Music Scholarships and Auditions

Music scholarships are available to both prospective music majors and non-music majors. Scholarships for students wanting to participate in the University Concert Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, or Band. Students are required to audition for a music scholarship (see following) and participate as an enrolled member of the ensemble in which they are receiving the scholarship each semester.

Eligibility

1. Students must be eligible for admission to Ottawa University.
2. All musicians, regardless of major, are eligible for the full range of music scholarships offered to prospective students.

Scholarship Renewal

1. Students must meet all requirements as stated in their individual letter of award each semester to renew their scholarship, e.g. enrollment in an appropriate ensemble and appropriate private lessons, if required.
2. Students DO NOT have to be a music major to receive or renew an award.

Application

Students must complete the Application for Music Scholarship (link). If you are unable to download the application, you may request one from the OU Department of Music via e-mail at music@ottawa.edu. You may also call the music department at 785-242-5200, ext. 5552, or the OU Admissions Office at 785-242-5421. Please fax the completed application to 785-229-1008. You may also call the OU Department of Music to schedule a music audition.

Awards

All students awarded a music scholarship will be asked to respond within two weeks after the award notification as to their intention to accept or decline the award. This is a NON-BINDING response if submitted prior to May 1. After that date, students must declare the acceptance or non acceptance of the scholarship award.

Auditions

Music scholarships as awarded based on the student's potential to contribute to the musical ensemble for which they are auditioning. Students are expected to demonstrate satisfactory performance and musicianship skills in the audition through the performance of appropriate repertoire and other audition requirements.
 

1. Auditions will be held at the Ottawa University campus, Ottawa, Kansas, on scheduled dates throughout the academic year.
2. Additional audition dates will be scheduled off-campus at selected high schools.
3. If a student is unable to audition on one of the scheduled dates, arrangements will be considered for each student as needed.
4. An accompanist will be provided by the music department.
5. Students are encouraged to contact the ensemble directors regarding any questions, as well as to receive any specific guidance which will help with the audition preparation.
6. Video-taped auditions may be accepted if the student is from out of state.
7. Auditions generally last approximately 20 minutes (10 minutes for performance, and 10 minutes for an interview).

Audition Requirements for Specific Areas

Orchestral Strings

1. Two (2) excepts should be prepared and do not have to be lengthy.Excerpts may be selected from solo, concerto and/or sonata repertoire, or from standard orchestral parts (no arrangements) that demonstrate a.) slow, melodic passages, b.) faster, more articulated passages, and c.) spiccato (off-string) playing, if possible.
2. Scales in two (2) octaves.
3. Sight-reading.

Voice
General audition requirements for voice and choral music are as follows:

1. Vocalization: You will be lead through a series of vocalization exercises created to demonstrate the range and tonal characteristics of your voice.
2. Performance: If you have a prepared vocal solo (an art song is preferred), please bring it with you to sing. If not, you will be asked to sing a familiar song with the words and music to be provided for you.
3. Sight Singing: One or two very simple eight measure melodies will be given to you at the audition for unaccompanied sight singing. You will be given the first pitch. You can sing the melodies on "lah," "loo," or any sight singing system you choose.
4. Pitch Retention: Repeat four and five note melodic patterns which will be played for you on the piano. Sing on "lah."
5. Rhythmic identification: A series of rhythmic patterns will be played for you to identify on a printed score.

Wind Instruments and Percussion

1. Two (2) solo pieces or etudes of your choice.
2. Pieces should be of contrasting style (lyrical and technical) for wind instrument; for percussion instruments on snare drum and other pitched percussion instruments.
3. Major scales in keys of Bb, Eb, Ab, C, G, D, and A.
4. Sight reading.