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The Edward E. MacTaggart Department of Music at Marietta College provides opportunities for the study and performance of music for all students, regardless of their major or field of interest. Marietta College students study and perform with an easily accessible music faculty, who are actively involved in their field as scholars, educators, performers, and clinicians. Whether you intend to major in music education, music therapy, vocal performance, pursue liberal arts study in music, or simply wish for music to be an important part of your collegiate years, the department has opportunities for you.

Prospective Music Majors

Before applying to the Music Department at Marietta College, prospective music majors must submit a complete application to Marietta College. Upon acceptance to Marietta College, prospective majors should then complete a Music Department Application and Teacher Reference Letter. The applicant should also submit a music résumé, listing all music activities while in high school.

All prospective music majors are required to audition for admission to the music degree programs offered by Marietta College. This audition will serve as your audition for a music scholarship as well. Auditions can be scheduled by reaching out to Professor Jordan Reed at jtr003@marietta.edu.

Non-major music scholarship auditions may be submitted electronically. Please submit a YouTube link of the video audition to Professor Jordan Reed at jtr003@marietta.edu.

Please review the audition requirements for prospective music majors.

Music scholarships are available for both music majors and non-majors.

Students are encouraged to audition early to receive the best financial aid offer possible.

Prospective Music Minors and Non-Majors

We invite you to apply for the Marietta College Music scholarships. Marietta College offers renewable scholarships for talented students regardless of their intended major. Auditions for music minors or non-majors can be submitted electronically. An on-campus interview is not required.

Non-major music scholarship auditions may be submitted electronically. Please submit a YouTube link of the video audition to Professor Jordan Reed at jtr003@marietta.edu.

Music Program Entrance Requirements

If you have any specific questions about the program, contact Professor Jordan Reed at jtr003@marietta.edu.

Bachelor of Music in Music Education

  • Audition on principal instrument
  • A music department application (www.marietta.edu/music-department-application)
  • A letter of reference from a music teacher or director
  • A résumé of music activities in high school
  • Interview with music faculty
  • Recommended minimum ACT of 23 or SAT of 1060

Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy

  • Audition on principal instrument
  • A music department application (www.marietta.edu/music-department-application)
  • A letter of reference from a music teacher or director
  • A résumé of music activities in high school
  • Interview with music therapy faculty

Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance

  • Vocal audition
  • A music department application (www.marietta.edu/music-department-application)
  • Interview with vocal performance faculty
  • A letter of reference from a music teacher or director
  • A résumé of music activities in high school
  • Interview with music faculty

Bachelor of Arts in Music

  • Audition on principal instrument
  • A music department application (www.marietta.edu/music-department-application)
  • Interview with music faculty
  • A letter of reference from a music teacher or director
  • A résumé of music activities in high school

Music Audition Requirements

Music scholarships are available to both music majors and non-majors.

ENSEMBLE SCHOLARSHIPS

Ensemble Scholarship Audition Requirements

Designed for students with active high school ensemble participation but little solo performance experience. This audition does not require a prepared solo, but asks students to perform their part from one or more of the pieces they are currently working on with their high school ensemble. Additional sight-reading, scales or vocalization, and a music teacher reference are also required. This audition does not meet the requirements for entrance into our music majors.

MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS

Brass Audition Requirements

  • Major scales from memory (relative minor scales are optional): C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D, A, E. In addition to these major scales, prepare the chromatic scale over the full range of your instrument
  • Two solos or etudes of differing styles. One selection should be lyrical in nature, with the second selection demonstrating the level of technical ability. The total length should not exceed 15 minutes.
  • Sight reading may be required.
  • A resume of your experience in music
  • A letter of reference from a music teacher or director

Classical Guitar Audition Requirements

  • An audition consisting of 2-3 pieces in contrasting styles
  • A resume of your experience in music
  • Sight-reading may be required
  • A letter of reference from a music teacher or director

Percussion Audition Requirements

  • Students auditioning on percussion must audition on two of the three instruments listed: snare drum, timpani, and/or marimba.
  • Snare auditions should include a demonstration of the knowledge of the 26 original rudiments in an open-close-open presentation and a solo showing of technical development.
  • Timpani auditions should include a demonstration of proper tuning techniques and a solo showing the technical development of the instrument.
  • Marimba auditions should include the following major scales (relative minor scales are optional): C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D, A, E. The audition on this instrument will include a solo showing musicality and technical development
  • Sight-reading may be required
  • A resume of your experience in music
  • A letter of reference from a music teacher or director

Piano Audition Requirements

  • Major and harmonic minor scales (C, G, D, A, E, B, B flat, and F)
  • Two pieces (at least one of which should be memorized) in contrasting styles
  • Sight-reading may be required
  • A resume of your experience in music
  • A letter of reference from a music teacher or director

String Audition Requirements

  • Two major or minor scales and arpeggios: Violin – 3 octaves; Viola, Cello – 2 or 3 octaves; String Bass - 2 major scales two octaves with 3 forms of relative minor.
    • Two contrasting works. Violin – one of which must be a concerto; Viola – a movement from a Bach suite for cello and movement/piece from the standard repertoire. Cello – contrasting movements from a sonata or suite, or one movement from a sonata/suite, and a contrasting movement from a concerto. String bass - Two contrasting movements of a Baroque Sonata or a solo with contrasting sections. The total length should not exceed 15 minutes.
  • Sight-reading may be required
  • A resume of your experience in music
  • A letter of reference from a music teacher or director

Voice Audition Requirements

  • An audition consisting of 2 art songs or arias in contrasting styles
    • Our staff accompanist will be available for your audition. Please bring your music with you, well marked if there are any alterations.
    •  If you prefer to use recorded accompaniment, be ready to access a link to your selected recording.
  • Sight-reading and additional vocalization may be required
  • A letter of reference from a music teacher or director
  • A resume of your experience in music.

Woodwind Audition Requirements

  • Major scales from memory (relative minor scales are optional): C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D, A, E. In addition to these major scales, prepare the chromatic scale over the full range of your instrument
  • Two solos or etudes of differing styles. One selection should be lyrical in nature, with the second selection demonstrating the level of technical ability. The total length should not exceed 15 minutes.
  • Sight-reading may be required
  • A resume of your experience in music
  • A letter of reference from a music teacher or director

PLEASE NOTE

Students living 200 miles or more from the Marietta College campus may prepare a video audition. To request permission to audition in this manner, please contact Dr. Jay Dougherty, Music Department Chair, at jay.dougherty@marietta.edu.