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Audition Repertoire by Instrument

  • Brass
  • Percussion
  • Piano
  • Strings
  • Voice
  • Woodwinds

  • Bassoon | Cello | Clarinet | Double Bass | Euphonium | Flute | Guitar | Horn | Oboe | Percussion | Piano | Saxophone | Trombone | Trumpet | Tuba | Viola | Violin | Voice



    Repertoire listed below is for Undergraduate and Graduate degree auditions. Other application requirements may apply. Please consult the proper studio professor for more detailed information on applying to these degree programs.

    Brass


    InstrumentAudition Repertory
    Euphonium

    studio website
    Undergraduate, Graduate

  • A solo of your choice (approximately 4 to 8 minutes in length).

  • Two contrasting etudes, one lyrical and one technical.

  • Chromatic scale and all major scales (preferably two-octave).


  • Memorization is expected for the scales, but not for the solo and etudes. No accompaniment is necessary. Sightreading may also be required at the audition. Auditions are competitive, so auditionees are encouraged to choose repertoire that displays their highest level of music-making. Please contact Dr. Kent Eshelman with any questions about appropriate audition materials (kent.eshelman@nau.edu, 928-523-5833).
    Horn

    studio website
    Undergraduate

  • Two contrasting movements, pieces or etudes from the standard horn literature.

  • Memorized Major scales at least two octaves and sight reading will also be a part of your audition

  • Examples of music:
    - Concertos 1-4; Concert Rondo by Mozart
    - Reveries by Glazunov
    - Concertpiece; Romance Op. 36 by Saint-Saens
    - Concerto No. 1 by R. Strauss
    - Concerto Op. 8; Nocturno by F. Strauss
    - Sixty Selected Studies by Kopprasch
    - 40 Studies by Kling


    Graduate

  • Memorized Major and minor scales two to three octaves and sight reading will also be a part of your audition

  • Two contrasting movements, pieces, or etudes from the standard horn literature

  • Examples of music:
    - Concerto by Gliere
    - Sonata by Heiden
    - Sonata for horn/alto horn by Hindemith
    - Concrtos 1-4, Concert Rondo by Mozart
    - Concertos by R. Strauss
    - 48 Etudes by Reynolds
    - Studies for Unaccompanied Horn by Schuller
    Trombone

    studio website
    Undergraduate, Graduate

  • Be prepared to play major scales. You should have all 12 prepared; one or two scales will be asked

  • The audition should include something lyrical and something technical. You can play a solo, etudes or excerpts so long as you demonstrate a range of styles including lyrical and technical playing
  • Trumpet

    studio website
    Undergraduate

  • A lyrical section and a technical section from a representative solo (no accompaniment necessary)

  • Prepare all major scales (two octaves where possible) and select two minor scales to prepare in natural, harmonic and melodic forms

  • Sight reading

  • Examples of solos:
    - Characteristic Studies by Arban
    - Concerto by Arutunian
    - Fantasia in Bb by Barat
    - Petit Piece Concertante by Balay
    - Concert Etude by Goetlike
    - Concerto in Eb by Haydn
    - Sonata by Hindemith


    Graduate

    In addition to the three requirements listed above, candidates for the Graduate degree must prepare the following orchestral excerpts:
  • Mussorgsky/Ravel—Pictures at an Exhibition (Promenade)
  • Mahler—Symphony #5 (beginning through m. 25)
  • Stravinsky—Petroushka (Ballerina’s Dance)

  • Audition format:
    The first half of the audition will consist of playing your prepared selections. The second half is a mini-lesson with Dr. Dunn during which students will receive suggestions on their playing. Part of the entrance requirement is to be receptive to suggestions and interested in improvement. Auditions may last anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes.
    Tuba

    studio website
    Undergraduate, Graduate

  • A solo of your choice (approximately 4 to 8 minutes in length).

  • Two contrasting etudes, one lyrical and one technical.

  • Chromatic scale and all major scales (preferably two-octave).


  • Memorization is expected for the scales, but not for the solo and etudes. No accompaniment is necessary. Sightreading may also be required at the audition. Auditions are competitive, so auditionees are encouraged to choose repertoire that displays their highest level of music-making. Please contact Dr. Kent Eshelman with any questions about appropriate audition materials (kent.eshelman@nau.edu, 928-523-5833).

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    Percussion


    Instrument Audition Repertory
    Percussion

    studio website
    Undergraduate, Graduate

  • Scales - major scales required, minor scales requested.

  • Sight-reading (on a percussion keyboard instrument, usually marimba; and snare drum).

  • Two-mallet solo or etude (marimba, xylophone, or vibraphone), without accompaniment (regional/all-state etudes are not recommended).

  • Four-mallet marimba or vibraphone solo or etude - strongly encouraged.

  • Snare drum solo or etude (concert style required; additional marching/rudimental snare drum solo or etude optional, but encouraged).

  • Timpani solo or etude (two-, three-, or four-drum work).

  • Examples of Snare drum music and rudimental solos:
    - Portraits in Rhythm by Anthony Cirone
    - Contemporary Studies by Fred Albright
    - The Solo Snare Drum by Vic Firth
    - Douze Etudes pour Caisse-Claire by Jacques Delecluse
    - The Rudimental Cookbook by Edward Freytag
    - Charles Wilcoxon

    Examples of keyboard percussion music, both two and four mallet works
    - Etudes by Clair Omar Musser (four mallet)
    - Yellow After the Tain by Mitchell Peters (four mallet)
    - Alice Gomez (four mallet)
    - Challenge I by Earl hatch (four mallet)
    - Etudes/Frogs/Michi by Keiko Abe (four mallet)
    - Etudes/Rhythm Song by Smadbeck (four mallet)
    - Tune for Mary O by Rich O’Meara
    - Tambourine Chinoise by Kreisler (two mallet)
    - Concertino for Marimba by Paul Creston (two mallet)
    - Study from Complete Method for Rhytmical Articulation by pasquale Bona
    - Study from Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone by Morris Goldenberg

    Examples of timpani music:
    - Etude from Fundamental Method for Timpani by Mitchell Peters
    - Etude from Timpani Method by Alfred Friese and Alexander Lepak
    - Etude from Modern Method for Timpani by Saul Goodman
    - Etude from the Solo Timpanist by Vic Firth
    - Sonata for Timpani by John H. Beck
    - Suite for Timpani by David Mancini
    - Soundings by Douglas Igelsrud

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    Piano


    Instrument Audition Repertory
    Piano

    Undergraduate

    Audition requirements for admission and scholarships are:

  • 3 - 4 memorized selections, including a work by Bach or from the Baroque period

  • Movement(s) of a classical sonata (Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart)

  • Romantic and/or Twentieth-Century work

  • 4-octave scales and arpeggios played in a steady tempo with correct fingerings

  • Sight-reading


  • Scholarships are available for a limited number of qualified pianists by audition.


    Graduate

    Admission Requirments:
    Students must have completed a Baccalaureate degree in music with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and be admitted to Northern Arizona University’s Graduate College. Please see the required forms and further information at www.nau.edu/gradcol. Audition and evaluation material that has been approved by the appropriate School of Music faculty.

    Prescreening requirement: By December 1, all applicants in piano must submit a preliminary audition recording (DVD is required) with the application.

  • 15 minute DVD recording of a performance

  • Mail your DVD to:
    Dr. Frank Scott or Rita Borden
    NAU Box 6040
    Flagstaff, AZ 86011-6040


    On-Campus Audition
    Those applicants who are invited to NAU for an on-campus audition should prepare:

    Piano Performance emphasis:
    - Three major contrasting works that are memorized
    - Scales & arpeggios
    - Sight reading

    Piano Accompanying/Chamber Music:
    - Two contrasting solo works
    - A major instrumental sonata such as Beethoven or Brahms violin sonatas
    - A set of German or French songs
    - Scales & arpeggios
    - Sight reading


    Strings


    Instrument Audition Repertory
    Double Bass

    studio website
    Undergraduate, Graduate

  • 2 contrasting works that demonstrate the level of technical, tone and musicianship

  • All 3-octave scales
  • Cello

    studio website
    Undergraduate, Graduate

  • 2 contrasting works that demonstrate the level of technical, tone and musicianship

  • All 3-octave scales
  • Guitar Undergraduate

    A prepared solo that demonstrates both right and left hand dexterity.


    Graduate

    A prepared solo that demonstrates technique equivalent to level 5 of the Manuel Lopez Ramos Methodology.
    Viola

    studio website
    Undergraduate, Graduate

  • 2 contrasting works that demonstrate the level of technical, tone and musicianship

  • All 3-octave scales
  • Violin

    studio website
    Undergraduate, Graduate

  • 2 contrasting works that demonstrate the level of technical, tone and musicianship

  • All 3-octave scales

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    Voice


    Vocal Area Audition Repertory
    Choral Music Education

    &

    Vocal Performance
    Undergraduate

  • Prepare two contrasting classical vocal solos. One should be in a foreign language. Both selections should be memorized. Pieces selected should be classical, no musical theatre or pop.

  • The audition will include at least two sight-singing examples and a series of tonal memory exercises.

  • An audition on the NAU campus is required; an accompanist will be provided for you.




  • Graduate (Vocal Performance ONLY)

    Prescreening requirement: By December 1, all applicants in voice must submit a preliminary audition recording (DVD is required) with the application.

  • 30 minute DVD recording of your singing with representation from contrasting styles, including opera, oratorio and art song.

  • Included in the DVD there must be at least one piece composed since 1950 and include selections in German, French, Italian and English; other foreign languages are optional.

  • Mailing your DVD to:
    Dr. Judith Cloud
    NAU Box 6040
    Flagstaff, AZ 86011-6040

    After reviewing application materials from the Graduate College, letters of recommendations and audition DVD, selected applicants will be invited to NAU for an on-campus interview/audition in February or March. The audition committee will choose repertoire from the DVD program and contact applicants with the specific pieces to be presented at the on-campus audition. Candidates may also be asked to demonstrate sight-singing and ear-retention skills as well as basic piano skills.


    On-Campus Audition
  • Those applicants who are invited to NAU for an on-campus audition will be notified of specific pieces from their audition DVD program to be preformed for their on-campus audition.

  • Candidates may also be asked to demonstrate sight-singing and ear-retention skills as well as basic piano skills.

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    Woodwinds


    Instrument Audition Repertory
    Bassoon Undergraduate, Graduate

  • Prepare a chromatic scale and all major scales (your full range). You will be asked to play 2 or 3 scales.

  • Perform a lyrical section and a technical section from any music of your choice. Accompanists are not required.

  • Sight-reading may be asked.
  • Clarinet

    studio website
    Undergraduate, Graduate

  • Major Scales two and/or three octaves are required. Minor scales (any form) are not required, but might be asked if the student has prepared them.

  • Two contrasting movements from the standard clarinet repertoire or two contrasting etudes from a standard clarinet etude book. “Contrasting” simply means one of the movements/etudes should demonstrate technical proficiency (usually fast) and the other should demonstrate a lyrical (usually slow) style.

  • Example of solos:
    - Sonatina by Malcolm Arnold
    - Adagio e Tarantella by Ernesto Cavallini
    - Premiere Rhapsodie by Claude Debussy
    - Five Bagatelles by Gerald Finzi
    - Sonata by Paul Hindemith
    - Dance Preludes by Witold Lutoslawski
    - Concerto K. 622 by W.A. Mozart
    - Rhapsody by William Osborne
    - Sonata by Francis Poulenc
    - Solo de Concours Op. 10 by Henri Rabaud
    - Concerto in Eb by Franz Anton Rossler
    - Sonata Op. 167 by Camille Saint-Saens
    - Concerto No. 3, Bb Major by Carl (Karl) Stamitz
    - Concertino by Giuseppe Tartini
    - Six Studies in English Folk Song by Ralph Vaughan Williams
    - Sonata No. 2 by Johann Wanhal
    - Concertino Op. 23 by C.M. von Weber

    Standard Clarinet Etudes
    - Artistic Studies Book 1 - From the French School 32 Etudes and 40 Studies by Cyrille Rose
    - Thirty Caprices for Clarinet by Ernesto Cavallini
    Flute

    Undergraduate, Graduate

  • Mozart G Major Concerto, K. 313, First movement exposition only

  • One selection from the Flute Music by French Composers book

  • One 20th work or one movement from a large 20th century work of the auditioner's choosing.
  • Oboe

    studio website
    Undergraduate, Graduate

  • Major scales from lowest do or root of the scale to highest the highest do or root that you can play. The chromatic scale should be played from your lowest to highest note.

  • A slow/lyrical solo or etude

  • A fast/technical solo or etude (slow and fast movements or sections may come from the same sonata or concerto)

  • Sight Reading maybe asked.

  • Examples of solos:
    - Sonata in a minor by G Telemann (first or third movement for slow solo and second or fourth movement for the technical solo)

    - Sonatas and Concertos by Handel (first or third movement for slow solo and second or fourth movement for the technical solo)

    - Concerto for oboe by Mozart (second movement for the slow solo and first or third movement for the technical solo)

    - Concerto for oboe by Haydn (second movement for the slow solo and first or third movement for the technical solo)
    Saxophone

    studio website
    Alto Saxophone
    Undergraduate, Graduate

  • All Major Scales

  • Choose two contrasting etudes and/or choose a piece from the saxophone literature in which you may best demonstrate tone quality, technique, articulation, phrasing and expression.

  • Example of etudes/saxophone literature:
    - 48 Famous Studies for oboe or saxophone (Ferling)
    - Selected Studies for Saxophone (Voxman)
    - Sonata by Eccles
    - Sonata by Handel
    - Sonata by Lunde
    - Sonata by Heiden
    - Sonata by Creston
    - Concerto by Glazunov
    - Sarabande and Gigue by Tull



    Tenor Saxaphone:
    Undergraduate, Graduate

  • All Major Scales

  • Choose two contrasting etudes and/or choose a piece from the saxophone literature in which you may best demonstrate tone quality, technique, articulation, phrasing and expression.

  • Examples of Tenor solos:
    - Vivaldi: Sonata in g minor
    - Porpora: Sinfonia
    - Schmidt: Sonatina
    - Burkholder: Sonata
    - Caravan: Quiet Time

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    Phone: (928)523-3731
    Fax: (928)523-5111
    Email: music@nau.edu

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