Graduate Audition Requirements (non-jazz)

Check back here soon for updated audition requirements for video audition submissions. 

Double Bass

Appropriate audition repertoire for graduate double bass applicants would typically include:

  • Contrasting movements from a concerto
  • One movement from a solo Bach suite
  • Another solo selection of the candidate's choice (e.g. concert piece, movement of a sonata, etc.)
  • 3-4 standard orchestral excerpts showing a range of styles

For any questions about the suitability of audition repertoire, please contact Professor Sidney King, s0king03@louisville.edu

Cello

Be prepared to perform 3 to 4 works. Suggested repertoire consists of the following:

  • A standard concerto An etude (such as Popper or Piatti)
  • A solo piece or sonata

Clarinet

Please prepare the following:

  • Exposition of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto
  • 3 standard orchestral excerpts of your choice
  • One unaccompanied 20th or 21st century piece
  • One movement from a sonata or concerto of your choice

Euphonium

Prepare two solo works, and at least three contrasting excerpts from the standard orchestra or band literature. Solos may be complete movements of larger concertos, sonatas, or unaccompanied works, or smaller standalone pieces. Selected works should demonstrate your technical capabilities and your understanding of varied musical styles. Please contact Professor McCanless (ctmcca03@louisville.edu) with any questions about music selection.

Flute

Students should play 2 pieces of contrasting styles for the audition, for a total of 10 - 12 minutes of music, plus an etude or 2 orchestral excerpts. Be prepared to sight-read.

Guitar - Classical

  • Must have completed all requirements for undergraduate study as well as an undergraduate degree recital.

  • At least a 20-minute program of appropriate repertoire, which may include any of the following or comparable works:Lute Suites by J.S. Bach, larger concert works by Mauro Giuliani and Fernando Sor, Preludes and Etudes by Heitor Villa-Lobos
  • Audition repertoire must be performed from memory.

    Horn

    • At least two movements of a major horn concerto (Mozart, R. Strauss, F. Strauss, Saint-Saens-Morceau, Gliere, Jacob) or of a major work for horn and piano (Beethoven-Sonata, Hindemith Sonate or Schumann-Adagio and Allegro).

    • All majors and minor scales, at least two octaves.

    • Two contrasting etudes that show your level of technical facility

    • Several orchestral excerpts

    Sight reading may include transposition


    Percussion

    Applicants should perform works in the following categories that accurately represent their current level of achievement.
    Required:

    • One 2- Mallet and one 4- Mallet keyboard work (with or without accompaniment)
    • Two Snare Drum Works (Rudimental and Orchestral)
    • One Timpani work for 4 drums

    Optional:

    • One Multi Percussion Work
    • Drumset: Various Styles (Jazz, Bossa Nova, Afro Cuban, etc.)

      Piano - Classical

      To be admitted as a graduate piano major, students should have studied compositions such as Bach Suites and Prelude & Fugues; classical sonatas by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven; and advanced works by such composers as Schubert, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Brahms, Debussy, Faure, Bartok, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich.

      At the audition, students will be expected to play three or four pieces of contrasting styles including:

      • Bach Prelude & Fugue or English or French Suite
      • Complete sonata by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven
      • Romantic, Impressionistic, or Twentieth/Twenty-first Century work

      Students will also be given a moderately difficult work to sight read.

      Students must bring to the audition an extensive Repertoire List of solo and chamber music studied and a copy of any recital programs presented as an undergraduate. Those interested in the pedagogy degree or a Graduate Teaching Assistantship should also submit a video link demonstrating the applicant teaching. The link can be emailed to gomusic@louisville.edu . It is best if the teaching video is submitted before the scheduled audition date.

      Saxophone

      Prepare three works that represent your lyrical and technical capabilities, with at least one work from the standard repertoire (e.g. Ibert Concertino, Tomasi Concerto, Maurice Tableaux, Creston Sonata or Concerto, etc.). You will be asked to play full-range major and minor scales as well as read selections at sight.

      Trombone

      Tenor:

      • Have proficiency in all major and minor scales; one Rochut Etude (Vol. 2); one intermediate or advanced Tommy Pederson etude; Rossini Overture to La Gazza Ladra; Schumann Symphony No. 3, fourth movement; Strauss Ein Heldenleben; Wagner "Ride", Ravel Bolero; two contrasting works by Tomasi, Hindemith, Jacob, or Wagenseil.

      Bass:

      • Have proficiency in all major and minor scales; one Rochut Etude (Vol. 2); Bach Suite No. 5 for Cello; Sarabande and orchestral excerpts; Haydn The Creation, No. 26; Kodaly Hary Janos Suite, fourth movement; Rossini Overture to La Gazza Ladra; Schumann Symphony No. 3, fourth movement; Strauss Ein Heldenleben; Wagner "Ride"; two contrasting works by Bozza, Spillman, Vaughan-Williams (Tuba Concerto).

      Trumpet

      Graduate applicants should include four pieces of contrasting styles. The ability to play different instruments (i.e. C trumpet, B-flat, piccolo, flugel, etc.) will strengthen the audition.

      Tuba

      Prepare two solo works, and at least three contrasting excerpts from the standard orchestra or band literature. Solos may be complete movements of larger concertos, sonatas, or unaccompanied works, or smaller standalone pieces. Selected works should demonstrate your technical capabilities and your understanding of varied musical styles. Please contact Professor McCanless with any questions about music selection.

      Viola

      • One 3 octave scale (the student may choose the key)

      • Two contrasting movements from the Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suites

      • One movement from the standard viola sonata repertoire (e.g. Brahms, Schumann, Schubert, Shostakovich, etc.)

      • One movement from the standard viola concerto repertoire (e.g. Handel, Stamitz, Walton, Bartok, etc.)

      Violin

      Applicants should be prepared to perform:

      • A movement of any Bach Sonata or Partita
      • A movement of any Mozart Concerto
      • A movement of any Romantic Violin Concerto
      • One movement from any of the listed works must be performed from memory.

      Voice

      Repertoire to be presented:
      3 art songs (one German Lied, one French mélodie, one American or English art song)
      One aria from an opera or oratorio

      NOTE: One of the 4 selections presented must be from the 20th century or later.

      Please bring a copy of any recital programs presented as an undergraduate and a repertoire list. Audio copies of programs are also welcomed, although not required.