Audition Requirements & Repertoire

Applicants are required to submit recording(s) and schedule a live audition or interview. Select programs prescreen applicants to determine if a live audition or interview will be conducted. Auditions are in-person closely following campus Community Health Standards. Program specific audition repertoire, including specific recording or possible prescreening requirements, are listed below.

Auditions are a vital part of the application process. Live auditions and interviews are scheduled after a completed application, application fee, and all required documents have been submitted. Qualifying applicants will be notified and invited to schedule an audition. 

On-Campus Audition Dates

Instrumental & Composition
  • Friday, January 24, 2025
  • Friday, February 7, 2025
  • Friday, February 14, 2025
  • Friday, February 21, 2025
Voice (Fletcher)
  • Sunday, January 12, 2025
  • Saturday, February 8, 2025
  • Friday, February 14, 2025 (Chicago, IL*)
  • Sunday, February 16, 2025

* Chicago audition location shared with candidates upon registration.

Audition Repertoire Requirements

Bassoon

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 (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 étude book, such as the Milde Op. 26, or other equivalent étude 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.

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact bassoon professor Stephanie Patterson at pattersons@uncsa.edu

Cello

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
If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact cello professor Brooks Whitehouse at whitehouseb@uncsa.edu.

Clarinet

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 (3) 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.

Collaborative Piano

Prospective applicants to the graduate program in Collaborative Piano are encouraged to schedule a conversation with Dr. Allison Gagnon, Chair of Collaborative Piano, early in their application process. PAC candidates are especially advised to do this so that they can learn more about the opportunities provided in this certificate program.

Application Recording
Upload a short, recent recording (filmed within the past year) that shows your pianistic and collaborative skill set. You are free to choose the repertoire and partners. Recordings are not used for prescreening; all applicants are invited to a live audition. Uploaded recordings are used to help familiarize faculty with your work prior to the live audition.

Audition Repertoire

  1. Three (3) selections from the following list* to be performed with a vocal partner:
    • ​Schubert ​Rastlose Liebe
    • Brahms​ Vergebliches Ständchen
    • Debussy​Il pleure dans mon coeur (Ariettes Oubliées)
    • Mozart ​Batti, batti o bel, Masetto (Don Giovanni)
    • Massenet​ Frère! Voyez...Du gai soleil (Werther)
    • Menotti​ Monica’s Waltz (The Medium)
    • ​Vaughan Williams ​Let Beauty Awake (Songs of Travel)
  2. Two (2) contrasting selections from the following list* to be performed with an instrumental partner:
    • Mozart ​Flute Concerto in G major, K. 313 (first movement)
    • Mozart​ Horn Concerto no. 2, K. 417 (first movement)
    • R. Strauss​ Horn Concerto no. 1, Op. 11 (first movement)
    • J.S. Bach ​Sonata in E minor, BWV 1034 (two movements: i/ii or iii/iv)
    • Brahms ​Sonata in E flat major, Op. 120/2 (second movement)
    • Prokofiev​ Sonata in D major, Op. 94 (third movement)
    • Bozza​ En Forêt for horn and piano
    • Enesco​ Cantabile et Presto for flute and piano

* Desired selections not on these lists may be proposed to Dr. Gagnon in advance of an audition. Contact her to inquire if a substitution can be considered and if partnering is possible.

  1. One (1) selection for piano solo (your choice, five minutes will be heard).
  2. Quick study selection will be provided 24-48 hours in advance. This is performed in the audition without rehearsal with a partner.
  3. Sight reading without partner.

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

Composition

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 (3) to four (4) 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 Jared Miller at millerja@uncsa.edu.

Composition for Film and Visual Media

Portfolio

  • A portfolio with three (3) to five (5) 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.

Conducting

Requirements and audition/interview details to be available soon.

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

Double Bass

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) movements of an unaccompanied cello suite by Johann Sebastian Bach
  • One (1) piece demonstrating lyricism
  • One (1) piece that displays virtuosic technique
  • Three (3) to five (5) standard orchestral excerpts from different composers
  • At least two (2) different eras should be represented in your solo selections, and at least twenty minutes of music should be prepared for presentation.
  • At least one (1) 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.

Euphonium

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) complete major works for euphonium (Friedrich, Curnow, etc.)
  • One (1) Rochut étude of the applicant’s choice
  • One (1) characteristic study from Arbans Method of the applicant’s choice
  • Five (5) standard band excerpts of your 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.

Flute

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) movements of a J.S. Bach Sonata or First movement of a Mozart Concerto with cadenza (G or D)
  • A piece representative of the student's ability by a BIPOC composer
  • Three (3) Standard Orchestral Excerpts (as from the Baxtresser book)

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.

Guitar

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.

Harp

Application Recording

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating playing abilities with repertoire of your choice. 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 (1) selection from the Baroque period
  • At least one (1) selection Romantic
  • At least one (1) selection from the 20th century
  • Four (4) major orchestral excerpts

Solos should be performed from memory.

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

Horn

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 (3) to five (5) 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.

Oboe

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

  • Tow (2) or three (3) contrasting movements from repertoire that represents at least two (2) major classical time periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary.
    • It is recommended that at least one (1) movement be from a piece written by a composer from a diverse, underrepresented group. For suggestions or help with your program, please contact Dr. Theodora Proud.
  • A minimum or three (3) contrasting standard orchestral excerpts.
  • Piano accompaniment is not required.

If you have any questions about the audition process or requirements, please contact oboe professor Teodora Proud at pejasinovicproudt@uncsa.edu.

Organ

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.

Percussion

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.

Piano

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 (1) large work by J.S. Bach
  • One (1) complete classical sonata
  • One (1) large work from the 19th Century
  • One (1) étude 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.

Saxophone

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 (3) 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.

Trombone

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 (2) contrasting étude (i.e. technical and lyrical)
  • Three (3) 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 (2) contrasting etudes (i.e. technical and lyrical)
  • Major and minor scales
  • Three (3) 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.

Trumpet

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 (1) movement of a 20th or 21st century work
  • Five (5) to seven (7) 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.

Tuba

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) complete major works for tuba (Vaughan-Williams, Gregson, Barnes, Wilhelm, etc.)
  • Two (2) études for tuba, one Rochut/Bordogni and one Bousquet
  • Five (5) 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.

Viola

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) contrasting movements from Bach cello Suites, Violin Sonatas, or Partitas, preferably from memory
  • Two (2) 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.

Violin

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) movements of a J.S. Bach solo sonata or partita, preferably from memory
  • Two (2) 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.

Voice

Applicants should review the Fletcher Opera Audition Process for complete application, prescreening, and audition procedures.

Application Recording

Masters of Music
Pre-screening video recording file or link consisting of two (2) contrasting arias representing two (2) languages.

Graduate Arts Certificate
Pre-screening video file or link consisting of three (3) arias representing three (3) languages.

Professional Artist Certificate
Pre-screening video recording file or link consisting of four (4) arias, representing at least three (3) languages.

Audition Repertoire

Masters of Music 

    • Six (6) selections of contrasting style in four languages; English, Italian, French, German, Russian, Czech, Spanish
      • One (1) must be in Italian
      • One (1) must be in English
      • Three (3) must be opera arias
      • One (1) must be written after 1950
      • One (1) must be musical theatre

Graduate Arts Certificate

    • Seven (7) selections of contrasting style in four languages; English, Italian, French, German, Russian, Czech, Spanish
      • One (1) must be in Italian
      • One (1) must be in English
      • Four (4) must be opera arias
      • One (1) must be written after 1950
      • One (1) must be musical theatre

Professional Artist Certificate

    • Eight (8) selections of contrasting style in four languages; English, Italian, French, German, Russian, Czech, Spanish
      • One (1) must be in Italian
      • One (1) must be in English
      • Four (4) must be opera arias
      • One (1) must be written after 1950
      • One (1) must be musical theatre

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