriate sections;
     • open a new email, address it to your performance area coordinator, and attach the audition form;
     • place the link to your recorded audition materials in the body of the email; and
     • send the email to your performance area coordinator by the applicable audition deadline.

Undergraduate Classical Voice Audition Requirements
Last Update: 2021-11-15 10:58 AM EST

Elective Studies in Business, Composition, Music Education, Music History, and Performance majors

Two memorized selections (preferably Art Songs) in contrasting styles from the 17th – 21st centuries are required.

     • Both may be performed in English; one selection may be in a foreign language or may be a spiritual.

     • Please no Broadway, Jazz, Pop or Gospel selections.

Students should demonstrate a healthy vocal production, good intonation and use of dynamic contrasts, and expressiveness of the texts.

All students must perform their repertoire from memory.

Students may record with an accompanist or with pre-recorded accompaniment; no a capella singing will be accepted. For live auditions, an accompanist will be provided at no cost to the candidate.

Music Therapy majors

1. A popular standard, such as Stand by Me (Ben E. King), What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong), Killing Me Softly (Roberta Flack) or Let It Be (Lennon/McCartney). This may be self-accompanied or performed with a prerecorded track.

 

2. A song performed with self-accompaniment* on piano or guitar. Basic chord progressions and playing techniques are fine. Song examples: He's Got the Whole World, Three Little Birds (Bob Marley), You Are My Sunshine. 

 

3. An original song.

 

*Please note:  If you do not self-accompany, please prepare a second selection that contrasts with your popular standard selection. Again, you may use a prerecorded accompaniment track.

An interview will follow the audition—either immediately after a live audition, or by Zoom or telephone call at a future scheduled time for a recorded audition.