Woodwind Auditions

Literature

• Two contrasting selections of the candidate's choice that demonstrate lyrical and technical proficiency, such as any of the following:
  • Mozart Concerti - exposition of the first movement
  • A movement of a sonata such as by Handel, Bach, Hindemith, Poulenc, or any piece in the French Flute book such as Faure or Chaminade
  • A solo flute piece such as Debussy-Syrinx, any of the Telemann Fantasias, or a piece by Hoover
• Or, in place of the above, contracting sections from equivalent standard repertoire, etudes, orchestral excerpts, or exercises that demonstrate your lyrical and technical strengths.

Oboe

Scales

• Two 2-octave major scales
• Two 2-octave minor scales (melodic or harmonic)
• Chromatic scale -- full range (at least two octaves)

Literature

• Two contrasting selections of the candidate's choice that demonstrate lyrical and technical proficiency, such as any of the following:
  • Any two contrasting movements from any concerto or sonata by Händel, Marcello, Telemann, or Vivaldi; Cimarosa/Benjamin Concerto; Hindemith Sonate; Saint-Saens Sonata
  • Or, any movement from the list above plus a contrasting etude by Ferling or Barret (found in the original Barret Method, the Barret Method edited by Martin Schuring or the Gekeler Method Book Two)
  • Or, contrasting sections from equivalent standard repertoire, etudes, or exercises that demonstrate your lyrical and technical strengths.

Clarinet

Scales

• Two 2-octave major scales
• Two 2-octave minor scales (melodic or harmonic)
• Chromatic scale -- full range (at least two octaves)

Literature

• Two contrasting selections of the candidate's choice that demonstrate lyrical and technical proficiency, such as any of the following:
  
  • VonWeber, Concertino: Introduction, Theme, Variations 1 & 2
  • Mozart, Concerto: 1st movement exposition and 2nd movement through cadenza
  • Hindemith, Sonate, any 2 movements
• Or, in place of the above, contracting sections from equivalent standard repertoire, etudes, or exercises that demonstrate your lyrical and technical strengths.

Bass Clarinet

Scales

• Two 2-octave major scales
• Two 2-octave minor scales (melodic or harmonic)
• Chromatic scale -- full range (at least two octaves)

Literature

• Two contrasting selections of the candidate's choice that demonstrate lyrical and technical proficiency, such as any of the following:
  • Any repertoire listed for clarinet or other solo repertoire such as Rhapsody by Willson Osborne or Three Pieces by Igor Stravinsky (first movement)
  • Any two Rose studies (one slow, one fast)
• Or, in place of the above, contracting sections from equivalent standard repertoire, etudes, or exercises that demonstrate your lyrical and technical strengths.

Bassoon

Scales

• Two 2-octave major scales
• Two 1-octave minor scales (melodic or harmonic)
• Chromatic scale of at least two octaves

Literature

• Two contrasting selections of the candidate's choice that demonstrate lyrical and technical proficiency, such as any of the following:
  • Any of the Fifty Advanced Studies – Weissenborn
  • Any of the Meliodic & Progressive Studies – Hawkins
  • Concertpiece, Op. 35 – Pierne
  • Sonata in F minor – Telemann
  • Any of the Six Sonatas – Galliard
  • Sonata – Hindemith
• Or, in place of the above, contracting sections from equivalent standard repertoire, etudes, or exercises that demonstrate your lyrical and technical strengths.

Saxophone

Scales

• Two 2-octave major scales
• Two 2-octave minor scales (melodic or harmonic)
• Chromatic scale of at least two octaves

Literature

• Two contrasting selections of the candidate's choice that demonstrate lyrical and technical proficiency, such as any of the following:
  
  • Paule Maurice, Tableaux de Provence: Movement II or IV, contrasted with movement III or I.
  • Paul Creston, Sonata for Eb Alto Saxophone, Opus 19: movements I and II.
  • Any two etudes from the Ferling 48 Etudes; one odd-numbered and one even-numbered.
  • A jazz ballad such as Body & Soul or Sophisticated Lady, contrasted with an uptempo jazz standard such as Anthropology or Donna Lee.
• Or, in place of the above, contracting sections from equivalent standard repertoire, etudes, or exercises that demonstrate your lyrical and technical strengths.

Recorded Auditions

Applicants wishing to submit a video audition should submit their video recording link directly to the application form. 

Recorded Audition Best Practices

• Read audition requirements carefully. Select your repertoire with the help of your private instructor, or a trusted ensemble director at your school. If you have any questions about the audition requirements, contact our faculty.
• Recorded auditions must include both audio and video.
• Dress in audition appropriate attire, similar to what you would wear for a concert or recital. Remove any distractions from the background.
• Please be sure the lighting in your video is balanced. It may help to turn on lights or stand near a window. On the other hand, you may need to close window blinds or move away from bright lights.
• Your video frame should capture as much of your body and instrument as possible. Do your best to make sure your hands and face are visible.
• Do an audio test before you record your audition materials. Be sure to test various dynamic and pitch ranges. You may need to adjust your microphone placement in order to capture the best possible sound.
• Introduce yourself, your accompanist (if applicable), and the selections you are performing.

Additional Contact Information