Admissions
Graduate Suggested Audition Materials
Accompanists
An accompanist is neither required nor provided for those auditioning on brass, string, woodwind, or percussion instruments at the master’s or doctoral level. You may bring an accompanist at your own discretion. Accompanists are required for all graduate voice auditions and will be provided for the master's auditions. Doctoral voice applicants must provide their own accompanist. If needed, we can provide names of accompanists for you to contact.
A DMA guideline sheet is available online (if appropriate); but, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Admissions and Student Services or your instrument/voice professor regarding the material you need for your audition. You should submit your prepared audition program as soon as possible, but no later than two weeks prior to your audition to help facilitate finding an appropriate accompanist.
MASTER'S
VOICE: Perform twenty minutes of music. Languages must include
English, French, German and Italian. Repertoire required: Art Songs, one
Opera Aria, one Baroque or Classical Aria, and one 20th or 21st century
work. PIANO: Play at least 3 significant compositions representing
3 contrasting periods.
HARP: Please contact Professor Campbell at lcampbell5@juno.com
VIOLIN: Play two movements from Bach Solo Sonatas in G minor
or A minor or C major. Fuga is required. Play one of the 24 Paganini Caprices.
Perform first movement of Major Concertos such as Tchaikovsky, Sibelius,
Brahms, Prokofiev, Beethoven, Schostakovich, Paganini, Mendelssohn.
VIOLA: Please contact Professor Dan at dan@msu.edu CELLO:
Play (1) an etude from Popper ³High School of Cello Playing,²
or Piatti ³Twelve Caprices," (2) Bach, Prelude and a movement
from Suites 4, 5 or 6, (3) a movement of a concerto by Haydn (D major
1st or 3rd mvt.), or Dvorak, or Schumann, or Shostakovich (No. 1 or 2),
or Prokofiev (Symphony-concerto), and (4) a scale and arpeggios.
STRING BASS: Please contact Professor Budrow at Wbudrow@aol.com
FLUTE: Play three contrasting works from different style periods
(one for solo flute), minimum of four orchestral excerpts. Demonstration
of memory strongly recommended. OBOE: Play 2 solos/concertos
of contrasting styles. Etude of Ferling or Barrett. 2 contrasting orchestral
excerpts. CLARINET: Play major and minor scales in three octaves;
prepare three contrasting pieces or movements from multi-movement works,
which demonstrate technique command, tone quality and musicianship.
SAXOPHONE: Play all major, natural, harmonic and melodic minor
scales and arpeggios complete normal range of the instrument. Choose one
etude from the 28 Studies after the Modes of Oliver Messaien by Guy LaCour.
Prepare to perform two works. One work being a selection of your choice,
one work from the following listing: Albright, Sonata Peters; Bassett
Duo Concertante; Berio, Sequenza IX b or VIIb; Bolcom, Lilth; Denisov
Sonate Leduc; Feld, Sonata for alto saxophone and piano; Finney, Sonata
(Viola); Gotkovski, Variations Pathetiques; Gotkovski, Brilliance; Husa.
Concerto; Husa, Elegie et Rondeau; Lennon , Symphonic Rhapsody; Martin,
Ballade; Martino concerto; Maslanka, Sonata; Robert, Cadenza; Ruggiero,
Interplay; Sancan, Lamento and Rondo; Stockhausen, InFriendship; Subotnick,
In Two Worlds; Swerts, Klonos; Villa Lobos, Fantasia; Wuorinen. Divertimento.
BASSOON: Play all major, harmonic minor, and Chromatic Scales
for the full range of the instrument; a standard major concerto (e.g.
Mozart, Weber, Hummel); three to four contrasting standard orchestral
excerpts which demonstrate students experience and training.
- Although repertoire selection and performance in the audition bear
great importance, final acceptance is based upon the demonstration of
talent, dedication, and the desire to achieve excellence rather than
solely upon the level of proficiency already achieved.
TRUMPET: Please contact Professor Illman at illman@msu.edu
HORN: Please contact Professor Gaboury-Sly at gabourys@msu.edu
TROMBONE: Play several solos of contrasting styles, including
at least one standard concerto, and a variety of orchestral excerpts.
EUPHONIUM: Demonstrate to the best of your ability your command
of tone quality, range, intonation, articulation, and rhythm. Prepare
major scales, melodic minor scales, and chromatic scales covering two
octaves or greater. Candidates should have strong reading ability in treble,
tenor, and bass clef. Prepare two contrasting solo works or movements
totally at least 10-minutes, which showcase your musical and technical
abilities. Also prepare three orchestral or band excerpts for euphonium
of your choosing. Sight-reading may be included on this audition.
TUBA: Demonstrate to the best of your ability your command of
tone quality, range, intonation, articulation, and rhythm. Prepare major
scales, melodic minor scales, and chromatic scales covering two octaves
or greater. Candidates should have strong reading ability in treble, tenor,
and bass clef. Prepare two contrasting solo works or movements totally
at least 10-minutes which showcase your musical and technical abilities.
Also prepare three orchestral or band excerpts for tuba of your choosing.
Sight-reading may be included on this audition.
PERCUSSION: Keyboard: Significant solo repertoire. Timpani: Advanced
solo or etude and/or orchestral excerpts. Snare Drum: Advanced etude repertoire
such as Delecleuse and/or excerpts. Multiple Percussion: Please send videotaped
performance prior to the live audition. Multiple percussion will not be
heard at the live audition. Optional: Demonstrate other areas of expertise
(i.e. drum set, hand drumming, etc.)
CONDUCTING: When applying for admission to the Master
of Music degree program in music conducting, an applicant must specify
one of the following three major areas: band conducting, choral conducting,
or orchestral conducting.
To be considered for admission to the Master of Music degree program
in music conducting, an applicant must present a live performance audition
before a committee of faculty in conducting. The audition must be in the
major area of conducting that the applicant specifies.
Orchestral Conducting:
First Round – Video tape, no longer
than 30 minutes. Must contain the applicant in a rehearsal and in a performance
situation. The work(s) should be from the standard repertoire of the symphony
orchestra and performed in the last two years.
Second Round – a) Selected applicants will be invited
to East Lansing, Michigan for a live conducting audition with the Symphony
Orchestra. b) The finalists will take a diagnostic examination on terminology,
orchestration, transpositions, instrumentation of composition, and orchestral
repertoire. c) Score reading on the piano. D) Brief audition on his/her
major instrument (one major composition of the candidate’s choice,
two standard orchestral excerpts of the candidate’s choice). e)
General interview with the orchestral conducting faculty.
Choral Conducting: Before being invited for an audition, applicants
are required to submit a video of either rehearsal or performance with
a choral ensemble and an audio recording of his/her singing. For additional
information about these pre-audition recordings, contact the Director
of Choral Activities at rayld@msu.edu.
Band Conducting: a) Applicants to the masters program in Wind Conducting must submit a video (DVD preferred) of the applicant in rehearsal and performance. The video should be no longer than 20 minutes in length. b) After reviewing all applicants materials, audition candidates will be invited to campus in early February for a live audition with the Wind Symphony. Based on the live auditions acceptances will be awarded. Live audition repertoire will vary from year to year.
THEORY: Submission of at least two examples of original
compositions, arrangements, orchestrations, or counterpoint exercises
as well as a submission of a scholarly writing sample. Contact Professor
Sly either by email, www.sly@msu.edu, or by mail at 102 Music
Building, MSU, East Lansing, MI 48824, to schedule a personal interview.
COMPOSITION: Submission of at least two compositions
representative of the applicant's creative work.
MUSICOLOGY: Submission of a scholarly writing sample.
DOCTORAL:
VOICE: Perform thirty minutes of music. Languages must
include English, French, German and Italian. Repertoire required: Art
Songs, one Opera Aria, one Baroque or Classical Aria, and one 20th or
21st century work. Be prepared to give a ten minute detailed lecture on
one of the audition selections and to answer questions from the audition
panel regarding the entire program.
PIANO: Play 3 major works representing contrasting periods.
Abstract lecture on each work presented.
HARP: Please contact Professor Campbell at lcampbell5@juno.com
VIOLIN: Play complete solo Sonata or Partita by Bach.
Play Paganini caprice. Perform a Major concerto. Virtuoso piece.
VIOLA: Please contact Professor Dan at dan@msu.edu
CELLO: Be prepared to perform a full recital program
representing pieces from different stylistic periods. Candidates will
be expected to talk briefly about each piece of their program.
STRING BASS: Please contact Professor Budrow at Wbudrow@aol.com
FLUTE: Prepare a thirty – forty-five minute recital/lecture
of three to four contrasting pieces and present brief oral program notes
for each piece. One work from memory strongly recommended.
OBOE: Please prepare a thirty/forty-five minute recital of three or four contrasting pieces. It is recommended that the program include one unaccompanied work. Be prepared to provide brief oral program notes for each piece. An accompanist is required for this audition. If you are unable to provide your own, please contact Professor Eberle (eberle@msu.edu) for help in securing one, or for any further questions.
CLARINET: Prepare a forty-five minute to one-hour lecture-recital
of three or four contrasting pieces providing brief oral program notes
for each piece.
SAXOPHONE: Prepare a forty-five minute to one-hour lecture-recital
of three or four contrasting pieces providing brief oral program notes
for each piece.
BASSOON: A full-length recital from contrasting stylistic
periods including a contemporary work. Spoken commentary regarding the
works being performed. Orchestral excerpts to be chosen from the following:
Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 – fourth movement, Mozart: Marriage of
Figaro, Ravel: Bolero or Piano Concerto in G, Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
– Mvt. 2, solo and cadenzas, or Tchaikovsky: symphony No.4 –
second movement or Symphony No. 6 – opening solos.
• Although repertoire selection and performance in the audition
bear great importance, final acceptance is based upon the demonstration
of talent, dedication, and the desire to achieve excellence rather than
solely upon the level of proficiency already achieved.
TRUMPET: Please contact Professor Illman at illman@msu.edu
HORN: Please contact Professor Gaboury-Sly at gabourys@msu.edu
TROMBONE: Candidates should prepare this audition as
is presenting a recital/lecture.
EUPONIUM: Prepare a minimum of thirty minutes of solo
repertoire which, includes three - four varied musical styles and periods.
ONE of the works presented must be chosen from the following list: Martin
Ellerby-Concerto, Jan Bach-Concert Variations, David Gilllingham-Blue
Lake Fantasies, Philip Sparke-Pantomime. Also prepare three orchestral
or band excerpts for euphonium of your choosing. Candidates for this degree
program are expected to demonstrate a high level of musicianship, along
with excellent technical skills, strong sight reading ability, and mastery
of bass, treble, and tenor clef.
TUBA: Prepare a minimum of thirty minutes of solo repertoire,
which includes three - four varied musical styles and periods. ONE of
the works presented must be chosen from the following list: James Grant-Three
Furies, William Kraft-Encounters II, Krysztof Penderecki-Capriccio. Also
prepare three orchestral or band excerpts for tuba of your choosing. Candidates
for this degree program are expected to demonstrate a high level of musicianship,
along with excellent technical skills, strong sight-reading ability.
PERCUSSION: Please contact Professor Thrasher at burgett@msu.edu
**** PLEASE NOTE: An accompanist is required for an audition at the doctoral level for strings, voice, and woodwinds. It is optional for brass and percussion auditions at the doctoral level. Bringing your own accompanist is highly
recommended. If this is not possible, a list of possible accompanists
will be available upon request. It will be your responsibility to make
contact and all necessary arrangements with an accompanist.
CONDUCTING: When applying for admission to the Doctor
of Musical Arts degree program with a major in music conducting, an applicant
must specify one of the following three major areas: band conducting,
choral conducting, or orchestral conducting.
To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Musical Arts degree program
in music conducting, an applicant must present a live performance audition
before a faculty committee appointed by the Director of the College of Music.1 As part of the audition, an applicant must present a 10-minute
lecture on a topic related to conducting. The applicant may be asked to
conduct a live performance group or to illustrate appropriate conducting
techniques in relation to printed scores. The applicant may submit video
and audio tape recordings or performances that he or she has conducted.
Orchestral Conducting:
First Round – Video tape, no longer
than 30 minutes. Must contain the applicant in a rehearsal and in a performance
situation. The work(s) should be from the standard repertoire of the symphony
orchestra and performed in the last two years.
Second Round – a) Selected applicants will be invited
to East Lansing, Michigan for a live conducting audition with the Symphony
Orchestra. b) The finalists will take a diagnostic examination on terminology,
orchestration, transpositions, instrumentation of composition, and orchestral
repertoire. c) Score reading on the piano. D) Brief audition on his/her
major instrument (one major composition of the candidate’s choice,
two standard orchestral excerpts of the candidate’s choice). e)
General interview with the orchestral conducting faculty.
Choral Conducting: Before being invited for an audition, applicants
are required to submit a video of either rehearsal or performance with
a choral ensemble and an audio recording of his/her singing. For additional
information about these pre-audition recordings, contact the Director
of Choral Activities at rayld@msu.edu.
Band Conducting: a) Applicants to the doctoral program in Wind Conducting must submit a video (DVD preferred) of the applicant in rehearsal and performance. The video should be no longer than 20 minutes in length. b) After reviewing all applicants materials, audition candidates will be invited to campus in early February for a live audition with the Wind Symphony. Based on the live auditions acceptances will be awarded. Live audition repertoire will vary from year to year.
COMPOSITION: Please contact Professor Sullivan at sullivan@msu.edu
MUSIC EDUCATION: Submission of scholarly writing samples
and GRE or Miller Analogy test results.
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