Graduate Admissions - Voice Division

Audition Requirements/What to Expect at Your Audition

The graduate voice audition is about 20-30 minutes in length. Applicants for both the vocal performance and music therapy programs are required to:

1. Prepare and perform four vocal selections covering the following guidelines:
   1. One standard operatic aria in the original language and key.
   2. One German Lied or French mélodie from the Romantic or early Modern periods.
   3. One English-language art song composed after 1900.
   4. One selection of the applicant’s choice. This selection can be an additional operatic aria in the original language and key, an aria from a standard oratorio in its original key (English translation acceptable), an art song in any language, a spiritual, or a musical theater song. Selections should represent a variety of styles and moods, should cover at least three languages, and should constitute approximately 12-15 minutes of music.
2. Demonstrate sight-reading proficiency on one short melodic and one rhythmic exercise.
3. Complete a short interview and Q&A with the voice faculty.

Graduate Voice Audition Requirements

Choosing Your Vocal Repertoire

The voice faculty is eager to hear the applicant’s ability to sing healthily and beautifully with great attention to musicianship, style, diction, interpretation, and stage presence. Please do not bring difficult songs or arias to the vocal audition that are not suitable to your current vocal abilities. Please also be aware that you and your pianist will have limited time to practice your music on the audition date – if you feel that any of your repertoire is difficult for the pianist, then you should reconsider it as an audition piece. If you have questions about the appropriateness of your audition repertoire, please contact Professor Debra Rentz at rentz@ohio.edu.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

We provide several options for students seeking talent-based scholarships, as well as opportunities for first-year and transfer students seeking funding for specific programs. Explore these details on the Financial Aid and Scholarships page.

Have a Question?

Browse FAQs

If you have questions about the appropriateness of your audition repertoire, please contact Prof. Debra Rentz at rentz@ohio.edu.