AUDITIONS & INTERVIEWS  
 
 

Undergraduate Requirements and Dates

bandPiano accompaniment is neither required nor provided for in-person auditions. An accompanist is recommended for a taped audition.

Applicants to the Bachelor of Music in Performance: Wind Instruments Major with Teacher Certification (Curriculum C) will also be scheduled for an interview with a representative of the Department of Music Education.

Bassoon

Prepare one or two movememnts from a standard concerto, sonata or major solo work for bassoon and two contrasting etudes equivalent in difficulty to the Concert Studies by Ludwig Milde.

Clarinet

Prepare a minimum of two compositions of your choice from the basic repertoire representing different styles, and two etudes showing legato style and articulation. In the case of compositions with several movements, it may not be necessary to play the complete work.

Euphonium

Prepare ten to fifteen minutes of solo or etude literature representing your highest level of proficiency. In addition, you may be asked to play two-octave major and chromatic scales, and sight read. Memorization is expected for scales but not for the solo literature. Sight-reading may be included.

Flute

Competitive undergraduate applicants have typically had a minimum of five years of private study and significant ensemble experience. Prepare three compositions from the standard solo flute repertoire and two orchestral excerpts representing your highest level of proficiency. Please include a movement of a concerto as one of your selections. You may perform one movement from a composition with multiple movements or an advanced etude. Representative audition repertoire would be Mozart Concerti, Paris Conservatoire Pieces, 20th Century composition, French, German or English Baroque Sonatas, and orchestral excerpts. Memorization of the solo repertoire and excerpts is not required, however proficiency and memorization of all major, minor, and chromatic scales is assumed and may be assessed at the audition.

Horn

Prepare twenty minutes of solo/etude/excerpt literature reflecting different styles and representing your highest level of proficiency. You may be asked to demonstrate your abilities in playing two-octave major and chromatic scales, multiple tonguing, lip trills, hand stopping, and transposition. Memorization is expected for scales only.

Oboe

Prepare approximately twenty minutes of major solo literature, including music from the Baroque, and 20th-Century periods. Knowledge of all major and minor scales is assumed and sight-reading will be assessed at the audition.

Percussion  (Studio page with more details)

percussion ensemblePlease select music from the solo, concerto, and orchestral literature which demonstrates your highest musical and technical abilities in snare drum, mallet-keyboard instruments, and timpani. (Orchestral excerpts may be included, but are not required.)  Sight-reading and timpani tuning will be evaluated. Applicants are required to demonstrate skills in all of the above areas. Memorization is neither required nor discouraged.  

Your private teacher knows the depth of your artistic ability and your technical facility. It is best to discuss appropriate audition repertoire with the individual instructor(s) who know you best.

Auditions in Ann Arbor are highly preferred; recorded auditions will be considered only in unusual circumstances. If you wish to audition via DVD, please email Professor Gramley (jgramley@umich.edu) for permission before preparing your recording.

If you have a performance of a solo or chamber music multiple percussion work or if you have percussion skills in the areas of drum set, pan, and/or hand drumming, please bring a non-returnable copy of a DVD of your playing demonstrating your highest musical and technical abilities in those areas.

Saxophone

Prepare fifteen minutes of alto saxophone solo literature representing your highest proficiency. Suggested literature: Sonata by Creston, Concertino da Camera by Ibert, Concerto by Glazunov, Prelude, Cadence et Finale by Desenclos. The audition will include testing for tuning response. Jazz improvisation skills are welcomed and you are encouraged to request a separate audition with our Jazz and Improvisation Studies faculty.  Indicatr your request for a supplementary jazz audition on the application.

Trombone

Prepare fifteen minutes of contrasting solo and/or etude literature that represents your highest level of proficiency. Those auditioning in Ann Arbor may be asked to play two-octave major scales from memory.

Trumpet

Prepare twenty minutes of the standard solo recital literature for trumpet along with excerpts from the orchestral repertoire representing your highest level of proficiency. Be prepared to play two-octave major, minor, and chromatic scales. If auditioning in person, you may also be asked to sight-read. Memorization is required for the scales, but not for the solo literature.

 

Tuba

Prepare ten to fifteen minutes of solo or etude literature and/or orchestral excerpts representing your highest level of proficiency. Those auditioning in Ann Arbor may also be asked to sight-read and play two-octave major and chromatic scales. Memorization is expected for the scales, but not for the solo literature.

Audition Schedule and Application Deadline Dates

Audition Date
Application Deadline
Notes
11/20/2009
10/01/2009
no Percussion
01/29/2010
11/01/2009
02/12/2010
12/01/2009

only Percussion

including Music Education

02/19/2010
12/01/2009
03/12/2010
12/01/2009
no Percussion
03/26/2010
01/15/2010

only Bassoon, Clarinet, Oboe

02/15/2010
12/01/2009

Los Angeles, CA

no Percussion

02/06/2010
12/01/2009

New York, NY

no Percussion

02/06/2010
12/01/2009

Houston, TX

no Percussion

General Undergraduate Audition and Interview Information

 

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