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Music Department
Do you love to create, perform and listen to music? Can you imagine every day being filled with music activities of one kind or another? Whether you choose to major in music or another field, you can use your skills and interest to join over 400 students who are fully involved in Bradley’s music program.
Majors
Music Performance
Refine your musical skills to prepare for a career on stage.
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Music Education
Gain the skills and experience to become a K-12 music teacher.
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Music and Entertainment Industry
Launch your career in the music industry with no audition requirement.
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Digital Music Technology
Combine music technology and audio production for a career in any industry.
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Music Composition
Create, perform and publish your own musical works.
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Music Business
Prepare to enter the music industry while developing your musicianship.
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Music for Video Games
Build skills that give you the power to bring interactive media to life through music.
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Music – Dual Degree
Easily combine your passion for music with any degree on campus.
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Minors
The 21-credit Jazz Studies Minor is open to all students, without audition. It will strengthen your understanding and performance of jazz through ensemble participation, music theory, jazz improvisation, jazz composition and arranging, and American music history.
This minor is easily paired with majors across campus.
The music minor, open to all students by audition, strengthens your understanding and performance of music through individual vocal or instrumental lessons in the area you select and courses in theory, history, keyboard skills, and ear-training.
You’ll also participate in one of the music department’s 15 ensembles. Designed for personal growth or career preparation, the minor can easily be paired with majors from across the university.
The 18-credit hour music industry minor is open to any student, regardless of major, with no audition requirement. You’ll be immersed in courses representing all facets of the music industry.
Electives allow you to focus on specific disciplines or you may complete the minor as part of the Hollywood Semester program.
This 20-hour minor, open to all students, includes courses in Acting, Piano, Music Theory, and Ear Training/Sight Singing. Acting the Song and History of American Musical Theatre. You’ll be involved in Theatre Arts productions through our Practicum program, and you’ll work closely with a Theatre Arts advisor, to keep you on track.
This minor pairs well with majors in Music, Theatre Arts, communication, TV arts, creative writing, and other majors within the fine arts, or the liberal arts and sciences.
Departmental Resources
Real-time live streaming from Dingeldine Music Center is available only during concerts.
Join us for a special program to learn what high school students and their parents need to know about Music majors, minors and ensembles at Bradley University. This program will also include campus tours and lunch with Bradley music students and faculty.
The scheduled Music Visit Day is Wednesday, Oct. 8!
Hilltop studio is a full functioning 24 track digital recording studio. Located on campus in University Hall ( next to Constance Hall ). This studio is equipped with a set of Yamaha drums, keyboards, and bass amplifiers.
The microphone selection of dynamic, condenser, and ribbon microphones includes:
- Shure B57
- Shure B58
- Shure KSM 32
- Shure SM 81
- Sennheiser 421
- Sennheiser 609
- Audix F2
- AMT S25B
- AKG 2000
- AKG 3000
- AKG C 451 B
- AKG C 451 EB
- AKG 414 stereo pair
- Neumann 184 stereo pair
- Neumann 105
- Royer 121 ribbon mic.
- Lauten LT-386 Eden tube mic
DI boxes include:
- Demeter VTDB tube DI
- Neve RNDI
- Radial Stereo DI w/ Jensen transformer
- Radial J48
- Radial ToneBone Bass DI
- Countryman 85
Also available are world class mic preamps including Neve 5024’s and the Focusrite ISA 428 MK II.
Hilltop Studio uses Pro Tools as our main DAW but we have available Logic Pro, Luna, and Cakewalk.
Studio Availability
| Monday | 9am – 4pm |
| Tuesday | 9am – 7pm |
| Wednesday | 9am – 7pm |
Free
- Student Class Project in Studio
- Ensemble Project On Campus
- Faculty Project in Studio –Student Mixed
$20 per hour
- Ensemble Project OFF Campus
- Faculty Project in Studio –Studio Mgr.Mixed
- BU Student Independent Project in Studio
$50 per hour
- Faculty Project outside of Studio –Student Mixed
- Faculty Project outside of Studio –Studio Mgr.Mixed
- Non-BU Client Independent Project in Studio
Music Major and Minor Auditions
Admission for music majors consists of two parts:
- General admission to Bradley University
- Admission to the Department of Music via a successful audition
You may select a music major when you apply for general admission to the university, but that status will only be achieved once you have been formally accepted into that degree program in the Department of Music following a successful audition.
All applicants (new students and transfer students) in the following majors must audition on their primary instrument for admission into these degree programs in the Department of Music:
- Music Performance
- Music Composition
- Music Business
- Music Education
- BA/BS in Music
There are three parts to the audition process at Bradley:
- Performance (8-10 minutes) See requirements for each area below.
- An informal interview with the faculty member(s) in your major area of study (15-20 minutes).
- Basic Theory Exam. (15 minutes). The results of this exam will give the faculty a better understanding of the student’s knowledge in this area, but will not be a factor in consideration of acceptance and scholarship money.
Accompanists will be provided for auditioning vocalists. A fifteen minute rehearsal will be offered before the audition. Accompanists are not provided for instrumentalists, though you are welcome to bring your own.
Music and Entertainment applicants are only required to do the interview portion.
2024-25 Audition Dates
Three options are available:
- Perform a live audition on the Bradley campus at one of our three audition days listed below. We encourage applicants to select this option.
- Schedule a live audition on a date of your choice by emailing musicinfo@bradley.edu.
- Submit a recorded audition.
Campus Audition Dates
Audition dates coming soon!
Music ensembles are for all Bradley students, regardless of major. Students can also participate in more than one ensemble each semester if they wish.
Choral Ensembles
The Bradley Chorale is the touring choir and other opportunities exist in vocal jazz, treble choir and opera.
Bands
Audition for the Bradley Concert Band and Basketball Band.
Jazz Ensembles
An active performance program that includes two concert bands, two jazz bands, basketball band and other smaller ensemble opportunities.
String Ensembles
The Bradley Symphony Orchestra is supported by an active chamber music program and applied lessons.
All Bradley University students, faculty and staff should be familiar with basic information about the maintenance of health and safety within the contexts of practice, performance, teaching, and listening. It is important to note that musical health and safety depends largely on each individual making informed decisions. The information introduced on this page is largely generic. Anyone who feels they have an injury should consult a medical professional. Musician’s Health and Safety is a lifetime effort and every individual involved in Music at Bradley is urged to stay informed of current research and practice that will contribute to lifelong musical enjoyment.
Musculoskeletal Health and Injury
Anyone who practices, rehearses or performs music has the potential to suffer an injury. Molly Sloter is a certified Andover Educator and available to all students, faculty and staff. “The mission of Andover Educators is to put music training on a secure somatic foundation so that all musicians, amateur and professional alike, may play free of pain and injury with increasing enjoyment and skill.” (1)
Recommended readings include, but are not limited to:
Protecting Your Hearing
Hearing loss is a gradual process that may not be noticed for years. The two most common causes of inner ear hearing loss are noise/music exposure and hearing loss associated with aging. While aging is not preventable, hearing loss associated with loud music or loud noise is certainly preventable.
Recommended readings include, but are not limited to:
Psychological Health
The Bradley University Wellness Program strives to offer current and accurate health information while encouraging smart and healthy behavioral choices. The Wellness family collaborates to provide current and effective programming for physical and mental wellness in order to promote student success. Bradley University Counseling is a division of Health Services. We believe in the importance of understanding that the mind and body are not mutually exclusive and that health is obtained from addressing the needs of both.
Recommended Books related to Psychological Health
Green, Barry and W. Timothy Gallwey. The Inner Game of Music. Doubleday, 1986.
Ristad, Eloise. A Soprano on Her Head: Right-Side-Up Reflections on Life and Other Performances. Real People Press, 1981.
Auditions
Admission for music majors consists of two parts:
- General admission to Bradley University
- Admission to the Department of Music via a successful audition
You may select a music major when you apply for general admission to the university, but that status will only be achieved once you have been formally accepted into that degree program in the Department of Music following a successful audition.
All applicants (new students and transfer students) in the following majors must audition on their primary instrument for admission into these degree programs in the Department of Music:
- Music Performance
- Music Composition
- Music Business
- Music Education
- BA/BS in Music
There are three parts to the audition process at Bradley:
- Performance (8-10 minutes) See requirements for each area below.
- And informal interview with the faculty member(s) in your major area of study (15-20 minutes).
- Basic Theory Exam. (15 minutes). The results of this exam will give the faculty a better understanding of the student’s knowledge in this area, but will not be a factor in consideration of acceptance and scholarship money.
Accompanists will be provided for auditioning vocalists. A fifteen minute rehearsal will be offered before the audition. Accompanists are not provided for instrumentalists, though you are welcome to bring your own.
Music and Entertainment applicants are only required to do the interview portion.
Audition Requirements
Brass
Prepare to play two excerpts in contrasting styles and tempi, of any combination of repertoire taken from standard solo and etude literature. The excerpts should be no longer than 4 minutes each. In addition, please prepare a full range chromatic scale and three major scales of your choice.
Cello
Prepare to play a movement from a Bach Suite, a 3-4 minute excerpt from a concerto, other major solo work in the standard repertoire, or a technical study. One three-octave major and one three-octave minor scale of your choice OR two standard orchestra excerpts of your choice.
Composition
In addition to the primary instrument audition, composition majors are required to submit a portfolio that contains two examples of original works or arrangements with scores and/or recordings.
Double Bass
Prepare to play 4-6 minutes of contrasting selections from a combination of the following categories: orchestral excerpts, concerti, sonatas, etudes, and jazz bass lines or improvisation on a jazz standard. Select from two of the following two octave major scales: E Major, A Major, G Major, C Major, or D Major. All scales should be bowed unless auditioning on electric bass.
Guitar
Prepare to play three excerpts in contrasting styles and tempi, of any combination of repertoire taken from standard solo and etude literature. The excerpts should be no longer than 4 minutes each.
Music for Video Games
No audition required.
Percussion
Students should prepare excerpts/etudes from two or three of the following areas of percussion: snare drum, mallets, timpani, multiple percussion, and/or drum set. Students should prepare repertoire from standard solo and etude literature for the instruments chosen. Solos should be approximately 4 minutes in length.
Piano
Perform two selections from the standard solo repertoire from the following periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or 20th/21st century. At least one work must be performed from memory. In addition, prepare three of each, in the keys of your choice: 4 octave major scale with arpeggios, 4 octave harmonic minor scale with arpeggios.
Violin and Viola
Prepare to play two works contrasting in style and/or tempo, or parts of works from the standard repertoire, each lasting 3-4 minutes. OR, choose one solo piece (see above) and one etude or technical study (2-3 minutes). In addition, prepare one three-octave major scale, and one three-octave minor scale (your choice of key).
Voice
Prepare two contrasting pieces to be sung from memory. One must be in a language other than English to be selected from the standard art song or appropriate opera or oratorio repertoire. The second selection must be in English and selected from either the art song, musical theatre or standard vocal jazz repertoire. In addition, sight-reading of two simple excerpts will be required.
Woodwinds
Please prepare two contrasting movements or pieces of solo repertoire demonstrating technical and rhythmic proficiency, lyrical phrasing, and artistry. One selection may be an etude. In addition, prepare a full-range chromatic scale and three major scales of your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be accepted to Bradley before signing up for an audition? No, you can sign up for an audition at any time.
Is this audition the same as the audition for ensembles? No, ensemble auditions are held in the first week of classes in the fall.
Do I need to be a music major to qualify for a music scholarship? In order to qualify for a talent-based scholarship, you must apply to one of the following majors:
- Music Performance
- Music Education
- Music Composition
- Music Business
- BA/BS in Music
We also offer small scholarships for participation in ensembles.
I do not have an accompanist. Will that affect my scholarship offer? No, auditioning without an accompanist will not affect your acceptance or scholarship.
How soon will I hear about my audition time? Your audition time will be scheduled and you will receive confirmation within a week of submitting your audition form.
How long after the audition does it take to hear about acceptance and scholarships? If you have been accepted to Bradley University, you will hear from the Department of Music within two weeks.
All students wishing to perform in a Bradley choral group must perform a five-minute audition. (8 minutes for Jazz Singers). Auditions will be held at Dingeldine Music Center. The audition consists of several components:
All ensembles are open to all students regardless of major.
Ensembles are free of charge – this means that you can take a full load of classes (16 credit hours), and then when the music ensemble pushes you over 16 hours, you can earn the extra credit at no charge.
1. Audition Form
Please electronically fill out this audition form by Tuesday, August 20 at 9am
2. Sign-up for an audition time and plan to arrive 15 minutes early
If you are a music major and auditioning for Bradley Jazz Singers, you must also sign up for a Large ensemble audition as well. You will have TWO audition times. If you are a non-major, you may just sign up for the Jazz Singers audition.
- Large Ensembles (Chorale, Comm Choir) and Opera – Tuesday, August 20
- 9 am – 5 pm
- Jazz Singers – Tuesday, August 20
- 5 – 7 pm
3. Audition Preparation
Large Ensembles and Opera
- Please come prepared to sing the “My Country Tis of Thee” melody. You will sing it acapella and may be asked to sing in a few different keys/ways to assess your range and vocal color. If you do not know this tune, you can easily learn it through YouTube.
- All students will be asked to sing back pitches, perform a short rhythmic example, and perform a short sight-reading example that must be executed to the level of the ensemble for which you want to be considered. The example will be a four-measure chorale excerpt in mixed voices. You will reproduce your voice part while the pianist plays the other three voice parts. You may use solfege, numbers, or a nonsense syllable.
- You may be asked to do vocalization exercises.
Jazz Singers
Details found here
1. Requirements
Auditions are ten minutes in length.
- Prepared piece (download your part below)
- Improvisation on a Bb Blues (download the track below)
- Drummers – replace improvisation with the following styles:
- Swing (medium and fast)
- Bossa Nova
- Jazz Waltz
- New Orleans Second Line
Please note:
- Saxophones can audition on Alto, Tenor, or Bari, though you may not necessarily be placed on that instrument.
- Trumpet players can play either Trumpet 1 or Trumpet 2, but should play Trumpet 1 to be considered for lead.
- Bass trombonists should play Trombone 4.
- If there are chord changes on your part, please ignore them.
2. Audition Time Signup
Sign-up for an audition time and plan to arrive 15 minutes early.
3. Audition Preparation
1. Requirements
Symphonic Winds/Band Auditions
Symphonic Winds/Band Auditions are scheduled during 8-minute blocks of time. Students auditioning for Symphonic Winds should prepare the excerpts found online as well as a piece of the individual’s choosing (2 minutes). Even though the excerpts are marked with desirable metronome markings, etc., just play them to the best of your ability.
Students auditioning for Symphonic Band should play something prepared and may be asked to sight read a simple excerpt. Auditions for Fall 2024 will take place Thursday, August 22 and Friday, August 23. There are no specific blocks of time for specific instruments. If you cannot make one of the published blocks of time, please contact Dr. Grisé to set up an alternate time.
If you have questions in advance about Symphonic Winds or Symphonic Band, you can contact Dr. Monte Grisé at mgrise@bradley.edu.
Basketball Band Auditions
Please contact Dr. Monte Grise´ for more information about playing in the Basketball Band at mgrise@bradley.edu.
2. Audition Form
3. Audition Time Signup
Sign-up for an audition time and plan to arrive 15 minutes early.
Faculty & Staff
- Alison Meuth
- Bill Duncan
- Carl Anderson
- Cory Boulton (formerly Ganschow)
- David Harris
- Eileen Snyder
- Grant Gillett
- Ji Hyun Kim
- John Hootman
- Justin Bainter
- Kimberly McCord
- Kyle Dzapo
- Kyle Hunt
- Lara Reem
- Lynnsey Lambrecht
- Madeline Wood
- Marcia Henry Liebenow
- Mark De Zwaan
- Mary Jo Papich
- Michelle Brower
- Molly Madden
- Monte Grisé
- Phillip Lancaster
- Polly Brecht
- Robert Brooks
- Russell Boulton
- Ryan McCabe
- Scott Anderson