Auditions

Graduate & Artist Diploma applicants will apply through the graduate office of admissions. Click the link below to navigate to the graduate admissions page for important information, resources, and the official MSU application.

Admissions – Graduate

Please note – the Cali School oversees the audition process, whereas the admissions office oversees the application process. Any questions regarding the university application and required documents (transcripts, essay, resume, etc.) should be addressed to the graduate admissions office.

Current MSU students, who have completed at least one semester of study and wish to change their major to music, are considered internal transfer applicants.

Internal transfer applicants do not need to submit an application to the university, but are required to register for and complete an audition. To gain access to the private audition registration link, you must send an email to the Audition Coordinator.

Linsay Setzer – Cali School Audition Coordinator
setzerl@montclair.edu

Audition registration is done by the applicant, online. Only applicants who have submitted their university application will have access to the audition registration form through a private link.

Undergraduates & Transfers: You will receive an email within 24 hours of submitting your university application. This email will include the link to the audition registration page, where you will choose an audition date & method, then complete the form that follows. If you do not receive an email 24 hours after submitting your application, please be sure to check your spam folder.

Graduates: You will have access to the private audition registration link through your application portal, once your university application has been submitted. Follow the link in your checklist to the audition registration page, where you will choose an audition date & method, then complete the form that follows.

Auditions for the Cali School of Music are completed through one of two methods.

Live Audition – applicants will complete their audition on campus, in person, with our faculty. You may choose your audition date, but the designated time of your audition & interview will be scheduled for you. Your audition day schedule will be emailed to you about 1 (one) week prior to your chosen audition date. Auditions will take place within the times listed for each date below.

Video Audition – applicants will submit video recordings of the required repertoire to their application portal – through the portfolio section. Instructions for uploading your videos will be sent in a confirmation email once you register for a video audition date. Note – submitting videos does not automatically register you for an audition or guarantee review. You must register for a video audition date to be considered. Your chosen video audition date will act as the deadline for your submission.

When registering for an audition, please only choose one audition method & date. You can review the available audition dates below.

For Spring 2022 Entry

Friday, November 5^th 2021
2pm-5pm – Virtual Auditions Only
*reserved for transfer and graduate students only

For Fall 2022 Entry

Friday, February 4^th 2022
2pm-5pm – Live Audition Only

Saturday, February 5^th 2022
9am-5pm – Live & Video Auditions

Friday, February 18^th, 2022
2pm-5pm – Live Audition Only

Saturday, February 19^th, 2022
9am-5pm – Live & Video Auditions

Friday, May 13^th 2022
9am-2pm – Live & Video Auditions
*reserved for transfer and graduate students only

Please be aware of the following deadlines for audition registration:

All applicants, regardless of audition method, must register for an audition & have their application submitted & completed with the required materials (transcripts, resume, essay, payments, etc)  2 (two) weeks prior to your chosen audition date. Registration for each audition date will also close 2 weeks prior.

Example: If you choose to audition on February 4^th, you must have a completed application and submit the audition registration form by January 21^st.

Video Audition Deadline – all applicants submitting videos to fulfill the audition requirements must have their videos uploaded to the portfolio section of their application by 11:59pm the night before the audition date.

Example: If you choose the February 5^th video audition date, your videos must be uploaded by 11:59pm on February 4^th.

Aid may be available through the Cali School, pending a successful audition. You do not need to apply to be considered. Eligible students will be contacted by the Director of the Cali School after an audition has been completed.

Applicants to The John J. Cali School of Music may also qualify for one of the scholarships, grants and/or other sources of financial aid offered by the University.  The following resources may be of help:

University Office of Financial Aid

Graduate School Financial Information

Outside Scholarships and Scholarship Search Engines

Below are some of the most common inquiries we receive surrounding the audition process. If your question is not answered, please feel free to reach out to the Audition Coordinator, listed in the ‘Contact Us’ box below.

Additionally, please note that the office of admissions for your chosen level of study handles all things related to the University application. Questions regarding the application, submitting materials, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc. – should be addressed to the admissions office related to your level of study.

Do I need to submit a separate application for Montclair State University and the John J. Cali School of Music?

No, you only need to submit one application to the University. Once you select ‘music’ as your program of choice, the application will auto-add a questionnaire for the Cali School.

Do I need to submit anything to the portfolio section of my application?

The portfolio section of your application is used by the Cali School to review video submissions, or by the Composition & Theory Faculty to review your portfolio requirements. If you are not auditioning via video submission or applying to the Composition/Theory program, you do not need to utilize the portfolio.

When is the deadline to submit my application/supplemental materials?

Your application, supplemental materials, and audition registration all need to be completed 2 weeks prior to your chosen audition date.

For further information, please see the “Audition Deadlines” box above, under Step 3.

What is the difference between the Music Education – Classical Focus, and the Music Education – Jazz Focus? 

The Cali School offers one complete degree in Music Education (School & Community Settings). However, students may choose between the Classical Focus – where your primary instrument & ensemble studies will be based around classical repertoire, or the Jazz Focus – where your primary instrument & ensemble studies will be based around jazz repertoire.

While your application will reflect Music Education – School & Community Settings for either option, there are clarifying questions on the audition registration form that will allow you to make a choice. Additionally, the repertoire and audition process will differ for each focus. Please be sure to review the requirements under “Music Education” for the classical focus, and those listed under “Jazz Studies & Jazz Education” for the Jazz focus under Step 1.

Do you offer music minors?

At this time, we do not offer minors in music.

How do I register for an audition?

Audition registration is completed online, only after you submit your application. You will have access to the private audition registration link either via email, or through your application portal.

For further information, please see the “Audition Registration” box under Step 3.

Are there pre-screenings?

At this time, there are no pre-screenings for any of the programs at the Cali School.

Can I audition for two programs at the same audition?

At this time, we are no longer accepting dual consideration at the same audition date. However, students are permitted to re-audition for another program, or on another instrument, after their initial audition.

Do I need to take placements tests at the audition?

No, placement tests are not part of the audition process. Pending a successful audition and acceptance of an offer of admission, students will receive emails with the links to placement tests for aural skills and theory classes only. Your results will not affect your admission, but are simply used to ensure you are placed into the correct course levels.

I chose my audition date, but I haven’t received my time yet. When will I get that?

Audition & Interview times are scheduled by the audition coordinator and will be sent in a confirmation email about 1-2 weeks prior to your chosen audition date.

Do I need to bring my own instrument?

All Instrumentalists are expected to bring their own instrument, except for percussionists. If you do not own your primary instrument, or need access to one because of travel, please reach out to the Audition Coordinator to see if we can supply you with an instrument for your audition.

Do I need to bring an accompanist?

No, you do not need an accompanist. Instrumentalists should be prepared to perform on their primary instrument without an accompanist; vocalists will be provided with an accompanist from our faculty and are expected to bring copies of their music to the audition.

If you are auditioning with video submissions, you may choose to perform solo or provide your own accompanist or backing tracks. Please ensure your voice/instrument is not overpowered by the accompaniment.

Can I submit a video instead of a live audition?

Yes. While we prefer for all applicants to audition in person, we understand that some students may have religious, travel, or alternative conflicts on our offered audition dates. Video auditions will be one of the options students can register for once they receive access to the private audition registration page.

How do I submit an audition video?

Once you register for one of the video audition dates, you will receive a confirmation email that outlines the directions for uploading your video submission.

Do I need to register for an audition if I am submitting a video?

Yes, all applicants must register for an audition regardless of audition medium, degree level, or choice.

What if I can’t attend any of the scheduled audition dates but still wish to audition in person?

If you are not able to attend any of the scheduled audition dates, please reach out to the Audition Coordinator for alternative options.

If I don’t pass my audition, what are my options?

Incoming students may audition up to three separate times for the Cali School. If you do not pass your initial audition, you are welcome to reach out to the audition coordinator and request to register for a future audition date. Or, if you feel you need more time to prepare for another audition, you may enter the University undeclared/undecided (pending academic acceptance) and audition to transfer into Cali as a change of major during your first semester, or at the end of your first year.

Tours

The University offers both in person & virtual tours of the campus. These are run through the undergraduate admissions office, and can be scheduled online. For more information regarding a campus visit & tour, please follow the link below.

Campus Tour Info

The Cali School, located in Chapin Hall, is not included on the University’s Campus Tour. Applicants who visit for a live audition are welcome to tour the building on their own, as time allows during your audition day schedule. We invite all others interested in viewing the Cali School facilities to review our virtual tour below.

Cali School – Virtual Tour

 

Shadow Days

Interested applicants to the Cali School are able to participate in a shadow day. Shadow days allow you to be paired with current students in the program that most interests you, while immersing yourself in what it means to be a Cali School music major for the day. Shadow days are scheduled and set up with the coordinator for each instrument or area. Please see the list of coordinators below to contact if you are interested in setting up a shadow day.