• Perform at least one solo of major length. Solo movements and/or etudes contrasting in tempo and style are desirable. Advanced solos from state solo and ensemble contest lists are suggested.

• Perform approximately 10 minutes of live performed (not pre-recorded) music. Audition material should demonstrate musicality through performance. Students may use any instrument(s) of their choosing — traditional, digital or a combination of both.

• Perform a work by JS Bach (can include one of the “Eight Little Preludes and Fugues”)
• Perform a work from the 19th-21st centuries

• Prepare solos or etudes that demonstrate your experience in the following areas of percussion:
  • Snare drum
  • Mallets 
  • Timpani

Performance/pedagogy majors - Perform from memory one composition from each of the following categories.

• Baroque: A prelude and fugue or other major work by J.S. Bach
• Classical: The first movement of a sonata by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven (excluding Mozart Sonata, K. 545, Beethoven Sonatas, Op. 49, Nos. 1 and 2, and Op. 79)
• Contrasting selection form the 19th, 20th, or 21st century

Non-performance majors (music education, music therapy, BA in music, composition) - Perform one composition from two of the following categories. Memorization is optional, but preferred.

• Baroque
• Classical: The first movement of a sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or a composer of similar difficulty
• Contrasting selection from the 19th, 20th or 21st century

Performance majors (BMus degrees)

Double bass - Perform one composition from each of the following categories. Memorization is optional, but preferred.

• One movement of a concerto
• One movement of a sonata (two contrasting movements of a sonata may be prepared in place of a concerto movement)

Cello, Viola, Violin - Perform one composition from each of the following categories. Memorization is optional, but preferred.

• One movement of a concerto with cadenza (if applicable)
• One movement of an unaccompanied work by Bach
• Etude

Non-performance majors (music education, music therapy, BA in music, composition)

Double bass, Cello, Viola, Violin - Perform one composition from each of the following categories. Memorization is optional.

• Two pieces from contrasting musical styles (choose from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic or Contemporary)

Guitar (contemporary music and digital instruments, music therapy, BA in music)

Prepare two pieces in contrasting styles.

• Piece 1: Standard bebop of swing tune: Play the melody, comp through the chord changes and improvise or play a transcribed solo for one chorus. Suggested repertoire: Billie's Bounce, Blue Bossa, Summertime, Take the A Train.
• Piece 2: Fingerstyle or chord-melody piece (usually a ballad). Suggested repertoire: Barry Galbraith Guitar Solos Volume 1 and 2 (published by Mel Bay), fingerstyle arrangement a la Chet Atkins or a short classical piece by Bach or Sor.

• Perform one song in English from memory.
• Perform one song in Italian, German or French from memory. Suggested repertoire for foreign language songs:
  • Italian: selections from 28 Italian Songs and Areas or selections by Donaudy or Handel
  • German: songs by Brahms, Schubert, Clara Schumann or Robert Schumann
  • French: songs by Fauré or Hahn

Accompaniment

Taped/CD accompaniments are not permitted for in-person auditions, and you are encouraged to bring a pianist with whom you have prepared your audition repertoire. If you are unable to bring a pianist, the School of Music can provide a collaborative pianist. You may request accompaniment on the audition registration form.

Choosing Your Vocal Repertoire

Appropriate solo vocal literature can be found in a number of publications and online resources. Popular sheet music books include The First book of Solos series (edited by Joan Frey Boytim), the Standard Vocal Literature series (edited by Richard Walters) and the Twenty-Eight Italian Songs and Arias (edited by Richard Walters). These books are available in a number of school music libraries or for purchase at a local music store or through an online retailer. Additionally, many vocal works are in the public domain and are available for free PDF download at imslp.org .

• Prepare at least one solo of major length. Movements and/or etudes contrasting in tempo and style are desirable. Advanced solos from state solo and ensemble contest lists are suggested.