CSUN Music Industry Program AUDITIONS. Gone through them?

Applying to College
1

<p>I’m an early high school graduate working through tedious general ed requirements so I can get into CSUN and at the same time apply for an audition into the Music Industry Studies Program.</p>

<p>I’ve searched high and low to find someone that has gone through at LEAST the audition process. The information I’ve found out from the CSUN website ONLY so far is:</p>

<p>1) There is a musical audition, two-four songs depending on your instrument of choice.
2) There is a standard interview, essay, etc.
3) There are THREE exams. One Keyboarding, One Musicianship, and one Harmony/Theory.</p>

<p>Those are all included in the audition process for the program. I am enrolled in a ridiculous amount of music classes to prepare myself on all the technical aspects, but I am wondering if there is any possible way to find out what exactly I would need to know for the exam? I’m not asking to cheat, but the exam descriptions are…well, nonexistant, at least to my eyes. I don’t want to sound like a child, but it’s hard to be able to tell if only a basic knowledge of each of those fields is needed or if you should be somewhat of an expert.</p>

<p>Okay, so now that I’ve written a novel, can anyone help me out?</p>

2

<p>Ok, I’ll try and help you out a bit. Not familiar with CSU Northridge (or too many west coast music programs), but I know my way around performance programs and audition based parameters.</p>

<p>If you’re not familiar with music program auditions/admissions, read the excellent post here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-family-s-experience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-family-s-experience.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Most BM and many BA music degree programs have audition and placement tests.</p>

<p>The audition repetoire should be listed on the school’s webpages, usually by instrument. While it can be very specific, naming pieces, often of contrasting styles and periods, it can also be your choice. If it’s not listed, call or email the department (not general admissions). They’ll give you what you need to know.</p>

<p>For reference, normally performance majors, either vocal or instrumental are held to a higher standard in admission auditions than the other music disciplines mused, theory, comp, technology, or management. They want to see a level of competence, musicality and talent on your instrument, not perfection. </p>

<p>The keyboarding skills is in all probabitlity a placement test for first course placement. Most music programs require basic piano/keyboard skills, usually 4 to 6 semesters. It’s probably not an admissions factor, but a placement tool IF admitted.</p>

<p>Same for the theory test… it’s for placement. Pretty much a standard tool
in any audition based program. Even at the conservatory level progams, it’s normally not a make or break factor in admissions, just placement. They just need to make sure they start you at the proper level; For reference, if you’ve had AP music theory, or are self taught, it should be a piece of cake. FYI, music schools don’t give credit for a 4 or 5 on the AP. You MAY get academic credit for it, but the AP alone will not get you out of the initial theory requirements.</p>

<p>Muscianship? I’d call and ask, never heard the test called that. It could be sight reading, sight singing, potentially aural skills, pitch identification. Again
pretty much standard placement assessment.</p>

<p>If you google “music theory test”, there should be a couple of practice tests that will come up.</p>

3

<p>Son went through this audition in spring and is entering Northridge this fall. The music industry program is Very competitive, more so than he thought. There were about 80 auditioning for 30 spots.
I was not there for the audition or interview, however son felt it went well. He said it seemed more serious than his audition for USC which did not include an interview.
The essay prompt was mainly about copyright law.</p>

<p>He has not done the musicianship and keyboarding placement tests yet. They are optional supposedly, just used to place students in the level of courses. He is planning on starting in the first level of musicianship and keyboarding since he is a percussionship and probably will need to start from the beginning.</p>

4

<p>“percussionist” oops</p>