Master’s Audition Requirements

These requirements are the same for the Music Certificate Program.

Brass

Trumpet

Two contrasting solos (or solo/etude) and five standard orchestral excerpts of candidate’s choice

Trombone

Two contrasting solo works, two or three standard orchestral excerpts and two-octave scales

Horn

Two complete solo works, four orchestral excerpts and one or two etudes

Tuba

Two or three contrasting pieces (solos/etudes), scales, sight-reading and two or three orchestral excerpts

Euphonium

Two or three contrasting pieces (solos/etudes), scales, sight-reading and two or three band excerpts

Composition

Students will be asked to submit three or four original scores of their best works for review by the composition faculty.

Conducting

Band

Interview on scheduled audition day. Auditions are scheduled on Friday during University Band rehearsals. Candidate will conduct the band on agreed upon repertoire.

Choral

See Choral Conducting Audition Information

Orchestra

See Orchestral Conducting Audition Information

Ethnomusicology

Incoming graduate majors are required to interview and give a sample of their writing (two or three in-depth undergraduate papers).

History

Incoming history graduate majors are required to interview and give a sample of their writing (two or three in-deph undergraduate papers—preferably history papers).

Jazz

Jazz Saxophone

Performance of a “standard” or “American songbook” composition complete with melody and improvised choruses. The instrumentalist should expect to perform this composition with one or more of the jazz faculty acting as rhythm accompanists. Additionally, jazz-style sight-reading will be required, and the auditioning student should expect inquiry by the jazz faculty into knowledge of jazz repertoire and experiences in the field. If the candidate has experience in woodwind doubling, he/she should demonstrate this instrumentally to the jazz faculty.

Jazz Trumpet/Trombone

Performance of a “standard” or “American songbook” composition complete with melody and improvised choruses. The instrumentalist should expect to perform this composition with one or more of the jazz faculty acting as rhythm accompanists. Additionally, jazz-style sight-reading will be required, and the auditioning student should expect inquiry by the jazz faculty into knowledge of jazz repertoire and experiences in the field. If the candidate has experience in woodwind doubling, he/she should demonstrate this instrumentally to the jazz faculty.

Jazz Piano

Performance of a “standard” or “American songbook” composition complete with melody and improvised choruses, with the linear and chordal approach common to a jazz piano performance. The instrumentalist should expect to perform this composition with one or more of the jazz faculty acting as rhythm accompanists. A pianist might also be asked to perform a solo composition. Additionally, jazz-style sight-reading will be required, and the auditioning student should expect inquiry by the jazz faculty into knowledge of jazz repertoire and experiences in the field.

Jazz Guitar

Performance of a “standard” or “American songbook” composition complete with melody and improvised choruses, with the linear and chordal approach common to a jazz guitar performance. The instrumentalist should expect to perform this composition with one or more of the jazz faculty acting as rhythm accompanists. A guitarist might also be asked to perform a solo composition. Additionally, jazz-style sight-reading will be required, and the auditioning student should expect inquiry by the jazz faculty into knowledge of jazz repertoire and experiences in the field.

Jazz Double Bass

Same as above. Additionally, the double bassist will be asked to play examples of various “grooves” representative of specific jazz rhythmic styles.

Jazz Drums

Drummers will be asked to demonstrate various “grooves” representative of specific jazz rhythmic styles. The candidate may be asked to perform these rhythmic styles with a jazz faculty rhythm performer. Additionally, sight-reading of a big-band chart will be required, and the auditioning student should expect inquiry by the jazz faculty into knowledge of jazz repertoire and experiences in the field.

Keyboard

Class Piano Assistants

Interview with the chair of music education and the coordinator of group piano required. An audition is also requested. In the audition, students will be asked to perform three works of different styles and to demonstrate functional keyboard skills.

Collaborative Piano

Two solo works from different style periods by memory. Two collaborative works, one instrumental and one vocal.

Organ

Representative works from the major areas of organ literature—a major Bach work, a Romantic work and a contemporary work.

Piano Performance

applied lessons and/or admission as a performance major

Students will be asked to perform three works of different styles from memory.

for assistantship consideration

Students will be asked to perform three works of different styles, sight-reading (one vocal instrument and one instrumental accompaniment) and discussion of accompanying experience, goals, background, etc.

Music Education

All students interested in an assistantship in the Department of Music Education or interested in majoring in music education must be interviewed. Music education applicatants must present an interview and submit the following:

• 10-minute, video-taped performance on an instrument or voice
• continuous 15-minute, video-taped teaching or rehearsal segment
• writing sample on a topic of the faculty’s choice. (Contact the MuED department chair for details.)

Percussion

See Suggested Percussion Repertoire

Strings

Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Harp

Students should perform repertoire that reflects two types of contrasting styles and represents their level of experience. Consult your teacher for suggestions.

Classical Guitar

Students should perform, from memory, repertoire that reflects two types of contrasting styles and represents their level of experience.

Theory

Incoming theory graduate majors are required to interview (includes a demonstration of theory and aural skills) and give a sample of their writing (analysis paper usually).

Woodwinds

Flute

Two contrasting pieces, sight-reading, and orchestral excerpt

Oboe

Two contrasting pieces, sight-reading, orchestral excerpt and major and minor scales

Clarinet

Two or three contrasting movements or pieces

Bassoon

Two or three contrasting movements or pieces

Saxophone

Two solos, scales and sight-reading

Voice

applied lessons and/or admission as a performance major

Students will be asked to sing one art song in English, French, German and Italian. In addition, an operatic aria or oratorio is required. It would be to the student’s advantage to have the repertoire memorized.

for assistantship consideration

Students will be asked to perform one oratorio aria, one opera aria and two art songs in each of the following languages: English, French, German and Italian.

If you need an accompanist, please notify the Music Office and have your music sent or faxed at least two weeks prior to your audition.