UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION TO THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Admission to the Music Department is by audition. Before arranging an audition, prospective students must apply to the college. Freshmen must be accepted to the College before auditioning. Transfer students must apply to the college before auditioning and pass the audition before being accepted to the College. All prospective students must be accepted by the College. See below for details.
Click the link below to request your audition!
Please read answers to commonly asked questions about our audition process, audition concentration requirements, and faculty contacts for each area of study below the chair and assistant chair's message.
Entrance into the major is by audition for all students which includes a meeting between prospective students and faculty. Students do not have to decide immediately on a concentration. Prospective students will be asked to complete a music theory placement test. Scores on the music theory test are used to place students in the correct music theory courses and do not affect admissions decisions.
All prospective freshman Music majors must first be admitted to the college. Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for more information about applying to the College. Contact information is below. Once admitted to the College, students should schedule an audition as early as possible after acceptance. Please contact Lee Degnan by phone at 845-257-2700 or by email at degnanl@newpaltz.edu.
All prospective transfer Music majors must first apply to the college and receive a student ID number. After applying to the college, prospective transfer students should schedule an audition as soon as possible after receiving your student ID. If you have questions about scheduling an audition please contact Lee Degnan by phone at 845-257-2700 or by email at degnanl@newpaltz.edu. Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission for more information about applying to the College. Contact information is below. After auditioning the College will make a final admission decision.
Current New Paltz students who are not Music majors may transfer into the department and should contact the Music department to schedule an audition in the first half of the semester. If you have questions about scheduling an audition please contact Lee Degnan by phone at 845-257-2700 or by email at degnanl@newpaltz.edu.
We look forward to meeting you!
Best wishes in all of your musical endeavors,
Jane Sileo, Chair
Kent Smith, Associate Chair
Department of Music
Undergraduate Music Audition FAQS
How long will my audition take?
Auditions usually take 10-15 minutes.
Are auditions in person or remote?
Our auditions are currently in person. If you have any questions regarding other accommodations, please contact Lee Degnan at degnanl@newpaltz.edu, or contact any of the professors below in the area in which you want to apply.
Can I audition on more than one instrument?
You can audition on just one instrument. This will be your primary instrument in the program and the instrument with which you will be taking applied lessons. You can also be your own accompaniment (i.e. a voice audition and also playing piano, etc.) Music majors can take one semester of applied lessons on another instrument, and you can always discuss with your advisor ways to explore work in more than one instrument while you are here.
Can I use original music or pop music in my audition?
Contact the professors listed below for specific information about whether pop or original music are acceptable for the area you would like to audition for.
What are the Audition Requirements for (see below):
Classical Voice: Please be prepared to sing one piece in Italian and one piece of your choice in the classical style (of known works). You will need a piano accompanist for your audition; if you do not have an accompanist of your own, please contact Lee Degnan at degnanl@newpaltz.edu to have someone from our department to be provided. If you have questions on pieces that you would like to perform, or need more information on a concentration you’re interested in as a classical voice audition, please contact Professor Kent Smith at smithk@newpaltz.edu.
Classical Piano: Please choose and perform two works from the classical/known works or contemporary repertoire that allow you to demonstrate musicianship and proficiency. If you have any questions, please contact Professor Alex Peh at peha@newpaltz.edu.
Classical Strings: Please choose and perform two works from the classical/known works or contemporary repertoire that allow you to demonstrate musicianship and proficiency. If you have questions, please contact Professor Christiana Reader at readerc@newpaltz.edu.
Classical Instrumental: Please prepare two 3-5 minute solo pieces that demonstrates your highest level of musical attainment for their audition. This piece can be a single movement of a larger solo work (i.e. concerti, sonatas, etc.), or an etude. You do not need an accompanist for your audition. If you have questions, please contact Professor Adam Fontana at fontanaa@newpaltz.edu.
Jazz Vocal: Please choose and perform two works from the jazz repertoire that allow you to demonstrate musicianship and proficiency. If you can find a piano (or other) accompaniment recording to sing with, please bring the recordings with you to the audition (i.e. cellphone or other MP4 device); otherwise, and if you are comfortable with it, you may sing acapella. If you have questions, please contact Professor Mark Dziuba at dziuba@newpaltz.edu.
Jazz Instrumental: Please choose and perform two works from the jazz repertoire that allow you to demonstrate musicianship and proficiency. Accompaniment: please bring recordings you want to use with you to the audition (i.e. cellphone or other MP4 device), or you can solo, if preferred. If you have questions, please contact Professor Mark Dziuba at dziuba@newpaltz.edu.
Jazz Percussion: Please choose and perform two works from the jazz repertoire that allow you to demonstrate musicianship and proficiency. Accompaniment: please bring recordings you want to use with you to the audition (i.e. cellphone or other MP4 device), or you can solo, if preferred. If you have questions, please contact Professor Mark Dziuba at dziuba@newpaltz.edu.
Recording & Electronic Music: For the audition, you would need to provide two musical works to demonstrate your musical practice. Two short videos should be sent to chenp@newpaltz.edu:
1. A produced song/piece in your choice of DAW. Please make a video of the music playingback in your DAW. You are welcome to include a finished mp3 but the session view is helpful.
2. A short video of you playing on your primary instrument (original, cover, standard, any musical piece to give us a sense of your instrumental ability.)
If you have questions, please contact Professor Phyllis Chen at chenp@newpaltz.edu.
Composition Concentration: Please be prepared to present—
1. An original work (no style, duration or notation requirements—whatever represents you​).
2. Play any piece on your primary instrument.
In the comp program, we often read and play peer works to learn how to write for other instruments and foster peer support. As part of your audition into the Composition program, you will also be asked to sight-read a short exercise on your instrument. If you have questions, please contact Professor Phyllis Chen at chenp@newpaltz.edu.
Students interested in preparing to apply to the graduate program in Music Therapy, or applying for the undergraduate Clinical Musicianship concentration, Music degree: Please see the above for auditions that pertains to your choice of instrument. If you have questions regarding the undergraduate Clinical Musicianship concentration, and/or how this concentration will prepare you for our Graduate Music Therapy program after you receive your bachelor’s in Music, or if you have obtained your degree elsewhere, please contact Professor Kathleen Murphy at murphyk@newpaltz.edu.
CONTACT UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION
Office of Undergraduate Admission
100 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, New York 12561
Phone: (845) 257-3200
Email: admissions@newpaltz.edu
ADMISSION TO THE GRADUATE PROGRAM IN MUSIC THERAPY
Applicants to the Music Therapy Graduate program are encouraged to apply for entrance in the Fall semester. For information on the graduate program in Music Therapy please contact Music Therapy director Dr. Kathleen Murphy at murphyk@newpaltz.edu. For further information applying to the graduate program in Music Therapy please contact us here.
CONTACT GRADUATE ADMISSION
Alana Matuszewski
Director of Graduate Admission
Phone: (845) 257-3285
Email: gradadmissions@newpltz.edu
