UMich - "Piano Principals must demonstrate proficiency on a 2nd instrument"?

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Hi guys, I have another question! (music ed here)</p>

<p>University of Michigan - Piano Principal (Primary instrument in piano, but nor majoring in performance)</p>

<p>"Applicants must complete a performance audition following the specific requirements listed for that instrument (see below). Applicants whose principal instrument is piano will also be required to demonstrate proficiency on a band or orchestral instrument, sufficient to fulfill the curriculum’s instrumental ensemble requirement. Indicate both piano and this second instrument on the application."</p>

<p>Well I have the piano audition part down, but I have no idea what it means to "demonstrate proficiency" on another instrument (flute for me).</p>

<p>Do I have to bring my flute on the day of audition, or are they saying this in general, that I will have to be proficient at playing a band/orchestra instrument because otherwise I cannot join one of the ensembles and thus cannot fulfill the required ensemble credits?</p>

<p>Music Education Requirements:
"Participation in an approved band, choir, or orchestra each term of residence, except when student teaching"</p>

<p>So does the "Campus Band" (the one more suited for non-music majors due to having less rigorous practice schedules) count as an ensemble credit for a music major? I looked at the list of the Ensembles here and they do not mention which ones do or don't, so I assume they all count for ensemble credit (they all require auditions too). Nothing mentioned about a band being "approved".</p>

<p>List of Bands:
UM</a> School of Music, Theatre & Dance- Performance Opportunities</p>

<p>I'm just a little worried since I hear that Flute is a really competitive instrument, and they moved my audition date to 2/17/2012, which is a day where there is "no flute". </p>

<p>I should have asked this question earlier, because if I actually need to prepare for a Flute solo as well, I don't have much time left :(.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>“Applicants whose principal instrument is piano will also be required to DEMONSTRATE proficiency on a band or orchestral instrument, sufficient to fulfill the curriculum’s instrumental ensemble requirement. Indicate both piano and this second instrument on the application.”</p>

<p>I’m just guessing here, as I have no direct experience with this, but I would read the word “demonstrate” as you must audition on a band instrument.</p>

<p>Good Luck</p>

3

<p>Yoshi: Would voice be an option for you? Looking at the U of Michigan music ed site they do allow piano with voice as a secondary instrument. It might be easier to cram for the vocal audition if you can carry a tune since you already read music and then you would need to find a teacher to help prepare you for the audition. If you can sing it might be easier for you to learn the repertoire necessary for the secondary audition.</p>

4

<p>Yoshi, please call the SOM directly with your question and speak to either the department head, auditions coordinator or registrar to get an accurate answer. </p>

<p>I do know that Campus band is NOT fulfilling an ensemble requirement UNLESS your dept head/dean/registrar approves it as such, and am a little skeptical that this would be the case if an education major. Which is why you need to get the answer directly from the school in this case. The rest of us are just guessing.
Best wishes.</p>

5

<p>Thanks guys, I called in and luckily it was as I thought; you have to be proficient so that you can have a chance of joining the ensembles to gain ensemble credit, or else you won’t fulfill those required credits.</p>

<p>No second audition! Woohoo!</p>

<p>Hopefully this might clear it up for anyone in the future who searches for this.</p>

<p>Thanks again, if I had to do a secondary instrument I probably would have taken Voice instead xD</p>