Martin Luther College offers three options for majoring in music. All prospective and current students who wish to enter the major must complete the following entry requirements before being officially accepted into the program of study.

  1. Complete the Application to the Music Major.
  2. Have a written Recommendation from a current music instructor.
  3. Take a written exam covering knowledge of music fundamentals (terminology, major and minor scales, key signatures, meter (time) signatures, notation, rhythm, intervals, triads and chords, modulations, staffs, clefs, bar lines). 
    • Applicants must achieve a score of 40 out of 50 on the written exam. 
  4. Submit a recording(s) demonstrating aural skills, and
  5. Submit a recording(s) demonstrating performance skill with one’s primary instrument or voice.

Select one of the three programs within the music major. Full descriptions of the programs can be found in the MLC Undergraduate Catalog. 

  • Instrumental Music Major
    • for students who wish to prepare for K-12 teaching in the areas of instrumental and classroom music. 
  • Parish Music Major
    • for students who wish to serve a congregation as teacher and musician.
    • Students may choose organ, piano, or guitar for their primary instrument 
  • Vocal Music Major
    • for students who wish to prepare for K-12 teaching in the areas of choral/vocal and classroom music. 

Note: It is highly recommended that students pursuing a middle/secondary major double major in elementary education. It is also possible to double major in music, combining two of the three programs listed above.  

Please submit all application materials by June 1st. Once all materials have been received and the entrance exam taken, the results will be evaluated by representatives of the Music Division of Martin Luther College. Following a successful evaluation, a letter of acceptance will be mailed out to the applicant. 

If you have questions about the programs or the entry requirements, contact the chairman of the Music Division.

AUDITION RECORDING

 Please record digital audio or video files with the student’s name, instrument or voice type, and track labels as he/she performs the following:

All students will record with their exam proctor:

  • Tonal Memory: the student will sing back the passages played on a neutral syllable. (Label the recording: “Tonal Memory”). 
  • Sight-singing: students may sing on “la” or use solfege or numbers.  If the student falters, he/she may start over one time. (Label the recording: “Sight-singing”)

  • Instrumental Music


    Major Instrument

    Please make a digital audio or video file recording (with student name, instrument played and track labels) as he/she performs the following:

    • Major Scales: The student will play 2 major scales of 2 octaves each. (Label the recording: Major Scale and indicate which major scale is being played)
    • Minor Scale: The student will play 1 minor scale in all three forms of 1 octave each.  The minor scale should be the relative minor of one of the major scales played. (Label the recording: Minor Scale and indicate which minor scale is being played)
    • Chromatic Scale: The student will play a chromatic scale ascending and descending 2 octaves. (Label the recording: Chromatic Scale)
    • Music Selections: The student will play two selections of contrasting style/tempo.  Music chosen may be solo literature or etude studies.  Record approximately a 2-3 minute excerpt of each selection with accompaniment part as applicable (Label the recording: Solo/Etude Excerpt 1 and indicate the title and composer of work / Solo/Etude Excerpt 2 and indicate the title and composer of work)
      • A single work with contrasting style/tempos may be used. 

  • Parish Music


    Singing
    Please make digital audio or video file recording of the student as he/she sings the following:

    • Major Scale: Have the student sing a major scale, one octave, ascending and descending.  Choose a key that is comfortable for the student’s voice.  You may play a demonstration scale if necessary, but do not play along as the student sings.  Give only the starting tone.  Students may sing on “la” or use solfege or numbers. (Label the recording: Major Scale and indicate the scale)
    • Range:  Using the piano as a guide, help the student explore the limits of his/her vocal range.  C major scales in both directions would serve well. (Label the recording: Range)
    • Melody: Have the student sing a prepared solo selection or “America” (provided).  The solo selection may be accompanied by piano.  If the student sings “America” you may set the key and give the starting tone, but do not play along as the student sings. (Label the recording: Melody)


    Organ/Piano/Guitar
    Please make a digital audio or video file recording of the student playing a selection demonstrating his/her ability level.

  • Vocal Music


    Singing
    Please make digital audio or video file recording of the student as he/she sings the following:

    • Major Scale: The student will sing a major scale, one octave, ascending and descending. Choose a key that is comfortable for the student’s voice.  A demonstration scale may be played if necessary, but do not play along as the student sings, give only the starting tone.  Students may sing on “la” or use solfege or numbers. (Label the recording: Major Scale and indicate the scale)
    • Range: Using the piano as a guide, help the student explore the limits of his/her vocal range.  (Label the recording: Range)
    • Prepared solo: Have the student sing his/her prepared solo. (Label the recording: Solo and indicate the title and composer)


    Keyboard
    Please make a digital audio or video file recording of the student playing a piano or organ selection demonstrating his/her ability level.

TIPS FOR RECORDING

For audio recordings use a high quality digital recording device. For example:

  • Zoom H1
  • Tascam DR-07X
  • (there are numerous other options; your music teacher may be able to assist you) 

For video recordings a high quality USB microphone connected to a smartphone is a quality, basic setup.  

Avoid performing too close to the mic, this will cause distortion. Positioning at a 30° off-axis works well (you may need to experiment a little bit to get the best sound).