Voice

This page is for all first-year applicants applying to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music with an emphasis in vocal performance for the fall semester, as well as those interested in pursuing a music minor in vocal performance. Those interested in Musical Theatre should refer to the Musical Theatre program page. Current Pepperdine students who wish to audition either as a Bachelor of Arts in Music (Voice) or as a minor should contact the Fine Arts Recruitment Office.

For more information, please contact the Fine Arts Recruitment Office at 310.506.4111, or via email at fineartsrecruit@pepperdine.edu.

Application Requirements for Voice

All students applying for the Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in vocal performance, or for the music minor in vocal performance, must complete the following:

1. The application for Seaver College
2. The Fine Arts supplemental application
3. A live audition, either in-person or via Zoom

All repertoire requirements for the live audition are the same as for the recorded video audition. You may use the same selections for both the recorded video audition and live audition if you wish, or you may choose different repertoire that fulfill the requirements.

Transfer applicants are strongly encouraged to review Pepperdine’s transfer policies and to contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@pepperdine.edu with further questions.

Application Deadlines

All required materials must be submitted by the listed deadline. Any application not completed by the listed deadline may be removed from consideration. For all current application deadlines, please visit this page.

Applicants experiencing hardship or extenuating circumstances due to natural disaster or public health concerns in their local area that may affect their ability to satisfy application requirements may contact the Fine Arts Recruitment Office at fineartsrecruitment@pepperdine.edu to explore possible accommodations. Though we cannot guarantee that accommodations/exceptions will be possible, applicants are encouraged to contact the Recruitment Office as soon as possible to allow the maximum amount of time to consider alternative options.

Recorded Video Auditions

By the application deadline, all applicants pursuing a vocal performance emphasis must upload their recorded audition materials through the online application. Your selections should be recorded with accompaniment. Acceptable accompaniment options include: 

• in-person accompanist (preferred)
• a high-quality piano accompanying app, pre-recorded accompaniment tracks
  (ideally from an accompanist you have worked with)
• self-accompaniment at the piano.

Please use your judgment and select the best accompaniment option that is available to you. Record each of your selections in an unedited, uninterrupted  track. Please read the following instructions carefully in preparation for your recorded materials, as well as your in-person or virtual audition. Applicants to the music major or music minor will submit all recorded materials via the Fine Arts Application Portal. Those interested in pursuing a music minor will need to reach out  to the Fine Arts Recruitment Office to access their application portal.

The following recordings are required:

• A short introduction in which you state your name, the recording date (or dates), and list the selections recorded.
• Three pieces in varying musical styles, in two different languages, one of which may be English. You may choose to include an aria, art song, and musical theater piece. One of the pieces must be from the 24 Italian Arias & Art Songs collection. Non-native speakers of English must perform one piece in English. Each of these songs should be submitted as a separate video.

Recording Guidelines

All applicants will have the option to audition either on campus or remotely. Please review repertoire requirements for information about audition repertoire requirements and specific deadlines. Whenever a recorded submission is required, applicants should refer to the following guidelines:

• Recordings must have been made within the past 12 months and must meet the repertoire requirements set by each department.
• Record each selection on a separate unedited track unless otherwise specified for your instrument in the repertoire requirements.
• We will not accept audio recordings in place of video recordings.
• Be sure to review your entire recording for quality before submitting!

For further guidance on how to best record your video audition, please consult the Virtual Audition Guidelines.

Applicants are responsible for submitting complete applications. Applications that are incomplete will not be processed. Application fees are non-refundable, and application materials will not be returned. Pepperdine University  reserves the right to rescind admission to any applicant whose file documentation is found to be insufficient and/or incomplete.

If you encounter questions or problems with your application, please contact the Fine Arts Recruitment Office at fineartsrecruitment@pepperdine.edu.

In-Person Audition Instructions

Those participating in an in-person live audition should observe the following instructions.

• Arrive 15 minutes prior to your audition time in order to check in. Practice rooms may be available upon request.
• Provide legible sheet music of their repertoire in a binder; the sheet music provided to the pianist at the time of the audition will include the vocal line as well as piano accompaniment. All other forms of sheet music will not be accepted.
• Dress appropriately
   Men: suits, with or without ties, dress shoes
   Women: Mid or knee-length dresses, pants or pantsuits, dress shoes as is appropriate for the outfit
• After the singing portion, each applicant for the vocal program will participate in a brief interview with the voice faculty.

After the singing portion, each applicant for the vocal program will participate in a brief interview with the voice faculty. 

Zoom Audition Instructions

If you are unable to participate in an in-person audition, you have the option to audition via Zoom. Applicants who audition virtually will be treated equitably to those who audition in-person. Those participating in an in-person live audition should observe the following instructions.

• Log into the Zoom meeting 15 minutes prior to your audition time in order to check in. You will be kept in a waiting room, and an Audition Day staff member will communicate with you via Zoom chat.
• Perform with accompaniment. Acceptable accompaniment options include: in-person accompanist (preferred), a high-quality piano accompanying app, pre-recorded accompaniment tracks (ideally from an accompanist you have worked with), or self-accompaniment at the piano.
• A virtual audition requires adequate lighting, neutral background, strong wifi or ethernet connection as well as appropriate camera angle(s). For further information, please reference our Virtual Audition Guidelines.
• Dress appropriately
  Men: suits, with or without ties, dress shoes
  Women: Mid or knee-length dresses, pants or pantsuits, dress shoes as is appropriate for the outfit

• After the singing portion, each applicant for the vocal program will participate in a brief interview with the voice faculty.