What is Applied Music?
Applied Music (MUIVI 410) provides one-on-one specialized study in a specific instrument or vocal performance. Music majors must audition to enroll in the course.
How to Audition
Students must pass an audition in order to take part in the Applied Music program. Auditions take place at the beginning of each semester. Students who are not selected will be encouraged to reapply the following semester and will have other options to fulfill the AA degree requirement. Please note that MUIVI 410 is necessary for those who wish to transfer to a four-year institution.
Eligibility
- You must be registered as a declared Music Major. If you have questions about the major, please email the Music Department Chair, Professor Maxwell Kiesner at kiesnem@crc.losrios.edu.
- You must be enrolled in a Music Theory and Musicianship course at CRC, or have completed the Music Theory and Musicianship cycle. Students with no or little prior experience in Music Theory and Musicianship should enroll MUFHL 321 Basic Musicianship and/or MUIVI 340 Beginning Piano.
- You must be enrolled in a CRC Large Performing Ensemble. Choose from Contemporary Gospel Choir, Chamber Singers, College Chorus, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Concert Band, Composition Ensemble Workshop or Commercial Music Ensemble.
- You must successfully audition for and enroll in MUIVI 410 Applied Music. AA and AA-T track students must take Applied Music four times, attending a weekly recital preparation class and individual lessons with their assigned private instructor. Students are expected to perform in a recital at the end of each semester, which serves as a jury to determine continuation in the course.
Questions about eligibility or registering for auditions? Contact Professor Omari Tau at tauo@crc.losrios.edu.
About the Auditions
Initial auditions are not held in-person. Only video submissions will be accepted. If you need any assistance recording your audition, please contact Professor Omari Tau at tauo@crc.losrios.edu.
Auditions will be held by video submission. See instructions below. Your audition will be reviewed after you have completed the Audition Registration form.
How To Upload a Video Audition To a YouTube Account
- Create A YouTube Account
YouTube is owned by Google. Every user with a Google account has access to Gmail, Calendar, YouTube, and more. If you already have a Google account skip to Step 2, Create Your Audition Video. - Create Your Audition Video
Use your smartphone, tablet or webcam-enabled desktop computer to create your video. Open your camera app, set to video mode and record yourself. If you’re unsure of how to do this, do a search for how to record a video on a [your device]. - Upload Your Video To YouTube
Once your video is complete, upload it to YouTube. This process will be unique depending on whether or not you’re using a desktop computer or a smartphone internet browser or the YouTube app. If you get stuck on this step do a search for how to upload a video to my youtube channel on a [your device type].
Note: Make sure you set your video’s privacy settings to public or unlisted. If you set it to private, we will not be able to watch your audition. - Copy Your “Share” Link
Once your video has uploaded, look for the Share button. Click it and then copy the URL. - Add Your Audition Link To The Audition Registration
In the Audition Registration form, there is a place for you add the link to your audition. If you are unable to make this work, please email the copied URL (your audition video link) to Professor Omari Tau at tauo@crc.losrios.edu. You will receive a confirmation once your audition video is received via email.
- Prepare the Db Major, Bb Melodic Minor and Chromatic scales from the provided audition scales. Guitarists should use the Mallets scales. Many students do fine on their audition piece but poorly on the scales. Please take the time to learn these well, and perform them at the requested tempo with the correct rhythms.
Download the scales. - Prepare a short (2-4 minute) excerpt from the literature for your instrument. Students who are being asked to re-audition may use their recital piece from previous semester.
New students should consult the CSUS Freshman Music major entrance requirements for examples of appropriate literature.
Please limit your excerpt to no more than three minutes of music. Please find any appropriate art music (Classical) for your instrument and your current skill level. We are interested in your passion and potential. - Jazz majors: The Jazz major begins at the junior level in most four year institutions and the expectation is that you master the Classical literature on your instrument during your first two years of college. (Please follow the instructions above.)
- Prepare the scale listed for your instrument on the string audition scales.
- Prepare a short (2-4 minute) excerpt from the literature for your instrument. New students should consult the CSUS Freshman Music major entrance requirements for examples of appropriate literature. Returning students may use a piece from last semester.
Please limit your excerpt to no more than four minutes of music. For this audition your work will be performed unaccompanied. Skip any multi-measure rests.
- You will be directed to sing a one octave major scale a capella, starting on any pitch using any syllable. The vocal professor may work with you on additional scales during the audition to explore your voice.
- Perform a song or aria from the Classical art music tradition. You can also choose a song from the Golden Age of American Musical Theatre (1930s to 1950s) or the Great American Song Book (for example, Cole Porter). For live auditions, please provide a copy of the printed sheet music to Professor Omari Tau at tauo@crc.losrios.edu.
