Music Audition Requirements | Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Conducting Audition Information

Choral Conducting

Pre-screen required.

Applicants must submit pre-screening materials online by the December application deadline. Read more about the audition process below.

The pre-screen video and supporting materials must contain the following:

• A total of 15- to 20-minute video recording of footage comprising rehearsal and performance.
• Note: The video should be from the perspective of the choir and show the conductor's face. The video should be of good quality and the conductor's instructions should be audible and clear. A successful applicant should provide video that shows rehearsal technique as well as performance conducting. Rehearsals should be run in English or subtitles provided if the choir's native language is not English. Video clips need not include an entire musical selection.
• A performance resume or curriculum vitae.
• Two letters of recommendation from artists/teachers who can most fully discuss your potential in the field of choral conducting.
• A written self-assessment of piano skills, vocal skills, and experience with languages and sung diction (Latin, German, French, Italian, Spanish, etc.).
• Note: The self-assessment should include the career path the applicant hopes to undertake and how a master's degree in choral conducting fits into that plan.
• A brief but complete analysis of a short common practice period choral work, equivalent to a movement from a Brahms motet or Bach cantata.
• Note: The analysis should include a chart of the work's form, harmonic language, key areas, etc.

Applicants may be invited to audition and interview at Boston Conservatory at Berklee based on an evaluation of the materials submitted above, as well as submission of a complete application. During auditions, applicants will be asked to do the following.

Live Audition Requirements:

Rehearse with a Boston Conservatory at Berklee choral ensemble, during which the applicant should expect to:

• Conduct a brief warm-up.
• Conduct a complete work or movement from a larger work, as assigned by George Case, director of choral activities, with which the ensemble is familiar.
• Introduce a work or an excerpt from a larger work of the applicant’s choosing, in consultation with George Case.

Interview with choral faculty, during which the applicant will:

• Sing a prepared solo at the level of an Italian art song (a pianist will be provided).
• Demonstrate piano skills by playing a prepared piece of your choosing at the level of a two-part Bach Invention.
• Sight-read at the piano at the level of a Bach choral in open score.
• Sight-read both tonal and atonal exercises from Modus Novus and other sources.
• Aurally identify intervals, scales, triads, and harmonic progressions.
• Read brief excerpts in Latin, German, French, Spanish, and Italian for correct pronunciation.
• Conduct assigned repertoire for the conservatory choral ensemble rehearsal with a pianist and George Case.

Applicants will be invited to observe classes and rehearsals, as well as interact with current graduate and undergraduate students.

Orchestral Conducting

Pre-screen required. Live audition required.

All orchestral conducting applicants must submit a pre-screen recording by the December application deadline. Pre-screen material must include the following:

• A résumé highlighting the applicant’s performing, conducting, and educational experience.
• A repertoire list of compositions conducted in performance and/or rehearsal.
• Two artistic letters of recommendation from teachers or faculty who have observed the applicant conducting.
• A 30-minute video of the applicant conducting a working rehearsal (including stopping, speaking, and starting) of any instrumental ensemble or repertoire. The recording camera should be facing the conductor, and the video should demonstrate verbal communication skills. (Video of a performance is not required.) The 30-minute video may include more than one rehearsal or repertoire.
• A 15-minute audio recording of the applicant performing recently prepared repertoire on the applicant’s primary instrument/voice.

 Live Auditions Requirements:

Applicants will not be invited to the live audition until all the above have been submitted. Applicants may be invited to a live audition and interview at Boston Conservatory at Berklee based on an evaluation of the materials submitted above, as well as submission of a complete application. During auditions, applicants will be asked to do the following:

• Conduct the Boston Conservatory Conductor's Orchestra in standard orchestral repertoire (to be shared if invited).
• Demonstrate proficiency in orchestration, music history, score recognition, repertoire, and standard foreign musical terminology.

Updated on 09/17/2018