CSUB Music Auditions

For Academic year 2023 - 2024

Online Submissions Coming Soon

In-person auditions Coming Soon

Vocalists please note: Vocal music audition must include accompaniment. Please email Dr. Sakomoto (lsakomoto@csub.edu) if you have any questions about the audition process.

Instrumentalists

Instrumental Music Audition Requirements

  • Solos:

    • Two standard solo pieces or etudes in contrasting styles demonstrating technical proficiency and expressive, lyrical playing.

    An accompanist is not required for instrumentalists.

  • Scales:

    • Ascending and descending major scales with key signature up to three sharps and flats.

    Ascending and descending chromatic scale.

  • Jazz Improvisation (optional):

    • Improvise on a 12-bar blues form or jazz standard.

    Bassists: perform walking bass on 12-bar blues or jazz standard.

  • Pianists should perform two memorized works chosen from:

      • 1. One Baroque work

      2. One fast movement from a Classical sonata

      3. One Romantic piece

      4. One piece from the Impressionistic, 20th-, or 21st-century repertoire

    Only solo repertoire will be accepted, no accompaniments.

    No simplified arrangements.

    • Jazz Improvisation (optional):

      • Improvise on a 12-bar blues form or jazz standard.

      Bassists: perform walking bass on 12-bar blues or jazz standard.

    • Audition Dress Code:

      • Professional, business-casual (dress slacks, skirts, dresses, long-sleeve dress shirt, etc.) No jeans, t-shirts or sneakers.

Vocalists

Vocal Music Audition Requirements

  • Applicants should perform from memory:

    • 1. Art song or aria* in Italian or English.

    2. Second art song or aria in English, Italian, German, French or Spanish.

    * Opera arias from the 19th century (Puccini, Verdi, etc.) are discouraged for Freshman singers. Opera or oratorio arias from the 17th and 18th century are appropriate (Handel, Caldara, Scarlatti, Bach, etc.)

    Optionally, voice audition students may upload sheet music files.

    Please note: Multi-page PDF and/or .ZIP archives only.

  • Audition Dress Code:

    • Professional, business-casual (dress slacks, skirts, dresses, long-sleeve dress shirt, etc.) No jeans, t-shirts or sneakers.

PLEASE NOTE: The FAFSA and CSUB Scholarship Application need to be completed between January 1, 2026 and March 1, 2026.

  • More Information
  • We hope the information on this page will answer many of your questions. If there are any further questions you might have about auditions for the CSU Bakersfield Music Program, its ensembles, or course offerings please don't hesitate to reach out.