Undergraduate Audition Requirements - Strings

Violin

Updated August 2020
Professor Elizabeth Chang, echang@music.umass.edu, (413) 545-0023 
Link to Violin Studio webpage

Live Audition Requirements

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

Technique
Demonstrate a three-octave scale in any key

Remote Audition Requirements

• Prepare a video performance of all Live Audition Requirements and have it available to view via YouTube
• A link to the video must be submitted with the Audition Request Form. Raw video files are not acceptable.
• Following submission of the video, the string faculty may contact the applicant for a follow-up interview via Zoom.

Violin | Viola | Cello | Double Bass | All

Viola

Updated August 2020
Professor Kathryn Lockwood, klockwood@music.umass.edu,
Viola Studio website

Live Audition Requirements

Repertoire
Two (2) contrasting selections that best represent your level of performance; one selection to demonstrate tone quality and control, and the other to demonstrate left hand technical facility.

Technique
Major and melodic minor scales in three (3) octaves; choose one to demonstrate.

Remote Audition Requirements

• Prepare a video performance of all Live Audition Requirements and have it available to view via YouTube.
• A link to the video must be submitted with the Audition Request Form. Raw video files are not acceptable.
• Following submission of the video, the string faculty may contact the applicant for a follow-up interview via Zoom.

Violin | Viola | Cello | Double Bass | All

Cello

Professor Edward Arron, earron@umass.edu,

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.

Technique:

Major scales in three (3) octaves

Violin | Viola | Cello | Double Bass | All

Double Bass

Professor Salvatore Macchia, smacchia@music.umass.edu
David Casali

If applying for the Jazz Bass program (Fumi Tomita, faculty), click here. Jazz Bass applicants are not required to perform a classical bass audition, but are required to study on upright bass for two years.

1. 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
2. Technique
   • Two- and three-octave major and minor scales

Violin | Viola | Cello | Double Bass | All