Scholarship Auditions

INSTRUMENTAL GUIDELINES

For students pursuing the following degrees:

B.M.E. Music Education/Instrumental
B.M. Instrumental Performance
B.A. Music Industry
B.A. Music

Although students may submit online videos through the student application portal, they may be asked to complete an on-campus audition with an applied instructor.

Allow warm-up time: Once you arrive on campus for your audition, find 15-30 minutes on campus prior to your audition time to warm up.

Selections: You should be prepared to perform two selections (All-Region or UIL etudes or solo literature).* Solo literature may be performed with or without an accompanist. An accompanist will not be provided.

*For percussion and low brass audition selections and requirements, specifically, visit our Percussion Studio and Low Brass webpages for more information.

Preparation: You should seek the help of your band director or private lesson instructor in preparing your audition and selecting appropriate repertoire.

Sight Reading: You will be expected to sight-read a composition selected by the faculty suitable for your level of performance ability. Practice sight reading by reading etudes and other literature for your instrument.

KEYBOARD GUIDELINES

For students pursuing the following degrees:

B.M. Piano Performance
B.A. Music in Music, Worship Studies or Music Industry
B.M.E. in Choral Music

Although students may submit online videos through the student application portal, they may be asked to complete an on-campus audition with an applied instructor.

Allow warm-up time: Once you arrive on campus for your audition, find 15-30 minutes on campus prior to your audition time to warm up.

Memorize: You should have your music memorized, if possible.

Preparation: You should seek help from your piano teacher in the selection and preparation of music. These professionals will know piano literature that will best suit your talent, assuring, therefore, a better audition on your part, and as a result, a better piano scholarship.

Selections: You should be prepared to perform two selections in contrasting/different styles preferably from the classical music repertory.

Sight Reading: You will be expected to sight-read a composition selected by the faculty suitable for your level of performance ability.

Students are encouraged to follow the above listed guidelines, because the course of piano study at all National Association of Schools of Music accredited schools of music focuses on traditional classical piano literature. The most effective development of performance ability on the piano is best achieved through the study and performance of classical literature.

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For more information, please contact:
Dr. Mary Chung, keyboard coordinator
870-245-5132 | [email protected]

WORSHIP STUDIES GUIDELINES

Preparation: You should seek help from your voice teacher, worship pastor or high school choral director in the selection and preparation of music. These professionals will know vocal literature that will best suit your voice. Seeking their guidance as you prepare for your audition can result in a better audition which can in turn, lead to a better vocal scholarship. Note: Students are encouraged to complete their audition process as early as possible during the academic year to ensure consideration for highest scholarship awards.

Degree Specific Audition Requirements:

Bachelor for Arts in Worship Studies

Voice Principal:

• Two selections that demonstrate your vocal ability and range.
  • Self accompanied, worship songs including original songs are appropriate (but not required).
• One selection should be a traditional hymn, a classical song, or a musical theatre selection. Foreign language pieces are appropriate (but not required).
• The second selection should be a worship song.
• Memorization of both selections is preferred.
• Please make sure the vocalist is clearly heard above the accompaniment.

Instrumental Principal:

• See guidelines on the Instrumental Audition Tab.

In addition to the requirements above, Worship Studies applicants may upload a video of their leadership in a worship experience.

Voice applicants are highly encouraged to audition on pieces that demonstrate their vocal skill and technique (agility, tone and range, breath, posture, etc.). Requests for exceptions to the guidelines above should be approved prior to the audition by the faculty contact listed below.

Scheduling Process:

Register through the link on obu.edu/audition to schedule an on-campus audition. Pianists will be provided for on-campus auditions. Please bring a copy of your sheet music for the pianist. Practice rooms are available for rehearsal prior to your audition. Once you arrive on campus, check in with the School of Performing Arts office (Mabee 107).

OR

In lieu of a live audition, voice applicants may submit online audition videos via their student application portal. Access to your application portal is included as part of the application process to the university at obu.edu/apply. If you need access to accompaniments to make your videos, requests for accompaniment tracks recorded by one of our staff pianists may be made by contacting the faculty contact listed below:

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For more information, please contact:
Prof. Larry Grayson, Chair of Worship Studies | Dr. Alex Favazza, Director of Choral Activities
870-245-5518 [email protected] | 870-245-5137 [email protected]

THEATRE GUIDELINES

For students pursuing the following degrees:

B.A. Theatre Arts
B.A. Theatre Arts Education
B.A. Speech Communication & Theatre Arts

• Essay responding to the prompt:
  “What first brought you to theatre, and what do you hope to do with it in your career?”
• Theatre resume
• Headshot or snapshot
• An interview with the theatre faculty
• One or both (for students who are open to either track) of the following:
  • Performance Focus: an audition with two contrasting 30-60 second monologues
  • Technical Focus: a presentation of area(s)-specific technical portfolio

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For more information, please contact:
Eric Phillips, department chair
870-245-5562 | [email protected]

MUSICAL THEATRE GUIDELINES

Preparation: You should seek help from your voice teacher, worship pastor or high school choral director in the selection and preparation of music. These professionals will know vocal literature that will best suit your voice. Seeking their guidance as you prepare for your audition can result in a better audition which can in turn, lead to a better vocal scholarship. Note: Students are encouraged to complete their audition process as early as possible during the academic year to ensure consideration for highest scholarship awards.

Degree Specific Audition Requirements:

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre

Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre

While Ouachita Baptist University does not require a pre-screen submission as part of the application process, Ouachita uses the following criteria for digital audition submissions.

1. TWO SONG VIDEOS (OUACHITA ACCEPTS ONLY OPTION A)

• Intro/Slate (Vocal) – Your name, Song Title and Show
• One song should be a ballad and one song should be an uptempo so as to contrast style
• Each song file should be 60-90 seconds (This time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
• Students must sing to musical accompaniment, which could include live or pre-recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing (meaning singing without music).
• Songs should be filmed in a ¾ shot which means the top of the head to the knees should be visible in the frame.
• Singing Option A Guidelines:
  • One song should be written before 1970. This song can be either the “uptempo” or the “ballad” (student’s choice).
  • One song should be written after 1970 and contrast the style of the first.

2. ONE MONOLOGUE VIDEO (OUACHITA ACCEPTS ONLY OPTION A)

• Intro/Slate (Monologue) – Your name, Title of Play, playwright
• Monologues must be from a published play.
• Monologues cannot be from musicals, television shows, or movies.
• Each monologue file should be 60-90 seconds in length (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
• Monologue Option A Guidelines:
  • One contemporary monologue (written after 1950), 60-90 seconds in length
  • The contemporary monologue should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.

3. ONE DANCE VIDEO (OUACHITA ACCEPTS ONLY DANCE OPTION)

• All dance media should be filmed in a “full body” shot taking care to keep the student’s entire body in the frame at all times.
• Applicants do not need to slate (intro) in any dance media.
• Regardless of which style of dance you execute, the choreography and the movement should be story-driven and connected to the music where the applicant is dancing with a sense of purpose.
• HELPFUL HINT: Applicants are encouraged to keep a full-length mirror behind the filming device so as to see themselves as they execute choreography.
• Dance Option Guidelines:
• 30-60 seconds of dance, in whatever dance discipline you are most comfortable with: jazz, ballet, modern, African, hip hop, lyrical or contemporary.
• No barre. A ballet solo is acceptable.
• No tap. For applicants that tap, consider showcasing that skill as part of your wild card submission.
• Please use steps, movement and physical vocabulary that you are familiar with and can execute well.
• Dance media can be self-choreographed, but must be a solo video of you. This can include a show, competition or other performance so long as you are clearly featured on your own.
• All choreography must be performed to music; no “a cappella” dance media please.

4. WILDCARD (OPTIONAL)>

• Submissions should be no more than 60 seconds.
• Applicants do not need to slate in any wild card media.
• This media can be ANYTHING you want – a special skill, an interesting story about yourself, a passion speech, an instrument you play, etc. “What do you want us to know about you?” and “What makes you unique?”

For more information about the Musical Theatre Common Pre-screen please click here.

Voice applicants are highly encouraged to audition on pieces that demonstrate their vocal skill and technique (agility, tone and range, breath, posture, etc.). Requests for exceptions to the guidelines above should be approved prior to the audition by the faculty contact listed below.

Scheduling Process:

Register through the link on obu.edu/audition to schedule an on-campus audition. Pianists will be provided for on-campus auditions. Please bring a copy of your sheet music for the pianist. Practice rooms are available for rehearsal prior to your audition. Once you arrive on campus, check in with the School of Performing Arts office (Mabee 107).

OR

In lieu of a live audition, voice applicants may submit online audition videos via their student application portal. Access to your application portal is included as part of the application process to the university at obu.edu/apply. If you need access to accompaniments to make your videos, requests for accompaniment tracks recorded by one of our staff pianists may be made by contacting the faculty contact listed below:

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For more information, please contact:
Dr. Ian Aipperspach, Music Auditions Coordinator
870-245-5134 | [email protected]

NON-INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC MAJOR GUIDELINES

Instrumental Ensemble Scholarships are available to those not majoring in instrumental music up to $3,000 per year based on audition. They are tied to participation in Marching Band or Wind Ensemble in the fall and Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band in the spring. Additional scholarships are available for participating in multiple auditioned ensembles a semester. Non-instrumental major scholarship recipients also are required to take one semester of private lessons through Ouachita.

Allow warm-up time: Find 15-30 minutes on campus prior to your audition time to warm up.

Selections: You should be prepared to perform two selections (All-Region or UIL etudes or solo literature). Solo literature may be performed with or without an accompanist. An accompanist will not be provided.

Preparation: You should seek the help of your band director or private lesson instructor in preparing your audition and selecting appropriate repertoire.

Sight Reading: You will be expected to sight-read a composition selected by the faculty suitable for your level of performance ability. Practice sight reading by reading etudes and other literature for your instrument.

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For more information, please contact:
Dr. Austin Motley, Director of Bands (Interim)
870-245-4192 | [email protected]