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Auditions

Spring 2025 Music Major / Individual Instruction Audition Information

Open Auditions for Lessons and Ensembles - Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 1 PM in Studio A (Rm 2218 - first floor of the Music building). Contact Matt Falker for more 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.
(Find audition guidelines at the bottom of this page.)

All New Students
Please fill out this information form

Lessons? Ensembles?
Please fill out this form
For an in-person audition appointment, or to book a meeting with a music professor.

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

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

For ALL music majors or prospective music majors – Register now! No audition necessary. Early registration highly recommended. Required for all music majors. Class meets Fridays from 10:30 - 11:45am in the Concert Hall (OC2406) starting 1/24/25. Contact Professor Branden Muresan: music@miracosta.edu

Spring 2025 Ensemble Audition Information

MUS 155A/B Popular Music Ensemble 'PopRox'

No audition required. Class meets Mondays from 6:00 – 9:15 pm in Studio A (OC2218) starting 1/27/25. Open to vocalists and instrumentalists. Contact Professor Justin Joyce for more information: music@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 with on- and off-campus performances and concert tours. Class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 – 6:50 pm in the Rehearsal Hall (OC2413) starting 1/28/25. Contact Professor Arlie Langager: sing@miracosta.edu 

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

Open to vocalists and instrumentalists. Class meets Mondays/Wednesdays from 1:00 - 3:20 pm in the Rehearsal Hall (OC2413) starting 1/27/25. Audition at the first class meeting OR by appointment. Contact Professor Matt Falker:  jazz@miracosta.edu

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

Audition at first class meeting / OR by appointment. The band performs and records both small and big band tunes. Class meets Tuesday at 6:00 - 8:50 pm in Studio A (OC2218) starting 1/28/25. Contact Professor Steve Torok: playjazz@miracosta.edu

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

Audition at first class meeting, or one week prior. Class meets Wednesdays from 6:30 – 9:35 pm in the Concert Hall starting on 1/29/25. Contact Professor Branden Muresan:  brandenmuresan@miracosta.edu

not offered Fall 2024:   

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

Audition Guidelines for Individual Instruction

Jazz/Commercial Instrumental

  • Perform 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 minutes is sufficient
  • Perform major and minor scales of your choosing (at least one of each if possible). Use a metronome.
  • Piano, Bass, Guitar: Comp a 12 bar blues in any style (use a backing track or metronome).
    • Optional: Comp a jazz standard in any style (use a backing track or metronome).
  • Drum set: Perform various grooves (Swing, Latin, Funk, Rock, etc…as many as you feel most comfortable doing)
    • Optional: Perform blues scales and/or various modes of your choosing. Use a metronome.
    • Optional: Improvise solo in any style using a backing track.
  • Make appointment with faculty member to discuss audition submission and academic goals. 

Classical Instrumental

  • Perform 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 minutes is sufficient
  • Perform 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

  • Perform 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 minutes is sufficient
  • If Possible: Perform major and minor scales of your choosing (at least one of each).
  • Make appointment with faculty member to discuss audition submission and academic goals.