Eastern Illinois University :: Department of Music

New & Returning Students

Welcome to the EIU Department of Music!

Whether you are a new or returning student, we are so happy to have you joining us and hope you find your college experience as a musician at EIU second to none.

This page serves to help you get organized for your arrival on campus and know what will be expected of you in the first few weeks of classes. When you arrive on campus on Move-In Day (or earlier, if you join the Panther Marching Band), it's a great time to familiarize yourself with the Doudna Fine Arts Center and find where your classes, lessons and rehearsals will be held.

Department Meeting and Ice Cream Social

Monday, August 21, 2023 at 2:00 - We will have a department meeting in the Doudna Recital Hall, followed by an Ice Cream Social in the Doudna Concourse.

Music Theory/Aural Skills Diagnostic Test (for freshmen)

All incoming freshmen will take a placement test on the first day of classes on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 10:00 am in the Doudna Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. Results of this test will determine placement in either Music Theory Rudiments (MUS 0541) or Comprehensive Musicianship I (MUS 1501).

For incoming freshman, this documen t describes how students are placed in either Music Theory Rudiments or Comprehensive Musicianship I.
Sample Music Theory Diagnostic Test (Answer Key )
Sample Aural Skills/Dictation Placement Test (Answer Key)

Click below to access the audio files for the Sample Aural Skills/Dictation Practice Placement Exam.

I-1 Interval	I-2 Interval	I-3 Interval
II-1 Triad	II-2 Triad	II-3 Triad
III-A Rhythm	III-B Rhythm
IV-A Melody	IV-B Melody

Placement Exams for Transfer Students

All incoming transfer students with college-level music theory/aural skills/music history experience will complete a placement exam before the beginning of the academic year. For incoming transfer students, this document describes the process for placing students into various levels of Comprehensive Musicianship based on their previous skill and experience in theory and aural training.

Sample Transfer Exams:

Sample Written Theory Transfer Exam
Sample Sight Singing Transfer Exam
Sample Dictation Transfer Exam - Click below to access the audio files for the Sample Dictation Transfer Exam

I.A. Melodic Dictation	II.B. Melodic Dictation	III.A Melodic Dictation	IV.A. Melodic Dictation
I.B. Harmonic Dictation	II.B Harmonic Dictation	III.B. Harmonic Dictation	IV.B. Harmonic Dictation

Please scan and record (singing exam) your exams and email them to Dr. Eckert at seckert@eiu.edu. Dr. Eckert will provide specific feedback and suggestions for how to best prepare for the actual exam.
Placement exams will take place the weekend before classes begin or on the first day of classes. Dr. Stefan Eckert will contact all transfer students to schedule a time for the placement exam(s).
If you have questions or need to reschedule a time for your placement exam, please contact Dr. Stefan Eckert (seckert@eiu.edu).

Applied Piano and Piano Class Placement Auditions

All music majors are required to take two semesters of Functional Skills in Piano: MUS 2203 and MUS 2204.
Two additional semesters of class piano (MUS 2205 and 2206) are required for students in the following programs: Vocal and General Music Teacher Licensure; Vocal and Instrumental Performance.
Those interested in developing their keyboard abilities beyond this primary level may enroll in Introductory Piano: MUS 0060 (dependent on faculty availability).

Piano Auditions are held on August 22^nd (Tuesday) 3:00-5:00pm and August 29^th (Tuesday) 3:00-5:00 pm for students who wish to have their piano requirements waived and/or enroll in the upper piano course (MUS 0060). Interested students should sign up outside of DFAC 2351 for a 10-minute audition.

For more information, contact Dr. Cayres (vcayresdemendonca@eiu.edu).
Click here for detailed information on requirements to test out of each level of class piano.

Jazz Informational Meeting

There will be an informational meeting about the jazz program on Monday, August 21 at 6:30 pm, in DFAC 1360. You are encouraged to attend to review the audition materials and ask any questions you might have. You may sign up for an audition at the meeting, or sign up on line.

To audition for a jazz group, students should do the following:

complete the online form; and
sign up for an audition time on Tuesday, August 22 or Wednesday, August 23 in DFAC 1360. Audition requirements and additional information are available at www.eiu.edu/music/ensembles_jazz.php.

If you are interested in playing in a jazz ensemble, but cannot attend this meeting, please contact Dr. Fagaly or Mr. Johnston.

Jazz Ensemble (MUS 0220)	Jazz Lab Band (MUS 0221)	Jazz Combos
Sam Fagaly, director MWF: 3:00-3:50 pm; Th: 12:30 - 1:45 pm DFAC1360 a;sdlka;lskdjaf;dj;falksjd;lfkajd;ls	Paul Johnston, director T/TH: 2:00 - 3:15 pm DFAC1360a;lskdjaf;lkddjfa	MW 4:00 - 4:50 or MW 5:00 - 5:50 in DFAC 1360skd;ajsd;lfajs;

Questions should be directed to Dr. Sam Fagaly at 581-6628.

Wind Symphony and Concert Band Auditions

The Wind Symphony and Concert Band are the two concert bands on campus that require an audition. Ensemble placement auditions for fall 2022 will be handled via video submission.

Ensemble audition excerpts and instructions will be made available online by July 1^st. Please check back on or after that date to print the excerpts for your instrument. Please see the EIU Bands: Placement Auditions and Registration page for additional information.

Once the audition excerpts are available, please practice them diligently, and be prepared to record your audition the week BEFORE classes begin. All music majors and any non-music majors who would like to audition for the EIU Wind Symphony should use the Wind Symphony audition excerpt link below to find the correct audition material. If you are a non-music major and you would lke to audition for the Concert Band, please use the Concert Band audition excerpt link below.

If you wish to play in the Symphonic Band, just sign up for the class (MUS 0203R)! Here's a link for details about this ensemble: https://www.eiu.edu/music/ensembles_esb.php

Eastern Symphonic Band (a non-auditioned group) Informational Meeting/Rehearsal

All EIU students are welcome to attend and register for Symphonic Band MUS 0203R)! The first Symphonic Band meeting, with no instruments, will be for EIU students only (no community members yet) and will take place on Monday, August 21, 2023, at 7:00pm in Doudna 1550. Or, if you’d like to attend the first meeting to learn a bit more about the group before you register, just show up to the meeting!

Community members, please plan to attend the first playing rehearsal of the semester on Monday, August 28, 2023 from 7:00-8:40pm in Doudna 1550.

Questions? Please e-mail Prof. David Boggs.

*Additional information about EIU Bands can be found here.

Eastern Symphony Orchestra Auditions & First Rehearsals

Auditions to play in the Eastern Symphony Orchestra (ESO) are open to all undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, faculty and staff. As with auditioned bands, ESO placement auditions for Fall 2023 will be handled via video submission.

Wind, Brass, and Percussion (WBP) sections are comprised primarily of music majors, however they may in special cases be open to others who qualify by audition. Excerpts and audition instructions are the same as for Wind Symphony and Concert Band, to be found on this website.

The string sections in the ESO are comprised of music majors, non-music majors, and community members. Auditions are by video submission, to include the following. String video auditions must be submitted by Monday, August 22^nd.

A 2-to-3 minute portion of a representative solo piece you are playing
A 3-octave major scale of your choice
A melodic minor scale of your choice, of at least 2 octaves
The excerpt for your instrument: violin viola cello bass

Click HERE for a link to the MachForm you should use to submit your video audition.

All students enrolled in Orchestra must attend the following:

First Organization Meeting on Tuesday, August 22^nd at 5:00 PM, in DFAC Room 1550.
The First Rehearsal of the ESO will be on Wednesday, August 23^rd, at 7:00 PM, in DFAC Room 1550.

Choral Ensemble Informational Meeting

ALL SINGERS (music majors, minors and non-majors) will meet on Monday, August 21, at 3:00 pm in Doudna 1240 (Recital Hall). This meeting will be an opportunity to answer any questions or concerns that you may have, including what to expect during your vocal placement. During the first week of class every vocal student will complete a vocal placement.

Questions? Please email Dr. Janet McCumber for more information.

Concert Choir, University Mixed Chorus, and Camerata Singers Vocal Placement

Vocal placements will take place Tuesday August 23^rd and Wednesday August 24^th in Doudna 2425--please sign up for a time on the schedule posted on the door to Doudna 2425. Each placement will last ten minutes and will include vocalizing, pitch patterns, and light sight reading. It is not necessary to have a prepared piece for the placement.

Questions? Please email Dr. Janet McCumber for more information.

Applied Voice Placement Auditions

Music minors and non-majors who are interested in voice lessons need to audition on Monday or Tuesday, Aug. 21-22, 2023 from 2:00-4:00 pm in DFAC 2427. Students should prepare one song and bring music. For further information and to set up an audition time, please contact Dr. Julie Park.

Instrument Rental

The Department of Music has a limited number of wind and brass instruments available for rental to students interested in participating in music ensembles. The non-refundable fee for rental of the instrument will be as follows:

$225 per year for Music Majors renting their primary instrument.
$60 per semester for Music Minors renting their primary instrument and for Music Majors renting a secondary instrument.
$40 per semester for Non-Music Majors or Non-Music Minors, and for all Athletic Bands.

This fee supports the annual cleaning, maintenance, and upkeep of instrument. Please contact Dr. Alicia Neal for additional information.

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