Music Audition Requirements

A formal audition is required for acceptance into the music major. There is no audition requirement for acceptance into the music minor. Auditions are held in February, May and November. Completed audition forms must be received by the music department two weeks prior to the audition date. To obtain forms, or additional information, contact the audition coordinator by e-mail at auditions@bridgew.edu or by phone at 508.531.1877.

Instrumentalists must proficiently execute the following:

• Major scales up to four sharps and flats and chromatic scale two octaves from memory
• Sight-reading
• A three-to-five-minute prepared solo, with or without accompaniment
• A selection in a contrasting style

Singers must proficiently execute the following:

• An unaccompanied major scale on a neutral syllable
• Sight-reading
• An art-song or aria
• A selection in a contrasting style

Accompanist must be provided by the student.

Within 10 days of the audition, the candidate will be notified of his/her status. He/she will be:

1) accepted into the major.
2) conditionally accepted into the major.

• The student may repeat an audition more than once on a scheduled audition or jury day
• The student must pass the audition within one year in order to be accepted as a music major

3) not accepted to the major. A student who auditions and is not accepted as a music major:

• may audition only once more
• may not take courses with a MUSC prefix other than to fulfill core curriculum requirements
• may select music as a minor

Students with questions concerning the suitability of audition material should contact the audition coordinator by email at auditions@bridgew.edu or by phone at 508.531.1877.

Music Recital Requirement

All music majors must attend a specific, assigned number of on-campus recitals every semester they are registered as music majors. (Recitals in which the student is performing will not be counted toward this requirement.) Specifics concerning these recitals (which will generally include First Friday recitals, Faculty Artist Series recitals and student recitals), along with the minimum number required, will be posted in the Department of Music at the start of each semester. A student who fails to meet the minimum requirement for every semester he or she is enrolled as a music major will not be permitted to graduate as a music major.

Piano Proficiency Requirement

A student majoring in music must pass a piano proficiency examination, which addresses basic competencies. Specific musical examples and guidelines are available from the Department of Music chairperson. Alternatively, the proficiency requirements may be met by successful completion of MUSC 440 - Advanced Keyboard Skills  with a minimum grade of “C”.

Grade Requirement

The Department of Music will permit its majors to use only one passing grade below “C-” to satisfy requirements in the music major (including both the required core courses and electives). An additional grade below “C-” will require the student to take another music course, chosen in consultation with his or her advisor. The required core courses are designed to develop competence in theory, history, musicianship and performance.

Course Requirements

Core Curriculum Requirements

A minimum of 120 earned credit hours is required for graduation. These earned hours include the Core Curriculum Requirements as specified in the Undergraduate Academic Programs  section of this catalog and at the Core Curriculum website, www.bridgew.edu/corecurriculum. For additional graduation requirements, see the Undergraduate Academic Policies  section of this catalog.