Auditions | College of Music | University of Colorado Boulder

Voice & Opera Audition Information

Voice & Opera

Pre-screening Requirements

All non-Colorado resident applicants must submit a high quality recording of two contrasting pieces, one of which must be from the classical repertoire. The recording must not have added reverb. Recordings must be submitted via your application checklist page on the CU Boulder Admissions page. This video from Acceptd includes helpful guidelines for creating your prescreening recording. Recordings will not be reviewed until both a CU-Boulder and College of Music application has been received. 

Live auditions will be granted to all Colorado resident applicants and non-Colorado resident applicants chosen from these recordings. Applicants will be notified of the faculty decision no later than one month prior to any live audition.

Deadlines for submitting the application and recording are as follows: 

• Fall applicants - December 1
• Spring applicants - October 1

Live Audition Requirements

• Two contrasting songs (one of which must be from the Classical repertoire) that best display the student’s vocal talent should be prepared.  Arias written after 1800 are discouraged.
• If the student has background in a foreign language, one of the selections may be prepared in that language.
• Memorization of all material is required.
• Sight singing and the matching of pitches may be required at the time of the audition.

Students who have studied previously may present a list of repertoire they have studied.

Music should be chosen which shows the student’s voice to the best advantage and is something he/she likes to sing and that feels comfortable. The voice faculty listens for pleasant vocal quality, expressiveness, and correct pitch.  Excessively difficult music is neither expected nor desired. An accompanist will be provided by the College of Music. The singer must provide a copy of the music for the accompanist. Note: It is preferred that the auditioned not accompany him/herself on either the piano or guitar.

Live auditions are strongly preferred. Students who are unable to travel to Boulder for a live audition may submit a high-quality recorded audition. Please see the Recorded Audition Guidelines for information on submitting a recording.

Transfers

A brief program of several selections should be prepared from the classical repertoire. A copy of the repertoire list must be presented at the time of the audition. Class standing will be determined the first semester of study.

Music Theater

Pre-screening Requirements

Note: While Colorado residents are exempt from required pre-screening, we do strongly recommend, due to high applicant numbers, that you choose to submit pre-screening. Non-Colorado resident applicants are required to submit pre-screening.

In order to be considered a priority applicant, you must submit the College of Music application and your required pre-screening recordings on or before December 1. Your recordings will be reviewed and you will be notified whether or not you’ve been selected for a live audition by December 20.

The final deadline to submit pre-screening recordings is January 4. Students submitting prescreening recordings after December 1 will be notified about a live audition by January 18.

Recording Tips

• Avoid extreme close-ups and be sure to include full-body shots.
• Try to balance the volume of the piano with your singing, but do not sing with a microphone or extra amplification.
• Say your name and the name of the song, monologue or dance before you begin each section.
• When uploading video recordings, separate tracks uploads are required.

Required Portions

Without all 4 compenents, your prescreening requirement will be considered incomplete and you will not be considerd for a live audition.

1. Resumé: Upload a pdf of your full resumé, which includes any training and experience you have had in music, theatre, and dance.
2. Voice Video: Prepare two musical theatre songs of at least 32-bars each with a 2-4-bar piano introduction. Both songs must be memorized, and one should be written before 1965. Sing with recorded or live accompaniment, not a cappella.
3. Monologue Video: Prepare one short monologue. The monologue must be memorized and should be performed in the context of the entire play. The monologue should be no longer than 90 seconds.
4. Dance Video*: Required of all submissions, present a 30-60 second clip of yourself moving/dancing. Your full body should be in view at all times. You may choose a cut from a musical or a dance performance in which you participated, or record something original. Any style is acceptable: musical theatre, ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, etc.  Wear appropriate dance attire that will show clean line. Dance music may be live or recorded.

Optional, for applicants with dance training: Execute a set of plies, tendues, grand battements, and pirouettes. Straightforward, simple exercises are preferred. (side view is best)

*We are committed to finding a diverse group of individuals of varying skill levels in different areas. Some of you may be strong singer/actors who move well, while others may bring extensive dance training. The movement/dance portion of your audition should reflect who you are as a performer. We will accept a wide array of presentations.

In-Person Audition Requirements

Those invited to the in-person auditions will be asked to follow these requirements:

1. Resumé: Bring to the audition 3 copies of your one page resumé.
2. Voice: Prepare two selections of musical theatre repertoire that contrast in style and decade of composition. Each cut may be up to 32 bars each, but should not exceed 60 seconds in length and must be memorized. In addition, please have the entire song available in addition to the 32 bar preparations in case faulty wishes to hear the song in its entirety.

An accompanist (usually a faculty member) will be provided. You may not sing with your own accompanist, a cappella, or with recorded accompaniment.

• Your music should be in a binder, or taped without page turns.
• Include a 2-bar or 4-bar introduction for each song, and mark it clearly in the music. The measures of introduction do not count in the 16-bars you will be singing. Write the title of the song at the top of the page, along with the time signature.

1. Acting: Prepare one short monologue from a play. It may not exceed 90 seconds. The monologue must be memorized and should be performed in the context of the entire play. The emphasis is on simple reality.

• Choose a monologue that is appropriate for your age and experience.
• Be able to discuss the play as a whole. It is best to select a monologue from a play, as opposed to special material written for monologue books.
• Avoid historic styles, such as Shakespeare, and verse or poetry. Avoid dialects.
• Use good judgment in selecting the monologue, avoiding pieces that may be inappropriate because of language or situation.

1. Dance: All applicants will participate in a dance class emphasizing ballet technique and including a short combination from a musical. The faculty will evaluate your technique, incorporation of choreographic intent, performance vitality, acting/communication skills, and potential for growth.

• Apparel: Women should wear character or jazz shoes (and can bring ballet slippers), leotards, tights and/ or dance skirts. Men should wear jazz shoes (and can bring ballet slippers), tights, jazz pants, t-shirts or shorts, and a dance belt.
• Though it is not possible to prepare specifically for the dance audition, applicants generally have better success if they have had some training in ballet.
• Start warming up as soon as you come into the room
•  
• Updated on 08/22/2018