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.
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-depth 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.
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.
Jazz Voice
Students must perform two contrasting songs (American songbook or jazz standards) from memory, complete with melody and improvised choruses. For example a ballad (like "Skylark" or "Body and Soul") and a medium tempo selection (like "Cheek to Cheek" or "There is No Greater Love"). An accompanist will be provided. Please bring lead sheets of your selections in the key that you will sing them. There will be no rehearsal time. Students are not permitted to use recorded accompaniments. Students should also bring a list of other songs in their repertoire 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 Dr. Elaine Colprit, Chair of Music Education 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 or three contrasting movements or pieces and sight-reading
Oboe
Two contrasting pieces, sight-reading, orchestral excerpt and major and minor scales
Clarinet
Two or three contrasting movements or pieces
Bassoon
Two contrasting pieces, sight-reading, two orchestral excerpts and major and harmonic minor scales.
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. If you need an accompanist, please notify the Music Office and have a PDF of your music sent to skwhite@bgsu.edu at least two weeks prior to your audition date.