Auditions

Undergraduate Music Degrees

•Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Performance
•Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education
•Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music
•Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music (Jazz Concentration)

Instrumentalists (non-piano, non-percussion)

• Two contrasting works: one that demonstrates expressive musicality and a second that displays technique
• Prospective instrumental students may be asked to sight-read and/or perform scales during the audition.

Specific Guidance for Low Brass Players (Tenor Trombone, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba)

Low brass players should prepare material that demonstrates lyrical and technical ability. While this often takes the form of two contrasting etudes, candidates are encouraged to consider preparing a standard solo. Below are recommendations, recognizing that many appropriate alternatives are available and encouraged.

Tenor Trombone

Etude books: Bordogni/Rochut, Tyrell, Blazhevich, Kopprasch

Solos: Barat: Andante et Allegro, Guilmant: Morceau Symphonique, Galliard: Sonatas (contrasting movements from one sonata), Jérôme: Tres Sympa

Orchestral excerpts may be substituted as appropriate.

Bass Trombone

Etude books: Bordogni, Blazhevich, Charlie Vernon: Low Range Studies

Solos: Lebedev: Concerto in One Movement, Marcello: Sonatas (contrasting movements from one sonata), McCarty: Sonata

Orchestral excerpts may be substituted as appropriate.

Euphonium

Etude books: Bordogni/Rochut, Mead: New Concert Studies Vol 1 or 2

Solos: Guilmant: Morceau Symphonique, Curnow: Rhapsody for Euphonium, Marcello: Sonatas (contrasting movements from one sonata)

Band/Orchestral excerpts may be substituted as appropriate

Tuba

Etude books: Bordogni: Bel Canto, Blazhevich, Kopprasch, Snedecor Low Etudes (Vol 1 or 2), 

Solos: Marcello: Sonata No. I in F, Capuzzi: Andante and Rondo, Haddad: Suite for Tuba

Orchestral excerpts may be substituted as appropriate.

Vocalists

For both in-person and recorded auditions, requirements are as follows:

For the Bachelor of Music Education degree or the Bachelor of Arts degree:

Please prepare at least two complete selections, one in English and, if possible, one in Italian. (See Repertoire Suggestions below.) If you would like, you may also include a third selection from musical theater or other contemporary commercial music styles, but please remember our program is primarily classically-based.

For the Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, you must present three complete selections from standard classical repertoire. (See Repertoire Suggestions below.) Again, you may also include an additional selection from musical theater or other contemporary commercial music styles, but please remember our program is primarily classically-based.

For live auditions, a piano accompanist will be provided. You will need to bring printed copies of your sheet music in a three-ring binder for the accompanist.

Students submitting a recorded audition should follow these guidelines:

• Dress professionally.
• Stand in the frame of the camera so that your entire body is visible.
• Announce each piece.

(Smartphone video is acceptable.)

Suggested Repertoire

Songs other than your optional pieces should be chosen from collections such as:

24 Italian Songs and Arias of the 17th/18th centuries
26 Italian Songs and Arias of the 17th/18th centuries
The First Book of Soprano Solos, Pt. 1, 2 or Book 2
The First Book of Mezzo-Soprano Solos, etc.
The First Book of Tenor Solos
The First Book of Baritone/Bass Solos
The Solo Singer Series
The Young Singer Series

Percussionists

• Students should showcase their abilities in both battery and melodic instruments. 

Pianists

• Students should showcase a reasonable knowledge of classical piano literature from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods through their audition.
• Pianists should arrive with a repertoire list of the pieces they have studied over the past two years. 
• Pieces selected should demonstrate expressiveness of performance as well as technical ability.
• Pianists applying for the B.A. degree or the B.M. in music education should perform two historical period pieces.
• Those applying for the B.M. in Performance should perform three period pieces

Jazz Concentration Students

Please prepare at least two pieces demonstrating your ability to play in diverse styles (swing, blues, funk, etc.). Improvisation should be included in both styles. 

Music Education Students

All prospective music education majors must also complete an interview with a music education faculty member on the day of their audition (if auditioning live) or via telephone/zoom if you are auditioning online (we will contact you to schedule this after you submit your online audition).