Admissions

Potential students and current students who wish to major in music or music therapy at SUNY New Paltz must pass an audition. Auditions should be completed the semester prior to the intended starting term (i.e. auditions are held in spring for fall enrollment).

Freshmen applicants must first apply to Undergraduate Admissions, then submit an audition application. Applicants should include on admission application the Music curriculum code 0335. Applicants are able to declare major in Music once the Department of Music has offered acceptance to the program and Undergraduate Admissions has offered acceptance to the college.

Transfer applicants must apply to Undergraduate Admissions first, and then submit an audition application; however, candidates will be accepted only if admissions and the Department of Music requirements are met. Applicants transferring into SUNY New Paltz from another college/university are accepted directly into a major and therefore should select the earliest possible date from the audition dates provided. Transferring students must indicate Music, curriculum code 0335, on their SUNY admissions application. Applicants are able to declare major in Music once the Department of Music has offered acceptance to the program and Undergraduate Admissions has offered acceptance to the college. Current students studying at New Paltz should apply for an audition a semester before intending to declare music as a major. Late auditions may prevent a student from registering for required courses; auditions are held after course registration begins.

Graduate applicants must first apply to Graduate Admissions and then submit an audition application. Applicants must indicate Music Therapy, curriculum code 285, on their Graduate School Admissions application. Accepted students will be notified by the college once the Department of Music has offered acceptance to the program and Graduate Admissions has offered acceptance to the college.

Students currently studying at SUNY New Paltz who wish to include a minor in music are eligible to add the minor onto their academic record once a major has been declared; auditions are not required. The Declaration of Minor form is provided by the Office of Records & Registration, please submit this form to the Department of Music for the assignment of an advisor.

Most music courses, with the exception of Applied Lessons, are available to students. For further details regarding courses, please visit the Schedule of Classes for the current course offerings.

» Complete the audition application online

Auditions

All auditions are held on campus. Auditions should be completed the semester prior to the intended starting term (i.e. auditions are held in spring for fall enrollment). Auditions for undergraduates differ from graduate level auditions.

All applicants will be required to complete an audition. The audition requires potential students to perform two standard pieces (or solos, depending on length of piece), scales, and sight reading on the individual's primary instrument or voice. Both pieces must be performed on the same instrument, and both should be in the same genre (classical or jazz). Original works will not be considered for acceptance into the program. Selections to be performed must be in contrasting styles (i.e. a fast and slow piece, two contrasting movements from each piece, etc.) by different composers to demonstrate the highest level of technical and music skill. A placement test will also be given during your audition in sight singing to determine entrance level into this required sequence.

Accompaniment

Applicants must make all arrangements for having an accompanist present during the audition.

If applicants wish to hire a pianist from the local area to accompany them during an audition, please contact Sofya Maryanova* by email at maryanova@gmail.com. Use subject line: SUNY Audition and Date.  Availability: Fridays and Saturdays after 2:00 PM.  Please note, fees may be charged by the accompanist.

*Please note that this individual has offered their services, however, it is in no way connected to the university.  Any agreements made are between the applicant and the hired accompanist.

Classical singers must perform from memory with live accompaniment.

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.

Undergraduate applicants will be given an additional placement exam for the theory sequence, required by the major.

Graduate applicants are required to complete the audition requirements mentioned above, in the 'All applicants' section. In addition, students will be asked to have fifteen songs prepared for piano and guitar; of these songs approximately three songs will be selected by the auditors to be performed on each instrument. The applicants are asked to sing along with the songs to be performed on piano and guitar; this will part of the audition is used for placement purposes in Sight Singing and Ear Training, Piano, and Guitar sequences. Below are forms to be completed for listing the fifteen songs, please print these and provide them to the auditors of the audition.