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Bachelor of Music

Thank you for choosing to audition for the Bachelor of Music program at CQUniversity Australia. We want each and every applicant to play to the best of their ability on the audition day and trust that you will enjoy the audition preparation and presentation process. We have prepared the following audition guidelines to help you prepare for your audition.

Course mode

On-campus

Program location

The Bachelor of Music program is only available at CQUniversity's Mackay Ooralea campus.

How to apply and entry requirements

To gain entry into the Bachelor of Music program you will need to apply to:

We have limited places available and your admission into this program will be based on how successful your audition and interview is.

How to prepare for your audition

To prepare for your audition you should arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled audition time to ensure you are adequately warmed-up.

You will also need to bring the following documents and extra copies for the audition panel:

  • headshot photo
  • artistic resume
  • relevant certificates, licenses or diplomas (e.g. AMEB Grade certificates, RAD Dance certificates etc.)
  • any evidence of community work or volunteer activities.

Ensure you place this information with copies in a folder for the audition panel to keep.

During the interview

During the interview, the panel will ask you how and why you wish to pursue a career in music and may also ask you questions based on your performance and any information from the documents you provided.

What we are looking for is:

  • the potential for you to develop all aspects of music practice, both practical and theoretical
  • whether you have a passion, commitment and suitability for a career in music and allied creative arts areas.

What will I need to perform at the audition?

The following is a guideline of what you will need to perform depending on your main area of study:

Instrumentalists may include - trumpet, trombone, saxophone, flute, clarinet, piano, guitar and bass. You will need to perform two contrasting pieces.

  1. one must be classical or popular music.
  2. the other must be jazz-oriented and include some elements of improvisation.

The two pieces must be performed with a backing track or live accompaniment as appropriate.

Suitable jazz blues tunes include:

  • Now's the Time (Blues)
  • Blue Monk
  • C Jam Blues

Suitable jazz standard tunes include:

  • Blue Bossa
  • Summertime
  • Watermelon Man
  • Cantaloupe Island

Drummers will need to perform three contrasting grooves, in various tempos (slow, medium and fast), that must include at least one rock, jazz and Latin-related style.

Examples include:

  • rock
  • rock ballad
  • heavy metal
  • shuffle
  • funk
  • R&B/Motown
  • swing
  • bossa nova
  • samba

You will also need to perform one solo drum piece of your own choice.

Vocalists will need to perform two contrasting songs.

  • one must be classical, music theatre or popular music.
  • the other must be jazz-oriented and include some elements of improvisation.

The two songs must be performed with a backing track or live accompaniment as appropriate.

Suitable vocal jazz tunes include:

  • Don't Get Around Much Anymore
  • That Old Feeling
  • Almost Like Being in Love
  • Summertime
  • Night and Day