Audition Repertory by Instrument
Brass
Conducting
Jazz
Keyboard (Harpsichord, Organ, Piano)
Percussion
Strings
Voice
Woodwinds
Audition Process
Repertory listed below is for auditions to the BM, MM, and DMA degrees. Other application requirements may apply. Please consult the online application for more detailed information on applying to these degree programs. Repertory listed is subject to change but will generally not change after September 1.
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Brass
| Instrument | Audition Repertory |
| Euphonium | BM Each of the following:
MM, DMA Prepared repertory should include contemporary solo literature and orchestral excerpts. Possible sight-reading. |
| French Horn | BM Each of the following:
MM Prepared repertory should be selected from traditional and contemporary solo literature (including unaccompanied repertory) and orchestral excerpts from several eras and styles, demonstrating advanced technical and musical development. Audition also will include sight-reading and transposition. DMA Applicants should prepare a program of solo, orchestral, and etude repertory demonstrating professional standards of technical and musical development. Proficiency in natural horn is encouraged. |
| Trombone, Tenor |
BM Each of the following:
MM, DMA Prepared repertory should include contemporary solo literature and orchestral excerpts. Possible sight-reading. Applicants in jazz studies and contemporary media should refer to the section on jazz for additional requirements. |
| Trombone, Bass |
BM Each of the following:
MM, DMA Prepared repertory should include contemporary solo literature and orchestral excerpts. Possible sight-reading. |
| Trumpet | BM High horns are optional. Audition repertory should include each of the following:
MM, DMA Prescreening requirement: By December 1, all graduate trumpet applicants must submit a preliminary audition recording. The prescreening recording (DVD strongly preferred, though a CD is permissible) should be a minimum of 25 minutes in duration. Prepared repertory for prescreening and a live audition should include a range of solo literature (including contemporary) and orchestral excerpts. Possible sight-reading. Familiarity with high horns and transposition is required. Applicants in jazz studies and contemporary media should refer to the section on jazz for additional requirements. |
| Tuba | BM Each of the following:
MM, DMA Each of the following:
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Conducting
Prescreening Requirement: Applicants should refer to the online application for more detailed information on the prescreening requirement. The guidelines given below apply to those invited for a live audition.
| Instrument | Audition Repertory |
| Conducting - Choral |
Following the prescreening review, successful applicants should contact Prof. William Weinert for details of the live audition repertory to be prepared. |
| Conducting - Instrumental |
MM Following the prescreening review, successful applicants should prepare Brahms 1 for the live audition. |
| Conducting - Wind Ensemble |
Following the prescreening review, successful applicants should contact Prof. Mark Scatterday for details of the live audition repertory to be prepared. |
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Jazz
Prescreening Requirement: By December 1, all applicants to the jazz studies and contemporary media program must submit a preliminary audition compact disc or tape. The prescreening CD/tape should comprise 3-4 varied jazz selections, each including improvisation. Applicants should refer to the online application for more detailed information on the prescreening requirement. The guidelines given below apply to those invited for a live audition.
| Instrument | Audition Repertory |
| Jazz - All Instruments |
BM, MM, DMA Applicants invited to a live audition must perform two jazz auditions and a classical audition.
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Keyboard (Harpsichord, Organ, Piano)
| Instrument | Audition Repertory |
| Harpsichord | MM Each of the following:
DMA Applicants should prepare a program of not more than 40 minutes, which should include a major work of J.S. Bach, along with repertory drawn from each of the following:
|
| Organ | Prescreening requirement: By December 1, all organ applicants must submit a preliminary audition recording (DVD is strongly preferred, though a videotape (VHS) is permissible. Please see the online application for more information on prescreening after the application goes live on September 1. The repertory for the prescreening DVD and the live audition in Rochester may be different or the same, but must include each of the following: BM
MM DMA For organ specifications, click here. |
| Piano - Applied Majors |
Prescreening requirement: By December 1, all undergraduate and graduate piano performance applicants seeking a live audition must submit a preliminary audition compact disc. The prescreening CD must be a minimum of 30 minutes in duration of solo music and include one virtuoso etude and at least two works representing different styles. Please see the online application for more information on prescreening. The following lists repertory requirements by degree for applicants invited to a live audition and those auditioning only by recording. BM Applicants must prepare an audition program to be performed from memory, including:
MM DMA |
| Piano - Accompanying and Chamber Music |
MM, DMA NOTE: All applicants must attend a live audition in Rochester. |
| Piano - Majors in Composition, Jazz Studies, Music Education, or Theory |
BM, MM, DMA Applicants for each degree should prepare three contrasting pieces from three different stylistic periods, including one piece by Bach. Student compositions and pieces in jazz or popular styles are not acceptable for the purpose of this audition. Applicants who apply in these majors and audition on piano are not compared to applied piano majors. Applicants in jazz studies and contemporary media should refer to the section on jazz for additional requirements. |
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Percussion
| Instrument | Audition Repertory |
| Percussion | (Applicants in jazz studies and contemporary media should refer to the section on jazz for additional requirements). BM Audition must include snare drum, timpani, and keyboard percussion. Suggested repertoire and methods from the followng: Snare drum: Cirone Portraits in Rhythm; Delecluse Etude 1 from Douze Etudes; Peters' Intermediate or Advanced Snare Drum Studies. Timpani: Beck Sonata for Timpani, Carter Eight Pieces for Solo Timpani; Firth The Solo Timpanist, Hochrianer Etuden fur Timpani. Keyboard percussion: 2 mallet Bach from the Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin or Suites for solo Cello; Abe Michi; Burritt October Night, Creston Concertino for Marimba; Musser's Etudes and Preludes; Sammut Rotations, Stout Mexican Dances, Astral Dance; G. H. Green's Xylophone Solos; Rosauro Concerto for Marimba. Sight-reading required. Orchestral Excerpts are also recommended from the standard repertoire. Audition may also include drum set.
MM and DMA: Prescreening requirement: By December 1, all graduate percussion applicants must submit a preliminary audition recording (DVD is strongly preferred, though CD is permissible). Please see the online application for more information on prescreening. The prescreening DVD must include each of the following: A movement of Bach from either the Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin or the Six Suites for solo Cello. A 4-6 minute excerpt or movement from a contemporary solo Marimba work. Delecluse Etude No. 1, 3, 6 , 9 or 11 from the Douze Etudes Excerpts on snare drum, xylophone and timpani.
Graduate Final Round Live Auditions in Rochester should include snare drum, timpani, and keyboard percussion. Suggested solo repertoire: Snare Drum – Etudes from Delecluse, Macarez, Peters. Timpani - 3 contrasting orchestral excerpts and a solo or etude of your choice from Delecluse, Carter, Hochrainer, or the equivalent. Keyboard Percussion – A movement of Bach from either the Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin or the Six Suites for solo Cello: Burritt Azure or Scirroco; Druckman Reflections on the Nature of Wate; Maslanka Variations on Lost Love; Sueyoshi Mirage; Schwantner Velocities; Stevens Rhythmic Caprice: Stout Rumble Strips or Sendimental Structures; Viñao Khan Variations. Three excerpts from the standard repertoire on each of the following; Snare Drum, Xylophone, Glockenspiel and Timpani. Sight-reading required. Auditions may also include drum set.
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Strings
In addition to guidelines in this section, graduate string applicants who are applying to the Orchestral Studies Diploma in Strings should consult the Supplemental Application for Orchestral Studies Diploma in the online application, in addition to contacting the Institute for Music Leadership to receive password access to the music.
| Instrument | Audition Repertory |
| Double Bass | BM Each of the following:
MM, DMA Prepared repertory should include the Bottesini Concerto, two contrasting movements of solo Bach, a contemporary solo, and orchestral excerpts. Applicants in jazz studies and contemporary media should refer to the section on jazz for additional requirements. |
| Guitar | BM, MM Prepared repertory should include three contrasting major works from different stylistic periods that best represent the applicant’s technical and artistic strengths. DMA Applicants should be prepared to perform, from memory, excerpts from a full-length solo recital program representing several contrasting style periods. Applicants in jazz studies and contemporary media should refer to the section on jazz for additional requirements. |
| Harp | BM Each of the following:
MM Each of the following:
DMA Applicants must prepare a 40-minute audition program, to be performed from memory, including works representing at least three contrasting style periods. |
| Lute | MM, DMA Audition repertory should consist of three contrasting pieces showing the candidate’s best technical and musical development. |
| Viola | BM Each of the following:
MM Each of the following:
DMA Each of the following:
|
| Violin | Prescreening requirement: By December 1, all undergraduate and graduate violin applicants seeking a live audition must submit a preliminary audition recording. The prescreening DVD or CD must include an etude in addition to 10 or more minutes of a violin concerto (unaccompanied is preferred). Please see the online application for more information on prescreening. The following lists repertory requirements by degree for applicants invited to a live audition and those auditioning only by recording. BM
MM, DMA Prepared repertory should include solo Bach, a complete concerto, and a Paganini caprice or its equivalent. |
| Violoncello | Prescreening requirement: By December 1, all undergraduate and graduate cello applicants seeking a live audition must submit a preliminary audition recording. The prescreening CD must include 2 movements of an unaccompanied work by Bach and one movement from a standard concerto. Please see the online application for more information on prescreening. The following lists repertory requirements by degree for applicants invited to a live audition and those auditioning only by recording. BM
MM, DMA Prepared repertory should include solo Bach, a complete concerto, and other works from the standard repertory. |
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Voice
| Instrument | Audition Repertory |
| Voice - Major in Vocal Performance |
Prescreening requirement: By December 1, all applicants in voice must submit a preliminary audition recording (CD is required) with the application. Applicants should refer to the online application for more detailed information on prescreening. The guidelines given below apply to prescreening recordings and to those invited for a live audition - material submitted as part of the prescreening process may be performed at a live audition. BM AMU MM PRL, DMA PRL |
| Voice - Major in Opera Performance |
MM OPR The MM in Opera Performance, is an advanced degree in Opera and is extremely limited in the number of students admitted each year. All applicants to the MM PRL and DMA PRL degree are automatically considered for the Opera Major. At the end of the audition season, the faculty will make recommendations to the Admissions Committee for candidates to the Opera major. All graduate vocal applicants are automatically considered for this Opera Major. Candidates have the same repertoire requirements for audition as the MM PRL and DMA candidates. Consult the Opera Form in the application for details about the Program. |
| Voice - Major in Opera Stage Directing |
MM OPS Three vocal selections in three languages (two from stage works). Consult the Opera Form in the application for details about the Program. |
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Woodwinds
| Instrument | Audition Repertory |
| Bassoon | BM Each the following:
MM, DMA The applicant should prepare solo literature of contrasting styles, and several contrasting orchestral excerpts. |
| Clarinet | Prescreening requirement: By December 1, all clarinet applicants seeking a live audition must submit a preliminary audition recording. Please make a DVD of the following: Please record repertoire in the order listed for each degree program. If approved from prescreening, the live audition should follow the same repertoire guidelines, and can present the same or different material. BM
MM
DMA Same requirements as for the Master of Music degree, with the addition of one of the following:
|
| Flute | Prescreening requirement: By December 1, all flute applicants seeking a live audition must submit a preliminary audition recording (DVD is strongly preferred, videotape is permissible, as is CD). Please see the online application for more information on prescreening. The prescreening recording must include each of the following:
The following 4 standard orchestral excerpts (not the entire work):
Live Audition BM
NOTE: There are no openings for Graduate Flute for Fall 2009. The following lists repertory requirements for graduate applicants invited to a live audition and those auditioning only by recording when graduate places are available. Prepared repertory should include the undergraduate repertory in addition to a work from the contemporary solo literature and orchestral excerpts. |
| Oboe | BM Each of the following:
MM, DMA Prepared repertory should include contemporary solo literature and orchestral excerpts. Possible sight-reading. |
| Saxophone | BM Examples of recommended repertory:
MM Prepared repertory may include standard and contemporary solo literature appropriate to training and experience. Possible sight-reading. DMA Prepared repertory should include three works representing contrasting styles. Applicants are encouraged to include one transcription of a work written before the 20 th century. Applicants in jazz studies and contemporary media should refer to the section on jazz for additional requirements. |
| Woodwind Specialist |
MM Entrance to this program requires two auditions, one on the primary instrument, and one on the second primary instrument. Applicants should follow the guidelines in this section according to their two instruments. (Note that instruments in the same family do not meet the requirements for this major; e.g., flute and piccolo, oboe and English horn, etc.) |




