Admissions and Auditions

Students who wish to major in music at SUNY New Paltz must pass an audition.  College policy stipulates that auditions for freshmen applicants can only be scheduled after a student is accepted for admission by the college.   Transfer applicants are accepted directly into a major and therefore should request an audition when they submit their SUNY applications and choose the earliest possible date from the choices given.  Both freshmen and transfers must indicate Music (curriculum code 0335) on their SUNY admissions application.

Auditions are not scheduled automatically. Students must request an audition using one of the forms below.

All auditions are held on campus and consist of two solos on the student’s major instrument or voice, plus scales and sight reading.  This is the instrument you will study as part of your major plan.  Both pieces must be performed on the same instrument, and both should be in the same genre, either classical or jazz.  They must be chosen from standard repertoire (not original compositions).  Choose two pieces in contrasting styles by different composers (e.g., a fast piece and a slow piece, or two contrasting movements from each piece) that demonstrate your highest level of technical and musical skill.  Placement tests in theory and sight singing will also be given to determine your entering level in these areas.

2007-2008 audition dates are:

• November 10, 2007 - Application deadline: October 26, 2007
• February 2, 2008 - Application deadline: January 18, 2008
• March 1, 2008 - Application deadling: February 15, 2008
• April 5, 2008 - Application deadline: March 21, 2008
• April 26, 2008 - Application deadline: April 11, 2008

As soon as we receive your audition application we will send you an acknowledgement, and we will send you a confimation with the exact time and room location approximately 5 days prior to your chosen audition date.

Freshmen applicants: Please do not submit your audition application until you receive a notification of acceptance to the college.

All applicants: Please do not send or bring resumes, biographies, CDs, tapes, or other supporting materials; only your performance at the audition can be considered for acceptance into the major. Any other materials can neither be considered nor returned.

Notes:
Classical singers must perform from memory with live accompaniment.  We strongly suggest that you bring your own accompanist.  If this is not possible, you may be able to arrange for a local pianist to accompany you for a fee of $35.00.  Students must make all arrangements for accompaniment on their own.  Accompanists include:  Sylvia Buccelli, 845/471-6328; Sofya Maryanova, 845/256-9767; Richard Mogavero, 845/384-6021; Gary Palmieri, 845/229-6135 and Ruthanne Schempf, 845/534-2166.  A copy of your music and a check or money order made payable to the accompanist who has agreed to play for you must be received by the accompanist a minimum of one week before your audition date.

Classical instrumentalists may audition unaccompanied or bring recorded accompaniment and playback equipment.

Jazz applicants must perform two solos from the standard jazz repertoire (not original compositions).  Vocal jazz applicants may bring recorded accompaniment and playback equipment.

For general admission to the college, please visit the Undergraduate Admissions Web site.

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