Auditions

The Department of Music has several rigorous degree programs that prepare students for professional careers in the field of music. We also provide a rich array of opportunities for all students who wish to experience and explore music for pure pleasure, creativity and self-expression, because we believe that music is a basic and universal human need. We offer many music scholarships for prospective majors and non-majors alike.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of auditions, which we strongly encourage to be done in-person.

Music Scholarship Auditions

Each year we offer over $200,000 in scholarships of various types, including Distinguished Artist Awards.

• Submit your Distinguished Artist Award application. There will be three in-person scholarship audition dates for students enrolling in fall 2025:
  • Monday, January 20, 2025 (noon–5 p.m.) 
    Application deadline January 14 by 11:59 p.m.
  • Friday, February 14, 2025 (noon–5 p.m.)
    Application deadline February 9 by 11:59 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 15, 2025 (8 a.m.–5 p.m.)
    Application deadline February 9 by 11:59 p.m.
• Students do not need to audition to be a part of the music program at Hope College, but only those who audition will be considered for a scholarship.
• Students do not need to major or minor in music to receive many of our audition-based scholarships, but they do need to continue with applied lessons (for credit) on the instrument on which they auditioned and were awarded a scholarship, and be in an ensemble (which can be for credit or zero credit).
• If you are unable to come to campus for an in-person audition, please contact the office for information on how to proceed: 616.395.7650, or music@hope.edu.

Apply for a DAA

Audition Guidelines

• Each audition will be approximately 10 minutes long
• Audition pieces should be prepared in their entirety
• Select literature that you have studied thoroughly and that you and your teacher believe represent your best work

Piano

We recommend that you prepare two or three contrasting selections that demonstrate a range of styles and abilities.

You may also be asked to sight read a short selection. Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis, so memorization is highly recommended, though not required.

Faculty Contact

Dr. David Keep

Organ

We recommend that you play one slow and one quick piece:

• One of the pieces must be by J.S. Bach
• The other must have been composed after 1850

Memorization is encouraged, though not required. Furthermore, you will be expected to read at sight a short passage of organ music (i.e., using pedals) written on three staves.

You will be given ample opportunity to become acquainted with the organ you will be playing prior to the audition.

FACULTY Contact

Dr. Huw Lewis

Strings

We recommend that you prepare two contrasting pieces or movements from the standard repertoire for your instrument.

For violin, viola, cello and string bass, we recommend that you choose from the following:

• One movement (preferably first) from the standard concerto repertoire
• One movement from a solo Bach sonata/partita/suite

Faculty Contact

Mihai Craioveanu

Winds and Percussion

For brass and wind instruments, we recommend that you prepare:

• Major/minor scales
• Two contrasting pieces or movements from the standard repertoire for your instrument

For percussion, prepare an audition that demonstrates as much as possible the following characteristics:

• The basic snare rudiments; a piece or etude on snare
• Scales and a piece on a keyboard instrument
• Work on an auxiliary instrument (timpani, for example)

Faculty Contact

Dr. David Yandl

Voice

We recommend that you prepare two songs of contrasting styles from the standard vocal repertoire. It is preferred that one of the selections to be in English and the other in a foreign language. 

• Repertoire that is appropriate for solo and ensemble contests or NATS auditions is considered standard vocal repertoire
• Popular songs, contemporary Christian literature and original compositions are not considered appropriate
• Choose repertoire that you sing well and shows your voice to its best advantage
• Selections should demonstrate the full range of the voice, expressive potential, and good diction
• Memorization is expected

In addition to hearing the prepared solos, the voice faculty will have each student sing a short excerpt at sight and perform pitch patterns.

Please note that recorded accompaniments are not permitted, and students should not accompany themselves.

Faculty Contact

Dr. Sarah VandenBrink

Jazz

For each instrument, please prepare the following:

• Scales
• Sight-reading
• Two standard tunes
• Improvisation

Winds: Scales, range/doubling, sight reading, transcription/standard tunes, improvisation

Piano/Guitar: Comping (different styles), sight-reading, transcription/standard tunes, improvisation

Bass: Walking (different styles), sight-reading, transcription/standard tunes, improvisation

Drums: Grooves (different styles), sight-reading, time/solo/time

Faculty Contact

Professor Robert Shipley

 

Composition

Please submit two or three sample compositions (score and recording/midi file if possible) to music@hope.edu, along with a resume or brief statement describing your previous experience and training in composition.

Faculty Contact

Dr. Ben Krause