Bachelor of Music Bachelor of Music (Audition Requirements) All prospective Music students attend an interview and audition in the Wits School of Arts. To set a date for the audition, please contact the Music Division Secretary: Helen Le Roux on 011 717 4663 To discuss the curriculum or instrument choice, please contact: Dr Donato Somma at donato.somma@wits.ac.za or on 011 717 4616. Audition and Interview with Wits Music The interview and audition last about 30 minutes and you will be required to: a) Write, in English, a short statement on a given topic. The topic will be given to you when you arrive for

the audition; please arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the audition so that you have time to write the statement. You will be asked questions about your written statement.

b) Complete short music theory exercises; please arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the audition so that you

have time to do the exercises. A specimen theory test of what applicants can expect at the audition is given on page 3 of this document. If you are not able to complete this part of the interview because you have not had any formal education in music theory you may still be accepted into our Foundation music courses.

c) Candidates performing classical works are required to perform TWO pieces from different genres or in

different styles. These pieces should be well prepared. d) Candidates auditioning for Jazz will need to prepare the following to be considered for first year of the

regular BMus curriculum. Candidates who do not have the experience required to prepare the below may be considered for the BMus extended curriculum programme.

Those auditioning on Jazz instruments:

1. The piece Blue Monk by Thelonious Monk. The backing track mp3 of Blue Monk as well as the pdf lead-sheet will be sent to instrumental candidates to prepare for the audition. The performance should demonstrate characteristic jazz interpretation of the melody and chords as well as some improvisation.

2. The second piece can be chosen by the candidate from the list of jazz tunes overleaf. The performance should demonstrate characteristic jazz interpretation of the melody and chords as well as some improvisation.

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• All blues • Footprints • Stella by Starlight • Autumn leaves • Song for my Father • Have you met Miss Jones • A foggy day • Solar

3. One piece of your own selection in the style of your choice. Vocal candidates are required to perform three pieces.

1. Two contrasting pieces from the standard jazz repertoire that demonstrates stylistic jazz interpretation and includes basic improvisation. 2. One piece of your own selection in the style of your choice.

Drum candidates are required to perform three pieces.

1. Two contrasting pieces connected to the jazz idiom that show the ability to play swing with a good feel as well as lay down a steady pulse. The candidate should also demonstrate some improvisational skills. 2. One piece of your own selection in the style of your choice.

e) All candidates will be asked to do several aural tests. These do not require any preparation.

f) All candidates will be asked to sight read a short passage of music. Those who do not have sufficient experience to undertake this task may be considered for the BMus extended curriculum programme.

Please arrive at least 45 minutes before the audition; late-comers may have their audition cancelled. Please bring the following with you to the audition: a pen or pencil; copies of sheet music (if you are using any) for the interview panel; your own instrument/s and other equipment (we do have an amp); your own accompanist (if applicable). Drummers must bring their own sticks and brushes, tuning key, and (if you are particular about it), pedal. Drummers are encouraged to bring someone who you can play with; this will give us a better sense of your ability in a real musical situation. If you are using a backing track, please have it in MP3 format (iPad, iPhone) so that it can be plugged into the PA system. If you are using another format you will have to make specific arrangements for it in good time before the audition. At the audition you will be asked to sign your name to the instrument (piano, guitar, voice, etc.) and kind of music (jazz or classical) you wish to study. This should be the same instrument and kind of music that you audition with. In other words, if you audition for jazz guitar, you can only be accepted to study

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jazz guitar, not classical guitar or jazz voice. If you are unclear about this process please discuss it with the student liaison or auditioning staff prior to the audition. The University will inform you as to the outcome of the audition. If you haven’t heard from us after about a month please phone the Student Enrolment Centre. Offer of Acceptance If your application and audition are successful you will be offered a conditional place to study music at Wits. Please note however, that final offers of acceptance are only confirmed once the final National Senior Certificate “NSC” or International School Leaving results are known / received in early January. At all times keep in contact with the Student Call Centre or your assigned Admissions Consultant at the Student Enrolment Centre, or check the status of your application via the Student Self Service portal - https://self-service.wits.ac.za Note that as seats are limited, final decisions are only made in January of the intake year.

We wish you well in your studies and look forward to you joining Music at Wits!

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Specimen Theory Test Applicants presenting themselves for an audition to study music at Wits will be required to complete a short music theory assessment similar to the specimen test below. Questions 1-5 of the assessment represent core knowledge that you must possess for entry to the first year of the BMus degree. If you lack experience in writing a four-part harmonic progression such as that required in Question 5 it is important that you seek tuition in this area before your audition. Applicants unable to successfully complete the theory test may still be accepted into the Foundation music courses. (1) Name the following notes.

a) ___________________b) _________________ c) _________________d) _______________e) ______________

(2) Write the scale of A major, ascending and descending, in semibreves – without a key

signature.

(3) Write the scale of C harmonic minor, ascending, in crotchets – with key signature.

(4) Complete the following bars with rests, according to the time signature.

(5) Add Alto, Tenor and Bass parts to the following Soprano melody.

(6) Write out C major pentatonic scale:

(7) Please give the letter names of the notes that make up each of the following chords: a) F: ______________________________________________________ b) G7: _____________________________________________________ c) B7: _____________________________________________________ d) E flat minor ___________________________________________