GUITAR
Admission to the BYU Guitar Studio is in accordance with the School of Music’s audition requirement. Since the guitar’s musical landscape is so vast and unique, we are open to guitarists of all backgrounds and interests. You do not have to be classically trained or a jazz guitar player to audition.
The following outlines what we ask you to prepare and what to expect for your audition.
The Guitar Studio audition consists of four separate components encompassing:
- Improvisation: In your chosen genre and style with a backing track which you will provide. Classical and jazz guitarists may improvise without a backing track.
- Reading: You will be required to sight read a piece in standard notation, tablature, or a lead sheet.
- An assigned piece: This will consist of a standard in classical, jazz, rock/pop, or fingerstyle which we will send you in advance of the audition. You may select from any of them that you feel you can competently perform. You are expected to come prepared to perform this piece at the audition. This will be emailed to you one month in advance.
- A prepared piece of your own choosing: Come ready with a piece that highlights your technical and musical ability. This may be whatever you choose, be it something from Wes Montgomery, Tarrega, Journey, Dream Theater, or Meshuggah.
Note that you may incorporate the improvisation requirement in your prepared piece if you would prefer to combine them. The day of, please inform us if you will be combining the requirements.
When you come to your audition, please dress professionally and arrive at least 10 minutes early. We will provide you with amplification and a means to play your backing track, but if you have an amp you prefer to use you may bring it with you.
We are excited to have you audition for us, and wish you all the best in your preparation!
- Sophie Stanley, Professor of Classical Guitar
- Adam Keith, Professor of Modern Guitar
