Undergraduate Strings Auditions

*All string applicants will submit a repertoire list on the application, and indicate which pieces were performed and/or studied with accompaniment.

Violin 

• From memory:
  ◦  Two 3-octave scales slurred four and eight notes to a bow
  ◦  Two 3-octave arpeggios slurred three and six notes to a bow 
• An etude of moderate difficulty by composers such as Kreutzer, Dont, Op. 35, Rode, or Fiorillo 
• A movement from the Bach Sonatas and Partitas 
• A movement from a standard concerto such as those by Bach, Mozart, Lalo, Mendelssohn, Bruch or Barber 

Repertoire questions? Send an email to one of the following violin professors:

• Levon Ambartsumian
• Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva
• Michael Heald

Viola 

1. Scale: from memory, a 3-octave scale and arpeggio of your choice at a moderate tempo (example, slur 3-6 per bow)
2. Etude: an etude of your choice from Mazas, Kreutzer, Campagnoli, Rode, etc.
3. Repertoire: a movement of unaccompanied Bach and a movement from a standard concerto (Walton, Hindemith, Stamitz, Telemann, Hoffmeister, preferably from memory) automatically fill audition requirements but we welcome alternative repertoire choices. If you would like to perform something different than the above list, feel free to contact Professor Snyder to discuss your preferred audition repertoire.  

If you have further questions, or if you'd like to schedule a sample lesson, please email Prof. Maggie Snyder.

Cello 

• Two Scales and Arpeggios, memorized- major and minor, three or four octaves, four and eight notes to a bow (scales) and three and six notes to a bow (arpeggios)
• Select one of the following Etudes:
  • One etude from David Popper's Studies, Preparatory to the High School of Cello Playing, Op. 76
  • One etude from David Popper's 40 Studies, High School of Cello Playing, Op. 73 
  • One etude from Alfredo Piatti's 12 Caprices, Op. 25 
• Select two of the following:
  • One movement from Bach's Six Suites 
  • One Recital Work- a short piece or a movement of a sonata
  • One movement of a Concerto

Repertoire questions? Email Dr. James Kim.

Double Bass 

• From memory: 
  ◦  Two 3-octave scales slurred four notes to a bow
  ◦  Two 3-octave arpeggios in separate bows 
• Two etudes from the following:
  ◦  Billé
  ◦  Simandl
  ◦  Storch Hrabe
• A movement from a sonata or a short piece such as those by Eccles or Handel 
• A movement from a concerto such as those by Capuzzi, Dittersdorf, Dragonetti, Koussevitzky or Bottesini

Repertoire questions? Email Dr. Milton Masciadri.

Guitar 

• From memory: 
  ◦  Two 3-octave scales using fingering patterns as in the Segovia edition 
• One solo of moderate difficulty by any Renaissance or Baroque composer 
• Two studies by composers such as Sor and Carcassi which demonstrate various technical skills of classical guitar playing 
• Optional: composition or etude by Villa-Lobos 

Repertoire questions? Email Dr. Daniel Bolshoy.

Harp 

• One or two etudes, such as those by Pozzoli, Larivierre, or Grossi, which demonstrate technical facility in performing scales and arpeggios in both hands 
• Two contrasting pieces of moderate difficulty 
• The harp cadenza from "Waltz of the Flowers," Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite

Repertoire questions? Email Prof. Monica Hargrave.

Music Admissions questions? Email Music Admissions.