Auditions

Any student interested in majoring in music must schedule an audition for the Music Program in addition to completing the formal admission application to PVAMU. Students cannot major in music without a successful acceptance to PVAMU by the Office of Undergraduate Admission through the completion of the university application process.

Guidelines and Procedures

Where to Register

Audition Day – April 4, 2026

Follow the Submit Audition Form link below to register for an audition. Please contact us at music@pvamu.edu if you have any questions.

Submit Audition Form

Attire for Video and Live Auditions

Auditioning students, whether in-person or submitting a video audition, are expected to wear professional attire, similar to what may be worn for a job interview.

Accompanist

For video auditions, vocalists are highly encouraged to use an accompanist. Instrumentalists performing a solo with piano accompaniment are also highly encouraged to use an accompanist. If needed, an accompanist will be provided for our live, on-campus auditions. Please bring music (in the proper arrangement and key) for the accompanist, or you may bring your own accompanist.

Timeliness

Our live, on-campus audition is scheduled to begin at 9:00am. All auditioning students are encouraged to arrive at least 10 minutes early for the audition to complete the sign-in process. Practice space may be available upon request.

How to Submit a Video

  • The repertoire requirements for video auditions are the same as for in-person auditions.
  • Introduction: state your name, the degree you are seeking, and whether you will be a first-year student or a transfer student.
  • For best results, we recommend using a smartphone, video digital recorder, or similar recording device to create recordings, with a recommended microphone placement of 4-8 ft. from the performer.
  • Videos must be in landscape (horizontal) with the performer completing in view. Instrumentalists are not to allow music stands to block the view of the instrument so that all technique may be seen.
  • Using the Submit Audition form link above, provide a link to the video using your preferred video sharing method.

What to Prepare

Instrumentalists

  • Minimum of two (2) etudes or solos of contrasting style (one (1) technical/ one (1) lyrical).
  • All major scales performed in two (2) octaves, memorized.

Percussionists

  • Perform thirteen (13) essential rudiments.
  • UIL snare drum solo.
  • Mallet percussion: Same as the instrumental audition (above).
  • Timpani: UIL solo.

Pianists

  • Perform two (2) solo pieces of contrasting style be a major Classical composer.
    • Bach, Debussy, Liszt, Mozart, Schumann, Schubert, etc.
    • Single movements of longer works are acceptable.
    • Simplified versions of more advanced works are not acceptable.

Vocalists

  • AUDITION REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS 
      • One solo song in a language other than English
      • One art song in English
    • Transfer students in voice must sing three standard classical selections with a minimum of three languages represented.
    • All selections should be memorized. SATB choral scores are not acceptable for the audition. In addition, a sight-reading evaluation is included in all auditions with the level of difficulty no greater than the required solo material.