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St. Ambrose has many financial aid opportunities for students with special talent in music. In addition to need-based financial packages, the Music Department has scholarship funds available for both music majors and qualified non-majors. 

Typically, the Music Department awards more than $150,000 in grants each year to students who audition for its faculty. Awards are fully renewable every year until graduation.

Scholarship and financial aid opportunities are available to ALL SAU students, regardless of major.  Scholarship audition dates are as follows:

• Monday, January 28th - 3:30-5:00pm
• Saturday, February 16th - ALL DAY
• Monday, February 18th - 3:30-5:00pm
• Monday, March 17th - 3:30-5:00pm
• Monday, May 5th - 3:30-5:00pm

Please call 563-333-6001 (Terri Flynn) if you are not able to audition at any of the above dates. We would be happy to schedule an appointment with you.

Note: All auditions are held in Madsen Hall, Galvin Fine Arts Center, Room 125.

Download the scholarship audition form here.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PERFORMANCE AREAS

Voice
1. Two memorized selections from the following categories:
a. an art song from the Italian, German, French, English, or American standard
repertoire in the original language
b. a second art song or folk song arrangement or a selection from Broadway repertoire.
2. Vocalization led by a member of the voice faculty.

Piano
1. Two compositions (one memorized) from contrasting style periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern).
2. Major scales hands together, two octaves up and down.
3. Sight-reading.

Organ
1. Two compositions in contrasting styles.
2. Sight-reading of a hymn

Woodwinds and Brasses
1. A solo or etude which displays the performer's ability in legato and staccato playing various tempi, and their range.
2. Sight-reading.
3. Scales: major scales, up and down through the range of the instrument.

Percussion
1. A solo or etude on two of the following: snare drum, timpani, and a mallet instrument. Instruments will provided; however, performers should bring their own sticks and/or mallets.
2. Sight-reading.

Guitar
1. A solo or etude from the classical repertoire (Sor, Carcassi, Villa-Lobos, etc.)
2. Sight-reading.

Strings
1. A solo, etude, or concerto movement.
2. Sight-reading.
3. Major scales, two octaves ascending and descending.

EXPECTATIONS

It is expected that scholarship students study at least four semesters with a St. Ambrose faculty member on their instrument/voice and are enrolled in the major ensemble of their discipline (Symphonic Band, Orchestra or University Chorale.)

SETTING UP AN AUDITION

1. Scheduling of auditions is done through the chair of the Music Department at (563) 333-6149. Auditions are heard by two or more members of the department. Potential music majors will also be scheduled for a brief (15-20 minutes) music theory and listening diagnostic examination (please see below).

2. All auditionees must fill out and return an Audition Application form one week prior to their scheduled audition date.

3. Auditionees need to provide one copy of their piece(s) to the committee at the time of the audition. It will be returned at the conclusion of the performance.

4.Performers needing an accompanist may bring their own, if they wish; otherwise, the department will provide one.

5. In selecting repertoire, performers should be aware that auditions are often limited to 15 minutes. Longer pieces may be performed, but the committee may wish to hear only certain sections in such cases.

MUSIC THEORY PLACEMENT EXAMINATION

All students considering a major or minor in music must have basic knowledge of music fundamentals before beginning the Music Theory sequence. This knowledge is essential preparation for college-level music study and for success in music. A Theory Placement Exam will be given to all incoming students who plan to enroll in Music Theory I (MUS 201) and/or Aural Skills I (MUS 207).  Some students may need to also enroll in Music Fundamentals (MUS 090).

Students will take the Music Theory Placement Examination during orientation (check academic calendar for exact date) preceding the first week of classes. All students must take this test before the first class meeting of MUS 201 and MUS 207. If a student does not do well on the test, we recommend the student also sign up for MUS 090 concurrent with the other two classes.  Students can prepare for the test through study with a teacher or through self-study. There are many resources available to help including the textbook "A Creative Approach to Music Fundamentals" by William Duckworth. Online resources include www.musictheory.net and www.emusictheory.com

The Music Theory Placement Exam covers the following knowledge:

1. Clefs – Notate and identify notes in treble and bass clefs up to three ledger lines above and below the staff.

2. Key signatures – Notate and identify all major AND minor key signatures. Intervals – Notate and identify simple intervals (octave and smaller) including perfect (P1, P4, P5, P8), major (M2, M3, M6, M7), and minor (m2, m3, m6, m7).

3. Triads – Notate and identify major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads in root position. Arrange three given notes into triadic order (root-third-fifth).

4. Rhythm & Meter – Notate and identify notes and rests from sixteenth to whole within differing meters.

5. Dictation – recognize scales, intervals, and triads as played on the piano, and dictate a short melody.
 
Questions about the Music Theory Placement Examination should be directed to: 

William Campbell, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Music Theory & Composition
(563) 333-6145
CampbellWilliamG@sau.edu

For more information or to schedule an audition, contact Dr. Gene Bechen, department chair, at 563/333-6149 or email BechenEugeneF@sau.edu