School of Music Scholarships & Auditions

Upcoming Audition dates for Prospective Students:

Nov 17, 2007-No winds, brass or percussion on this date.

March 8, 2008

April 5, 2008

School of Music Scholarship Information
Ensembles and performing groups in the UCO School of Music are some of the finest in this part of the country, and the scholarship coordinators are active and aggressive in recruiting the finest musicians in the state and surrounding region. However, that does not mean that participation and financial assistance is limited only to music majors. In fact, many of our larger groups rely on the participation of students with a major emphasis in other academic disciplines. Any student who is musically qualified to participate in one of our performing groups would be eligible to receive some form of financial aid. School of Music scholarships are generally in the form of tuition waivers--funds that can only be applied toward the general fees portion of tuition charges. These tuition waivers can range from $100.00 per semester up to and including a full tuition waiver. The larger waivers are usually reserved for music majors, although additional factors that influence financial aid decisions might include instrumentation needs, increasing depth in key areas, and most importantly, the student’s musical ability.

Audition Information
If you wish to receive financial assistance for participating in band, choir, orchestra, or musical theatre and opera, it is necessary for you to schedule an audition with the appropriate faculty. If you wish to be a music major at the University of Central Oklahoma, the scholarship audition can also serve as your entry audition for acceptance into the School of Music. Very basic expectations and guidelines for your audition are included below, but please make sure and contact the appropriate scholarship coordinator to confirm all of the audition expectations, as procedures may change from time to time.

In addition to the expectations listed below, potential music majors should also expect to sight read, perform various scales or rudiments, demonstrate your ability to match pitch, and take a Theory Placement Test to determine readiness for freshman theory. However, the audition in your major performance area is the most important factor in determining whether or not you will be accepted as a music major. It will normally last about fifteen minutes. The audition committee consists of faculty members from your area of concentration. An accompanist is not necessary, although you may wish to bring one. These guidelines are intended for entering freshmen. Transfer or advanced students should consider these suggestions as minimal expectations.

Instrumental Auditions (Brass, Woodwind, String, Keyboard)
Students should prepare two contrasting sections of a solo, or two different etudes that best represent your performance level. The committee would like to hear something that demonstrates your technical mastery and flexibility, as well as something that demonstrates your interpretive capabilities. 

Percussion Auditions
Students should be prepared to demonstrate proficiency by performing solos or etudes on at least two, preferrably three, of the four major areas of percussion (snare drum, mallet instruments, timpani, and drum set). Percussion instruments for the audition will be provided by UCO.

Vocal Auditions
Incoming students are encouraged to prepare two (2) classical songs of contrasting styles in English or a foreign language. The audition committee may call for either or both. The repertoire should represent the applicant's voice growth and progress to date.

Hints for a Successful Audition:
-Get plenty of rest the night before, and allow enough travel time to alleviate
    stress caused by unexpected delays.
-Eat healthy meals before your anticipated audition time.
-Dress to impress. Be comfortable, but professional.
-Bring copies of your audition music for the panel to see.
-Bring a letter of recommendation from your high school ensemble director.
-Don’t be nervous! Remember that we want you to succeed, and you should use
     your adrenaline to create performance energy and focus.

To Schedule an Audition Appointment:
Please contact the director of studies in your area (see below) for information on acceptance/enrollment to the school.

Dr. Barbara Streets, Head of Vocal Arts Division
bstreets@ucok.edu
405-974-5691

Dr. Hong Zhu, Head of String Division
hzhu@ucok.edu
405-974-5175

Dr. Brian Lamb, Director of Bands
blamb@ucok.edu
405-974-5686

Dr. Ron Howell, Head of Winds & Percussion Division
rhowell@ucok.edu
405-974-5752

Dr. Marilyn Govich, Head of Opera & Music Theatre Division
mgovich@ucok.edu
405-974-5753

Dr. Chindarat Charoenwongse-Shaw, Head of Piano/Keyboard Division
ccharoenwongse@ucok.edu
405-974-3425

Dr. Ted Honea, Head of Theory, History, and Classroom Instruction Division
thonea@ucok.edu
405-974-5642

Brian Gorrell, Head of Jazz Studies Division
briangorrell@ucojazzlab.com
405-359-7989, ext. 278

Click here for a scholarship application form