MMus Additional Requirements by Instrument Type
STRINGS
VIOLIN
Approximately 45 minutes of repertoire should be prepared, from which the audition panel will select, including choices from the following:
- at least 3 different musical styles
- at least one movement from a concerto
- at least one work to be from baroque or classical period
VIOLA
Approximately 45 minutes of repertoire should be prepared, from which the audition panel will select, including choices from the following:
- at least 3 different musical styles
- at least one movement from a concerto
- at least one work to be from baroque or classical period
CELLO
Approximately 45 minutes of repertoire should be prepared, from which the audition panel will select, including choices from the following:
- at least 3 different musical styles
- at least one movement from a concerto
- must include three movements from Bach Suite III, IV, V or VI, or one movement or piece from the classical period
BASS
Approximately 30 minutes of repertoire should be prepared, from which the audition panel will select, and including:
- One or more movements from the Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suites I, II, or III, either in Sterling's transposed edition, or in the original keys.
- The first movement of a concerto by Vanhal, Dittersdorf, Bottesini, or Koussevitsky.
- One other piece or movement in a style different from Bach and your Concerto choice.
- The orchestral double bass part of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, 3rd movement.
GUITAR
Approximately 45 min of repertoire should be prepared, from which the audition panel will select, including choices from the following:
- one composition from the 20th century or later such as a sonata by M. Ponce, Rodrigo, Kleynjans equivalent to RCM grade 10 or ARCT level.
- One of the Lute Suites by Bach
- one classical composition (Grade 10 or ARCT level equivalent)
- one additional composition should the above repertoire not add up to 45 minutes
HARPApproximately 45 min of repertoire should be prepared, from which the audition panel will select, including choices from the following:
- at least 3 different musical styles
- play their choice of two selections from the following list of orchestral excerpts:
- Ravel, Maurice :Tzigane : quasi cadenza (rehearsal no. 4 to rehearsal no. 5)
- Stravinsky, Igor: Symphony in Three Movements (2nd movement: 2 mm. before rehearsal no. 118 to rehearsal no. 120; rehearsal no. 132 to rehearsal no. 134)
- Tchaikovsky, Pytor Il’yich: Swan Lake )cadenza—Scene no. 4, from the beginning to the start of 6/8)
- Berlioz, Hector: Symphonie fantastique (2nd movement, “Un bal”: m. 1 to 4 mm. after rehearsal no. 23; 12 mm. before rehearsal no. 29 to 3 mm. after rehearsal no. 29; rehearsal no. 32 to end)
- Britten, Benjamin: Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, op. 34 (Variation J: mm. 1–16; rehearsal letter I to 18 mm. after rehearsal letter I), Fugue 2 (complete)
- Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Il’yich: Nutcracker Suite,
- op. 71a (cadenza (complete)
***Applicants must bring their own pianist. A list of professional accompanists will be provided upon request***
VOICE
- 3 opera arias, at least one in Italian
- 1 Oratorio aria
- 3 Art Songs
- 1 Art Song composed after 1960 in addition to the above
This repertoire will offer contrast between languages and styles. One selection must be in English.
***Applicants must bring their own pianist. A list of professional accompanists will be provided upon request***
Solo Piano
- 20 minutes of solo music including at least two works or excerpts of a work representing different stylies.
- Repertoire must include a romantic work or etude demonstrating considerable technical accomplishment and a sonata-form movement from a large-scale classical sonata.
Accompanying and Chamber Music
The first two movements of any duo sonata by either Beethoven or Brahms, and the following five songs in the original key (for both recorded and live auditions):
- Liebesbotschaft, F. Schubert
- Allerseelen, R. Strauss
- Clair de lune, G. Fauré
- Das verlassene Mägdlein, H. Wolf
In addition, candidates are required to prepare a song of their choice to be sung and played. The candidate may also perform one solo piano piece if desired. The audition will include an opportunity to demonstrate competence in sight-singing (for live auditions only).
***Applicants must bring their own Collaboartive instrumentalists. A list of professional instrumentalists will be provided upon request***
Clarinet
Audition repertoire should reflect a variety of styles and must include one piece from each of the three categories below, the 3 excerpts listed below, and total no less than 40 minutes. Jurors will select pieces and excerpts. Candidates may also be asked for major and minor scales, 3 octaves on as many possible, and asked to sight-read an etude. Candidates may confirm repertoire with Prof. Starling ahead of time (jstarli@uwo.ca)
- Concerto Selection – first movement (eg. Mozart, Copland through cadenza, Weber, Tomasi Concerti etc.)
- Romantic/lyrical Selection (eg. Brahms Sonatas, Schumann Fantasy Pieces, Weber Grand Duo II., Poulenc Sonata II. etc.)
- Unaccompanied Selection (Stravinsky Three Pieces, Tower Wings, Eric Mandat or W.O. Smith piece, Sutermeister Capriccio, Rosza Sonatina)
- Orchestral Excerpts
-Rimsky-Korsakov - Capriccio Espagnol (all, including cadenza)
-Mendelssohn – Scherzo from Midsummer Night’s Dream
-Brahms – Symphony No. 3, II
***Applicants must bring their own pianist. A list of professional accompanists will be provided upon request***
Winds, Brass, Percussion Instruments (excluding Clarinet)
- At least 20 minutes of music, to include three or four contrasting works from different stylistic eras
- For Percussion auditionees only: Works must include a major snare drum etude or solo, timpani etude or solo, and an advanced four mallet work. A movement from one of the Bach cello suites or sonatas and partitas for solo violin is highly recommended.
***Applicants must bring their own pianist. A list of professional accompanists will be provided upon request***
Conducting
- A face-to-the-camera DVD of the applicant conducting a rehearsal and interacting with an ensemble he or she regularly conducts and a brief résumé of conducting experience. The musical portion of the recording should be approximately 20 minutes in length and include literature of the applicant’s choice. Selections may be incomplete, and a variety of different styles is encouraged. An example of the applicant conducting in performance is desirable but not required.
The DVD should also include the applicant verbally speaking about the following:
- Speak briefly about yourself and your musical background;
- Describe the conductor’s role in rehearsal and in concert;
- Describe your goals in pursuing studies in conducting.
- A brief description of foreign language study and background, if any.
If invited to campus, applicants should expect:
-A
live audition on site consisting of 20 minutes conducting specified repertoire -An interview -A test of piano proficiency -Screening examinations in music history and music theory -Choral conductors only: a test of score reading ability
