Music at Illinois - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Strings Audition Information

Violin

Applicants for the M.M. degree must play a first movement of a standard concerto, two movements of a Bach solo sonata, and two additional contrasting works.

Applicants for the D.M.A. degree must play the following:

1. A complete Bach solo Sonata or Partita - performed by memory.
2. A complete major concerto - performed by memory.
3. A major work of contrasting style to the above.

*Applicants for the Artist Diploma program should prepare 30 minutes of music, using the D.M.A. audition requirements as a guide.

Viola

Applicants for the M.M. degree must play a first movement of a standard concerto; two movements from Bach solo suites, sonatas, or partitas; and two additional contrasting works.

Applicants for the D.M.A. degree must play the following:

1. A complete Bach solo suite, sonata, or partita - performed by memory.
2. A complete major concerto - performed by memory.
3. A major work of contrasting style to the above.

Cello

Applicants for the M.M. degree must play a first movement of a standard concerto, two movements from a Bach Suite, and two additional contrasting works. Applicants for the D.M.A. degree must play the following:

1. A complete Bach Suite - performed by memory.
2. A complete major concerto - performed by memory.
3. A major work of contrasting style to the above.

Double Bass

1. Two solo compositions of contrasting style.
2. First movement of a concerto.
3. One movement of a Bach Cello Suite.
4. Two orchestral excerpts from the following list:

     • Mozart, Symphony #40, movement 1, m. 113-138
     • Beethoven, Symphony #5, movement 3, Trio
     • Tchaikovsky, Symphony #4, movement 1, letter P to three after Q
     • Brahms, Symphony #1, movement 1, letter E to first ending
     • Mahler, Symphony #2, movement 1, beginning to number 2
     • Verdi, Solo from Otello
     • Ginastera, Solo from Variaciones Concertantes

Harp

Applicants should prepare:

• Three contrasting works from different historical periods and styles, including at least one solo work from the 20th or 21st century. Chosen solo works should be memorized.

• An orchestral excerpt or cadenza. 

• Sight reading (for on-site live auditions). 

Applicants who submit a recorded audition should include repertoire consisting of 30 to 45 minutes of music. Selections should include contrasting works, as specified above, as well as an orchestral excerpt or cadenza. Movements from concerti or chamber music are acceptable. Orchestral excerpts or cadenzas, and chamber music do not have to be performed from memory.

String Quartet

Applicants for graduate work in String Quartet Studies must be part of a pre-formed quartet (together for at least one year). Individual members of the quartet may complete a Master of Music (MM), Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA) or Artist Diploma (AD) during their study at Illinois. The string quartet position may include an assistantship, providing each member with a partial tuition and fee waiver as well as a stipend. This award may be renewable (maximum of two years for MM or AD and three years for DMA). Duties may include 1 hour per week per member of coaching undergraduate chamber groups. Each member of the String Quartet must separately apply to the University of Illinois. Follow the Application Instructions.

Applicants must perform two complete, contrasting string quartets. These may be submitted by DVD or performed at a live audition. Each individual member and the quartet as a whole must submit a curriculum vitae.

Updated on 09/07/2018