Music Study and Scholarship Information 2012

Below you will find information important to the music major and the scholarship application process
for students applying for admission in fall 2012.
Please read it carefully prior to completing your application.

(printable version - pdf)

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St. Olaf Online Music Application - Dropbox
(currently not available)

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Bachelor of Arts in Music • Bachelor of Music

Christiansen Scholarships • Cassler Scholarships

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRS

More than 100 years ago St. Olaf College invited F. Melius Christiansen to its campus to build a music program. Since that initial collaboration, the stories of both the college and its music program have become inseparable. Through the generous support provided by the college's leaders throughout the 20th century, the Music Department at St. Olaf has grown into one of the largest among undergraduate liberal arts colleges in the United States. More important than its size, however, is its quality. The St. Olaf music program provides a rigorous and comprehensive education in music with deep roots in the liberal arts. Our program offers a distinguished and committed faculty, a rich and challenging curriculum, outstanding performance opportunities, and a large community of talented and intelligent student musicians.

The St. Olaf Music Department melds into one program the best of the conservatory and the liberal arts models of music study at one of the leading undergraduate liberal arts colleges in the country. Students who are not majors in music play an important role in this philosophy of a blended model of music education. At St. Olaf, approximately one-third of the student body participates in music on some level. Honoring this tradition, the music scholarships described in this brochure provide important recognition of outstanding musical talent in both music majors and non-music majors. Should you choose to major in music, you will study and make music as one of a select group of students, chosen by audition to determine who will best meet the academic and performance challenges encountered by St. Olaf music majors. St. Olaf has many exciting elements for you to discover, and we are pleased that you are interested in learning more about them.

We look forward to receiving your audition materials.

Alison Feldt
Chair, Music Department, Fall 2011

Kent McWilliams
Vice Chair, Music Department, Fall 2011

Music Degrees at St. Olaf College

The Music Department offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees, both accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Students should consult the St. Olaf College Academic Catalog for specific degree requirements for each of the programs listed. Students who wish to major in music are admitted to the program by audition, either as part of their application process or after beginning studies at St. Olaf.

Bachelor of Arts in Music
A liberal arts degree with approximately one-third of the course work in music, the music major is offered with or without emphasis in the following areas:
• History–Literature
• Theory–Composition
• Teaching credential in K–12 instrumental or K-12
vocal music

Bachelor of Music
This highly-specialized, professional music degree requires approximately two-thirds of the course work
in music. Students may pursue the following majors under the Bachelor of Music degree:

• Performance (collaborative piano performance emphasis also offered for piano and organ majors)
  Students who wish to major in performance are admitted to the program by audition, either as part of their application process or after
  beginning their studies at St. Olaf.
• Music Education (K–12 instrumental or K–12 vocal)
  Students who wish to major in music education audition to enter the program as B.A. music
  majors and make formal application to the B.M. Program and Education Departments in their sophomore year.
  
• Church Music (organ emphasis)
  Students who wish to major in church music
  are admitted to the program by audition, either
  as part of their application process
  or after beginning their studies at St. Olaf.
  
• Church Music (choral emphasis)
  Students who wish to major in church music (choral) audition on voice to enter the
  program as B.A. music majors and make
  formal application to the B.M. program in
  the spring of their first year.
  
• Theory–Composition
  Theory–Composition students enter as B.A.
  music majors and are admitted to the program based on a composition portfolio and interview, typically after being enrolled in a composition course at St. Olaf.

Bachelor of Music with Elective Studies
Substantively integrated with professional music studies,
students propose and complete an individualized program of study in a second discipline. Admission to this individualized degree program is by a competitive proposal process. Graduates pursue professional careers in music with substantive connections to an additional arts area, business, science, language and culture, or other sphere of expertise.

Five-Year Double Degree Program
The nature of a strong liberal arts program, which is a hallmark of St. Olaf College, and the existence of the professional degree in music create a distinctively effective environment for nurturing study in music and the liberal arts. Under the five-year doubledegree program, students earn both Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts degrees. The program involves the following provisions:

• Students must meet the application and admission requirements for both the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music degree programs.
  
• Students pursuing the double-degree option may choose any of the four Bachelor of Music majors (church music, music education, performance and theory-composition) and any of the Bachelor of Arts majors except music.
• Students shall meet the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts major and Bachelor of Music major, as well as the general and comprehensive graduation requirements for the two degrees.
• The duration of the double-degree option may vary among disciplines but will be less than the sum of the durations of both degree programs if undertaken separately. For most students, pursuit of a double-degree option will require five years of study. It should be noted that in a few cases (notably when the Bachelor of Arts major is in the natural sciences), completion of all requirements in five years may not be possible.
• Students required to continue study in a fifth year to complete two degrees are eligible for continuing financial aid from St. Olaf College.
  
• Graduating double-degree students receive two diplomas — one for each degree.

Cassler Scholarships
Awards of $7,500 per year are open
to music majors and non-music
majors. These are renewable scholarships that require the
recipient's continued enrollment in performance studies (private lessons), participation in a St. Olaf College music ensemble on the award instrument, or, for keyboard scholarship recipients, on a secondary instrument/ voice and the recommendation of the music faculty.

It is potentially a four-year, $30,000 scholarship.

The music application is submitted online to the
St. Olaf College music dropbox and consists
of the following:

1. The online Application for Music Scholarships
   and/or Music Major
2. Audition recording (see Audition Requirements)
3. Music résumé
4. Recommendation(s) from your private teacher(s)one for each instrument/voice on
   which you're applying*.
5. Photo for your music admission file (optional
   but encouraged)
6. St. Olaf College Application for Admission complete by Jan. 15, 2012. January 1 is strongly encouraged for music applicants.

The St. Olaf Music Application Dropbox will be available after November 1. Complete instructions, including résumé form, recommendation instructions, and technical information will be available at that time.

Music Application Deadline:
All items above must be received by December 15, 2011.

Please Note: St. Olaf 's music application process is not part of the Common App. St. Olaf does not use the CommonApp Art supplement. Items submitted via the CommonApp Art Supplement will not be reviewed by music faculty.

*Music ed applicants are encouraged to include a second recommendation from a high school director or other professional who can write in support of your skills and suitability for music ed.

Live Auditions
From the online submissions the audition committees will choose a group of finalists for scholarships and/or the music major. These students will be invited to campus March 2-3, 2012 for a live performance audition, interview, and special events. This on-campus experience is an important part of the music scholarship application process, and finalists are urged to make every effort to be here on these important days. If you are invited and cannot attend, you will be asked to submit a DVD or upload a video audition that must be received in our office by March 1, 2012. Alternate dates are generally not available, except in extreme circumstances.

Notification
Applicants who complete their college application by January 15, 2012 and who apply for admission as music majors by Dec. 15, 2011 will receive notification of their music major entrance on or about March 19, 2012.

Early Decision Candidates
Early Decision applicants will be evaluated with all other music applicants with a final notification on or about March 19, 2012. Admission to the college under Early Decision does not guarantee admission to the music major. It is important to note that the terms of the Early Decision Agreement are binding upon the applicant, whether or not the student is subsequently admitted to the music major.

Transfer Applicants
Transfer students are eligible to apply for music scholarships and for admission to the music major. The music application deadline is the same: December 15. In addition, your St. Olaf transfer application must be submitted no later than the Round One deadline of February 1, though it is strongly encouarged that you submit as much of the application as possible by January 15.

VOICE
B.A. music major, music ed,
non-music major

Candidates will prepare two songs or arias in
contrasting styles (approximately 6–8 minutes total).
It is preferred that one song be in a foreign language.
Both must be memorized.

B.M. performance major

Three songs, one from each of the following time
periods. At least one must be in a foreign language;
all must be memorized.

• One song or aria composed before 1800
• One song from the standard foreign-language
  art song repertoire
• One song from the British or American art song repertoire

A song from music theatre repertoire may be substituted for one of the above requirements. Finalists will perform two pieces at the live audition.

PIANO
All candidates

In addition to the playing requirement below, each candidate's résumé should include a list of solo
piano repertoire s/he has studied, including
information about which pieces have been
memorized and which ones have been performed
in concert. Candidates invited for a live audition are encouraged to include one or two new pieces in
place of the CD selections, and may also be asked
to play a short example at sight and/or play a
familiar tune by ear. In addition:

B.A. music major, music ed,
non-music major

Candidates will prepare a varied program of at
least two pieces that display contrasting characters
and demonstrate technical facility
(approximately 10 minutes total).

B.M. performance major

Candidates will prepare a varied program of at
least four pieces that display contrasting characters
and demonstrate advanced technical facility. The
repertoire is to be performed from memory and
should include:

• One contrapuntal piece in three or more voices, preferably by J.S. Bach
• One work by Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, or Schubert, such as the first or last movement of
  a sonata or a set of variations
• One composition from the Romantic era
• One composition written since 1900 (not the applicant's own composition)

ORGAN
All applicants

• One prelude and fugue by J.S. Bach
• One composition from the Romantic or contemporary period
• One hymn — intro and two stanzas
• At the piano: a two-part invention by J.S. Bach
  

FLUTE
B.A. music major, music ed,
non-music major
(record in order listed, accompaniment encouraged)

• Two contrasting pieces (or movements from two different works) from the following diverse categories: Baroque, Classical or Romantic, French Conservatory, 20th or 21st century. Select works that strongly demonstrate your musical abilities, tone, technique, rhythm and dynamic range. 10 minutes total.
• One technical etude (for example, Voxman, Koehler, Karg-Elert, Anderson, etc.) No longer than 2 minutes.
• Scales — three octaves, ascending and descending, full range of instrument.

a) Chromatic—to high D if possible, even rhythm throughout, slurred
b) B major — even rhythm throughout, articulated Finarlists must be prepared to play any major scale at the live audition.

B.M. performance major
(record in order listed, accompaniment encouraged)

• First or third movement of Mozart G or D major Concerto
• Two contrasting pieces (or movements from two different works) from the following diverse categories: Baroque, Classical or Romantic, French Conservatory, 20th or 21st century. Select works that most strongly demonstrate your musical abilities, tone, technique, rhythm and dymanic range. 10 minutes total.
• Orchestral excerpts — two contrasting excerpts from Jeanne Baxtresser's Orchestral Excerpts for Flute, published by Presser
• Scales — three octaves, ascending and descending, full range of instrument

a) Chromatic—to high D if possible, even rhythm throughout, slurred
b) B major — even rhythm throughout, articulated Finarlists must be prepared to play any major scale at the live audition.
c) C harmonic minor — even rhythm throughout, slurred

Finalists must be prepared to play any major or minor scale at the live audition.

CLARINET
B.A. music major, music ed,
non-music major

• The first or third movement from a standard concerto/solo piece
• One slow étude, preferably from Rose 32
  Etudes for Clarinet
• Scales — ascending and descending, slurred
  and tongued in 16th–note format with quarter
  note = 118.

a) Chromatic scale (up to high G)
b) Two of the following: E major, F major,
G major (three octaves)
Finalists should be prepared to play any
of these scales at live audition.

B.M. performance major

• First or third movement from any concerto by Weber, Mozart, or Spohr
• One slow étude, preferably from Rose 32
  Etudes for Clarinet
• Scales — ascending and descending, full range
  of instrument, slurred and tongued, in
  16th–note format with quarter note = 118

a) Chromatic scale (up to high G)
b) Two of the following: E major, F major,
G major (three octaves)
Finalists should be prepared to play any
of these scales at live audition.

• Excerpts:

a) Beethoven Symphony No. 6: 1st movement, 2 bars before K to end and 2nd movement, rehearsal D to rehearsal E
b) Brahms Symphony No. 3: 2nd movement, opening through m. 22
c) Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol: 1st movement, all solo passages.

BASS CLARINET
All applicants

Two Solo pieces:

• BWV 1008 (Prelude) from Cello Suite II by
  J.S. Bach and
• BWV 1009 (Prelude) from Cello Suite III
  by J.S. Bach
  Suggested edition: J.S. Bach: Six Suites for unaccompanied cello BWV 1007-1012 by
  Michael & Kimberly Davenport, Alea Publishing, 2005, 4th edition transcribed for solo bass clarinet.
  (Similar transcriptions can be provided
  if needed, email music@stolaf.edu for more information)
• Scales: (Slurred and tongued in 16th notes,
  quarter = 96.)

a) chromatic (up to high F)
b) one of the following: E major, F major, (three octaves)

Finalists should be prepared to play any of these scales at live audition.

OBOE
B.A. music major, music ed, non-music major

• Two pieces in contrasting styles
  (approx. 10 minutes total)
• Scales — ascending and descending,
  full range of instrument

a) Chromatic
b) Two major scales of your choice
Finalists should be prepared to play any major scale at live audition.

B.M. performance major

• One fast movement from a concerto or sonata
  by one of the following: Cimarosa, Marcello, Handel, Telemann, Haydn, or Mozart
• One movement from a piece of contrasting
  period or style
• One étude from Forty Progressive Melodies
  (Barret Oboe Method)
• Scales — ascending and descending, full range
  of instrument

a) Chromatic
b) D major, E flat major, C harmonic minor. Finalists should be prepared to play any major scale at live audition.

BASSOON
B.A. music major, music ed,
non-music major

• Two pieces in contrasting styles (approx. 10 minutes total)
• Scales — ascending and descending, full range of instrument

a) Chromatic
b) Two major scales of your choice
Finalists should be prepared to play any major scale at live audition

B.M. performance major

• Two contrasting movements from either the Mozart or Weber bassoon concertos
• One étude of your choice
• Scales — ascending and descending, full range of instrument

a) Chromatic
b) Two major scales of your choice
Finalists should be prepared to play any major or minor scale at live audition.

SAXOPHONE
B.A. music major, music ed,
non-music major

• Two contrasting movements (approx. 10 minutes total) from standard solo repertoire. Selections should demonstrate lyrical phrasing and technical proficiency and should be by different composers. Suggested works include sonatas by Creston, Heiden, Eccles/Rascher, or Handel/Mule; concertos by Glazounov or Ibert; Maurice Tableaux de Provençe; Villa-Lobos Fantasia or comparable works. As a solo movement substitute, one étude from Voxman Selected Studies, Ferling 48 Études,
  Karg-Elert 25 Caprices or other of comparable difficulty would be acceptable.
• Scales — ascending and descending, full range of instrument

a) Chromatic
b) E major, F major
Finalists should be prepared to play any major scale at live audition.

• Jazz improvisation (optional) — improvise on a blues
  or standard jazz tune. Jamey Aebersold CD or similar accompaniment may be used.
  

B.M. performance major

• Two or three contrasting movements (approx. 10 minutes total) from standard solo repertoire. Selections should demonstrate lyrical phrasing and technical proficiency and should be by different composers. Suggested works include sonatas by Creston, Heiden, or Hindemith; concertos by Dubois, Glazounov, or Ibert; Bozza Improvisation et Caprice; Maurice Tableaux de Provençe; Milhaud Scaramouche; Noda Improvisation I; Villa-Lobos Fantasia, or work of comparable difficulty.
• One étude from any of the following books: Voxman Selected Studies, Ferling 48 Études, Mule 18 Exercises d'après Berbiguier, or Karg-Elert 25 Caprices.
• Scales — ascending and descending, full range of instrument

a) Chromatic
b) E major, F major, and G harmonic minor
Finalists should be prepared to play any major scale at live audition.

• Jazz improvisation (optional) — improvise on a blues
  or standard jazz tune. Jamey Aebersold CD or similar accompaniment may be used.

TRUMPET
B.A. music major, music ed,
non-music major

• Solo excerpt chosen from the following pieces
  or sets of pieces:

a) Arutunian Trumpet Concerto, beginning through m. 70 or
b) Kent Kennan Sonata for Trumpet and Piano, 3rd movement, beginning through letter D; and Haydn Concerto for Trumpet, 2nd movement, beginning through m. 26 or
c) Halsey Stevens Sonata for Trumpet and Piano, beginning through m. 165

• Two major scales of your choice, two octaves, ascending and descending.
  Finalists should be prepared to play two octaves (where appropriate) of all major and minor scales.

B.M. performance major
All the B.A. trumpet requirements plus:

• Orchestral excerpts, including two or more
  of the following:

a) Stravinski Petrushka: Ballerina's Dance
and Waltz
b) Schumann Symphony No. 2,
first movement, opening
c) Mahler Symphony No. 5, opening call

• Jazz improvisation as you are able
  

HORN
B.A. music major, music ed,
non-music major

• First movement of any Mozart horn concerto
• Any contrasting work

B.M. performance major

• First movement of (choose one) Mozart No. 2,
  Mozart No. 4 or R. Strauss No. 1
• Any contrasting work
• Excerpts. Two or more of the following:
  These can be found at no charge, along with
  sample recordings, at hornexcerpts.org

a) Strauss Till Eulenspiegel, horn 1, beginning to rehearsal 1
b) Brahms Symphony No. 1, horn 1, movement 2, mm. 90–105
c) Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5, horn 1, movement 2, mm. 8–28
d) Beethoven Symphony No. 3, horn 2, movement 3, mm. 163–205

TROMBONE, EUPHONIUM, TUBA
All applicants

• Two or three contrasting selections from
  movements of sonatas, concertos, solo pieces
  or etudes (approx. 10 min. total)
• Two major scales of your choice — two octaves, ascending and descending

Audition selections should demonstrate the
applicant's abilities in phrasing, sustained
playing, articulation, range, and technical
facility, including legato and staccato at
varied speeds. Repertoire suggestions can be found at stolaf.edu/depts/music/admissions

Repertoire suggestions

VIOLIN, VIOLA , cello
B.A. music major, music ed,
non-music major

• Two compositions in contrasting styles, approximately 10 minutes total. The repertoire should include a movement from a standard concerto.
• Scales: any major scale (your choice) and one of the following melodic minor in three octaves: violin/viola: D, B, E; cello: D, A, E. Finalists should be prepared to play any major scale and above melodic minors in three octaves.

B.M. performance major

• The first or third movement from a standard concerto
• Two contrasting movements of unaccompanied Bach
• Scales: Same as B.A. requirements

DOUBLE BASS
All applicants

• A solo work from the standard repertory such as Eccles, Dragonetti or Koussevitsky.
• An orchestral excerpt from Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven
• One major and one minor scale in at least two octaves. At the live audition the committee will chose the scale.

PERCUSSION
All applicants

A prepared solo on snare drum, timpani, and mallet percussion instrument (all three required).

Repertoire suggestions

HARP
All applicants

• Two pieces or movements in contrasting styles that demonstrate your technique (scales, rolled chords, arpeggios, etc.) and musicality (balance, phrasing, dynamic range). Approximately 10 minutes total.
• One orchestral cadenza
• Knowledge of all key signatures. Finalists should be prepared to play any major or harmonic minor scale.

COMPOSITION
All applicants

• Candidates will submit a hard-copy portfolio of representative compositions (scores); include recordings if possible, using the composition submission form
• Composition candidates must also submit an audition recording on their principal instrument for purposes of admission to the music major.