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Scholarship Auditions

WE WANT YOU!

We are delighted you are considering Missouri Southern for your Performing Arts journey! Our faculty are ready and willing to assist you in every way we can.  

In-person auditions are preferable—we value the opportunity to get to know you, hear you, and discuss how best to meet your needs here at Southern. It is really good to come to campus and experience what it is like to really be here.  

If an in-person audition is not possible, we are open to reviewing auditions via video submission especially if you would be driving some distance to get here. 

 

WHO SHOULD AUDITION?

Please audition if:

  • You’re interested in majoring in music or theatre (required). 
  • You like performing and would like to be considered for a scholarship, but may not want to pursue music or theatre as a major. 
  •  


GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Remember, our goal is to see the potential. We also want you to feel comfortable coming into your audition and to this end, we are rooting you on to do well. 

  1. Apply to MSSU. We cannot offer scholarship contracts until you have been fully admitted. 
  2. Complete the audition form.  
    AUDITION FORM 
  3. Prepare two contrasting selections, not to exceed more than 7 minutes. 
        - Choose selections that show off your ability, range, and performing ability
        - Choose selections that you like and that excite you. 
        - Remember, a prepared performance means you have practiced.
  4. Dress appropriately. Remember, you are not only auditioning, but you are also interviewing. Choose attire that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and professional.
  5. SLATE YOUR AUDITION: Before you perform your audition pieces, we would like you to tell us your name, what selections you will be performing, including the name of the character, the title of the play, and the playwright’s name if you performing an audition for theatre. Do not include a synopsis of the play, a description of the character, or a discussion of the play’s themes. 
  6. For musical theatre auditions, please see both the vocal and theatre requirements. 
  7. If you have questions, please reach out to auditions@mssu.edu. Please make sure you tell us your name and what area(s) you are intending to audition (instrumental, theatrical, vocal). 

 

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Instrumental

  1. Prepare a solo, movements from a solo, or an etude.
  2. Memorization is not required.
  3. Piano: If possible, play one of your selected pieces from memory.
  4. Jazz:
    • Wind and piano players should play a standard melody and improvise at least one chorus over the changes.
    • Accompaniment from Jamey Aebersold, Band in a Box, iRealPro, or any other virtual rhythm section is acceptable.
    • Pianists should comp one chorus if possible.
    • Bass players should play the changes for a 12-bar blues. Improvisation or playing the changes with a separate jazz standard is encouraged.
    • Drummers should play 4 measures of time and 4 measures of fills in an alternating patter (4 bars of time, 4 bars of fill, 4 bars of time, etc.) in the following styles: medium swing and a Latin style.

Voice

  1. Prepare an aria, an art song, a folk song, or a musical theatre selection (please perform only 1 musical theatre piece). 
  2. It is suggested that one piece be in a language other than English, although not required. 
  3. Memorization is strongly recommended but not required. 
  4. Musical selections should be presented with piano accompaniment.  MSSU will provide a pianist. (please let us know if you are bringing your own pianist) 

Theatre

  1. Prepare a monologue from a modern, published play. Do not use your own material. Use a proven play. 
  2. Choose a character with whom you identify, which allows for vocal/emotional variety and movement. 
  3. Avoid excessive strong language and profanity, chairs, props, and sitting or kneeling. 
  4. Use standard stage English. 
  5. Avoid accents and dialects. 
  6. Your presentation should be memorized. 

Auditioning In Person: 

  1. Select an audition date. 
  2. The Department will confirm this date with you. 
  3. One week in advance, you will receive your audition time 
  4. For singers, a MSSU pianist can be provided for you.  
  5. Please bring music for the pianist to play; original music or if a copy, in a 3-ring binder.  

Auditioning by Video:

  1. Email department, notifying us of your intent to audition virtually: auditions@mssu.edu 
  2. Record your audition (Submitted videos do not have to be professionally recorded. You may use your cell phone or computer) 
  3. Make sure the camera is positioned at eye level.  
  4. At the beginning of the video, please announce your name and the selection you will be performing.  
  5. Upload your video to YouTube and set it as unlisted or private. Videos with these flags are not searchable or viewable by anyone unless they have a link.  
  6. Please send an invitation to auditions@mssu.edu, notifying us that your video is ready to view. 
  7. For singers, karaoke-style accompaniments may be used.