Voice Audition Requirements

• Two pieces from the classical repertoire. Both songs will be performed from memory. Contrasting songs in two languages preferred. Contemporary Musical Theatre and Jazz repertoire are discouraged.
  • One art song (or equivalent) in English.
  • Second art song (or equivalent) in English, Italian, French, German, or Spanish.
• Suggested Repertoire resources:
  • 24 or 28 Italian Art Song anthology
  • The First Book of Solos (Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano/Alto, Tenor, Baritone/Bass).
• Sight-Singing will be evaluated as part of the audition process.
• Audition etiquette: we suggest wearing clothing that make you feel confident and professional. Bring one clear copy of your music for the pianist, either in a book, on a charged iPad or tablet, or a black and white printed copy printed front to back or taped front to back.
• Main contact: Logan Contreras

Master of Music and Graduate Performance Certificate

Applicants to the Master of Music and Graduate Performance Certificate programs are encouraged to submit a pre-screen audition. Send to Mandy.SpivakPerna@unco.edu by December 1. Prescreen videos will be evaluated by December 15 and applicants will be notified whether they are invited to audition.

Optional Pre-Screen Audition Requirements

• Performance Resume
• Two selections representing two languages and style periods. Send as a public or unlisted YouTube video

For those applicants invited to audition:

• Prepare four pieces from the classical repertoire sung from memory. Selections should represent a variety of periods and styles, and at least three languages. Works by composers from marginalized communities appreciated. Applicants may reuse repertoire from their pre-screen audition.
  • At least one selection must be in English.
  • At least one selection must be an aria from an opera or oratorio.
  • At least two selections must be art songs.
• As part of the audition, prospective MM and Performance Certificate applicants will have an informal interview with the voice faculty and be asked to read short poetic texts in four languages: German, French, Italian, and English.

Doctor of Arts

Applicants to the Doctor of Arts programs are encouraged to submit a pre-screen audition. Send to Mandy.SpivakPerna@unco.edu by December 1. Prescreen videos will be evaluated by December 15 and applicants will be notified whether they are invited to audition.

Optional Pre-Screen Audition Requirements

• Performance Resume
• Three selections representing three languages and style periods. Send as a public or unlisted YouTube video

For those applicants invited to audition:

• Prepare six pieces from the classical repertoire sung from memory. Selections should represent a variety of periods and styles, and at least four languages. Works by composers from marginalized communities appreciated. Applicants may reuse repertoire from their pre-screen audition.
  • At least one selection must be in English.
  • Two selections must be arias from an opera or oratorio.
  • At least three selections must be art songs.
  • At least one selection must have been written since 1950.
• As part of the audition, prospective doctoral applicants will have an informal interview with the voice faculty and be asked to read short poetic texts in four languages: German, French, Italian, and English.

Additional Requirements for DA

• Upload to the application portal a recent sample of scholarly writing.
• Doctoral applicants will also be given a writing exercise as part of their interview.

Undergraduate Jazz Voice – Performance and Music Education

• Prepare a performance of a solo “transcription” by singing along with the original recording of an improvised solo by a jazz vocalist or instrumentalist.. Match the melodic, rhythmic and stylistic content of the solo as much as possible. Examples of acceptable artists for the source for your transcription: Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Mel Torme, Jon Hendricks, Dianne Reeves, Nancy King, Kurt Elling, Bobby McFerrin, Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Charlie Parker, Hank Mobley, JJ Johnson, Sonny Rollins, Chick Corea, Clifford Brown, Stan Getz.
• Prepare two jazz songs with accompaniment (see below). One selection should be performed in a swing style and should include one chorus of improvised scat singing. A second selection should be in a ballad style/tempo, singing through the full form once, then returning to the half-way point of the form and singing to the end in a more embellished manner, improvising on the original melody. These can be done with other musicians (drums and a comping instrument) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro.

Undergraduate Jazz Voice – Music Business

• Prepare two jazz songs with accompaniment (see below). One selection should be performed in a swing style and should include one chorus of improvised scat singing. A second selection should be in a ballad style/tempo, singing through the full form once, then returning to the half-way point of the form and singing to the end in a more embellished manner, improvising on the original melody. These can be done with other musicians (drums and a comping instrument) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro.

Master of Music and Doctor of Arts

• Prepare a performance of a solo “transcription” by singing along with a recording of an originally improvised solo by a jazz vocalist or instrumentalist. Match the melodic, rhythmic and stylistic content of the solo as much as possible.
• Prepare three jazz songs. One selection should be performed in a swing style and should include two choruses of improvised scat singing. A second selection should be in a ballad style/tempo, singing through the full form once, then returning to the half-way point of the form and singing to the end in a more embellished manner, improvising on the original melody. A third selection should be in a style/tempo that contrasts with the first two selections, and may optionally be in a bossa-nova, samba, funk, pop or R&B style. You may wish to use your third selection to highlight any particular stylistic vocal skills that you feel allow to you stand out. These can be done with other musicians (drums and a comping instrument) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro.