Audition Requirements & Repertoire

Application Recording:

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities, ideally around five (5) minutes in length 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 a concerto, sonata, or solo work (not necessarily two movements from the same work)
  • It is recommended that one movement be from a piece written prior to 1900, and one be from after 1900
  • One piece may be an étude that showcases the student’s technical and lyrical ability (from Weissenborn’s 50 Advanced Studies or similar étude book)
• May be asked to play all major scales

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. 

Application Recording:

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities, ideally around five (5) minutes in length 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) memorized movement from a Bach Suite
• The first movement from a standard concerto
• You may be asked to demonstrate ability to sight-read.

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

Application Recording:

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities, ideally around five (5) minutes in length 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) selections (including movements from sonatas and concertos)
• Excerpt from "Quintet for Clarinet & String Quartet in F sharp minor" by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: pg. 1, top 3.5 lines (mm. 5-26). (Email Dr. Espina-Ruiz for the excerpt.)
• Major and minor scales
• Compositions should demonstrate your ability in phrasing, sustained playing and facility

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

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.

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.

Application Recording:

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities, ideally around five (5) minutes in length 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 works: one demonstrating lyricism, and another demonstrating more virtuosic technique
• Examples of suitable repertoire for the audition would be the fast and slow movements of a standard concerto (i.e. Cimador, Capuzzi, Dragonetti); movements from a Baroque sonata by Marcello, Vivaldi, or Scarlatti; or etudes by Storch/Hrabe, Simanl, Rabbath, and others.
• Three (3) two-octave scales

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, ideally around five (5) minutes in length 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 sections from a standard solo (Haddad, Mozart, etc.)
• One (1) étude from a standard method for Euphonium (Rubank, Rochut, etc.)
• All major scales
• Sight-reading

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, ideally around five (5) minutes in length 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 representative of the student's ability by a BIPOC composer
• 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, ideally around five (5) minutes in length 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) or more contrasting selections, ideally performed from memory, which demonstrate the range of the applicant’s artistic ability*
• Several open or movable position scales (two or three octaves)
• Your ability to sight read standard notation and lead sheets will also be evaluated.

*We accept guitar applicants with a variety of backgrounds and training experiences. Auditions can show the full range of playing abilities in the applicant’s skill set. These can include performances on Nylon, Steel String and Electric guitars. In addition to at least two selections performed as instrumental solos, repertoire can include performing improvised melodic and chordal material (including with a backing track) as well as accompanying the players own voice.

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, ideally a minimum of ten minutes in length with repertoire of your choice. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire:

From memory, two (2) solos of contrasting nature that demonstrate the technical and musical level attained thus far.

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, ideally around five (5) minutes in length 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) selections in contrasting styles, including at least one solo or movement of a solo and one étude
• All major 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, ideally around five minutes in length 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 a concerto, sonata, or solo work (movements are not required to be from the same work)
• One (1) piece may be an étude that showcases the student's technical and lyrical ability
• May be asked to play major scales
• 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.

Application Recording:

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities, ideally around five (5) minutes in length. We recommend a selection from the list of audition repertoire requirements below. This recording should be recent (within the past year) and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire:

• Two (2) contrasting works/movements from different stylistic periods
• A hymn 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 a video demonstrating your playing abilities. The submission should meet the following criteria:

• Content: Only solo repertoire and concerto performances (when applicable) may be included.
• Duration: The video should be 3 to 5 minutes in total, consisting of multiple 30 to 60-second performances that highlight your best skills.
• Instruments: Videos must include short performances on:
  • Snare drum (concert and rudimental playing)
  • Timpani
  • A keyboard instrument (2 or 4 mallets)

Playing multi-percussion, drum set, theatrical percussion, or accessories is optional.

• Timeliness: All performances must have been filmed within the past year.
• Quality: While high-quality recordings in controlled environments are encouraged, they are not required. Thoughtfully recorded smartphone videos are acceptable.

Percussionists who do not have access to timpani, marimba, and/or a concert snare drum for their recording should contact Dr. Komljenović to discuss their audition program.

Audition Repertoire:

• Étude or solos on the following:
  • Snare drum (rudimental and orchestral),
  • Timpani (2, 3, or 4 drums)
  • 2-mallet keyboard or 4-mallet keyboard solo (marimba, vibes, or xylophone)
• Optional: a multiple percussion solo and/or drum set solo

Sight-reading, timpani tuning, scales and rudiments will be part of the audition

Applicants must contact percussion studio director, Dr. Ksenija Komljenović no less than two (2) weeks prior to their scheduled audition with information about the instruments needed for thier audition.

For questions about the audition process or repertoire, please contact Dr. Ksenija Komljenović

Application Recording:

Please upload a brief video recording demonstrating your playing abilities, ideally around five (5) minutes in length 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) piece by JS Bach
• One (1) movement from a Classical Sonata
• One (1) 19^th century piece

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, ideally around five (5) minutes in length 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) selections (including movements from sonatas and concertos)
• Major and minor scales
• Compositions should demonstrate your ability in phrasing, sustained playing, and facility

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, ideally around five (5) minutes in length 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 and/or Bass Trombone

• • One (1) complete movement from a trombone solo of your choice.
  • Two (2) contrasting etudes, i.e., technical and lyrical
  • Major scales
  • Sight-reading

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, ideally around five (5) minutes in length 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) selections in contrasting styles, including at least one solo or movement of a solo and one étude 
• All major and natural minor scales
• Sight-reading

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, ideally around five (5) minutes in length 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 sections from a standard solo (Marcello, Bach, Haddad, etc.)
• One (1) étude from a standard method for tuba (Tyrell, Bordogni, etc.)
• All major scales
• Sight-reading 

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, ideally around five (5) minutes in length 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) movement of a Bach suite, solo sonata or partita, preferably from memory
• One (1) major movement of a concerto from the standard repertoire
• You may be asked to demonstrate ability to sight-read.

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. This recording can be as short as five (5) minutes in length with repertoire of your choice, should be recent (within the past year), and display your playing in a solo environment.

Audition Repertoire:

• One (1) movement of a Bach solo sonata or partita, preferably from memory
• One (1) major movement of a concerto from the standard repertoire
• You may be asked to demonstrate ability to sight-read.

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.

Application Recording:

Please upload videos of "live" singing. Selections must meet the styles specified in the required Audition Repertoire (below). Live piano accompaniment is preferred but prerecorded accompaniment can be acceptable. Videos should be unedited, without use of reverb, mic or audio enhancements. Video should be recent and not have been recorded more than one year ago.

Audition Repertoire:

Prepare three (3) selections contrasting in style, language and tempo. It is not necessary to have an example from each category below, but two (2) selections must be classical.  Please note that "classical" does not refer to classic rock, classic musical theatre, popular songs or folk styles on YouTube, etc. "Caro mio ben" is an example of a classical song.

• Classical Art Song from Baroque, Classical, Romantic or Contemporary period in any language. Example: a selection from "26 Italian Songs and Arias"
• Published folksong or spiritual for solo voice arranged by a classical composer such as John Jacob Niles, Kenneth Frazelle, Aaron Copland, Ben Moore, Harry T. Burleigh, etc.
• A lyric, non-belt Musical Theatre selection. Suggested composers include Jason Robert Brown, Andrew Lippa, Adam Guettel, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Jeanine Tesori, etc.
• Arias approved in advance by a member of the UNCSA Voice Department (contact information included below)

Required criteria for song selections:

• Three (3) classical selections or two (2) classical selections and a non-belt musical theatre selection
• At least one (1) selection must be in English
• At least one (1) classical selection must be in a foreign language
• Must be published
• Must be memorized
• Sheet music
  • Applicants must bring the sheet music for each of their selections to their audition
  • Sheet music for all selections must be in a binder to be provided to the accompanying pianist
  • Originals or copies are acceptable

Do not submit:

• Pop, R&B, Rock, Contemporary Gospel, or other style normally sung with amplification are not acceptable audition selections
• A cappella pieces are not acceptable audition selections
  • Exception: a published unaccompanied piece such as “The Singer” by Michael Head)
• Your voice part from a 4-part choral arrangement is not an acceptable audition selections
  • Exception: an aria or solo song from a larger choral work such as "Pie Jusu" from Fauré's Requiem
• The use of pre-recorded accompaniment is not allowed. (Pre-recorded accompaniment is only allowed if auditioning online.)

• You may be asked to demonstrate ability to sight-read.

Any of the following Voice Faculty may be contacted for approval of aria selection or with questions about the program or audition process:

• Dr. Marilyn Taylor (Department Chair) at taylorm@uncsa.edu
• Glenn Siebert at siebertg@uncsa.edu
• Phyllis Pancella at pancellap@uncsa.edu