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 will be required to do the following:

1. 1. 1. Complete the Audition Registration form
      2. Submit an essay/statement of purpose
      3. Audition in person (no video submissions permitted for internal transfers)

To gain access to the audition registration form, you must send an email to the Audition Coordinator. In your email, please include: full name, primary instrument, area of music concentration.

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

Types of Auditions

The Cali School of Music offers two options to complete an audition. Both methods require a non-refundable audition fee of $35, which can be paid through your application portal.

Live Audition – applicants will complete an audition on campus. You may choose your audition date, but the time of your audition will be scheduled for you. Your audition schedule will be emailed to you about 1 (one) week prior to your chosen audition date. If an interview is required for your major, it will be included in your audition schedule.

Video Audition – applicants will upload video recordings of the required repertoire to their application portal. Instructions for uploading your videos will be sent in a confirmation email once you have registered for one of the video audition dates. If an interview is required for your major, you will be scheduled for a zoom call. In some cases, we may require a supplemental zoom meeting, or an in-person audition, if a final decision cannot be made from your videos alone. If needed, we will reach out to you with an updated request.

Note –  Video applicants must submit a registration form for one of the available video audition dates. Submitting videos alone does not automatically register you for an audition or guarantee review.  

How to Register for an Audition

Audition registration is done online, by the applicant.

Undergraduates & Transfers: You will receive an email within 48 hours of submitting your university application. The email will include a link to the audition registration page, where you can choose an audition date & method, then complete the form that follows. If you do not receive an email 48 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 can choose an audition date & method, then complete the form that follows.

When registering for an audition, please only choose one audition date. You can review the available audition dates in the next drop down menu.

Audition Dates

Friday – November 3rd 2023
Live & Video Auditions
All applicants welcome
Transfer & graduate students looking for a Spring 2024 start must use this audition date

Saturday – February 3rd 2024
Live & Video Auditions
All applicants welcome
(snow date – February 4th)

Saturday – February 17th 2024
Live & Video Auditions
All applicants welcome
(snow date – February 18th)

 

Deadlines for Live & Video Auditions

The registration link for each audition date will close 2 weeks prior. You must have your MSU application & audition registration submitted by this deadline to secure a spot. All additional required documents (transcripts, resume, essay, payments, etc) must be submitted by the time of your audition.

All admitted students to the Cali School of Music are considered for a talent scholarship based on multiple factors – including the university application, audition results, academic records, recommendations, and institutional need for each program and instrument.

You do not need to apply for a talent scholarship to be considered for aid from the Cali School. Selected students will be contacted by the Director of the Cali School, only after you have received your audition results, and once your application is completed in full. The expected timeline for an offer is March/April, once the majority of our applicants have had a chance to audition.

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 helpful:

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 Coordinator of Music Admissions, 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 relative 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-update with an additional form 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 for the music concentrations that require portfolio materials (Theory/Comp, Recording Arts). If you are not auditioning through video submissions or either of the mentioned concentrations, 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 (listed as School & Community Settings). However, students may choose between the Classical Focus – where your primary instrument & ensemble studies are based around classical repertoire, or the Jazz Focus – where your primary instrument & ensemble studies are based around jazz repertoire.

While your application will reflect Music Education – School & Community Settings as your chosen major/concentration, there are clarifying questions on the audition registration form that will allow you to make the distinction between classical & jazz. Additionally, the repertoire and audition process will differ for each focus.

Those interested in Music Education – Classical, will follow the repertoire requirements listed for Music Education under your primary instrument. Those interested in Music Education – Jazz, will follow the repertoire requirements listed under Jazz Studies & Jazz Education.

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 have submitted 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?

There are no pre-screenings for any of the programs at the Cali School.

Can I audition for two programs at the same audition?

We do not accept 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 placement tests at the audition?

No, placement tests are not part of the audition process. Pending a successful audition and acceptance to the Cali School, 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. The emails are typically sent after the audition season has fully ended.

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

Audition & Interview times are scheduled manually 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 & pianists. 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. Please bring a copy of your sheet music to supply to the accompanist at your 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.

How do I submit an audition video?

Videos should be uploaded to your application portal, through the portfolio section. Once you register for a video audition date, you will receive a confirmation email that outlines the directions for uploading your submissions.

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 method, degree level, or choice of concentration.

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. 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 may ask 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 our Recruitment Coordinator. Please see the contact information below. You may reach out anytime to express your interest in setting up a shadow day.