Audition dates and times:

Solo vocal auditions and voice class audition: September 7th 325 in Milbank and September 8 in 405 Milbank, 6-10 pm. Students should submit an audition form and sign up for an audition time on the Barnard Music homepage.

Chorus and Chamber singer auditions:  September 6 and September 13, 6-9 pm in 405 Milbank. Please sign up for a time slot on the Barnard Music homepage. No need for an audition form.

ELIGIBLE INSTRUMENTS

• All jazz instruments
• Strings
• Winds
• Brass
• Classical Percussion
• Harp, organ, classical saxophone, harpsichord (please read ADDITIONAL AUDITIONS)

• Piano (please read CLASSICAL PIANO LESSONS)
  

FYI

• Private instruction and ensembles require only one audition.  
• Students interested in both jazz and classical lessons/ensembles will need to audition for both separately.
• Students taking private instruction receive six hours of lessons each semester.
• Students must register and will receive one credit and a pass/fail grade each semester.
• No end-of-semester performance is required.
• There is a $300 per semester lesson fee for all students - the second-lowest rate among our peer institutions. Each student will receive six (6) hours of lessons each semester.

SIGN-UP FOR AN AUDITION

• Auditions for the 2022-2023 year will be live in-person. For classical, they will be on Tuesday, September 6th from 2-7pm and Thursday September 8th from 10:00-7:00pm. For jazz, they will be on Wednesday, September 7th from 11:00am-9:00pm. For vocal jazz, they will be on September 9th from 11:00am-3:00pm. *Please see specific tabs on Audition page to sign up.
• Online audition sign-up will be available in late AUGUST.

 THE DAY OF

• Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time to fill out the audition form, tune, and organize your scores.

AUDITION REPERTOIRE

Classical private instruction: two contrasting pieces or movements from solo repertoire.

Jazz private instruction: 

• Instrumentalists should prepare two jazz standards (a rhythm section will be provided to accompany auditions).
• You will also be asked to demonstrate your sight reading and improvisational skills.
• Vocalists should prepare two selections to show interpretative abilities (improvisation optional).
• Please provide a clear lead sheet with chord changes for the accompanist (a pianist is provided).

NEXT STEPS

• You will receive an email regarding placement, registration, and instructor information or if we are not able to place you with an instructor or ensemble, you will be notified and may be placed on the wait list.  
• If you are placed with an instructor for lessons, you will need to contact your instructor and set up a mutually agreeable time to meet during the semester. Your instructor will help you choose repertoire and establish a daily practice routine.

Participation in the MPP is a year-long commitment. All students re-audition each Fall
(no auditions are held in the Spring semester).

FYI

• Private instruction and ensembles require only one audition.  
• Students interested in participating in both jazz and classical lessons/ensembles will need to audition for both separately.
• Chamber ensembles receive 12 hours of coaching per semester.
• Students receive one credit and a letter grade per semester.
• Students who pass their audition will be placed in a group and expected to meet for rehearsals once a week outside of coachings.
• An end-of-semester performance is required.
• There are no additional fees for your participation in a chamber ensemble.
• Multiple ensembles are possible if you are so interested - please note that on your audition form.

SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION

• Auditions for the 2022-2023 year will be live in-person on Tuesday, September 6th from 2:00pm-7:00pm and Thursday September 8th from 10:00-7:00pm. *Please see specific tabs on Audition page to sign up. 
  
• Online audition sign up will be available in late August.

 THE DAY OF

• Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time to fill out the audition form, tune, and organize your scores.  
• Sign up online in August for a slot. 

AUDITION REPERTOIRE

• Please prepare two contrasting pieces or movements from solo repertoire.
• You will also be asked to sight-read a short music selection.

NEXT STEPS

• You will receive an email regarding placement, registration, and instructor information.  
• If we are not able to place you with an instructor or ensemble, you will be notified and may be placed on the waitlist.  
• You will need to contact your instructor and other members of the ensemble to set up a mutually agreeable time to meet during the semester.   

Participation in the MPP is a year-long commitment. All students must re-audition each Fall (no auditions are held in the Spring semester).

FYI

• Private instruction and ensembles require only one audition.  
• Students interested in participating in both jazz and classical lessons/ensembles will need to play in separate auditions to be considered for both.
• Jazz Ensembles meet weekly for 90-minute coaching sessions.
• Students receive one credit and a letter grade each semester.
• Registration is required.
• A final performance at the end of the semester is required.

SIGN-UP FOR AN AUDITION

• Auditions are during the first week of classes.
• Auditions for the 2022-2023 year will be live in-person. For instrumental jazz, they will be on Wednesday, September 7th from 11:00am-9:00pm. For vocal jazz, they will be on September 9th from 11:00am-3:00pm. *Please see specific tabs on Audition page to sign up.

THE DAY OF

• Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time to fill out the audition form, tune, and organize your scores.

• Instrumentalists should prepare two jazz standards (a rhythm section will be provided to accompany auditions).
• You will also be asked to demonstrate your sight reading and improvisational skills.
• Vocalists should prepare two selections to show interpretative abilities (improvisation optional).
• Please provide a clear lead sheet with chord changes for the accompanist (a pianist is provided).

NEXT STEPS

• You will receive an email regarding placement, registration, and instructor information. If we are not able to place you with an instructor or ensemble, you will be notified and may be placed on the waitlist.  
• If you are placed with an instructor for lessons, you will need to set up a mutually agreeable time to meet during the semester. Your instructor will help you choose repertoire and establish a daily practice routine.

Participation in the MPP is a year-long commitment. All students re-audition each Fall
(no auditions are held in the Spring semester).

Auditions are required for placement in the Columbia University Orchestra (CUO).

Auditions for the 2022-2023 year will take place live in-person on Wednesday, September 7th from 12:00-8:00pm, Thursday, September 8th from 12:00-12:50 and 2:45-8:00pm, and Friday, September 9th from 12:00-8:00pm.

CUO Auditions information

• Sign up online for an audition. You must audition separately for the CUO even if you are also auditioning for chamber music, lessons, or jazz ensembles.
• Please prepare a short solo piece.

WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLES

To audition, please contact the specific instructor.

Japanese Early Modern Salon Music

Koto- Yumi Kurosawa at yk2971 [at] columbia.edu

Shakuhachi- Elizabeth Brown at eb3442 [at] columbia.edu

Gagauk-Lish Lindsey at al4166 [at] columbia.edu

Afro-Cuban Ensemble

must register for Jazz audition on Wed Sept 7th.

Arab Music Ensemble:

Taoufik Ben-Amor at tb46 [at] columbia.edu

Klezmer Ensemble:

Jeff Warschauer at jfw2102 [at] columbia.edu

Bluegrass Ensemble:

James Kerr at jlk2001 [at] columbia.edu

CLASSICAL PIANO LESSONS

Placement in piano lessons requires an interview.  

• * To sign up for piano lessons for Fall 2022, please visit 109/110 Dodge Hall on Wednesday, Sept 7th and Thursday, Sept 8th between 10:00AM-2:00PM
• For piano chamber music, a separate audition is required. Please see CHAMBER ENSEMBLES for audition requirements and online sign up. 

ADDITIONAL AUDITIONS

If you play harp or organ  please contact the instructor directly to set up an audition during the first week of classes. (Audition IS required)

• Harp: June Han, jyh24 [at] columbia.edu 
• Organ: Paul-Martin Maki, pmmaki [at] verizon.net

THE DOLAN PRIZE

This merit- and need-based scholarship award funds for students who wish to study an instrument that Columbia does not offer or with a teacher who is not a Columbia Music Associate. Auditions are required and take place during the first week of classes.  

Auditions for the Dolan Prize take place at the same time as our regular MPP auditions during the first week of classes.

Audition Requirements:

• Sealed letter of recommendation from your instructor with details of their lesson fee per hour.  Letters may be brought to the audition or to Dr. Magdalena Stern-Baczewska's office in 618 Dodge by the end of the change-of-program-period.
• Prepare two contrasting pieces or movements to showcase your technical and musical abilities.
• Priority is given to Columbia College students who wish to study an instrument not represented at the College.
• You should already have studied with this teacher for 6 months prior to auditioning for the Dolan Prize.  
• You must be a participant of the Music Performance Program (one year commitment) in order to receive funding.