Audition Requirements
	back to: • Conservatory Admissions • Composition Department • TIMARA		Composition and TIMARA Applicants wishing to major in composition or electronic and computer music will be judged on their knowledge of contemporary music. They should submit lists of the following: contemporary music pieces (scored for traditional instruments) they have heard; electronic pieces they have heard; jazz pieces (or performers) they have heard; 20th-century pieces in other categories (such as multimedia) they have heard; and the pieces, composers, and performers they prefer from each of these categories. Applicants will be judged on their instrumental and ensemble experience. They should submit information about the following: piano skills, including years of formal study and current level; other instrumental skills, including years of formal study, and current level; orchestral and/or other ensemble (including choral) experience; and conducting experience. Applicants should submit information regarding their experience in the following non-music areas: foreign languages, including years of study and current level; mathematics studies, including names of specific courses; computer skills, including languages used and level of programming skills; other performing arts experience, such as dance or theater; and other arts interests. Additional specific requirements for each major follow. Composition Applicants intending to major in composition should submit at least three scores (and recordings, if possible). At least two of the three must be handwritten. Scores will be judged for originality, variety of style, instrumentation, legibility, and accuracy of notation. Applicants who choose to come to Oberlin for one of the audition weekends will be able to attend a group session as well as an individual interview with a member of the composition department.   Technology in Music and Related Arts (TIMARA) Applicants who have had significant experience in recording or with synthesizers and computers should submit tapes and scores of original works realized with technological media. An audition is also required. Applicants who come to campus will perform the audition at the individual interview with the TIMARA faculty. Others may submit a supplemental tape. Audition requirements include one or more pieces on an instrument of the applicant's choice. The pieces may be original compositions or works chosen from traditional literature. Improvisations in any style are also acceptable. The purpose of this audition is to give the TIMARA faculty an indication of the applicant's general musicianship. Applicants who have substantial preparation in a traditional performance medium but little or no experience in music technology should follow the audition procedures for performance majors. The results of the audition will be forwarded to the TIMARA program committee for evaluation.