Music

Audition and Application

All students wishing to declare a BS in Music in any concentration (Music Performance, Music Business, Music Education, Music Theory/Composition, Jazz and Commercial Music, or Music History/Literature) must audition for acceptance into these programs. The BA in Music and the BA in Music Business do not require an audition. 

Hofstra will be holding two in-person audition dates this year. To set up your audition, please follow the steps below:

1. Apply to Hofstra University:

You must complete a formal application to Hofstra University before you may audition. You can apply online now.

2. Request an Audition Packet:

Click the link below and complete the form to request an audition packet:

REQUEST AUDITION PACKET

3. Prepare your Audition

Singers

should prepare, from memory, two contrasting songs from the classical repertoire. At least one of the songs must be in one of the following languages: Italian, French, German or Spanish. A music theater song may be included as a third selection. The auditionee's sight reading ability will also be tested.

  • Jazz & Commercial applicant singers may substitute a jazz standard for the third selection.
  • B.S. Music Business applicant singers may substitute another memorized song in a genre of their choosing (MT/Jazz/Great American Songbook/Gospel/Rock/Pop) in lieu of a second classical piece.

Pianists

should be prepared to play representative compositions from two to three of the following styles (A composition of the appropriate level will also be presented for sight-reading):

  • Baroque
  • Classical
  • Romantic
  • 20th Century

Jazz students

(except Singers and Percussionists; please see “Singers” or “Percussionists”) should be prepared to play the following:

  • All jazz scales and modes
  • A Blues for improvisation
  • Two jazz standards of their choice
  • A prepared etude or solo transcription.

Percussionists

should prepare to perform on snare, timpani, and mallets; in addition, they may also perform on the drum kit. Applicants should demonstrate proficiency in each area as follows:

  • Snare Drum
    • Perform both following, totaling about three minutes:
      • Rudimental solo. Suggested composers: Pratt, Campbell, Wilcoxon
      • Concert étude. Suggested composers: Peters, Cirone, Délécluse
      • All rolls.
  • Mallets (xylophone, marimba, vibraphone - your choice)
    • Perform both following, totaling at least four minutes:
      • Two-mallet solo. Suggested composers: Bach (preferably from Sonatas and Partitas for Unaccompanied Violin OR Suites for Unaccompanied Cello), Kreisler, Bozza (Fourteen Arabesque-Studies for Flute)
      • Four-mallet solo. Suggested composers: Abe, Friedman, Finkel, O’Meara, Peters, Gomez, Stout
  • Timpani
    • Total duration should be about three minutes. One or two études utilizing two, three, or four drums. Demonstrate technical proficiency with pitch matching and interval tuning, rolls, etc. Suggested composers: Firth, Peters, Hochreiner
  • Drum Set
    • Demonstrate various styles. Sight-reading.

All other instrumentalists

should prepare diatonic and chromatic scales, as well as two solos in contrasting styles displaying their (1) technical proficiency and (2) lyrical/ interpretive ability.

Please make sure all correspondence regarding the audition process is with the Department of Music, rather than with Hofstra Admission. If you have any questions, please contact us at music@hofstra.edu or 516-463-5490.

Scholarship Information:

The Department of Music at Hofstra University provides a number of Music Activity Grants to undergraduates who demonstrate exceptional musical ability, which range in total value over a maximum period of five (5) years from $5,000 to $50,000. While there are no restrictions as to the performance media, priority will be given to performers most needed by departmental organizations. All prospective students wishing to compete for a Music Activity Grant must be sure to audition before March 15.

Important Dates

Mark Your Calendar

Unified Audition Dates

In person

  • Saturday, February 8, 2025
  • Saturday, February 22, 2025

Watch Your Mailbox

Decision letters mailed by

Late March/Early April 2025

Remember

National Tuition Deposit Deadline

May 1

Questions?

Dr. David Fryling
Assistant Chair and Departmental Enrollment Coordinator
E-mail | Bio