What is an external transfer applicant?

Fall Admission Only

Rutgers University Application: February 1
Mason Gross Talent Assessment: February 15

Fall Semester Deadlines

Email admissions@mgsa.rutgers.edu by February 1
Mason Gross Talent Assessment: February 15
Decision: June 30

To Apply

Students currently enrolled at another academic unit within Rutgers University (School to School Transfer) OR have taken a leave of absence (Re-Enrollment) from any Rutgers academic unit and would like to return and enroll in a BM degree program at the Mason Gross School of the Arts must first complete the MGSA School to School Transfer/Re-Enrollment Interest Form. Learn more at Mason Gross Admissions.

Admission Requirements

From another Rutgers–New Brunswick school:

• 12 graded degree credits, excluding remedial courses
• A Rutgers cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.000
• Expository Writing (01:355:101) or an acceptable equivalent course with a grade of C or better

From another Rutgers–Camden or Rutgers–Newark school:

• At least two semesters, including the current semester, as a student in your present school or college at Rutgers University, also including at least 12 graded degree credits, excluding remedial courses
• A Rutgers cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.000
• English Composition I and II (Camden 50:350:101 and 50:350:102) (Newark 21:355:101 and 21:355:102) with grades of C or better

There is no audition or talent assessment required for students outside of Mason Gross to declare the bachelor of arts in music or the minor in music.

Typically, students who declare a BA major or minor in music are enrolled at the School of Arts and Sciences, however any student currently enrolled at any Rutgers school in New Brunswick is welcome to speak with their advisors to determine if their school will allow them to declare the bachelor of arts in music or the minor in music. 

Students approved to declare the BA major or minor in music by their academic advisor at their unit of registration should follow that school’s process to have the major or minor added to their transcript.

Additionally, Rutgers music ensembles are open, by audition, to all Rutgers–New Brunswick students.

Please visit the ensembles page for more information. 

For more information about the BA Music or Music minor curriculum or to contact the advisor for the major please visit the following link: https://www.masongross.rutgers.edu/degrees-programs/music/resources/

Questions concerning the composition portfolio requirements should be directed to our full-time composition faculty:

• Robert Aldridge, Professor, Head of Composition, baldridge@mgsa.rutgers.edu
• Scott Ordway, Associate Professor, Composition/Music Theory, scott.ordway@rutgers.edu

All composition applicants must submit a composition portfolio with their Artistic Application (Talent Assessment) prior to their scheduled interview date (on-campus or zoom) with the following:

• Three written scores of original compositions (no arrangements). The compositions should reflect an array of genres (i.e. voice, instrumental, varying instrumentation).
• Recordings of all three submitted scores: either live or high-quality MIDI recordings.

Composition faculty will interview each composition applicant (either on campus or via Zoom) and discuss their submitted portfolio of work.

In addition to the composition portfolio and interview, all composition applicants must complete a voice or instrumental audition. Please refer to the appropriate area section for audition requirements.

Applicants auditioning live on-campus with their major instrument/voice must complete their composition interview the same day.

Applicants submitting a recorded audition on their major instrument/voice must complete an interview with the faculty scheduled by the admissions office via zoom.

Live interviews/auditions on campus are always encouraged however if applicants would like to submit a recorded audition, please refer to the Recorded Audition Requirements section on this page.

Questions concerning the harp auditions and/or repertoire should be directed to Andre Tarantiles, Part Time Lecturer, Harp, at at734@rutgers.edu.

Live auditions on campus are always encouraged however if applicants would like to submit a recorded audition, please refer to the Recorded Audition Requirements section on this page.

Audition requirements for both Live On-Campus and Recorded auditions for Harp are identical.

Audition requirements:

• One etude by Bochsa, Pozzoli or Naderman
• Two contrasting solos (i.e., “Feerie” by Tournier, “Sonatina” by Natra)
• Two major orchestral excerpts that reflect the applicant’s proficiency.

Questions concerning jazz auditions, should be directed to Professor Marc Stasio, Coordinator of Jazz Studies, at marc.stasio@rutgers.edu

**Jazz applicants are highly encouraged to complete a live on campus audition. Jazz applicants who wish to submit a recorded audition must request approval by emailing Professor Marc Stasio, Coordinator of Jazz Studies, at marc.stasio@rutgers.edu before submitting their recording. 

Audition Requirements All Instruments (except Drum Set):

Prepare two contrasting selections from standard jazz repertoire (see below). Perform the tune head and one or two choruses of improvisation.

• Bass (in addition to the above)
  • Upright or Electric bassists are welcome to apply.
  • Prepare to demonstrate walking jazz bass lines.
• Piano and Guitar (in addition to the above)
  • Prepare to demonstrate chordal comping behind another soloist.
• Lead Trumpet Specialists (in addition to the above)
  • Test lead playing skills; read a lead chart.

In addition to the above also prepare to be evaluated on the following:

• THEORY: Major/Minor modal scales, two octaves preferred
• AURAL SKILLS: Identify piano chord qualities as played by faculty.
• SIGHT READING: Lead sheet, exercise, or band arrangement excerpt as supplied.

Drum Set (supersedes above requirements)

• Prepare two contrasting selections from standard jazz repertoire (see below) to perform with the live bassist and pianist/guitarist. Outline melodic contours while keeping time.
• Perform the following solo time feels: Swing in 4/4, and 3/4 (slow, medium, and up-tempo, with sticks and brushes), Bossa Nova, Samba, and Shuffle.
• Interchange time feels with solos as requested, such as: 4 bars time/4 bars solo, 8 bars time/8 bars solo, etc.
• Prepare to sight-read charts and/or lead sheets.

Standard Jazz Repertoire Suggestions

Accompaniment requirements and equipment provided:

• Piano/Guitar, Bass and Drum accompanists are provided in audition rooms.
• Pre-recorded backing tracks are not permitted for on campus live auditions.
• Please bring copies of music for the live accompanists.
• A piano and drum set with cymbals will be available in audition rooms.
• Drummers are asked to bring their own sticks/brushes.
• Guitar and bass amplifiers are supplied in audition rooms. Please bring your own patch cable. We cannot supply instruments, audio patch cables, or replacement strings.
• Approved recorded audition submissions may use pre-recorded backing tracks or live accompanists as desired.

Questions concerning music education interviews should be directed to either:

• Marjoris Regus, Assistant Professor, Music Education at mvr51@mgsa.rutgers.edu
• Stephanie Cronenberg, Head of Music Education at scronenberg@mgsa.rutgers.edu

Applicants to the music education program must complete an interview with the music education faculty in addition to an instrumental or vocal audition. The music education interview focuses on musical engagement, leadership and work with children, interpersonal and reflective skills, and personal reasons for pursuing music education. Evaluation of this interview is used, in conjunction with academic criteria and audition results, to determine admission to the program.

Applicants auditioning live on-campus with their major instrument/voice must complete their music education interview the same day.

Applicants submitting a recorded audition on their major instrument/voice must complete an interview with the faculty scheduled by the admissions office via zoom.

For all questions concerning the percussion auditions and/or repertoire, please contact Head of Percussion, Professor Joseph Tompkins, at jtompkins@mgsa.rutgers.edu.

Snare Drum

• One solo piece or etude in orchestral style
• One solo piece or etude in rudimental style

Keyboard percussion – Marimba and Xylophone

• One solo piece with two mallets (xylophone or marimba)
• One solo piece with four mallets (marimba)

Timpani

• One solo piece or etude

*For applicants interested in auditioning on Drum Set, please refer to the Jazz section of this page for those requirements. 

Live auditions on campus are always encouraged however if applicants would like to submit a recorded audition, please refer to the Recorded Audition Requirements section on this page.

For all questions concerning the piano auditions and/or repertoire, please contact Professor Min Kwon, Piano Area Head, at mkkwon@mgsa.rutgers.edu.

Live auditions on campus are always encouraged however if applicants would like to submit a recorded audition, please refer to the Recorded Audition Requirements section on this page.

*For applicants interested in jazz piano performance please refer to the jazz section of this page.

Piano Performance:

• A prelude and fugue by J.S. Bach from the Well-Tempered Clavier
• A piano sonata by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, or Schubert
• A substantial work from a major Romantic Era composer (Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, Liszt, Mendelssohn, etc.)
• A work by a 20th- or 21st-century composer that illustrates post-Romantic compositional techniques.
• A substantial work or a selection of pieces by underrepresented composers is highly recommended and welcome.
• Audition repertoire must be performed from memory, except music composed after 1945.
• Sight-reading skills may be tested.

Music Education (major instrument Piano):

• A work by J.S. Bach
• A sonata-allegro movement of a piano sonata by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, or Schubert
• One of the following:
  • A work from a major Romantic Era composer (Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, Liszt, Mendelssohn, etc.) that is not shorter than five minutes in duration.
  • A work by a 20th- or 21st- century composer that illustrates post-Romantic compositional techniques.
  • A substantial work or a selection of pieces by underrepresented composers is highly recommended and welcome.
• An additional solo piano piece of the applicant’s choosing.
• Memorization of one of the above is required.
• Sight-reading skills may be tested.

Composition (major instrument Piano):

• Two contrasting solo piano pieces from different style periods (individual movements are acceptable). These may be drawn from the standard classical or jazz repertoire or from another tradition of notated keyboard music. Memorization is not required.
• A substantial work or a selection of pieces by underrepresented composers is highly recommended and welcome.

For questions concerning the strings auditions and/or repertoire, please contact Head of Strings, Professor Jonathan Spitz, at jspitz@mgsa.rutgers.edu.

Note: It is suggested, but not required, that auditions be performed by memory. String applicants are not required to perform with accompaniment but are requested not to perform with pre-recorded accompaniment.

Violin

• One etude or caprice, such as those by Kreutzer, Dont, Rode, or Paganini
• One movement of an unaccompanied sonata or partita by J.S. Bach
• Approximately five minutes of a concerto from the standard repertory with cadenza, if applicable. Examples: Mozart, Kabalevsky, Bruch, Lalo, Saint-Saens, Mendelssohn, or Barber

Viola

• One etude, such as those by Kreutzer or Rode
• One movement from the suites of J.S. Bach, originally for cello
• One contrasting work, such as a movement from a concerto, a movement from a sonata, or a short piece

Cello

• One etude or caprice, such as those by Dotzauer, Duport, Popper, or Piatti
• One movement from an unaccompanied suite by J.S. Bach
• Approximately five minutes of a concerto from the standard repertory, or equivalent work. Examples: Haydn, Lalo, Saint-Saens, Elgar, or Kabalevsky

Double Bass

• One etude such as those by Bille, Simandl, Storch-Hrabe, or Sturm
• Two contrasting movements of a baroque sonata, or the opening five minutes of a standard concerto
• One standard excerpt from the orchestral repertoire, such as Wagner’s Overture to Die Meistersinger, reh. J through reh. N

Live auditions on campus are always encouraged, However, if applicants would like to submit a recorded audition, please refer to the Recorded Audition Requirements section on this page.

For all questions concerning the voice auditions and/or repertoire, please contact Head of Voice, Professor Eduardo Chama, at echama@mgsa.rutgers.edu.

The Music Department will be accepting both live in-person auditions on campus as well as video recorded auditions for fall admission.

Please consult with your teacher for guidance on choosing musical selections that meet the requirements for the audition. All selections must be from the standard classical repertoire (Art song, Opera and/or Oratorio arias, sacred songs). Operatic arias are not required or expected at the undergraduate level. The songs should be of contrasting style and show potential, interpretative ability and musicianship. Repertoire is the applicant’s choice and should highlight the classical style repertoire you love to sing.

Voice at Mason Gross does not offer training in vocal jazz, non-classical voice, or musical theater. Therefore musical theater songs, Broadway songs, popular music, choral arrangements, or jazz are not acceptable repertoire for the audition.

To promote inclusivity in the vocal area, applicants are encouraged to consider selecting a piece written by an underrepresented composer (composer of color, female composer, or another underrepresented group). This piece should be in a classical style, inclusive of spirituals. This is an option to consider and applicants will not be penalized if it is not possible to include a piece written by an underrepresented composer.

Live On-Campus Auditions

• No “a cappella” or pre-recorded music accompaniment allowed; an accompanist will be provided.
• On the day of the live audition, a brief ear test and interview will be conducted by one of the voice professors. Applicants will be requested to match notes and note patterns as well as repeat rhythm examples. Music Education and Composition applicants will have a separate interview with the faculty representing that area on the day of the audition as well.

Recorded Auditions

• A live accompanist is strongly preferred for all submissions. However, if applicants are unable to arrange this, we encourage using the may use the Appcompanist application or another recorded track application.
• Video recordings should be filmed using a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or video equipment.
• An external microphone is recommended but not required.
• The video should be filmed in landscape mode (horizontal aspect ratio) and should show at least your upper body. The use of headphones is permitted.
• At the start of your recording please clearly state your name, the title of the piece you are going to perform, and the composer.
• The use of all sound enhancement effects is prohibited. This includes reverberation effect, pitch correction, or any kind of post editing cut-and-paste. Lighting and balance fixing is permitted.
• After submitting the supplemental application, you will be scheduled to virtually complete a brief ear test and interview with a member of the voice faculty members. You will be requested to match notes and note patterns as well as repeat rhythm examples.
• Music Education and Composition applicants will be scheduled to interview with those faculty members separately via Zoom.

Voice Performance Audition Requirements (Live OR Recorded)

Four memorized contrasting classical selections

• at least one selection should be in English.
• at least one selection should be in a foreign language.

Music Education and Composition Audition Requirements (Live OR Recorded)

Three memorized contrasting classical selections

• At least one selection should be in English.
• At least one selection should be in a foreign language.

Live auditions on campus are always encouraged however if applicants would like to submit a recorded audition, please refer to the Recorded Audition Requirements section on this page.

For all questions concerning the woodwind auditions and/or repertoire, please contact Head of Woodwinds, Professor Maureen Hurd, at mlhurd@mgsa.rutgers.edu.

Questions concerning the auditions and/or repertoire for Classical Saxophone should be directed to Paul Cohen, Part-Time Lecturer, Saxophone, at paulc135@mgsa.rutgers.edu.

Applicants interested in Jazz Saxophone should refer to the jazz section above for audition requirements.

Applicants are encouraged to select a work by a composer from an underrepresented group. Some online resources to aid students in selecting this repertoire follow, and others are listed under individual woodwind instruments:

• Music by Black Composers
• Institute for Composer Diversity

Bassoon

• Scales: 1 major scale of the student’s choice and 1 minor scale (harmonic form) of the student’s choice. Three-octave scales are encouraged but not required.
• Chromatic scale, student’s full range
• One orchestral excerpt selected from the following list:
  • Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring: Opening solo through figure 4
  • Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 4, Movement 2: Solo at the end through last bar
  • Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade, Movement 2: Solo at beginning movement through Figure A and cadenzas Figure L–M
  • Mozart, The Marriage of Figaro, Overture: Measures 139–152
  • Berlioz, Symphonie fantastique, Movement 4: Figure 52–53
  • Berlioz, Symphonie fantastique, Movement 5: Figure 63 to 5 measures after 64
• An etude from Weissenborn’s Fifty Advanced Studies
• Two contrasting movements from a concerto or sonata; one must be from the Baroque or Classical era, and the other can be from any period
• Undergraduate bassoon applicants are encouraged to include a movement of a piece by a composer of an underrepresented group. A list of suggested works follows, but applicants are not limited to this list and should contact Prof. Mark Timmerman at mt993@mgsa.rutgers.edu and/or Prof. Roger Nye at rn210@mgsa.rutgers.edu in advance to discuss other possible repertoire.
  • Jenni Brandon: Colored Stones
  • Nancy Galbraith: Sonata for Bassoon and Piano
  • William Grant Still: Songs for Bassoon and Piano
  • Adolphus Hailstork: Bassoon Set
  • Ulysses Kay: Sonata for Bassoon and Piano
  • José Siqueira: Drei Etuden (Three Etudes) for Bassoon and Piano
  • Jacqueline Wilson Dance Suite for Solo Bassoon

Clarinet

• Any etude at the level of Rose’s 32 Etudes for Clarinet
• Two contrasting selections from the concerto, sonata, and/or solo literature. Applicants are encouraged to select a work by a composer from an underrepresented group. Some online resources to aid students in selecting this repertoire are listed at the top of the woodwind repertoire page and another resource is linked here.

Flute

• One two-octave major scale of the applicant’s choice
• An etude at the level of Andersen Op. 33
• One movement of a baroque sonata or classical concerto
• One work or movement of a work from the 19th, 20th, or 21st century

Oboe

• Two contrasting etudes from Barret or Ferling
• Two contrasting movements of a sonata or concerto (one must be from the Baroque or Classical era)

Saxophone

In all instances, it is acceptable for applicants to propose repertoire other than what is listed below. If an applicant would like to perform alternate repertoire, they should contact Paul Cohen directly to consult with him about this.

Alto Saxophone (Classical)

• One prepared etude from Voxman’s Selected Studies
• Two movements from any two works from among the following:
  • Creston Sonata
  • Lunde Sonata
  • Jacobi Sonata
  • Eccles Sonata (arr. Rascher)
  • Handel Sonata No. 3 (arr. Rascher)

Tenor Saxophone (Classical)

• One selection from Voxman’s Selected Studies
• Two movements from any two works from among the following:
  • Galliard Sonata No. 4
  • Telemann Sonata in C Minor
  • Tuthill Sonata
  • Schmidt Sonatina
  • Hartley Poem

Baritone Saxophone (Classical)

• One selection from Voxman’s Selected Studies
• Two movements from any two works from among the following:
  • Caravan Sonata
  • Presser Prelude
  • Spears Ritual and Celebration
  • Handel Sonata No. 3 (arr. Rascher)
  • Fasch Sonata (arr. Rascher)

Live auditions on campus are always encouraged however if applicants would like to submit a recorded audition, please refer to the Recorded Audition Requirements section on this page.