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Winds & Percussion Auditions & Interviews
Undergraduate Requirements and Dates
Piano accompaniment is neither required nor provided for in-person auditions. An accompanist is recommended for a recorded audition.
Your private teacher knows the depth of your artistic ability and your technical facility. It is best to discuss audition repertoire with the individual instructor(s) who know you best.
Applicants to the Bachelor of Music in Performance: Wind Instruments Major with Teacher Certification (Curriculum C) will also be scheduled for a required Music Education Department Info Session.
Bassoon
Prepare one or two movements 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. You may be asked to sight-read and to play two-octave major and chromatic scales from memory. Memorization is not required for the solo literature.
Flute
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 compositions, 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. Competitive undergraduate applicants typically have a minimum of five years of private study and significant ensemble experience.
Horn
Prepare twenty minutes of solo/etude/excerpt literature representing different styles and your highest level of proficiency. You will be asked to sight-read and to play two-octave major and minor scales. Multiple tonguing, lip trills, hand stopping, and transposition may be required in the sight reading material. Memorization is expected for scales only.
Oboe
Prepare approximately twenty minutes of major solo literature, including music from the Baroque and 20th century periods. Also prepare 2 orchestral excerpts of your choice. Knowledge of all major and minor scales is assumed and sight-reading will be assessed at the audition.
Percussion
Please 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.
- Auditions in Ann Arbor are highly preferred; recorded auditions will be considered only in unusual circumstances. If you wish to upload a recorded audition, 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 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.
- (Studio page with more details)
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. Saxophonists should also prepare to perform twelve major scales (full range B-flat to F# 3), major thirds in all keys (full range-varied articulations), and two Ferling Etudes (one slow and one that displays your level of technical skill). Be prepared to demonstrate your altissimo skills, overtones and/or altissimo scales. Jazz improvisation skills are welcomed and you are encouraged to request a separate audition with our Jazz and Improvisation Studies faculty. Indicate 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. You may be asked to sight-read and to play two-octave major scales from memory. Memorization is not required for the solo literature.
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. You may be asked to sight-read and to play two-octave major, minor, and chromatic scales from memory. Memorization is not required 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. You may be asked to sight-read and to play two-octave major and chromatic scales from memory. Memorization is not required for the solo literature.
Recorded Audition
We strongly recommend auditioning or interviewing in Ann Arbor. However, applicants who live more than 300 miles from Ann Arbor may upload a recorded audition in lieu of a live audition.
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