Sacred music applicants are evaluated on the basis of both musical and academic qualifications, as well as on potential for development before being offered a place in the in-coming class. All applicants for the Bachelor of Arts in Sacred Music must complete an audition and submit the supplementary music form and the music teacher’s report (see below) in addition to the normal admissions materials. Admission to the university will be offered separately from admission to the program in Sacred Music due to the limited number of spots available in the program. Students should follow the regular university application and financial aid procedures and pursue the audition process simultaneously. Notification of admission to Franciscan University must be given prior to notification concerning admission to the sacred music program

• SUPPLEMENTARY MUSIC FORM
• MUSIC TEACHER’S REPORT

The Audition Process

Prospective students who wish to undertake the study of sacred music must demonstrate their ability either on the organ or in voice before they can enter the program. Pianists who wish to pursue the program in organ may audition on the piano. Audition repertoire is listed below. In addition, prospective students will be tested for general musical abilities at the time of their audition.

Auditions for admission to the sacred music major are made by appointment and can be arranged by contacting Dr. Jessica Ewell ([email protected]).

All applicants who live within 250 miles of campus are required to audition on campus. For all other applicants, if distance prevents a live audition, CD or cassette recordings of an unedited performance may be submitted. Please do not send DAT, mini-disc or other formats. Since these recordings will be central to the faculty’s evaluation of a prospective student’s abilities, they should be of the highest possible quality. Please do not send recordings made with electronic instruments. All recordings should be labeled with name, instrument/voice part, repertoire, and a signed statement that the performance is by the applicant. On-campus auditions are highly recommended to all applicants, since they offer an opportunity to meet faculty and discuss the program in addition to the live performance.

Deadlines:

Students applying for the fall semester must submit their materials and complete their audition by April 30th of the preceding spring semester.

Students applying for the spring semester must submit their materials and complete their audition by November 30th of the proceeding fall semester.

Potential organ majors are encouraged to apply for admission to the university as early as possible in order to secure a place in the in-coming class. Applicants who wish to undertake the study of organ at Franciscan University, and live within 250 miles of campus must audition on campus in the academic year prior to their Freshman year. Pianists may audition for entrance into the program in organ on the piano with the understanding that they will be expected to gain an intermediate level of facility on the organ by the time of their sophomore jury and a professional level of ability on the organ by the time of their senior recital.

Audition repertoire:

• A work by J. S. Bach, such as a prelude and fugue, a chorale prelude or a trio sonata movement.
• A contrasting composition written after 1800.

Pianists may audition with 1. a work by J. S. Bach, such as a prelude and fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier and 2. the first or last movement of a classical piano sonata, such Beethoven or Mozart (excluding Beethoven op.49; op.79; and op.27, no.2).

Memorization is encouraged but not required.

Potential voice majors are encouraged to apply for admission to the university as early as possible in order to secure a place in the in-coming class. Students who wish to undertake the study of voice at Franciscan University, and live within 250 miles of campus must audition on campus in the academic year prior to their Freshman year.

Audition repertoire:

Two solos of contrasting styles chosen from the following categories:

• Italian songs of the 17th and 18th centuries
• Lieder of Schubert, Schumann, Brahms or other composers of German art song
• American or British art songs
• Operatic or Oratorio arias

An accompanist will be provided for audition. Additional sight-singing and ear-training exercises will also be expected.