Graduate Brass Audition Requirements
Trumpet (Performance, MM)
Candidates are encouraged to showcase their versatility and ability to play Bb, C, D/Eb and Piccolo trumpets. Please prepare the following:
Four contrasting pieces of choice (i.e., solos, etudes, movements from concertos or sonatas, jazz transcription or lead trumpet excerpt from a swing, funk, Latin/salsa chart). A variety of “standard” and “non-standard” works that highlight your individual career interests and musical background are welcomed. At least one of the four contrasting pieces must be on piccolo trumpet (original or transcription).
- Four standard orchestral and/or military excerpts if applicable to the candidate's desired career path.
- Two standard orchestral and/or military excerpts if applicable to the candidate's desired career path and 1-2 jazz standards that showcase improvisation ability.**
- Three contrasting jazz standards showing improvisation ability.**
Additional Components to the Audition:
Sight-Reading
Transposition
Chromatic scale from lowest to highest notes
Horn (MM)
Applicants are encouraged to prepare the following:
Two contrasting solo works. Suggested works:
Mozart Concertos 2 or 4, R. Strauss Concerto No. 1 or 2, Bozza En Foret, Gliere Concerto, Schumann Adagio and Allegro, or comparable selections.
Five orchestral excerpts. Suggested excerpts:
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 solo, Strauss Till Eulenspiegel opening, Beethoven Symphony No. 3 Trio (hn. 2), Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 low tutti, Wagner Gotterdammerung Short Call, or comparable excerpts.
Applicants may prepare additional selections from the solo, etude, and excerpt repertory that may strengthen their audition.
Tenor Trombone/Bass Trombone (MM)
Applicants are encouraged to prepare the following:
Four contrasting pieces of choice (i.e., solos, etudes, movements from concertos or sonatas). A variety of “standard” and “non-standard” works that highlight your individual career interests and musical background are welcomed.
Five orchestral excerpts. Suggested excerpts:
Tenor Trombone - Mozart: Requiem (Tuba Mirum); Berlioz: Hungarian March; Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3; Ravel: Bolero; Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries, or comparable excerpts.
Bass Trombone - Berlioz: Hungarian March; Haydn: Creation; Schumann: Symphony No. 3; Wagner: Das Rheingold; Kodaly: Hary Janos; Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries, or comparable excerpts.
Applicants may prepare additional selections from the solo, etude, and excerpt repertory that may strengthen their audition.
Tenor Trombone/Bass Trombone (Jazz Pedagogy, MM)
Applicants are encouraged to showcase their versatility on the trombone and use appropriate stylistic effects (i.e. plunger mute). Please prepare the following:
One piece from the classical trombone repertoire (i.e., a solo, etude or movement from a concerto or sonata) that demonstrates an understanding of classical trombone tone, phrasing, and style.
Chromatic scale from lowest to highest notes.
Solo transcription (minimum of 32-bars).
Play the melody and improvise over two contrasting jazz standards, 12-bar blues, and up-tempo rhythm changes tune of choice. Be prepared to improvise for several choruses.
Applicants must provide their own accompaniment! Play-alongs or good quality accompaniment tapes are acceptable. At the audition, a selection without accompaniment may be requested.
(Optional but encouraged): Demonstrate lead or bass playing ability by preparing two contrasting excerpts.
Additional Components to the audition:
Sight-Reading of notation and chord changes.
Tuba/Euphonium (MM)
Tuba candidates are encouraged to showcase their versatility on both large (CC & BBb) and small (F & Eb) tubas.
Four contrasting pieces of choice (i.e solos, etudes, movements from concertos or sonatas). A variety of “standard” and “non-standard” works that highlight your individual career interests and musical background are welcomed.
Four standard orchestral and/or military and excerpts if applicable to the candidates desired career path.
All Brass (DMA)
Prepare three contrasting solo works. Selections should include repertoire from various composition style periods as applicable to your instrument.
Prepare a minimum of five orchestral or military band excerpts covering an array of technical and musical skills.
Students are encouraged to showcase their versatility through their repertoire choices (i.e., jazz, commercial, electronic, arrangements, original compositions, etc.).
Trumpet applicants are required to perform one piece or movement on piccolo trumpet and are encouraged to showcase ability on C and D/Eb trumpets.
Trombone applicants are encouraged to perform on alto or bass in addition to tenor.
Tuba applicants are encouraged to perform on large tuba (CC or BBb) and small tuba (F or Eb).
Applicants are encouraged to consult with the teacher in their area to discuss repertoire selections.
