Voice
For your audition, you should prepare two contrasting songs — if one song is slow and sustained, for example, the other should be in a quicker tempo. At least one of the two songs must be in English. Musical theatre, commercial, pop and gospel songs are not appropriate for the audition. Choral parts (soprano, alto, tenor or bass lines from choral works) are not acceptable.
Repertoire suggestions
English language
- Folk song arrangements such as Quilter’s “The Arnold Book of Old Songs”
- Henry Purcell
- Lute songs by Dowland, Campian, Morely, etc.
- John Jacob Niles
- Roger Quilter
- Ralph Vaughan Williams
- Samuel Barber
- Aaron Copland
- Richard Hundley
- Lee Hoiby
Foreign language
- If you wish to present a selection in a foreign language, standard art songs in French, German, Italian and Spanish are appropriate.
Accompaniment
Auditions must be accompanied by piano. If you would like VCU Music to provide an accompanist, then you will need to indicate that on your audition request form. You will also need to mail, email or fax a copy of your music to our director of admissions, Amy Hutton. Your music must be received at least two weeks before your scheduled audition date. You will need to bring the original music with you to your audition.
Students auditioning for the voice area may bring their own accompanist on the day of the audition. However, please note that your audition time cannot be confirmed in advance, so your accompanist will need to spend most, if not all, of the audition day with you at VCU.
Sight-singing
Students will be asked to play (piano) and sing a short passage at sight.
Preparation tips
Your song choices should present your voice at its best. Your musicianship and the beauty of your singing are important — the difficulty of your music is not.
A career in music requires that you play the piano and read music with fluency. Your audition will be more successful if you have studied a musical instrument and are familiar with the keyboard.
If you have any questions, please contact Cynthia Donnell, coordinator of vocal studies.
