Advising Information

DIME Audition Requirements for ALL PROGRAMS

____________________________________________________________________________________ Part I - Important General Information

SCHEDULING AN AUDITION

To schedule your audition, call us at 313-223-1600 or email a member of our recruitment and admissions team: Elise McCoy elisemccoy@dime-detroit.com or Drew Schultz drewschultz@dime-detroit.com

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Auditions are booked in 1-hour blocks and are organized as follows: o Information session o Audition and Interview o Students who have not yet applied to MSU Denver will be able to use our

resource room to apply after their audition is complete. • About the Interview: The interview helps DIME analyze your previous experiences

on stage and in recording studios, leading groups and playing a supportive role, booking and managing shows and sessions, and also will give you an opportunity to define your career goals and aspirations.

• Provisional Acceptance: You will be told immediately whether you have passed or failed your audition for DIME. In some cases, applicants who perform at a high level but are not able to pass the sight reading portion of the audition may be given “Provisional Acceptance” to DIME. This will require a student to re-audition after their second semester in order to continue on the program.

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Part II - Audition Requirements: Bachelor of Individualized Studies - Commercial Music Performance

Guitar

• Perform two prepared songs that are at least 3 minutes in length: o Applicants should choose songs that accurately portray their personal styles, and also

demonstrate their understanding of timing, technique, intonation, dynamics, and comfort on stage. Songs should be performed with a backing track if possible.

• Identify the key and basic chord progression of each song performed. • Play two octave major, minor, and pentatonic scales with corresponding arpeggios. • Play a I-IV-V chord progression in 2 styles (examples: blues, rock, funk, soul) and demonstrate

understanding of transposition. • Demonstrate knowledge of chord extensions (examples: C7, Am9, F#maj7, Abmin7b5, etc.) • Improvise a solo over a blues progression. • Sight-read a piece of music provided by DIME.

 

 Advising Information

Bass • Perform two prepared songs that are at least 3 minutes in length:

o Applicants should choose songs that accurately portray their personal styles, and also demonstrate their understanding of timing, technique, intonation, dynamics, and comfort on stage. Songs should be performed with a backing track if possible. (Continued on next page…)

• Identify the key and basic progression of each song performed. • Play a one octave major, minor, and pentatonic scale of your choice with corresponding

arpeggios. • Play a I-IV-V chord progression in 2 styles (examples: blues, rock, funk, soul) and demonstrate

understanding of transposition. • Improvise a bass line over a blues progression. • Sight-read a piece of music.

Drums

• Perform two prepared songs: o Applicants should choose songs that accurately portray their personal styles, and also

demonstrate their understanding of timing, technique, dynamics, and comfort on stage. Songs should be performed with a backing track if possible.

• Identify the time signature and basic tempo of each song performed. • Demonstrate basic rudiments (singles, doubles, paradiddles, flam paradiddles) • Play grooves in several different time signatures (4/4, 5/4, 6/8, 7/8) • Play grooves in various styles (Funk, Rock, Blues, Latin, Shuffle, Swing, Ballad) • Sight-read a piece of music.

Vocals

• Perform two prepared songs: o Applicants should demonstrate their understanding of timing, technique, intonation,

volume, and comfort on stage. Songs should be performed with a backing track or accompanied by an instrument if possible.

• Identify the key of each song performed. • Sing major and minor scale in 1 octave, ascending and descending. • Improvise a melody over a chord progression played by the assessor. • Match pitch to piano. • Sight-read a piece of music.

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Audition Requirements: Bachelor of Individualized Studies - Commercial Songwriting

Songwriting

• Applicant is required to audition by performing two original songs on an instrument. (Applicants can provide an additional accompanist if DIME is notified at least 24 hours in advance.)

o Chosen songs should demonstrate the applicant’s understanding of song structure, melody and rhythm while also demonstrating personal style and versatility. Songs should be performed with a backing track or accompanied by an instrument if possible.

• Identify the key of each song performed.

 

 Advising Information

• Discuss the chord progression of each song performed. • Discuss the subject and lyrical content of each song performed. • Sight-read a piece of music provided by DIME. • Sing or play major and minor scales in 1 octave, ascending and descending.

Audition Requirements: Bachelor of Individualized Studies – Music Industry Entrepreneurship

• Applicants will be asked to outline relevant experience in the music industry. This includes but is

not limited to: self-management or managing another artist, booking shows for artists or venues, and promoting events or artists in a number of ways.

• Submit a maximum of 3 representations of your music or music you represent. Acceptable formats include CD or flash drive, or emailed links to websites or music streaming services. We can also accept show posters, letters of recommendation, resumes, or any other evidence of your work within the local music scene.

• Discuss the books, magazines, blogs, and industry websites that you are following which help you feel connected and informed about today’s music industry.

• Applicants will be asked to demonstrate musical ability either vocally on an instrument of their choice by performing 1 song to a backing track or self-accompanied. *

• Sight-read a piece of music provided by DIME on piano, vocals, or guitar. * *Applicants that cannot demonstrate adequate musical proficiency at their audition may be provisionally accepted to DIME based on their level of experience in music business. This provisional acceptance will require these students to re-audition on a musical instrument at the end of their second semester in order to continue on the program.