Audition Requirements

Follow the links to view audition requirements in the following disciplines:

Strings

Violin

The audition program should consist of selections from the following four categories. Specific composers of concerti and etudes are offered simply as suggestions to elucidate the type of repertoire that would comprise an acceptable audition program; however, candidates should not feel compelled to limit their program to compositions of the composers listed. Instead, audition programs should be comprised of works which most effectively display an applicant's ability. Memorization of categories #1 and #2 is compulsory.

• #1- A major or minor scale in three octaves of the applicant's choice; performed with 4, 8, 24 notes slurred to a bow; as well as spiccato (one spiccato stroke for each note).
• #2- Two contrasting movements of an unaccompanied Partita or Sonata of J. S. Bach.
• #3- One movement of a concerto from the standard repertory with cadenza, if applicable (for example: Mozart, Kabalevsky, Bruch, Lalo, Saint- Saëns, Barber, Dvorak).
• #4- A selection of the applicant's choice (for example: an etude, caprice, showpiece, movement of a duo sonata, contemporary repertoire).

Viola

• Scales and arpeggios
• One étude from Kreutzer, Dont, or Rode
• One movement from the solo cello suites of J.S. Bach
• One movement of a contrasting work, such a movement from a concerto or sonata. For example: Telemann, J.C. Bach, Handel, or Stamitz Concertos; Bloch Meditation, Bruch Romance, Schumann Adagio and Allegro etc.

Violoncello

• One three octave scale and three octave arpeggio
• One movement from an unaccompanied cello Suite by J.S. Bach
• One movement of a standard concerto, or equivalent work
• One étude representative of the applicant's level of proficiency, such as those by Dotzauer, Duport, Popper, or Piatti

Double Bass

• A major/minor scale of applicant's choice, at least two octaves.
• Two contrasting movements of a Baroque sonata.
• One etude from Bille, Simandl, Storch-Hrabe, or Sturm.
• "Die Meistersinger" Overture by Wagner