AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Index

Acceptance as an undergraduate music major at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is determined in part by an audition before the appropriate vocal or instrumental faculty. The audition pieces given below are suggestions and are not necessarily required. They are intended to provide examples of the degree of competence required for acceptance as a music major or minor. Pieces selected for the audition should demonstrate expressiveness of performance as well as technical facility.

SIGHT READING WILL BE REQUIRED AT ALL AUDITIONS

Voice
For Voice applicants: A pre-audition audio or videotape or CD or DVD must be sent to the Department at least 3 weeks prior to your requested audition date for approval by the appropriate faculty members. See below for Pre-Audition Requirements.

REGULAR AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
A - Repertoire
Three (3) songs selected from the art song, Lieder, oratorio, opera or folk ballad literature demonstrating more than one language. (An accompanist will be provided.)

B - Technique
Student will be asked to repeat melodic and rhythmic patterns dictated during the audition.

Vocal Pre-Audition Recording Requirements: Two songs (at least one accompanied), one of which should be sung in a foreign language (i.e. French, German, Italian, etc.)

Index

Piano
UNDERGRADUATE:
A - Repertoire
• A representative piece from the Baroque period such as an Invention by Bach.
• The first movement of a sonata such as those by Haydn, Mozart (excluding K. 202 and 545) or Beethoven (excluding Op. 49, Nos. 1 and 2, and Op. 79).
• A piece from the Romantic Era or modern literature.

B - Technique
• Major and minor scales (two octaves/two hands).
• Major and minor arpeggios played two octaves, two hands. A simple ear-training test will be administered to each student.

GRADUATE- PIANO PERFORMANCE (Suggested repertoire; appropriate substitutions are accepted):
1. Bach (i.e. French or English Suite, Partita, Toccata, Italian Concerto or Prelude & Fugue with a four-part Fugue) OR a complete Classical Sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven
2. A representative Romantic work by Chopin, Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Liszt or Rachmaninoff
3. A representative work from the Twentieth Century or Contemporary work by Debussy, Ravel, Faure, Scriabin, Prokovieff, Shostakovich, Bartok, Stravinsky, Ligeti, Copland or Ginastera

GRADUATE- PIANO ACCOMPANYING AND CHAMBER MUSIC (Suggested repertoire)
1. A movement from a Sonata, Piano Trio, Quartet or Quintet
2. One or two songs from the French Art Song repertoire
3. Two songs from the German Lied repertoire (i.e. Schubert, Schumann, Brahms & Strauss)
4. One technically difficult Opera Aria or piece from the Oratorio literature

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Organ
A - Repertoire
• A prelude and fugue from Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier (on the piano), or an Invention.
• A Bach fugue, chorale trio, or trio sonata movement for organ.
• An organ piece of the applicant's choosing.

B - Technique
Major and minor scales and arpeggios for both keyboard and pedals.

Index

Flute
A - Repertoire
One or more movements each, from three different works demonstrating fast playing, slow playing, and articulation abilities. These works should be in different historical styles. For example: a fast movement from a Mozart Concerto, a slow movement from a Bach Sonata, and a modern work such as Varèse, "Density 21.5." One of these movements may be an etude.

B - Technique
Major and minor scales, arpeggios and chromatic scales throughout the practical range of the instrument.

Index

Oboe
A - Repertoire
• A piece such as Vivaldi's Concerto in A Minor, Mozart's Concerto in C Major K314, Schumann's Drei Romanzen or Hindemith's Sonata for Oboe & Piano.
• An etude by Barrett or Ferling which demonstrates technical ability.

B - Technique
Major and minor scales, arpeggios and chromatic scales slurred and with standard articulation throughout the practical range of the instrument.

Index

Clarinet
A - Repertoire
• A movement from the standard literature for clarinet, such as the Mozart or von Weber concertos or the sonatas of Hindemith or Saint-Saëns.
• Two (2) etudes, one fast and one slow, selected from Rose 32 Etudes or the equivalent.

B - Technique
Major and minor scales, arpeggios and chromatic scales slurred and with standard articulation throughout the practical range of the instrument.

Index

Bassoon
A - Repertoire
• Two (2) contrasting movements from Mozart's Concerto for Bassoon or Telemann's Sonata in F Minor.
• Two (2) etudes, one fast and one slow, selected, from Milde's Scale and Arpeggio, Concert Studies, or similar studies.

B - Technique
Major and minor scales, arpeggios and chromatic scales slurred and with standard articulation throughout the practical range of the instrument.

Index

Saxophone
A - Repertoire
• A fast and slow movement from works such as the Creston's Sonata, Lunde's Sonata, Eccles' Sonata or the Ibert Concertino Da Camera
• An etude from Ferling's 48 Etudes or similar studies.

B - Technique
Major and minor scales, arpeggios and chromatic scales slurred and with standard articulation throughout the practical range of the instrument.

Index

Horn (French Horn)
A - Repertoire
• A fast and a slow movement chosen from works such as the Mozart horn concertos, the Haydn concertos, the Strauss Concerto Op. 11, the Beethoven Sonata, the Dukas Villanelle, and the Bernard Heiden Sonata.
• An etude such as those by Gallay, Kopprasch and Kling.

B - Technique
Major and chromatic scales, played to demonstrate the candidate's range on the instrument.

Index

Trumpet
a. Etude 1 from Vassily Brandt's 34 Etudes (edited by Robert Nagel) published by International Music Co., Catalog #1391

b. Two contrasting movements (in their entirety) from one of the following:
1) Kent Kennan  Sonata
2) Paul Hindemith  Sonata
3) Flor Peeters  Sonata
4) Halsey Stevens  Sonata
5) Eric Ewazen  Sonata
6) Alexander Arutiunian  Concerto (play beginning to letter L)
7) Franz Joseph Haydn  Concerto in Eb
8) Johann Nepomuk Hummel  Concerto in E or Eb

c. Scales
1) Major Scales up two four sharps and flats - tongued and slurred (one or two octaves covering the natural range of the instrument)
2) Two octave C Chromatic Scale (slurred in triplets, quarter note = 100)

Trombone
A - Repertoire
A piece such as Barat's Andante et Allegro, a sonata by Galliard, Marcello's Sonata in G Minor or Ropartz' Andante and Allegro.

B - Technique
Major and chromatic scales, played to demonstrate the candidate's range on the instrument.

Index

Euphonium
A - Repertoire
A piece such as Cohen's Concert Piece, Haydn's Aria and Allegro or Marcello's Adagio and Allegro.

B - Technique
Major and chromatic scales, played to demonstrate the candidate's range on the instrument.

Index

Tuba
A - Repertoire
A piece such as Bach-Bell's Air and Bourree, Cohen's Romance and Scherzo, Handel's Honor and Arms or Painpare's Concert-Piece.

B - Technique
Major and chromatic scales, played to demonstrate the candidate's range on the instrument.

Index

Percussion
A - Repertoire
Etudes performed on the three (3) basic instruments by such composers as: Snare drum - Cirone, Albright, Firth or Goldenberg; Timpani - Firth, Carter, Goodman or Whaley; Marimba - Goldenberg or Gardner.
• Compositions such as: Snare drum - any Grade 5-6 contest solo; Timpani - Tcherepnin's Sonatina; Marimba - Handel's Violin Sonata in F Major.

B - Technique
Snare drum, rudiments and all major and minor scales on marimba.

Note: Applicants may also present a multiple percussion solo and/or demonstrate proficiency on the drum set.

Index

Violin
A - Repertoire
• A movement from a concerto or a short piece demonstrating the level of technical proficiency in both hands
• A contrasting work in another style
• An etude from Kreutzer, Dont, Fiorillo, Rode, Mazas or comparable study

B - Technique
• A three-octave scale in any key

Index

Viola
A - Repertoire
• Two (2) contrasting movements from a Bach solo suite or similar work
• A contrasting work in another style; a movement from a sonata or a concerto

B - Technique
• A three-octave scale in any key
• A three-octave arpeggio in any key
• An etude selected from the studies of Kreutzer, Fiorillo, Dancla or Dont

Index

Cello
Undergraduate:
A – Repertoire
• Two (2) contrasting selections that best represent your level of performance. One selection should demonstrate tone quality and control; the other should feature left hand technical facility.

B – Technique
• Major scales in three (3) octaves

Graduate:
A – Repertoire
• One movement from a major concerto
• One movement from the Bach Suites for Unaccompanied Cello

B – Technique
• An etude by Popper or Piatti
• Major and minor scales in four octaves

Index

Double Bass
A - Repertoire
• A sonata such as those by Marcello, Telemann, Eccles or the first movement of the Dragonetti Concerto
• An etude from Simandl 30 Etudes, Storch-Hrabe 57 Etudes, or another etude of comparable difficulty

B - Technique
• Two- and three-octave major and minor scales

Index

Vocal Jazz
A - Repertoire
Three (3) songs selected from the standard vocal jazz repertoire. Selections should include a slow ballad such as Body and Soul, a moderately fast or up-tempo standard like Satin Doll or Fascinating Rhythm, and a blues. At least one of the audition pieces should demonstrate vocal jazz improvisation ability.

B - Technique
Student will sing melodic and rhythmic patterns in a jazz style dictated at the audition.

Index

Jazz Guitar/Jazz Piano
For JAZZ GUITAR applicants: A pre-audition video or audiotape or CD or DVD must be sent to the Department at least 3 weeks prior to your requested audition date for approval by the appropriate faculty members. See below for Pre-Audition requirements.

REGULAR AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
A - Repertoire
• Three (3) stylistically different tunes from the standard jazz repertoire. These could include a medium tempo selection such as Satin Doll, Out of Nowhere, Just Friends, or Joy Spring, a ballad like Misty or My Funny Valentine, a blues such as Billie's Bounce, Straight No Chaser, Blue Monk, or a contrasting up-tempo Jazz Waltz or Latin piece.
• Non-jazz pieces may be prepared in addition to the above requirements if desired. Each performance should demonstrate significant improvisatory skill. Performance of the melody, comping and a minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection will be required.

B - Technique
• Students will be asked to demonstrate "comping" style.
• Scales - all major and minor scales, two octaves.
• Sight Reading - Student will demonstrate sight reading ability reading single lines and chord changes in jazz and related popular styles such as latin and rock.

Note: Guitarists must bring their own patch cords. An amp will be provided.

JAZZ GUITAR Pre-Audition Recording Requirements: Material on the tape/CD/DVD should display your knowledge and familiarity with Jazz performance style and repertoire.

Index

Jazz Bass
A - Repertoire (Same as Jazz Guitar)
• Three (3) stylistically different tunes from the standard jazz repertoire. These could include a medium tempo selection such as Satin Doll, Out of Nowhere, Just Friends, or Joy Spring, a ballad like Misty or My Funny Valentine, a blues such as Billie's Bounce, Straight No Chaser, Blue Monk, or a contrasting up-tempo Jazz Waltz or Latin piece.
• Non-jazz pieces may be prepared in addition to the above requirements if desired. Each performance should demonstrate significant improvisatory skill. Performance of the melody, comping and a minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection will be required.

B - Technique
Bassists will be required to demonstrate "walking" bass accompaniment ability.
• Scales - all major and minor scales, two octaves.
• Sight Reading - as jazz guitar (Jazz Bass students will be required to study acoustical bass for a minimum of two years.)

Note: Bassists must bring their own patch cords. An amp will be provided.


Index

Jazz Drum Set
A - Repertoire
• Students will demonstrate performance ability in the following drum-set styles: swing (moderate and up-tempo), Latin (bossa and samba), jazz waltz, odd meters such as 5/4 and 7/4, moderate rock, and funk.
• Performance of a jazz or rock tune selected from the standard or pop repertoire. An accompanist will be provided. (Students may wish to play a prepared drum solo of their choice. This is not required.)

B - Technique
Students will be required to sight read a big-band chart and a rhythm sheet.

Note: A drum-set will be provided for the audition. You are however, welcome to bring your own cymbals if you would like.

In addition: All Drum-Set auditionees are encouraged to also prepare a percussion audition to include timpani, snare drum, and mallet selections. See Percussion requirements above.

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ALL NON-RHYTHM SECTION JAZZ AUDITIONS
In addition to the requirements listed above for your specific instrument, candidates wishing to audition for the Jazz & African-American Music Studies program must prepare the following:
A - Repertoire
Three (3) tunes from the standard jazz repertoire. These could include a medium tempo selection such as Satin Doll, Out of Nowhere, Just Friends, or Joy Spring, a ballad like Misty or My Funny Valentine, and a blues such as Billie's Bounce, Straight No Chaser, or Blue Monk, or a contrasting up-tempo, jazz waltz or Latin piece.

B- Technique
Each performance should demonstrate significant improvisatory skill. A performance of the melody and a minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection will be required. Please provide lead sheets for all selections for the audition committee.

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“I got exactly what I wanted...comprehensive training in theory, patient instruction in applied areas and all the opportunities for performance that I needed as a fledgling composer.”

Dr. Susan Hurley BM '77
Self-employed composer