Guitar Audition

Bachelor of Music - Guitar Performance

The CSUN Guitar program requires a background in the study of the guitar and its repertoire. Prospective students can audition for the program and study a variety of styles, such as classical guitar, flamenco, contemporary fingerstyle and electric guitar. During the audition, the faculty will discuss with you your goals and ambitions for guitar performance. Students will have the ability to focus on one style of playing or be able to gain experience in multiple styles, in consultation with Professor Thachuk, the head of guitar studies.

The foundation of all auditions will be classical repertoire, as this will allow us to best assess your technique, rhythm and note-reading ability. However, the audition will also allow you to demonstrate your ability according to your background and interests. For all BM Performance auditions, a minimum of three (3) pieces must be prepared.

For Classical Guitar

The audition should consist of three (3) pieces of contrasting styles from the classical guitar repertoire. Auditions are to be performed on a classical (nylon string) guitar and memorized. The items below are only suggestions for types of works to be represented in your audition.

Standard études as those of Aguado, Carcassi, Giuliani, Brouwer, Sor
Works by such composers as Milan, Bach, Holland, Albeniz, Granados, Villa-Lobos, Tarrega, Casseus, E. Giuliani, Ponce, Dyens, York, and Mertz.
A piece or a movement by a composer who is from a group that is typically underrepresented in the classical music field

Additionally, a knowledge of the entire fingerboard is required, and there will be a sight-reading assessment administered at the audition.

For Flamenco Guitar

The audition should consist of two (2) pieces of contrasting styles from the classical guitar repertoire as described above in the “Classical Guitar” guideline. Applicants interested in Flamenco guitar will need to do either a third (3rd) classical piece OR a short flamenco piece. If you are already a proficient Flamenco player, please contact Professor Thachuk to discuss your audition repertoire. Additionally, people interested in flamenco styles will need to demonstrate the following:

Basic fretboard theory

Musicianship skills

Basic understanding of chords, modes and keys

Good understanding of rhythm

Auditions are to be performed on a classical or flamenco (nylon string) guitar and memorized.

For Contemporary Fingerstyle

Contemporary Fingerstyle is a course of study that integrates classical techniques, and repertoire, fingerstyle guitar repertoire, and arrangements and compositions that the student will create. An aptitude for composition and arrangement, as well as playing with a fingerstyle technique is required. The audition should consist of two (2) pieces of contrasting styles from the classical guitar repertoire as described above in the “Classical Guitar” guideline. Applicants interested in Contemporary Fingerstyle will need to do either a third (3rd) classical piece OR a contemporary fingerstyle piece, fingerstyle arrangement, chord melody arrangement or original composition. If you are already a proficient fingerstyle player, please contact Professor Thachuk to discuss your audition repertoire. Additionally, people interested in contemporary fingerstyle will need to demonstrate the following:

Basic fretboard theory

Musicianship skills

Basic understanding of chords, modes and keys

Good understanding of rhythm

Auditions are to be performed on a classical (nylon string) guitar and memorized

For Electric Guitar (contemporary classical)

At the current time, the CSUN Music Department does NOT offer electric guitar for commercial styles as a Bachelor of Music in Performance degree. However, If you perform in a modern classical style and your instrument is electric guitar, then please contact Professor Thachuk to discuss an audition. Below is a guideline for acceptable performance auditions in electric guitar (contemporary classical):

A classical or experimental work composed for the electric guitar (with or without electronics or signal processing), such as Reich's "Electric Counterpoint", Murail's "Vampyr", Lentz's "Ingwe".
A classical or experimental work arranged for electric guitar (with or without signal processing).
Works you have composed in a classical or experimental idiom for electric guitar (with or without signal processing)
A work by a composer who is from a group that is typically underrepresented in the classical or experimental music field

BA: Music Ed, Music Industry, Music Therapy and BM: Composition or Commercial & Media Writing

Applicants are to perform two (2) pieces of contrasting styles and all scales from the Segovia edition. Auditions are to be performed on a classical (nylon string) guitar and memorized. Additionally, a knowledge of the entire fingerboard is required, and there will be a sight-reading assessment administered at the audition. Sight reading will be comprised of single-note position reading of simple chordal pieces. The items below are only suggestions for types of works to be represented in your audition. We encourage performances of works by composers typically underrepresented in the field of classical music.

any one of Etudes 1 & 2 - Mateo Carcassi
any one of Etudes Simples 1-10 - Leo Brouwer
Pavanas - Luis Milan
any one of the Studies (Segovia edition) - Fernando Sor
any piece commensurate or above the level of the above selections

MASTER OF MUSIC - Guitar Performance

This program requires an extensive background in study of the instrument. Masters students can study Classical Guitar, Flamenco Guitar, Contemporary Fingerstyle, or Electric Guitar (classical/experimental). The audition for the program should represent your artistic goals. Auditions are to be played from memory.

Classical Guitar

The items below are only suggestions for types of works to be represented in your audition. Your audition should be a minimum of 15 minutes:

Movement or movements from a major work by J.S. Bach: Cello Suites, Lute Suites, Violin sonatas and Partitas.
A piece or a movement by a composer who is from a group that is typically underrepresented in the classical music field
A piece or movement of a major guitar composer – Ponce, Rodrigo, Tedesco, de Leon, Brouwer, etc. or modern works – Britten, Takemitsu, Henze, Tower, etc.

Flamenco Guitar

Please prepare a 15-minute program of flamenco, or a mix of flamenco and classical guitar works from the suggestions above, presenting a minimum of 15 minutes of music. An experience in performing and an understanding of flamenco, its culture and practice are required for flamenco guitar studies in the Masters program. Please consult with Professor Thachuk if you have further questions.

Contemporary Fingerstyle Guitar

Please prepare a 15-minute program of contemporary fingerstyle or a mix of contemporary fingerstyle and classical guitar works from the suggestions above, presenting a minimum of 15 minutes of music. Please consult with Professor Thachuk if you have further questions

Examples of contemporary fingerstyle repertoire:

Advanced pieces piece by fingerstyle players such as Michael Hedges, Tommy Emmanuel, Andy McKee, Kaki King, Don Ross, Michael Chapdelaine etc.
advanced arrangements of songs, standards, or classical works meant for solo performance
original fingerstyle compositions

Electric Guitar

The study of Electric Guitar in the context of classical and experimental music is relatively new, and will often incorporate concepts of composition, arrangement and improvisation. You will need to contact the Head of Guitar, Professor Steve Thachuk, to discuss your artistic goals, experience, and audition repertoire. It will be necessary to arrange with the Guitar area what equipment will be needed for the audition if performed in person. The audition will consist of a minimum of 15 minutes of music. The following are suggestions for repertoire:

A classical or experimental work composed for the electric guitar (with or without electronics or signal processing), such as Reich's "Electric Counterpoint", Murail's "Vampyr", Lentz's "Ingwe".
A classical or experimental work arranged for electric guitar (with or without signal processing).
Works you have composed in a classical or experimental idiom for electric guitar (with or without signal processing)
A work by a composer who is from a group that is typically underrepresented in the classical or experimental music field