Music Scholarship

Music at Greenville College has a long and rich history. For more than 75 years the Greenville College Choir has taken an annual spring tour, in addition to weekend trips. This elite vocal group has a reputation for fine choral performances in music ranging from Bach to contemporary composers.

The College Band has established its place as a performing group, including several ensembles. Other opportunities for musical involvement are available in the Chamber Singers, the String Ensemble, and other contemporary Christian musical groups. Other ensembles can be formed by interested students and, if approved by the music department, may represent the College in churches, youth groups, and the like.

Music Scholarship Auditions FAQ

1. Who is eligible to receive a Music Scholarship?

• All students who intend to pursue a degree in the Bachelor of Arts in Music (BA), the Bachelor of Music Education (BME), the Bachelor of Science in Commericial Music (CM), the Bachelor of Science in Worship Arts, or the Bachelor of Science in Audio Engineering at Greenville College are eligible to audition for a Music Scholarship. In order to receive a Music Scholarship, students must declare one of the majors listed above and be making progress toward the degree by staying within one of the Music Department degree plans.
• Students who intend to minor in music are NOT eligible to audition for a Music Scholarship.
• Non-music majors who choose to participate in chamber orchestra, concert band, fusion ensemble, or touring worship ensemble for credit may audition for the music ensemble award.
• Students who participate in the Marching and Pep Bands for credit may audition for the Marching Band Award.
• Music Scholarships vary in amount, based upon talent, experience, and perceived value to the department. (For more information about the Financial Aid process, visit Financial Aid.) Music Scholarships range from $500 to $1000. These scholarships are renewable annually, as long as a student maintains a 2.5 cumulative GPA and remains a music major in one of the music department degree plans.

2. When can I audition for a Music Scholarship?

• The music department will offer Music Scholarship auditions at the Whitlock Music Center on five dates: 
• Monday, October 15, 2012 (Preview Day) - Scholarship auditions between 1:30-3:20 pm
• Monday, November 12, 2012 (Preview Day) - Scholarship auditions between 1:30-3:20 pm
• Friday, November 16, 2012 (Music Department Day) - Scholarship auditions between 1:30-3:20 pm
• Friday, February 8, 2013 (Music Department Day) - Scholarship auditions between 1:30-3:20 pm
• Monday, February 18, 2013 (Preview Day) - Scholarship auditions between 1:30 - 3:20 pm

• Prospective students reserve an audition time by completing the online Music Audition form. Time slots are reserved for students on a first-come, first-served basis.

3. Can I schedule a campus visit on my audition date?

• Yes, we would love to have you do a full campus visit when you come for your music scholarship audition. Plan on arriving at the admissions office at around 9am. You and your parents would be able to attend Chapel, go on a campus tour, eat in the Dining Commons, and meet with an Admissions Counselor. Please contact the Admissions Office at (800) 345-4440 to schedule your campus visit.

4. What if I cannot audition on these dates? Do I have other options?

• While the music department prefers to hear scholarship auditions live and in person, students may present their audition on a videotape or DVD. No audio-only recordings will be considered for audition purposes.
• All recorded auditions must include a **Music Audition form, your essay answer, and your music resume (see the information under question #5 about the essay and music resume) and be received by February 20, 2013. Send your recorded audition to:

Office of Admissions
Greenville College
315 East College Avenue
Greenville, IL 62246

5. How should I prepare for a Music Scholarship audition?

• Prepare a brief typed résumé of your musical activities, music training, and music-related awards (such as All State participation), and a list of the pieces you have studied and performed. It would also be beneficial for you to list your high school GPA and your SAT/ACT scores. The résumé should indicate how many years of applied lessons you have studied on your primary instrument. It should also indicate your applied teacher(s) for the last few years. Please provide your current teacher's contact information (phone or e-mail).
• Prepare a brief one or two paragraph essay explaining why you wish to pursue your chosen degree plan.
• Prepare two selections of differing musical styles to perform at the auditions.
• For prospective CM, Worship Arts, or Audio Engineering students, the best combination is one traditional or classically-based repertoire selection and one contemporary selection of the student's choice. Otherwise, two contemporary selections of differing styles will suffice. Drummers need to prepare a series of at least four percussion styles to play rather than two song selections.
• For students pursuing a BA or BME, the two selections should come from two of the following musical periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary "classical".

6. What if I play more than one instrument? Can I audition on more than one instrument?

• Many of our students play multiple instruments. However, music scholarships are awarded on the basis of your principal instrument. Each student must select one instrument (voice is considered an instrument) that will be the focus of his or her study throughout the degree. This is not to say that students may study only one instrument during their time a Greenville College, but scholarships are awarded only on the basis of one primary instrument.
• Do not plan to play more than one instrument during the audition as the time slots are limited to 10 minutes each. Please avoid playing a secondary instrument while performing your primary instrument. Scholarship awards are based primarily on the student's skill and experience with their primary instrument. Students accompanying themselves may detract from the presentation of their primary instrument.

7. What should I do about accompaniment? Is accompaniment provided?

• You may bring an accompanist and/or a recorded accompaniment tape/CD to the audition. Do not bring more than one accompanist to your audition. We are interested in hearing the prospective student rather than a backup ensemble.
• The Music Department will provide an accompanist if arrangements are made with the Music Department Administrative Assistant at least three weeks prior to the scheduled audition. Call 618-6640-6560 in order to make these arrangements. 

8. Should I bring my instrument with me to the auditions?

• If you are auditioning on a traditional band or orchestral instrument, then you should bring your instrument with you to the audition. Drummers should not bring their instruments as the college will supply a standard trap-set configuration for the auditions. Drummers should bring their sticks and mallets. Electric guitar students should NOT bring their amplifier as we will supply one during the audition. Microphones will also be available for contemporary vocal styles
• Due to time constraints during the auditions, there is insufficient time to set up and break down your personal drum set or amplifiers. We will take into consideration the fact that you will be playing an instrument that is not your own.

9. What if I play the drums?

• Student applying for music scholarships on a drum set, must display confident drum grooves in the follwing styles: Jazz/Swing, Rock/Funk, Latin/Samba or Bossa.
• Students are NOT required to learn a specific song for this audition, however, there will be either bass, guitar or both accompany them in generic grooves of these styles. The student will be asked to follow along presenting the correct feel in the above styles.
• There will also be a short sight reading requirement. This will be entry level readin on the snare drum
• If there are any questions regarding the drum audition procedure, please contact Luke DeJaynes at luke.dejaynes@greenville.edu

10. Is there somewhere I can warm up or practice before the audition?

• Greenville College has a number of practice rooms on the first level of the Whitlock Music Center that will be available for you to warm up prior to your audition time. Representatives from the music department will be available to direct you to these facilities.
• Students who need a tape player or CD player for pre-audition rehearsal should bring that unit with them. If a drummer needs rehearsal prior to the audition, he or she must bring his or her own set for rehearsal only. Each practice room is equipped with a piano.

11. May my parents come to watch me during my audition?

• While we can appreciate the interest of a prospective student's parents regarding the audition process, parents are requested to wait outside of the audition hall until the student is finished. The one exception to this rule is if one parent functions as the accompanist during the audition. The parent will then be asked to leave during the question-and-answer portion of the audition.

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We believe that this information is sufficient to enable each prospective student to prepare for the music scholarship auditions in his or her chosen degree plan. If you have further questions, please contact the Admissions Office at (800) 345-4440.