To help directors and students prepare for CMASC auditions, the composition criteria for audition sight-reading has been provided below.
The Rhythmic Sight-Reading features...
  • a 4 measure excerpt in common time.
  • mostly quarter notes, with potential for the following as notes or rests:
    • ​half notes
    • dotted half notes
    • dotted quarter notes
    • eighth notes
Students are encouraged to perform the rhythmic sight-reading on any syllables of their choosing, and only spoken rhythms can be scored. Below are some examples that would all earn full marks:
Students may also clap, snap, or tap a steady beat as they perform and/or practice if they so choose.
Both melodic sight-reading excerpts will be...
  • 4 measures long.
  • in common time.
  • in a major key.
    • The exact key will vary by voice part, but stays constant from year to year. See our practice resources page for specifics.
  • completely diatonic.
  • beginning and ending on the tonic.
  • mostly stepwise.

Additionally, Melodic Sight-Reading #1 features...
  • skips within the I chord.
  • all quarter- and half-note rhythms.
  • at least one rest.

Meanwhile, Melodic Sight-Reading #2 includes...
  • more skips than Melodic Sight-Reading #1, including a possible skip within the V chord.
  • slightly more challenging melodic material.
  • mostly quarter-note rhythms, with possible eighth notes.
  • at least one dotted quarter note and/or a tie across a barline.