Voice audition info
At the CU Boulder College of Music, we guide developing vocalists in their journey to becoming multiskilled artists and teachers through our focused curriculum, and through programs ranging from voice performance and vocal pedagogy to operatic performance and musical theatre. All undergraduate applicants must apply to the University of Colorado and complete a College of Music Admission Application; undergraduate auditions cannot be scheduled until both applications have been received. Graduate students only need to complete the graduate application.
For information about our Vocal Coaching Artist Diploma, please visit the collaborative piano audition page.
Undergraduate voice + opera + musical theatre
Undergraduate application instructions
Graduate application instructions
Information about the Vocal Coaching Artist Diploma can be found on the collaborative piano audition page.
Pre-screening
All undergraduate voice applicants (excluding jazz voice) are required to submit a pre-screening video. This necessary step helps us organize many applications while ensuring respect for your time and resources.
- Pre-screenings should be submitted by Dec. 1 (Fall applicants) or Oct. 1 (Spring applicants). Pre-screenings submitted after these deadlines will only be reviewed if space remains.
- Pre-screening repertoire requirements are the same as those listed below under ‘Audition Requirements.’
- Please prepare your video as well as you can. High quality videos without reverb are preferred.
- Once all pre-screening videos have been reviewed, you will be notified and further instructions will be sent if you are invited to audition.
Live audition
Live auditions (for those who pass the pre-screening) take place on three audition Saturdays in January-February here in Boulder. If you cannot attend a live in-person audition, we can consider your pre-screening recording in conjunction with a Zoom interview with the faculty.
More information about the audition process and audition days can be found here.
Audition requirements (first year)
Please prepare two contrasting selections that best display your vocal talent.
- One of the selections must be from the classical repertoire, which can include a folk song or a spiritual; the other can be either a second classical song, a musical theater number, or a jazz standard with fully-realized piano accompaniment (no lead sheets or chord symbols).
- If you have a background in a language other than English, you are welcome to offer a selection in that language.
- All selections must be performed from memory.
- For pre-screening videos and recorded auditions full body must be shown. You may be disqualified if your video submission is too close-up for us to evaluate whether your selections are memorized.
- Sight-singing and pitch-matching may be tested at the live audition.
- A pianist will be provided for all in-person auditions. Please use a pianist or a backing track for recorded auditions.
Please note that the voice area centers its vocal training around the classical and musical theater singing styles. We are not, at the moment, able to offer training in commercial music or contemporary pop singing. However, vocal jazz is offered through the Thompson Jazz Studies Program. Information on how to apply to that program is available here.
Audition requirements (transfer students)
You should prepare a brief program of 3-4 songs; the majority of these should be from the classical repertoire. Please also submit a copy of your repertoire list.
Essay prompt
A short music essay is required with your application. Upload the essay on your status page. Please choose one of the following prompts:
- Tell us why you would like to be a music major, describe your most powerful musical experience and list your future goals as a musician. Comment on your musical background and share anything else you would like us to know.
- “Music lets you rediscover your humanity, and your connection to humanity.” -Hans Zimmer. In what ways do you believe music can or should connect people across difference?
Degree sheets
Undergraduate application instructions
Graduate application instructions
Pre-screening
All voice applicants are required to submit a pre-screening video recording. The deadline for pre-screening submissions is Dec. 1. Once pre-screening videos have been reviewed, applicants will be notified if they are invited to the live audition round. The recording and live audition requirements are the same and all requirements listed below must be met in the recording.
Recording tips
- Avoid extreme close-ups and be sure to include waist-up shots. Try to balance the volume of the piano with your singing, but do not sing with a microphone or extra amplification.
- Say your name and the name of the song, monologue or dance before you begin each section.
- Upload your audition requirements as SEPARATE video files. Videos should be uploaded via the Application status page.
Live audition
Those who pass the pre-screening round will be invited to a live audition in January-February. If you cannot attend a live audition, we can consider your pre-screening recording in conjunction with a Zoom interview on one of our audition weekends.
More information about the audition process and audition weekends can be found here.
Audition requirements
These requirements apply to both the pre-screening and live audition. Without all four components, your audition will be considered incomplete and you will not be considered for admission.
If you’re invited to perform an in-person or a virtual live audition, please be prepared to sing two full songs of your choice under 3 minutes in length and also present a 90 second monologue (please stick to monologues in the musical comedy vein). If you choose a virtual live audition, please be ready to use your own backing tracks. A pianist will be provided for all in-person auditions.
- Resumé: Upload a pdf of your full resumé, which includes any training and experience you have had in music, theatre and dance.
- Voice Video (pre-screening): Prepare two selections of musical theatre repertoire that contrast in style and decade of composition. Each cut should not exceed 90 seconds in length and must be memorized. In addition, please have the entire song available in case faulty wishes to hear the song in its entirety.
- Monologue Video: Prepare one short monologue. The monologue must be memorized and should be performed in the context of the entire play. The monologue should be no longer than 90 seconds. Choose a monologue that is appropriate for your age and experience. (Be able to discuss the play or material as a whole. You may want to select a monologue from a play, monologue books or other material.
- Dance Video*: Required of all submissions, present a 30-60 second clip of yourself moving/dancing. Your full body should be in view at all times. You may choose a cut from a musical or a dance performance in which you participated, or record something original. Any style is acceptable: musical theatre, ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, etc. Wear appropriate dance attire that will show clean line. Dance music may be live or recorded. Optional, for applicants with dance training: Execute a set of plies, tendues, grand battements and pirouettes. Straightforward, simple exercises are preferred. (side view is best). Note that we will use this dance video as your final audition if you sign up for the virtual live audition date. If you sign up for an in-person date, you will dance live in front of our faculty.
*We are committed to finding a diverse group of individuals of varying skill levels in different areas. Some of you may be strong singer/actors who move well, while others may bring extensive dance training. The movement/dance portion of your audition should reflect who you are as a performer. We will accept a wide array of presentations.
Essay prompt
A short music essay is required with your application. Upload the essay on your status page. Please choose one of the following prompts:
- Tell us why you would like to be a music major, describe your most powerful musical experience and list your future goals as a musician. Comment on your musical background and share anything else you would like us to know.
- “Music lets you rediscover your humanity, and your connection to humanity.” -Hans Zimmer. In what ways do you believe music can or should connect people across difference?
Degree programs
Please note: The University of Colorado Bouder is fortunate to offer two different musical theatre degrees. These two degrees are the Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre (BM/MT) through the College of Music (which you are now investigating) and the Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Musical Theatre (BFA/MT through the College of Arts and Sciences. Both programs work closely together in course offerings and season productions. Additionally, you may be considered for both degree programs at the same audition.
BM/MT degree program
BFA/MT degree program
Differences between BM/MT and BFA/MT degrees
Degree sheets
Graduate voice + opera
- All graduate voice applicants are required to submit a pre-screening video. This necessary step helps us organize many applications while ensuring respect for your time and resources.
- Pre-screening videos are due by Dec. 1.
- To be equitable, the completed online application and all supporting materials must be received before we can review your video submission.
- The evaluation of the video is based on perceived potential, musicality, artistry and demonstration of a developing healthy and reliable vocal technique.
- Videos do not have to be professionally produced and videos of recent performances (preferably within six months, nine months maximum) may be used if they clearly demonstrate your strengths in the above criteria and are an accurate representation of your current singing.
- You can submit a separate video for each piece or compile all pieces into one video. It is not required to sing all your pieces without breaks, but we ask that each piece is sung in one take, without any editing.
- We typically invite between 45 to 65 students to the live auditions.
- Applicants will be notified of the faculty decision no later than Dec. 23.
- For all graduate degrees, the pre-screening video should contain at least three contrasting pieces of varying styles and languages, including at least one art song. Please announce your name and selections at the beginning of the video. All selections must be sung from memory.
- A comprehensive list of previously studied repertoire.
- A comprehensive performance resume, with categories listed by type (e.g., opera, recital, oratorio, musical, young artist program, etc.), including location and dates.
Please upload the documents listed above along with your pre-screening videos to the Graduate Application Portal.
- After evaluating your prescreening videos, the voice faculty may invite you to a remote interview.
- Interview topics may include discussion of previous teaching experience, performances, influences and potential research topics for future projects.
- These interviews will take place in mid-December.
- Live auditions are strongly preferred.
- The voice faculty understands the importance of finding an ideal program and location for your graduate study and we encourage those who pass the pre-screening round to visit our campus for your audition, allowing you to take inspiration from our beautiful location.
- The voice area graduate audition weekend will take place from Jan. 30-Feb. 1. During this weekend, there will be opportunities to participate in faculty master classes, observe lessons, take trial lessons, interact with our current students and observe the uniqueness of our program and location.
- If you cannot attend our graduate weekend, audition times will be available on some Wednesdays and Saturdays in January and February.
- A pianist will be provided for all graduate voice auditions. If you audition during our graduate audition weekend, a rehearsal with the pianist will be scheduled. For auditions scheduled outside of our audition weekend, whether a rehearsal is possible will depend on the availability of the pianist.
- A recorded audition (live performance or studio recording) may be submitted in place of a live audition when a live audition is not possible. Please see the Recorded (Video) Audition Guidelines for information on submitting a video.
Doctoral + Artist Diploma applicants
- Please offer a minimum of 20 minutes of music. The audition committee will make selections from your offerings. You may start the audition with a selection of your choice.
- Repertoire selections should include:
- Three art songs in three different languages
- Two arias from opera and/or oratorio (in any language)
- Any number of additional pieces of the candidate's choice of any genre in any language
- At least one piece in English
- All pieces must be sung from memory (exception: oratorio arias)
- Repertoire selections should include:
Master of Music applicants
- Please offer five pieces including:
- Three art songs in three different languages
- One aria from an opera or oratorio (in any language)
- One piece of the candidate's choice of any genre in any language
- At least one piece in English
- All pieces must be sung from memory (exception: oratorio arias)
Voice faculty are listening and evaluating applicants on the following categories during auditions:
- Timbre: A measure of the consistency and control of the quality of a voice.
- Technique: A measure of how an applicant understands the relationship between breathing and singing, as well their approach to intonation, posture and vocal register.
- Musicality + accuracy: An assessment of how a student uses dynamic contrast, phrasing, style and articulation in a piece of music, as well as an evaluation of accuracy in both words and music.
- Presentation: An assessment of how an applicant reflects the meaning of the text and character into their performance using the voice and body.
- Potential: An evaluation of an applicant’s professional demeanor, supplemental materials (reference letters etc.) and perceived potential for success as a CU Boulder student.