Brass

Piano accompaniment is not required for brass auditions at the University of Louisville. 

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 Dr. McCanless via email with any questions about music selection.

HORN (FRENCH HORN): 

Please choose your list (all seven pieces) in a fashion that showcases all aspects of your playing.

1. An exposition of ONE of the following works OR standard work representative of your playing: 

  • Mozart Concerti: 1, 2, 3, or 4, Concert Rondo
  • Franz Strauss Concerto 1, Theme and Variations Op. 13
  • Richard Strauss Concerto 1, Op. 11
  • Dukas Villanelle
  • Saint-Saens: Romance Op. 36, Romance Op. 67, Morceau de Concert
  • Beethoven Sonata Op. 17
  • Gliere: Concerto Op. 91
  • Hindemith Horn Sonata, Alto Horn Sonata
  • An etude by Kopprasch, Gallay, Shoemaker, Kling, Gugel, etc. 

2. Shostakovich Symphony 5, #17-21. Horn 1 (https://www.hornsociety.org/shostakovich/shosty5)

3. ONE excerpt from the wind band canon. Some examples include:

  • Bernstein Suite from "West Side Story," arr. Paul Lavender 
  • Grainger Irish Tune from County Derry Solo
  • Grainger Children's March
  • Grainger Lincolnshire Posy, Rufford Park Poachers
  • Jenkins American Overture
  • Schoenberg Theme and Variations, VI
  • Smith Festival Variations, Eternal Father Strong to Save

     More excerpts are available here: https://www.hornrep.com

4. ONE Excerpt from the opera canon. Some examples could include:

  • Beethoven Fidelio
  • Berg Wozzeck
  • Humperdinck Hansel and Gretel 
  • Mozart Cosi fan Tutte
  • Puccini Tosca: Act III
  • Strauss Der Rosenkavalier 
  • Wagner Gotterdämmerung, Lohengrin (Act 3 prelude), Siegfried
  • Weber Oberon, Der Freischütz

    More excerpts are available here: https://hornoperaproject.org

5. A piece or substantial solo passage representative of your playing by a composer from marginalized/underrepresented groups. Get creative with your research. Some examples include:

  • Bernofsky Trio for Brass, I: mm.21 - 36, or II: mm.25 - 33
  • Coleridge-Taylor Overture to the Song of Hiawatha: 5mm. after 2 - 19mm. after 3, horn 1
  • Ginastera Variaciones Concertantes
  • Jolas O Wall for wind quintet 
  • Marsalis Blues Symphony, VI: mm.46-72, horn 3
  • Price Symphony 1, III: mm.80-97, horn 3 

6. An excerpt that encompasses a large range. Some examples include:

  • Mahler Symphony 3, I. recapitulation, horn 4
  • Ravel Daphnis Et Chloé Ballet: rehearsal 43-45, horn 1
  • Strauss Ein Heldenleben, Der Rosenkavalier, openings.Till Eulenspiegel- opening, horn 3 recapitulation 
  • Wagner Götterdämmerung, Act.2 Scene 2.

7. An excerpt or brief solo that you are proud presenting

If you have questions on repertoire or would like to schedule prospective lessons, mock auditions, or schedule a time to ask questions, please feel free to  Dr. Devin Cobleigh-Morrison at any time.

TROMBONE:

Tenor: Melodious Etudes for Trombone Selected from the Vocalises of Marco Bordogni (Vol. 2); one intermediate or advanced Tommy Pederson etude; Select three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the following; Rossini Overture to La Gazza Ladra; Schumann Symphony No. 3, fourth movement; Strauss Ein Heldenleben; Wagner "Ride", Ravel Bolero; two contrasting movements by Tomasi, Hindemith, Jacob, or Wagenseil.

Bass: Melodious Etudes for Trombone Selected from the Vocalises of Marco Bordogni (Vol. 2); Bach Suite No. 5 for Cello; Sarabande and select three 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 movement 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 Dr. McCanless via email with any questions about music selection.