Audition Requirements & Repertoire

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• Two (2) or three (3) contrasting movements from the repertoire that represent at least 2 major classical time periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary.
• One (1) Concert Study from an etude book, such as the Milde Op. 26, or other equivalent etude that showcases the students lyrical and technical playing.
• A piece composed since 1950, written by a composer who is traditionally underrepresented in the field, either because of gender, identity, race, ethnicity, or who was for other reasons previously excluded from the traditional canon. There are numerous resources with examples of these works, but for suggestions of pieces at different difficulty levels, please contact Dr. Patterson.
• A minimum of four (4) contrasting standard orchestral excerpts.

Piano accompaniment is not required.

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• A fast and a slow concerto movement
• A Prelude and two contrasting dance movements from solo Bach
• A showpiece or contemporary work written after 1940

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• Three selections that should include but not be limited to a complete sonata or concerto
• A work composed in the last 50 years
• Excerpt from "Quintet for Clarinet & String Quartet" by James Lee III : pg. 1, mm. 6-30 (Email Dr. Espina-Ruiz for the excerpt.)
• Demonstrate the ability to sight-read

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact clarinet professor Oskar Espina-Ruiz at espina-ruizo@uncsa.edu.

Prospective PAC applicants are advised to schedule a conversation with Dr. Allison Gagnon, Chair of Collaborative Piano, early in their application process to learn more about the program.

Prospective MM applicants may request a conversation with Dr. Gagnon, as well.

Application Recording

Upload a short, recent video (filmed within the past year) demonstrating pianistic and collaborative skills. Applicants decide repertoire and partner selections for their recording. Recordings are not used for prescreening. Instead, uploaded recordings are used to help familiarize faculty with the candidate prior to the audition.

Audition Repertoire (live auditions)

To ensure an audition is both a positive and insightful experience for a candidate, Dr. Gagnon plans with each applicant their audition repertoire, partnering arrangements, and partnering rehearsals for their live audition. Audition Repertoire will include:

• At least two contrasting selections for piano with voice
• At least one selection for piano and instrument
• One solo piano selection
• Quick study
  • music provided 24 to 48 hours in advance
  • music presented with a partner
  • no rehearsal with the partner
• Sight-reading

Applicants may contact Dr. Gagnon throughout their application process as questions arise.

The Composition program provides training in the craft and art of music composition, with special emphasis on form, harmony, counterpoint, scoring, technology, innovation and genre crossing.

Prescreening

• Submit three to four representative scores, with recordings when possible, with your application. Scores should be submitted through your Admissions Portal as part of your overall portfolio.
• Submit a sample of your writing on a musical subject (e.g. an analysis of a composition or a paper on a music history topic). The writing sample should be submitted through your Admissions Portal as part of your overall portfolio.
• Submit a statement of purpose describing your experience, goals and career interests as a professional composer. This statement of purpose, or Artistic Statement, should be submitted through your Admissions Portal.

Interview

Applicants whose submitted scores demonstrate readiness to audition for the Composition program will be invited for an interview with the Composition faculty on scheduled audition dates.

• You should be prepared to discuss your musical background and training, influences, and compositional interests and goals.
• You will not need to audition on an instrument to be considered for the composition program.

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact composition professor Lawrence Dillon at dillonl@uncsa.edu.

Portfolio

• A portfolio with three to five original compositions, preferably demonstrating proficiency in musical storytelling and contrasting musical styles.
• Compositions should be submitted in the following formats: film clips with original score (MP4 preferred), live or MIDI audio recordings (M4A preferred), and accompanying musical scores in PDF format.

Program Prerequisites

• Qualified applicants must have an undergraduate degree, preferably with a concentration or major in music composition.
• Applicants with undergraduate degrees in concentrations other than music will be required to take a written and aural proficiency exam in musicianship.

Physical and Cognitive Abilities

• Applicants must, at a minimum, possess functional use of the somatic senses, have adequate motor capabilities to manage situations in which these senses would be employed, and be able to integrate data acquired via these senses.

Applicants schedule either a virtual or on-campus, in-person interview.

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact composition professor Chris Heckman at heckmanc@uncsa.edu.

Requirements and audition/interview details to be available soon.

Contact Dr. Mark Norman with any questions at normanm@uncsa.edu. 

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• Two movements of an unaccompanied cello suite by Johann Sebastian Bach
• One piece demonstrating lyricism
• One piece that displays virtuosic technique
• Three to five standard orchestral excerpts from different composers
• At least two different eras should be represented in your solo selections, and at least twenty minutes of music should be prepared for presentation.
• At least one piece should be a concerto or sonata movement, or a substantial showpiece from the standard double bass repertory.

If you have questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact double bass professor Paul Sharpe at sharpep@uncsa.edu.

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• Two complete major works for euphonium (Friedrich, Curnow, etc.)
• One Rochut etude of the applicant’s choice
• One characteristic study from Arbans Method of the applicant’s choice
• Five standard band excerpts of your choice.
• All major and minor scales
• Demonstrate the ability to sight-read

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• A piece by a BIPOC composer
• Two movements of a J.S. Bach Sonata
• Mozart Concerto (G or D) first movement exposition
• One piece of your choice representative of the your ability level.
• Scales (all majors and melodic minors)

Substitutions to the listed repertoire are okay. If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact flute professor Dr. Tadeu Coelho at coelhot@uncsa.edu.

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• A 20-30 minute program of contrasting solo concert works performed from memory
• Demonstrated ability to sight-read a variety of textures

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact guitar professor Joseph Pecoraro at pecorj@uncsa.edu.

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• A 30-minute program of contrasting works, at least one from the Baroque period, one Romantic and one 20th century.
• Four major orchestral excerpts

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact harp professor Jacquelyn Bartlett at bartlettj@uncsa.edu.

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• One movement from standard solo repertoire (Mozart, Strauss, etc.)
• One movement or work written in the 20th or 21st century
• Three to five standard orchestral excerpts of your choice.
• Major and minor scales
• Sight-reading

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact horn professor Dr. Maria Serkin at serkinm@uncsa.edu.

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• Three selections that should include, but not be limited to, a complete sonata or concerto, a 20th century work and a Bach cantata
• Two orchestral excerpts

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact oboe professor Robin Driscoll at robindriscolloboe@gmail.com.

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Repertoire

• A major free work by J.S. Bach (including the trio sonatas)
• A composition from the Romantic period
• A composition from the 20th-21st century
• A hymn played as if leading a congregation
• Sight-reading

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact organ professor Timothy Olsen at olsent@uncsa.edu.

Application Recording

Please upload one (1) video of solo repertoire and concerto performances (when applicable) that demonstrate playing abilities. Video should be approximately 10 minutes in length and may be comprised of multiple recordings that highlight best skills and performances. Everything included must have been filmed less than one year ago. While high-quality recordings in controlled environments are encouraged, this is not a requirement. Thoughtfully recorded smartphone videos will suffice.

Applicants without access to timpani, marimba, and/or a concert snare drum for their recording should contact Dr. Komljenović to discuss their audition program.

Audition Repertoire

Applicants must contact Dr. Komljenović no less than two weeks prior to a scheduled audition with information about the instruments needed for their audition.

Prepare a 20 minute audition program consisting of solos for:

• Snare drum 
• Timpani 
• Marimba or vibraphone
• Multiple percussion or theatrical percussion

Sight-reading on snare drum, timpani, and/or keyboard and a short interview are also included in the audition.

Applicants may utilize the PAS Diversity Alliance Composer Meta-Database for possible repertoire suggestions.

Applicants are also encouraged to contact Percussion Studio Director, Dr. Ksenija Komlejenovic to discuss any audition repertoire being considered or to ask questions about the audition process.

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• One large work by J.S. Bach
• One complete classical sonata
• One large work from the 19th Century
• One Etude by Chopin, Debussy, Liszt or Rachmaninoff

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact piano professor Dmitri Shteinberg at shteinbergd@uncsa.edu.

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• Three selections that should include but not be limited to a complete sonata or concerto
• A work composed in the last fifty years
• Demonstrate the ability to sight-read

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact saxophone professor Robert Young at youngr@uncsa.edu.

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

Tenor Trombone

• Complete movement from a standard concerto for trombone (e.g., Grondahl, Hindemith)
• All major and minor scales
• Two contrasting etudes (i.e. technical and lyrical)
• Three orchestral excerpts: Ravel, Bolero; Mozart, Requiem Tuba Mirum – 2nd part; Berlioz, Hungarian March – 2nd part
• Sight-reading

Bass Trombone

• Bach, Sarabande from Suite No. 5 for unaccompanied cello.
• Complete movement from a standard concerto for bass trombone (e.g. Ewazen, etc.)
• Two contrasting etudes (i.e. technical and lyrical)
• Major and minor scales
• Three orchestral excerpts: Wagner, Ride; Berlioz, Hungarian March; Kodaly, Hary Janos

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact trombone professor John Ilika at ilikaj@uncsa.edu.

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• Audition repertoire is flexible
• Suggested repertoire: Haydn or Hummel Concerto
• One movement of a 20th or 21st century work
• Five to seven standard orchestral excerpts, including piccolo trumpet

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact trumpet professor David Dash at dashd@uncsa.edu.

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• Two complete major works for tuba (Vaughan-Williams, Gregson, Barnes, Wilhelm, etc.)
• Two etudes for tuba, one Rochut/Bordogni and one Bousquet
• Five standard orchestral excerpts of the applicant’s choice.
• All major and minor scales
• Demonstrate the ability to sight-read

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact tuba/euphonium professor Brent Harvey at harveyb@uncsa.edu.

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• Two contrasting movements from Bach cello Suites, Violin Sonatas, or Partitas, preferably from memory
• Two movements of a concerto from the standard repertoire
• A major sonata

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact viola professor Jordan Bak at bakj@uncsa.edu.

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire

• Two movements of a J.S. Bach solo sonata or partita, preferably from memory
• Two movements of a concerto from the standard repertoire
• A work written after 1940

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact violin faculty members Kevin Lawrence (lawrencek@uncsa.edu), Ida Bieler (bieleri@uncsa.edu) or Janet Orenstein (orensteinj@uncsa.edu) about their respective studios.

All Graduate voice applicants should review the Fletcher Opera Audition Process for complete application, prescreening, and audition procedures.

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact Steven LaCosse at lacosses@uncsa.edu.