AUDITION & INTERVIEW GUIDELINES

All interested candidates for Commercial Music, both for sound technology and music performance, are asked to interview, either in person or by phone. Commercial Music Performance majors (musicians) must also audition on premise. Below is information regarding the audition procedure.

Each entering class of Commercial Music Performance majors is selected by audition.  The audition experience is designed to help you show your strengths while helping us assess your talent and potential to succeed in Lamar State College - Port Arthur’s performance environment.  While there is a general format for the audition, each experience is unique - just like you.

The audition is formatted to assess your overall musicianship, as well as technical proficiency on your instrument.  Applicants accepted into our Commercial Music Degree Program will be taking music classes including harmony, ear training and arranging classes, in addition to private instrumental studies and ensembles. We take a holistic approach in our evaluation process where each component of the audition helps the audition team assess your overall abilities as a musician and your potential for success in the music industry as a performer in live venues, as well as with the recording session environment.

While each component is important, we recognize it is common for applicants to have imbalances in their playing abilities. We realize many applicants may not have advanced skills in improvisation, reading, ear training or multiple musical styles, but our curriculum materials are designed to help students build skills in these areas.

You should come to your audition & interview prepared to show us what you've got.

Logistics
Please plan to arrive at the audition site no later than 30 minutes before your warm-up time in preparation for your audition and interview. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to accommodate any delays caused by traffic or getting lost along the way.

The Checklist
The following checklist will help to remind you of items you may need for your audition:

• All acoustic and electric bass players are required to bring their instrument to the audition.
• Bass players and guitarists are reminded to bring a tuner, an instrument cable(s) and any effects needed for their prepared piece.
• Amplifiers for guitarists and bass players will be provided.
• Vocalists may choose to bring their microphone and a cable for their prepared piece.
• Drummers should bring their sticks and a practice pad for use in the warm-up room.  There will not  be a drum set for your warm-up.
• A standard 4 or 5 piece drum set with 2 cymbals will be provided for drum set players. Double-bass

Scheduling your Audition
You must call to schedule your audition at least 2 weeks in advance.  Auditions will be scheduled Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1pm to 3pm.  Call Mike Judy at (409) 984-6520, Jeff Sturms at (409) 984-6343, or Aaron Horne at (409) 984-6345.

The Audition
Click on the link below to the appropriate PDF file below to see the audition requirements. NOTE: You will need Adobe Reader to view the files. This software is probably already on your computer, but if it isn't, you can download it free from the Adobe website.

• Guitar Audition Requirements - PDF
• Bass Guitar Audition Requirements - PDF
• Drums (Set) Audition Requirements - PDF
• Piano (keyboards) Audition Requirements - PDF
• Voice Audition Requirements - PDF

Prior to your audition, you will have 15 minutes to warm-up on your instrument or your voice and review the reading material. The audition will be 15 to 30 minutes in length.

Music You Will Need
Anyone auditioning on GUITAR, DRUMS, PIANO, or BASS GUITAR will be required to play four songs.  Download the appropriate ZIP file below, which includes the printed music (chord charts) and MP3s for these songs. 

• Guitar Audition Requirements - ZIP (13.24MB)
• Drum Audition Requirements - ZIP (14.33MB)
• Piano Audition Requirements - ZIP (15.17MB)
• Bass Guitar Audition Requirements - ZIP (15.18MB)