Audition Requirements

The entrance audition is the most important step in determining if an applicant will be admitted. Auditions are normally held early in the calendar year preceding September entrance. Applicants who are unable to attend a live audition may submit YouTube recordings. Compositions chosen for the audition must be comparable to those listed below. Since the audition repertoire outlined represents minimal requirements, works of greater difficulty may be substituted in any category.

Piano

  1. Etude by Czerny, Moszkowski, Chopin, Liszt, or the equivalent
  2. Any representative works of Bach, Handel, or Scarlatti
  3. Classical Sonata
  4. Choice of a 19th or 20th century work

Violin

  1. Two etudes of Rode, Dont, Kreutzer, or equivalent
  2. Two contrasting movements from a Bach sonata or partita
  3. One movement of a standard concerto with cadenza

Viola

  1. Two etudes of Rode, Campagnoli, Kreutzer or equivalent
  2. Two contrasting movements from a Bach sonata or from partitas No. I, II or III
  3. One movement of a classical concerto

Cello

  1. Two contrasting etudes of Franchomme, Piatti, Duport or Popper
  2. Two movements from a baroque sonata
  3. One movement of a standard concerto

Double Bass

  1. Study by Kreutzer, Nanny or Storch-Hrabe
  2. Solo from the double bass repertoire – Choice of:
    • Eccles – Sonata
    • Bottesini – Concerto, arranged by Nanny-Sankey
    • Bach – Suites, arranged by Sterling

Harp

  1. One etude
  2. One solo piece or concerto from the baroque or classical period
  3. One solo piece or concerto from the 19th century or modern period.  (Do not include more than one concerto in your audition; two solo works and no concerto is acceptable.)
  4. Two contrasting orchestral excerpts

Flute

  1. One etude demonstrating level of technical proficiency
  2. Two contrasting movements of a sonata or concerto
  3. Two contrasting orchestral excerpts

Oboe

  1. Two contrasting etudes from the Barret or Ferling studies
  2. Three movements from any concerto or sonata

Clarinet

  1. Mozart Clarinet Concerto, or equivalent
  2. Two contrasting etudes
  3. Three contrasting orchestral excerpts

Bassoon

  1. Etude by Weissenborn, Milde or equivalent
  2. Solo piece selected by the student
Trumpet
  1. A standard etude (Charlier, Bousquet, Bitsch, Brandt, etc)
  2. 3 standard orchestral excerpts
  3. A movement of a standard solo; or a recent, published composition that is equivalent

Horn

  1. A standard etude (Kopprasch or equivalent)
  2. 3 standard orchestral excerpts
  3. A movement of a standard solo; or a recent, published composition that is equivalent

Trombone & Bass Trombone

  1. A standard etude (Rochut, Concone, etc or equivalent)
  2. An etude from Blazevitch Clef Studies or equivalent in alto or tenor clef
  3. 3 standard orchestral excerpts
  4. A movement of a standard solo; or a recent, published composition that is equivalent

Tuba

  1. A standard etude (Rochut or equivalent)
  2. 3 standard orchestral excerpts
  3. A movement of a standard solo; or a recent, published composition that is equivalent
  4. If applicable, also include some playing on euphonium and/or baritone

Percussion

  1. Applicant must demonstrate a high degree of fundamental technique and musicianship on snare drum, mallet instruments, and timpani
  2. Interval recognition
  3. One solo each for snare drum or multiple percussion, mallet instruments, and timpani

Guitar

  1. One etude demonstrating level of proficiency from Sor Op. 29 or Giuliani Op. 48 or Aguado or Villa-Lobos
  2. Two contrasting movements from the lute suites of J.S. Bach
  3. One own choice selection from 19th or 20th century repertoire by another composer

Voice

Applicants should prepare from memory three selections in three languages chosen from the standard art song, opera, or oratorio repertoire. Applicants should demonstrate good intonation, correct rhythm, and sensitivity to musical phrase, and should be prepared to sight read a short passage, sing scales, arpeggios and various patterns to demonstrate vowel matching, legato, intonation, range, and flexibility. A short interview will follow the audition.

Composition

Two or three original compositions of contrasting character must be submitted for evaluation.  MPD/B.Mus. students must also audition on an instrument–they will be required to achieve a performance level on an instrument equivalent to RCM Grade 10 by the end of second year.