Audition information
General information
Dress: You’ll want to present your best self on your audition day, so dress accordingly — semiformal or business attire is generally appropriate. Be sure that you can comfortably play your instrument in whatever you choose to wear.
What to bring: In general, auditionees only need to bring their instrument and music to the audition. There are special exceptions and additions for certain instruments, so be sure to read the audition requirements for your particular instrument.
Please peruse the audition requirements section for the specific requirements for your instrument.
The audition day
Each audition day begins with check-in, where you’ll receive your audition time and schedule. Once you’re checked in, you will head into the concert hall to take the theory placement test. After you’ve completed your exam, you are welcome to enjoy some light refreshments and meet members of our faculty in the lobby. Then, you and your parents will convene in the concert hall for a greeting and introduction to the department.
After that meeting, you will wait in the lobby for your audition time. Meanwhile, your parents will attend a question and answer session. Close to your warm-up time, your name will be called and a VCU music student will escort you to your warm-up room, where you’ll have 15 minutes to prepare for your audition. Then, you’ll be escorted to your audition, where a small panel of faculty members will have a chance to chat with you and hear you perform.
After your audition, you’ll wait your turn to have your aural skills — ear-training and pitch-matching — tested, as well as your keyboard skills.
The final part of your audition day is an informal interview with another member of our faculty. Your parents are welcome to sit in on this portion of the audition day, as it’s a great time to have your questions answered and for us to get to know you a little better so that we can help you meet your educational goals.
