HSA Prep Music

HSA Prep Music is designed to train students, ages 12-18, who display the talent and commitment to excellence for entry into an institution of higher learning and/or a professional career in music. The program integrates private lessons, ensemble participation, history, music theory, and ear training. A minimum of two to three days of study per week and additional performance dates are required.

Students are admitted to the program through an audition process that includes a theory placement test and an interview process. All applicants will be asked to sight read at the audition. Students will be required to prepare Classical or Jazz repertoire for entrance into the HSA Prep Music Program. Please visit our website for the complete list of requirements for audition.

In Preparation for your audition:

• Instrumental music students must bring their instruments to the audition. HSA will provide a piano, double bass, drum sets, percussion.
  
  
• Electric guitar / bass players must bring their own amplifier.
  
  
• All scales & arpeggios must be memorized.
  
  
• Classical applicants: If an accompanist is needed, you must provide your own.
  
  
• The audition process will include: Sight Reading, A Theory Placement Test, and an Interview

Students are required to prepare the following repertoire for entrance into the music preparatory program:

CLASSICAL

Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass:

• Major and Minor Scales: 2 or 3 octaves with arpeggios
  
• Two contrasting movements of a sonata or concerto
  
• A work by Bach

Piano:

• Major and Minor Scales: 2 to 4 octaves with arpeggios
  
• Two contrasting movements of a solo work
  
• A work by Bach

Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon:

• Major and Minor Scales: 2 or 3 octaves
  
• Two contrasting movements of a sonata or concerto

Trumpet, French horn, Trombone, Tuba:

• Major and Minor Scales: 2 or 3 octaves
  
• Two contrasting movements of a sonata or concerto

Voice:

• A classical song of the applicant's choice sung in English
  
• A short classical song in a foreign language

JAZZ

Wind Instruments, Violin, Viola, Cello

• Major and Minor Scales: 2 or 3 octaves
  Improvisation: Play a jazz classic or standard song in any jazz style. You must include at least three choruses of improvisation; selection and composers of your choice. Accompanists will be provided.

Piano, Guitar, Bass (acoustic and electric):

• Major and Minor Scales: 2 or 3 octaves
  
  
• BASS ONLY: WALK at least two choruses of a “basic blues” as well as improvise.
  
  
• Chords: Demonstrate all basic chords: major, minor, etc. Improvisation: Play a jazz classic or standard song in any jazz style. You must include at least three choruses of improvisation. Accompanists will be provided.
  
  
• Comping (GUITAR): Demonstrate comping: Rhythm guitar style and standard regular comping.
  

Drum Set:

• Play jazz time: slow, medium, fast on two choruses of 12-bar blues form. Accompanists will be provided.
  Demonstrate time in: waltz, rock, Latin, ballad, and brushes. Play on song forms (2 choruses) or vamps (at least 2 minutes each style).
  
  
• Solo (improvisation): different styles: jazz, rock, waltz, Latin, and in all tempos

For further Information contact:

Nadege Noel, Prep Director
212.926.4100 x332
nnoel@hsanyc.org