Undergraduate Pop Auditions

The audition requirements on this page are for the following degree programs:

B.M. in Popular Music Studies, Sound Engineering Arts Track

Applicants to the Classical programs should see the Classical Audition Requirements page.

Applicants to the Jazz programs should see the Jazz Audition Requirements page.

Auditions for all Pop Studies Track programs are by uploaded audio or video recording. (There are no in-person auditions.)

Before uploading an audition recording you must first apply to William Paterson University, and to the Music Department. The process is described HERE .

Apply to the Music Department

Complete a Music Department application on My Application Status Page .

Music Theory Placement

Please complete an online theory placement test .

Written Statement

• Provide a 300 word or less narrative that includes the following:
• Explain your career goals and describe how this major might help you attain these goals.
• Describe your musical background.
• If for some reason your main career goal was not possible what would be your "plan B"?
• Include examples of involvement in social media or music on the Internet. Include links to your website, Twitter page, Facebook page, blog, or other online presence.
• Include links to examples of your composition, songwriting or arranging activities.

Audition Recording Requirements

Auditions for the pop program are conducted via uploaded audio or video recording.

An applicant must submit a link to a web-based video in which the applicant performs the required musical scales and work(s) - see below. Applicants will be judged based on the following criteria: evenness of tempo, musicality, performance ability, and the like. The video should not contain edits within individual scales or during the recording of the performed piece. The video image and the audio should be clear without distortion and without excessive environmental noise. Do your best to show yourself in the best possible light. If you feel that including additional scales or pieces would help the committee make a more accurate determination of your abilities please do so.

Minimum requirements for all instruments including electric guitar and electric bass (except voice and percussion):

1. Perform the following scales: C major, G major, Bb Major, and C harmonic minor. (Keyboard players must perform with two hands simultaneously.)
2. Perform an unaccompanied solo piece in any style. Please do not play along with a recording or a metronome for this portion of the audition.
3. Sing a one-octave major scale.
4. Sing "Happy Birthday."
5. Play a "C" on a keyboard or other instrument and sing the pitch. Do the same with "Eb" and "A".
6. Play a "D" and an "F#" one at a time on a keyboard or other instrument then sing them one right after the other.

Minimum requirements for voice:

1. Sing a one-octave major scale - unaccompanied.
2. Sing "Happy Birthday."
3. Play a "C" on a keyboard or other instrument and sing the pitch. Do the same with "Eb" and "A".
4. Play a "D" and an "F#" one at a time on a keyboard or other instrument then sing them one right after the other.
5. Perform an unaccompanied piece in any style. Please do not play along with a recording or a metronome for this portion of the audition.

Minimum requirements for percussion:

1. Demonstrate single, double, and closed rolls on snare drum
2. Perform an unaccompanied piece in any style. Please do not play along with a recording or a metronome for this portion of the audition.
3. Sing a one-octave major scale.
4. Sing "Happy Birthday."
5. Play a "C" on a keyboard or other instrument and sing the pitch. Do the same with "Eb" and "A".
6. Play a "D" and an "F#" one at a time on a keyboard or other instrument then sing them one right after the other.

Applicants to the BM Pop program will also complete an interview with professors via Zoom, to be setup after the review of their audition.

The applicant must also demonstrate some level of working knowledge of social media by submitting any of the following or similar for consideration: a Facebook page, a MySpace page, a Twitter page, etc. that the applicant created.

For more information, please contact:

Music Department Admissions
musicadmissions@wpunj.edu
(973) 720-3466