Graduate

Graduate applicants pursuing a performance or conducting degree may submit a high-quality recording, or audition on one of the undergraduate audition dates, please send an email to Music Admissions to make arrangements.

Brass | Conducting | Keyboard | Strings | Voice | Woodwinds | Percussion

Brass 

Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba

• Prepare two major solo works (sonatas, concertos, etc.) contrasting in styles;
• Trombone and tuba: several standard orchestral audition excerpts
• Euphonium: several standard concert band audition excerpts
• sight reading
• A recording of a recent degree recital, or other live performance, is recommended if on-campus audition is not feasible.

Horn

The entrance audition must display a level of development that will allow the student to start with literature similar to what is on the list below. Admission requires an advanced development of embouchure, articulation, range, tone, flexibility and intonation.

• Prepare two contrasting movements of solo pieces or etudes from the following list - or selections of comparable difficulty. 
• L. van Beethoven Sonata
• P. Dukas Villanelle
• P. Hindemith Sonata
• W.A. Mozart - Concerto’s No. 2 and 4
• V. Reynolds Partita
• R. Gliere Concerto
• R. Strauss Concerto’s No.1 and 2
• Etudes by Maxime-Alphonse, Books 5-6, Kling, Verne Reynolds, Gallay
• Standard Orchestral Excerpts
• Students will also be asked to sight-read and to play any of the major and minor scales, two octaves.

Conducting 

Choral Conducting

To be considered for this program, an on-campus audition must occur prior to your desired enrollment. The following items will be consulted as the basis for an invitation to audition. If you wish to be considered for a graduate teaching assistantship or scholarship, submit materials no later than February 1.

• Résumé
• List of significant choral works conducted and sung (both as a choral and a solo singer)
• Programs of performances conducted
• 15/20-minute video recording of you conducting a rehearsal and/or performance
• Brief statement of your career goals related to degree program

Following the receipt of these materials, you will be informed as soon as possible of our decision regarding an invitation to audition.

If applicable, an audition date will then be scheduled on any day, Monday through Thursday, between 1:55 and 3:50 p.m.

The on-campus audition will consist of a 20-minute rehearsal on predetermined repertoire and an interview with Dr. Will Kesling, Director of Choral Activities, in which you should be prepared to describe and discuss your goals as a choral conductor and to demonstrate your singing, sight-singing, and score reading abilities. 

Keyboard

Organ 

• Tape or live audition (live audition preferred)
• Repertoire list
• Three works of contrasting styles including:
• a major work of J.S. Bach
• composition of the Romantic period
• 20th-century or contemporary composition

Carillon

•  Tape or live audition (live audition preferred)
• Repertoire list

Prepare at least fifteen minutes of music that includes three compositions of contrasting styles

Strings

• A movement from a major concerto
• Two contrasting movements from the solo Sonatas/Partitas/Suites of J. S. Bach

Voice

• Live audition is preferred, quality video tapes, audio tapes, or CDs are acceptable.
• The student should offer a minimum of six (6) selections from various style periods, all of which should be performed from memory.
• Four languages should be represented, specifically, French, German, Italian and English. Other languages may be offered at the discretion of the student.
• One selection must be an aria from the operatic or oratorio literature performed in the original language. Selections from musical theater, contemporary Christian, or the “pop” repertoire are not acceptable.
• The student may bring their own accompanist for the audition, may perform to their own recorded accompaniment (CD or cassette tape), or may use the services of an accompanist provided by the School of Music, in which case copies of the repertoire must be received by the School of Music a minimum of two weeks prior to the audition.
• It must be understood that the sending of repertoire is at the risk of the student, and the School of Music will not be held liable for music lost in transit.
• The student should supply a listing of repertoire studied during the undergraduate curriculum, and a listing of operatic roles performed, if applicable, in addition to copies of the degree recital or recitals offered for undergraduate degree completion.

Woodwinds
Clarinet 

• Mozart - Clarinet Concerto
• A contrasting solo selection of your own choosing
• First clarinet orchestral excerpts:
• Beethoven - Symphony No. 6
• Brahms - Symphony No. 3
• Rimsky-Korsakov - Capriccio Espagnol

Saxophone 

• Prepare two major works for saxophone.
• Choose repertoire that will demonstrate your technical command of the instrument and that includes some lyrical playing.

Oboe, Bassoon and Flute 

• Prepare two contrasting movements of standard works from two different compositional periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic or Contemporary).
• Orchestral excerpts are acceptable, but should not be the bulk of the audition material.
• Choose repertoire that demonstrates both technical command of the instrument and lyrical playing.

Percussion

• Tape or live audition (live audition preferred)
• Keyboard percussion – two contrasting works (or one substantial work with contrasting sections/movements) for marimba or vibraphone demonstrating musical and technical abilities.
• Timpani/snare/multiple percussion – one or two works demonstrating technical and musical abilities. Orchestral excerpts or solo works/etudes are acceptable.
• Drumset (optional) – etudes or style demonstration. This can be solo or with a combo.
• World music (optional) – solo or ensemble performance (if featured prominently as soloist on a recording) on steel drum or hand drums.
• Recordings of live performances (senior or graduate recitals) are also acceptable, as are combinations of live and recorded materials for audition. You do not have to perform in all areas, so please demonstrate your strengths. However, well-rounded performers are preferred.