Classical Strings
*The department can provide you with a double-bass for your audition, but you must bring your own bow!
Violin
Scales: Major
Etudes: Two etudes with contrasting articulations
Repertoire: Two contrasting pieces or movements, one of which may be an extended orchestral excerpt
Viola
Scales: Major
Etudes: Two etudes with contrasting articulations
Repertoire: Two contrasting pieces or movements, one of which may be an extended orchestral excerpt
Cello
Scales: Major
Repertoire: Two contrasting etudes, pieces, or movements
Double Bass
Scales: Major
Repertoire: Two contrasting etudes, pieces or movements
Guitar
Scales: Major, two octaves
Repertoire: Two contrasting works selected from three of the following:
Renaissance work at the level of Sanz, Narvaez, or Mudarra
Baroque work at the level of Weiss or Bach
Classical work at the level of Sor, Giulani, or Mertz
Romantic or Spanish work at the level of Tarrega, Moreno-Torroba, Albeniz, or Granados
20th century work at the level of Martin, Smith-Brindle, or Britten
Harp
Scales and arpeggios: major and minor. Know pedal settings for keys
Repertoire: Either Dance from Salzedo's Suite of 8 Dances and a Transcription by J.S. Bach or two pieces of contrasting style
Classical Woodwinds
Flute
Scales: Major and chromatic
Repertoire: Two contrasting etudes, pieces, or movements
Oboe
Scales: Major and chromatic
Repertoire: Two contrasting pieces or movements, one of which may be an extended orchestral excerpt
Clarinet
Scales: Major keys and chromatic
Repertoire: Two contrasting etudes, pieces, or movements
Bassoon
Scales: Major keys and chromatic
Repertoire: Two contrasting etudes, pieces, or movements
Saxophone
Scales: Major keys and chromatic
Repertoire: Two contrasting etudes, pieces, or movements
Classical Brass
*You can use a school tuba for your audition, if you make the request in advance.
Horn
Scales: Major keys, two octaves
Etudes: Two contrasting etudes from: Kopprasch, Gallay, Kling, or the “Blue Book”
Repertoire: One movement of a concerto by Mozart
Trumpet
Scales: Major
Arpeggios: Major
Repertoire: Three contrasting etudes, pieces, or movements
Tuba
Scales: Major up to four sharps and flats
Arpeggios: Major up to four sharps and flats
Etudes: Two contrasting etudes from: Arban: Studies; Scholossberg: Daily Drills and Technical Studies; Kopprasch: Etudes
Repertoire: Two pieces showing contrasting technique (ex: Tubby the Tuba; Blazhevich: Studies, volume I; Marco Bordogni: Melodious Etudes)
Classical Voice
Voice
Repertoire: At least two and no more than three pieces of contrasting moods and from contrasting periods. (Baroque, Romantic, contemporary, etc.) One of the pieces must be in English, and at least one must be in a different language. The student should select the pieces that best show his/her voice, musicianship, communication, and personality. All selections should be in a classical style; pop, jazz, and contemporary musical theater are not appropriate. All selections must be memorized and an accompanist will be provided. The student may be asked to explain the meaning of the text of the songs.
Sight-reading: Student may be asked to sight-read a simple melody.
Repertoire list: Students should bring a list of pieces that she/he has performed or studied.
Classical Piano
Piano
Scales: Major, hands together, two octaves
Repertoire: Two contrasting works (memorization encouraged but not required), such as:
A sonatina by Clementi, Kuhlau, or Beethoven
A Romantic or contemporary work at the level of Bartók, Mikrokosmos, vol. IV
Classical Percussion
Percussion
Demonstration on one or two (preferred) instruments. Examples:
Snare
Standard rudiments, chosen by the audition committee
One etude
Timpani
One etude
One orchestral excerpt, preferably showing one or more tuning changes
Marimba
Major scales, two octaves
One etude or movement
Jazz
All instruments should demonstrate major and minor scales and arpeggios throughout the range of the instrument.
Winds & Brass
You should prepare two jazz standards. Selections should demonstrate contrasting styles: i.e., one medium swing and one slow ballad, one Afro-Cuban and one swing, etc. Both should be performed as solo works with improvisations.
Sight-reading: Chord symbols and standard notation to be provided.
Ideas for repertoire:
All The Things You Are
Along Came Betty
Blue Monk or Billie's Bounce
Mr. PC
On Green Dolphin Street
Recorda Me
‘Round Midnight
Rhythmning or Anthropology
Sophisticated Lady
There Will Never Be Another You
Pianists and Guitarists
Pianists and guitarists should demonstrate upper structure chords such as 9ths, and 13ths. A chromatic scale is also required. You should prepare 2 contrasting jazz standards. Both should be performed unaccompanied as solo works with improvisation. Memorization is highly encouraged but not required.
Sight-reading: Chord symbols and standard notation to be provided. Bass lines to include walking a 12-bar blues, Rock, or R&B styles, with slapping and/or tapping.
Ideas for repertoire:
All The Things You Are
Along Came Betty
Blue Monk or Billie's Bounce
Mr. PC
On Green Dolphin Street
Recorda Me
‘Round Midnight
Rhythmning or Anthropology
Sophisticated Lady
There Will Never Be Another You
Vocalists
Vocalists should prepare 2 contrasting jazz standards. Selections should demonstrate vocal range and ability. Both should be performed unaccompanied. Improvisation is encouraged but not required.
Ideas for repertoire:
All The Things You Are
Along Came Betty
Girl from Ipanema
I Got Rhythm
Mr. PC
On Green Dolphin Street
‘Round Midnight
There Will Never Be Another You
Sophisticated Lady
Any blues-based composition
Bass
The bass should demonstrate a walking swing technique at various tempi: slow, medium and fast. Two contrasting jazz standards from the above lists (or other similar selections) should be demonstrated both melodically and with walking bass through the chord changes. Selections should demonstrate basic knowledge and articulation. Improvisation is required.
Demonstrate bass line to either All Blues, Equinox, So What, or Footprints
Sight-reading: Chord symbols and standard notation to be provided. Bass lines to include walking a 12-bar blues, Rock, or R&B styles, with slapping and/or tapping
Drummers
Drummers should prepare 2 contrasting jazz standards from the above lists (or other similar selections). The melodies should be performed throughout the drum-set unaccompanied, with improvisation.
You must also perform a drum solo, demonstrating the style and idiom of which the solo is representative.
World Music
Non-Western instruments/styles
Resume of study history: Include how or with whom, start and end dates, and material covered, using musical terms indigenous to chosen tradition of study.
Repertoire: A selection with elementary techniques appropriate to chosen tradition.
Additional: Knowledge or ability on a Western instrument.
History & Literature Major
Music History and Literature
See the BA degree audition requirements appropriate to your instrument.
