Audition Process
•Students must first apply to and be accepted by Lancaster Bible College
•Then audition for acceptance into the BM Performance program
•Audition also determines department scholarship awards
•Music Theory Assessment required at audition (for course placement only)
Audition Expectations
•In-person auditions at Good Shepherd Chapel, 8am to 2pm
•Virtual audition available upon request
•If unable to attend a scheduled day, contact the department to arrange an individual audition
Pianists
•REPERTOIRE: two contrasting classical selections demonstrating technique and artistry (e.g., a J.S. Bach two- or three-part invention or prelude and fugue, a fast movement from a Classical sonata, and a Romantic or 20th-century work); memorization required
•SCALES & TECHNIQUE: one major scale and arpeggio, one harmonic minor scale and arpeggio, and one melodic minor scale and arpeggio in three different keys, 16th notes at 120 bpm minimum
•SIGHT-READING: evaluated for all piano majors
Organists
•REPERTOIRE: two organ works of contrasting periods and styles (one fast and toccata-like, one slow and lyrical), both memorized; piano proficiency required
•SCALES & TECHNIQUE: one major and one harmonic or melodic scale and arpeggios
•Students with no previous organ study may audition on piano with comparable classical repertoire
Winds, Brass & Strings
•REPERTOIRE: two contrasting selections (one slower, one faster demonstrating facility), with or without accompaniment; movements from sonatas and concertos are ideal; memory encouraged but not required
•SCALES & TECHNIQUE: major and harmonic minor scales through four sharps or flats (strings three octaves; woodwinds and brass two octaves)
•SIGHT-READING: evaluated
Guitarists
•REPERTOIRE: two contrasting pieces, one modern and one from a classical or rudiment-based repertoire (e.g., a current worship tune and a Carcassi etude)
•SCALES & TECHNIQUE: one major and one minor diatonic scale from any of the 12 keys from 6th- and 5th-string root positions (8th notes at 100+ bpm); major, minor, major 7, and dominant 7 chords individually and in progression; a 12-bar blues progression (comp and solo a chorus each)
•SIGHT-READING: 5 minutes to review a piece, then perform it without TAB; play along to an audio track from Tommy Igoe's "Groove Essentials"
Percussionists
•REPERTOIRE: show proficiency on snare drum (rudiments and etudes), mallet percussion (one major and one minor scale plus a short two- or four-mallet solo), and/or timpani (tune and perform a short etude)
•Demonstrate understanding of grooves and techniques on drum set (medium swing, fast swing, rock, funk, bossa nova, etc.)
Accompaniment
•An accompanist can be provided on request; music for the accompanist must be submitted two weeks prior to the audition
•Percussionists may bring an accompaniment track instead
Evaluation
•Tone quality, intonation, and pitch perception evaluated; sight-reading evaluated for most instruments
Contact
•auditions@lbc.edu or 717.560.8218
