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Auditions

Fall 2023 Music Major / Individual Instruction Audition Information

Are you interested in getting Individual Music Instruction as a Music Major or a Music Scholarship? Or are you interested in auditioning for one or more of the MiraCosta Music Ensembles?

MUS 144A/B - 244A/B Individual Instruction
Request an audition appointment, submit a video audition, or schedule a Zoom audition or conference.
(Find audition guidelines at the bottom of this page.)

Performance Lab - MUS 145A/B - 245A/B Music Major Performance Lab
For ALL music majors or prospective music majors – Register now! No audition necessary.

All New Students
Please fill out this information form now

Lessons? Ensembles?
Please fill out this form now
For an in-person audition appointment, to submit a video audition, schedule a Zoom audition, and book a Zoom meeting with a music professor.

Please contact the instructors below with questions or for more informations:

Good preparation courses include a piano course, theory or ear training course, auditioning for a music ensemble, and/or taking a music history GE course like MUS 115 or 119.

Performance Lab MUS 145A/B - MUS 245A/B

No audition required. Early registration highly recommended. Required for all music majors. Class meets Fridays from 10:30 - 11:55am in the Concert Hall (OC2406) starting 8/25/23. Contact Professor Branden Muresan: music@miracosta.edu

Fall 2023 Ensemble Audition Information

MUS 152A/B - 252A/B Small Group Jazz Ensemble 'Jazz Collective'

Audition at first class meeting / OR by appointment. Band performs and records both small and big band tunes. Class meets Tuesday at 6:00 - 8:50 pm in Studio A (OC2218) starting 9/5/23. Contact Professor Steve Torok: playjazz@miracosta.edu

MUS 166A/B - 266A/B Frequency Vocal Jazz

Open to vocalists and instrumentalists. Class meets Mondays/Wednesdays from 1:30 - 4:00 pm in the Studio A (OC2218) starting 9/6/23. Audition at the first class meeting OR by appointment. Contact Professor Matt Falker:  jazz@miracosta.edu

MUS 155A/B Popular Music Ensemble 'PopRox'

No audition required. Class meets Mondays from 6:00 – 9:15 pm in Studio A (OC2218) starting 9/11/23. Open to vocalists and instrumentalists. Contact Professor Matt Falker for more information: jazz@miracosta.edu

MUS 165A/B - 265A/B Chamber Choir

Register now! No audition required. Early registration is highly recommended. This ensemble performs traditional choral styles in addition to singing on mics for contemporary and pop a cappella music with on- and off-campus performances and concert tours. Class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00-2:50pm in the Concert Hall (OC2406) starting 9/5/23. Contact Arlie Langager: sing@miracosta.edu 

MUS 170A/B - 270A/B Symphony Orchestra

Audition at first class meeting, or one week prior. Class meets Wednesdays from 6:30 – 9:40 pm in the Concert Hall starting on 9/6/23. Contact Professor Branden Muresan:  brandenmuresan@miracosta.edu

not offered Spring 2023:  

  • MUS 150A/B - 250A/B Contemporary Big Band 
  • MUS 161A/B - 261A/B Concert Chorale   

Audition Guidelines for Individual Instruction

Jazz/Commercial Instrumental

  • Record video of a piece or excerpt demonstrating what you believe to be your best effort.
    • Big band chart, Lead sheet melody, Transcribed solo, Etude, Other ensemble part, Excerpt of sonata, concerto, etc…
    • Use a recorded accompaniment or metronome
    • One to two couple minutes is sufficient
  • Record video of major and minor scales of your choosing (at least one of each if possible). Use a metronome.
  • Piano, Bass, Guitar: Record video of comping a 12 bar blues in any style (use a backing track or metronome).
    • Optional: Record video of comping a jazz standard in any style (use a backing track or metronome).
  • Drum set: Record video of various grooves (Swing, Latin, Funk, Rock, etc…as many as you feel most comfortable doing)
    • Optional: Record video of blues scales and/or various modes of your choosing. Use a metronome.
    • Optional: Record video of an improvised solo in any style using a backing track.
  • Make appointment with faculty member to discuss audition submission and academic goals. 

Classical Instrumental

  • Record video of a piece or excerpt demonstrating what you believe to be your best effort.
    • Etude, Orchestra or band part, excerpt of sonata, concerto, etc…
    • One to two couple minutes is sufficient
  • Record video of major and minor scales of your choosing (at least one of each).
    Make appointment with faculty member to discuss audition submission and academic goals.

Voice

  • Record video of a piece or excerpt demonstrating what you believe to be your best effort.
    • Song, Etude, Choral part
    • Use a recorded accompaniment or metronome
    • One to two couple minutes is sufficient
  • If Possible: Record video of major and minor scales of your choosing (at least one of each).
  • Make appointment with faculty member to discuss audition submission and academic goals.